You’re an actor so you already live with the goal of putting yourself out there. You’ve done it in auditions and in acting roles. So now, if you want to start writing, it’s time to be vulnerable once again. The trick is to choose a platform that you’re comfortable with. You have something that you can offer in a way that is uniquely you. Don’t try to mimic someone else. Be authentic and people will want to get to know you more.
The following are some steps to help guide you in getting started to write.
1. Decide the type of writing you’d enjoy doing.
There are many areas where you can engage others in conversations. You can start blogging. Blogs are usually viewed in reverse chronological order, meaning that the most recent post is on top. They’ve been used for personal posts, product reviews, or business posts.
You can also write for vlogging which are, you guessed it, video logs. These are similar to blogs but in video format. For the short and sweet messages, I don’t recommend unscripted rantings. It’s always better to think out your content prior to hitting record. I recommend you do a little research on attention spans so that your vlogs don’t run too long and lose the attention of your listeners. Choose your area of interest and have fun with it.
Writing for your YouTube Channel can also be quite rewarding. This form is a little longer and again transforms your written outline into video. It can be you talking to your subscribers or an actual story that you upload short episodes of each week.
Then there’s the big one, writing a script for your own demo clips, short film, or web series. Casting directors don’t care if your demo clips are from a released production or something that you’ve had recorded. Just make certain your quality is good. Do a search on various web series. There are some really good ones out there. You may just have to weed through some examples of what not to do in your research. A delightfully creative web series I’ve found is “The Guild.” Another extremely creative web series is “Gary Saves the Graveyard.”
A Beginner’s Guide To Writing a Script 2. Determine what your content will be about.
Do you have a subject that you do a lot of reading up on? Do you have a creative hobby that many are always amazed at and would like to learn? Are you a wonderful cook and love to share recipes? We all have expertise in different areas and we love to share it with our friends. Do you have a story that you’d like to share as a series? You can do this even if you’re the only one onscreen. Lisa Kudrow created “Web Therapy” which had herself and one other individual onscreen and it was a hit.
3. Learn about writing.
There are an abundance of blogs, vlogs, and YouTube channels devoted to the art of writing in whichever media you choose. Watch videos on the beats of a story. Most of this content is free. Read books. Do an online search on how to. If it’s a web series you want to delve into writing, plan out several episodes and what you’d like to happen in each before you even write the first one.
4. Talk to others that have already ventured into writing.
Get their input on the path they chose. Ask if there’s any reading they could recommend. Talk to friends to help see your strengths or anything you’d be good at writing about like being a mom, indoor plants, crafts, or even writing. I’ve learned so much just by reading other people’s comments in writers’ groups. Reading books on scriptwriting taught me how to create beats to the plot on longer writing and how to build a dynamic beginning, middle, and end.
5. Join a writers group on social media and read what other writers go through.
Be a fly on the wall in these groups until you’re ready to ask questions or give input. Follow other writers on the less interactive social pages and just absorb what you can. If you don’t find that useful, unfollow and find another writer.
Plan for your success and enjoy your visibility!
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and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
