WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, written by Nora Ephron THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY, written by Barrie Keefe A FISH CALLED WANDA, written by John Cleese and Charles Crichton THE BREAKFAST CLUB, written by John Hughes DR STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB, written by Stanley Kubrick, Terry Southern and Peter George NORTH BY NORTHWEST, written by Ernest Lehman SOME LIKE IT HOT, written by Billy Wilder and I. The 20 Selected Screenplays to Best Learn From.We’re not arguing that these 20 screenplays constitute the greatest screenplays ever but instead we’re offering them as important blueprints for execution.Ī contentious list, maybe, but scroll down to check out not necessarily the 20 best screenplays of all time, but 20 scripts we feel you can learn most from. These are screenplays that can teach aspiring writers how to balance story and theme, craft character dynamics and write dialogue that is both entertaining and functional. How are scripts actually written and what does the best version of one look like? This is important to understand for the budding screenwriter.įortunately, we’ve collected twenty of the very best screenplays to read for aspiring screenwriters seeking to learn about their burgeoning craft. But learning the language of the screenplay is necessary to navigating it.Īnd so reading screenplays is a great way to learn that language. Most writers could string a sentence together. Screenwriting is a medium in which format is crucial. “i f you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or the tools to write.” Stephen King What’s on the page and what’s in the film can vary, and it’s vital for developing a writing style and honing your craft. It’s essential that screenwriters are not only regularly watching films and TV but reading movie scripts too.

Stephen King said it best: “ if you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or the tools to write.“

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