Netflix: A Screenwriter’s Best Friend

Watching movies and television shows is, aside from reading scripts perhaps, the best way for novice and established screenwriters to hone their skills. As reading novels is to novelists, watching movies is to screenwriters. It is near impossible to be a competent, much less paid, screenwriter without being well versed in movies. 

But for many a decade finding great movies to watch and study was difficult and costly. With the advent of Netflix, and their streaming video service, we have entered a golden age of movie access. As screenwriters we should rejoice and if you have yet to sign up, do so now. You get a one month Free Trial so you have nothing to lose.

For screenwriters not having a Netflix subscription is like a novelist not having a library card. Netflix is literally the screenwriter’s best friend. It gives you unlimited access to hundreds of thousands of films and television shows from the latest sci-fi slockfest to Academy Award winners.

So let’s make a deal. Sign up for Netflix and commit to watching, and deconstructing at least one film or TV show a week. Use whatever screenwriting method you prefer. Study how they introduce the hero, the villain and the Ordinary World. Examine how conflict escalates and twists take us by surprise. Watch great movies and watch awful ones. You can often learn more by how a screenwriter did something wrong than by how they did it well.

For you television writers, Netflix is literally a life saver. Whether you are dreaming of becoming a Warner Brother’s Writing Fellow or need to polish up your latest spec pilot, studying multiple episodes of a great show in detail will give you insights into all aspects of the writing process. 

Studying an entire season or even an entire series in a short amount of time is the best method I know of to become one with the characters. As we all know, living the life of the characters is the only way to write great TV.

I recently started a new spec for a hit sitcom after devouring the entire first season in one amazing, sleep deprived weekend. Without living so intensely in their world I would likely have settled on my first or tenth idea for a spec and one I’m sure a thousand other writers have already conceived.  But, as it often does, unique inspiration struck me as I watched bleary eyed and unwashed at 3 AM. By noon the next day I had an outline and took a much deserved lengthy nap. Without Netflix this simply would not have happened.

So I’ll leave you with this. There has been no time in the history of TV and movie writing when writers have had more competition. So watch, watch, watch and then watch some more and when you are ready write. Trust me, Netflix will soon join the pantheon of best buddies alongside your MacBook, the 24 HR Starbucks and that comfy chair at your desk. 

Happy Watching,

Carney

 Originally Written as a Memo for Secret Legion Productions.