How I got my screenplay commissioned by the BBC at 21 years old (35s explanation)

@christineubochi

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SINNERS

Why it worked

The video offers practical, actionable advice for aspiring screenwriters, presented in a concise and relatable manner. The creator's personal success story adds credibility and inspiration.

Summary

The creator shares advice on how to become a better screenwriter by studying existing screenplays. She recommends borrowing screenplays from the library and analyzing them to understand what makes them effective.

Structure

1Introduction: Commissioned by BBC at 21
2Common misconception: Need to be original
3Advice: Study great stories
4Method: Borrow screenplays from the library
5Analysis: Investigate emotional shifts and pacing
6Recommendation: 'Sinners' screenplay

Product placement

BBC (appears): A channel/company logo that appears on screen. Removing it would not change what happens in the video. SCREEN SOUTH (appears): A production company logo that appears on screen. Removing it would not change what happens in the video. ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND (appears): A logo for a funding body that appears on screen. Removing it would not change what happens in the video. SINNERS (acts): A screenplay that the creator recommends reading and analysing. Removing it would change the video's core recommendation.

Original caption

This helped me change the way I approached storytelling. Hopefully the sound won’t cut out in this vid 🥲 #screenwriting #storytelling #filmmaking #writertok #creativeadvice

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On-screen text

How I got my screenplay commissioned by the BBC at 21 years old (35s explanation) ONE STUDENT FILM BEFORE THE NEXT GOT COMMISSIONED BY MOST NEW WRITERS NEED TO BE ORIGINAL STRAIGHT AWAY, BUT YOU DON'T. FASTEST WAY TO BECOME A BETTER STORYTELLER IS TO STUDY GREAT STORIES. I THINK I ALWAYS DID WAS GO TO MY SCREENPLAYS. AND I ENCOURAGE YOU'RE A YOUNGER TO DO THE EXACT SAME. THIS MONTH GO TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY AND FIND A SCREENPLAY OF A FILM READ IT ONCE LIKE A NORMAL STORY, THEN READ IT THIS TIME, INVESTIGATE IT. ASK YOURSELF: WHEN DID I START CARING? WHEN DID THE EMOTION CHANGE? WHAT HAPPENS IN PAGES? STUDY WHY IT BECAUSE THAT'S ONE THINGS THAT MADE ME BECOME A BETTER WRITER. WHAT'S ONE SCREENPLAY EVERY WRITER SHOULD READ? MY ANSWER IS SINNERS.

Transcript

I already made one student film before the next film I made got commissioned by the BBC. And this is how I did it so you can do it too. Most new writers think that they need to be original straight away, but you don't. The fastest way to become a better storyteller is to study great stories. I think I always did was go to my screenplays. And I encourage you, especially if you're a younger to do the exact same. This month, go to your local library and find a screenplay of a film you love. Read it once like a normal story, then read it this time, investigate it. Ask yourself, when did I start caring? When did the emotion change? What happens in pages? Study why it because that's one things that made me become a better writer. What's one screenplay every writer should read? My answer is Sinners.