Advice on Screenwriting? Better Call Vince!

Vince Gilligan is an American writer, director and producer best known for his work on hit TV show Breaking Bad and its formidable spin-off Better Call Saul. Previous to these works of art, he wrote and produced The X-Files and picked up awards including 4 Emmys and a BAFTA.

Was Walter Whites Breaking Bad downfall predictable? No. Was it believable? Yes. Gilligan says staying true to the characters voice allows all kinds of situations to build.

Here are Vince Gilligan’s Top 10 Screenwriting Tips:    

1 ”When you hear a ridiculous idea or a joke, try to think of a domino effect situation that would lead to that ridiculous concept actually being plausible.”

2 “Have a finite show in mind while writing. Make sure your characters change and they have a beginning and an end."

3 “To make a coincidence believable, make sure it is ultimately bad for the main character. If it benefits them, there shouldn’t be a coincidence.”

4 “Build the story brick by brick, index card by index card. Fill the board with indispensable plot points until you have enough."

5 “Make sure you have a one-liner pitch sentence about your show that gives an idea of where the show is going and stick by that one-liner.” 

6 "As a new staff writer, remember to have a good attitude in the writers' room. Don’t try to change the show, you need to first prove yourself by having the ability to speak in the voice of the characters already in it." 

7 "Your writing won’t be of quality when you first start, no matter who you are. But if you start with an enthusiasm for it and keep at it, you’ll get there."

8 "There’s no other way of pitching than putting one leg in front of the other. Make sure you believe in the project."

9 "In television production, you sometimes have to roll with the punches. If something doesn’t go your way, don’t dwell on it. Instead, try to turn lemons into lemonade." 

10 "Most of the time, doing organic storytelling that stems from character is a good way to go about writing television, but sometimes writing something just for the fun of it might result in great moments."

Next time you’re stuck on a script, take inspiration from Vince Gilligan.

After the audacious adventures of Walt White and the erratic stunts of Saul Goodman, Vince knows exactly what it takes to captivate viewers.

The world is waiting to see what TV magic happens next!