Paula Goldberg, a well-known director and screenwriter, gave a great talk at LitFest. She shared so many helpful tips on writing scripts, and had a lot to say about what makes a script great. Goldberg’s tips and insights were both inspiring and eye-opening.
One of the main things Goldberg talked about was the importance of clarity in a script, leading to misunderstandings about the tone, pacing, or overall vision of the film. It’s important, she emphasized, to keep your scripts clear.
Goldberg explained that if a script has unnecessary information, it can confuse the director, actors, and everyone else involved in making the movie. This idea of keeping things simple and clear was a huge takeaway from the presentation.
Another point Goldberg made that stood out was how screenwriters should focus on showing emotions instead of just telling the audience what the characters are feeling. She pointed out that the audience doesn’t need to be told a character is sad or angry – one should be able to see it through their actions or reactions.
She discussed how some movies can feel too obvious when explaining emotions, while the best ones let the audience figure it out on their own. It reinforced the importance of showing, not telling, in writing a compelling script. By letting the emotions unfold through the character’s behavior, you give the audience the chance to engage more deeply with the story, making it a more immersive experience.
Goldberg also emphasized the importance of cutting out anything that isn’t necessary. She told us that every line in a script should serve a purpose, whether it advances the plot, develops the character, or builds emotion. If it doesn’t do any of those things, it should be removed.
This idea of trimming down a script was really emphasized in Goldberg’s presentation. It’s easy to get attached to your words, but sometimes less is more. By removing unnecessary elements, you allow the story to move more efficiently, keeping the audience’s attention focused on what truly matters. It was a reminder that clarity and precision are key to crafting a strong, impactful script.
Overall, Goldberg’s talk was inspiring and included lots of advice that one could integrate into their own writing. She underscored the importance of keeping things clear, how to show emotions through actions, and how to focus on what really matters in a script, creating a better understanding of screenwriting.
