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Most screenwriters take way too long to get their stories started. They think that by giving lots of information in the first 1-10 pages they're helping the reader better understand the characters and/or situation.
Not!
I'm not saying that you shouldn't have some information up front. Depending on the story you might need a couple of pages of set-up.
But if you don't, then make every effort to hook the reader on Page 1.
To illustrate this point I recommend a movie that wastes not a second of time. It's called THE FOUNTAINHEAD. Based on the novel by Ayn Rand. Gary Cooper's the star. Rent it. Stick it in your VCR (to my knowledge it's not out on DVD) and be prepared to be hooked within the first 15 seconds.
I'm writing about this because I happened to rent it last week. I'd seen it on TV maybe 20 years ago--before I paid attention to things like structure and storytelling technique.
Check it out. The beginning, as well as the entire film.
I'm going to start compiling a list of other movies that get started immediately. Hint. Most of them are from the Thirties and Forties and they run constantly on AMC or TCM.
If you're sitting around at home with nothing to watch, check out anything before 1950, especially with big stars.
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