CUT OFF YOUR FIRST 20 PAGES NOW!

THAT’S RIGHT,  YOU HEARD ME.

Try this: As an experiment, copy your script into a new document but cut off the first 5 or 10 or 20 pages.  Read your new 30 pages.  Does it start with your hero in action?  Is your script zipping along?  Were those first 20 pages mainly backstory?  Don’t worry, you can place any missing vital information later.  Don’t start explaining who this person is.  Set him in action then slowly reveal him.

Examples:

FIRST TWO PAGES.  Man wakes up.  Man kisses his wife.  Man drives to work.  Man goes into an office building.  Man goes up elevator.  Man on rooftop takes out a rifle.  Man starts shooting.

OR.

FIRST PAGE:  Man opens a rooftop door.  Man goes to the ledge.  Man takes out a rifle.  Man starts shooting.

Which grips you?  Which one will keep the reader/producer/agent, who only read the first 20 pages, going?

It always goes back to: SHOW DON’T TELL.

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