It’s often said that a screenwriter should write what they know.
But if all screenwriters wrote what they knew then 99% of movies out there would never have got made.
I remember an agent once telling me that if people wrote what they knew then no one would go to the cinema because movies would be so boring.
So, as a former agent myself, I don’t advocate the “write what you know” philosophy, unless you want to get some harsh real world experience and then write what you know.
Write What You Know
Oliver Stone wrote the screenplay Platoon based upon what he knew. He served in Vietnam and saw action. But ultimately, Oliver Stone knew what he was writing about—this came from hard earned experience.
For those of us who are reluctant to go to war just to get some material for their screenplay, I suggest the “know what you write” approach.
I’ve heard this approach bounced around by various agents and I also adopted this approach myself when advising clients.
Know what you write is a great mantra (and it keeps us safe 🙂
Know What You Write
A screenwriter can learn just about any subject out there by watching other movies, reading books, researching via the internet and talking to people.
If you want to write a screenplay about flying to the moon, you don’t actually have to fly to the moon.
In fact, most agents, although not all, would strongly advise against it.
It is far easier to read some books and interview an astronaut about their experiences than it is to fly to the moon.
If you ask the right questions and listen closely, you should be able to glean enough information from your research to replicate your subjects experience.
Essentially, when you’re not that intimate with the subject of your screenplay, this “knowledge-gap” can be fixed through extensive research. You don’t have to write what you know, but you do have to know what you write.
An agent or producer reviewing a script can tell right away whether or not a screenwriter’s words are authentic or not.
If you do your research, then this authenticity will seep through into your screenplay and you’ll be able to tell a much more convincing story.
* Liz Fairbanks has worked as a reader, development assistant, and talent agent in Los Angeles over the last seven years. Liz loves traveling, reading and yoga. Liz also works as a freelance consultant for Script Mailer (a company that connects screenwriters with agents and producers in Hollywood).