Why Your Script Is Not a Film Yet
Segun Iwasanmi
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Why Your Script Is Not a Film Yet

Segun Iwasanmi
@iwasanmisegun212159

24 days ago


© Segun Iwasanmi
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One quick way to get your script rejected fast is to start moving the camera inside your script like you’re the one holding it. “The camera pans left, zooms into his eyes, tilt upwards…” my brother, are you the director?

Your job as a scriptwriter is the story, not the camera angles. When you start dragging the camera around, two things happen:

1. You annoy the director, because you’re doing their work for them.

2. You expose yourself as an amateur, because professionals know script is story, not shooting manual.

What then should you focus on? The actions and emotions that make the scene alive. Don’t write “the camera zooms in on her face.” Instead, write “her smile faded till her lips pressed into silence.” Trust me, any good director will know exactly where to place the camera from that.

I tell the writers I coach, your script should read like a film I can already see in my head without needing you to drag the tripod around. That’s the secret to clean, professional scriptwriting that sells.

And yes, I help writers edit and refine their scripts into industry-level drafts that can actually make a producer pause. But here’s my advice today: before you start calling camera shots, make sure your story is strong enough that even without a lens, I can already picture it.

Now let me ask you, as a film lover,what’s one movie scene you can still remember vividly, not because of camera work, but because of how the story itself was written?

© Segun Iwasanmi | ™The Man With The Story.
Book Writer | Screen and Scriptwriter | Creative Fiction writer | Book Editor.
I help people turn rough ideas into bold stories that work

#Scriptwriting

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Segun Iwasanmi @iwasanmisegun212159
For me, it has to be that scene in Blood Sisters where Kemi sat quietly, trying to act tough, but her silence was screaming guilt. No camera tricks, just pure story power. That’s the kind of scene that sticks.
24 days ago

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Segun Iwasanmi @iwasanmisegun212159
One thing I always tell my students,if your scene can’t stand without camera movements, it’s not ready. Story first, camera later.
24 days ago

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Segun Iwasanmi @iwasanmisegun212159
And honestly, I’d love to hear from you,what’s one Nigerian movie scene that stayed with you because of how it was written, not the shots? Let’s swap notes.
24 days ago

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Mcelrath Diana @dianamcelrath8785
Damn, that’s spot on! The real magic in cinema is always in the story. My all-time favorite scene was in *Pulp Fiction* where Andy Kaufman does that handstand. It’s just so much about the character’s journey and how you feel as he slowly turns from a messiah to a mess. The script really pulls you into his world.
18 days ago

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Segun Iwasanmi @iwasanmisegun212159
Honestly, you gat it... Thanks for the contribution
16 days ago
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Castillo Kaiser @kaisercastillo4978
Hey Segun! Love your approach here. It's spot-on to emphasize that the story should be strong enough to stand on its own, without needing detailed camera work. I can already picture the scenes in my head just from the writing—no need for extra directions! Great advice for any writer looking to make their craft better.
16 days ago

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Lepe Augustine @augustinelepe3303
That's an interesting take! I remember watching 'The Godfather' where the camera work really defines the mood, but for me, it was always about the story. What movie scene have you got that left such a strong impression purely because of how it was written?
14 days ago

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Gonzales Chelsea @chelseagonzales8382
Hey Segun! I remember when I first saw that movie where the acting was so strong it felt like the story was happening on its own. It's the writing that truly grabs you, not just the camera work. What's your favorite scene that sticks purely because of the story?
12 days ago

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Lepe Bruce @brucelepe9479
Hey Segun! Thanks for sharing those solid scriptwriting tips. I agree—there's so much more to storytelling than just the visuals. The scene from *The Dark Knight* with the Joker's speech comes to mind; it's all in the delivery and emotion, not the camera work. Keep cranking those stories—you're got a knack for crafting compelling ones.
11 days ago

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Heatherly Hadley @hadleyheatherly1136
That makes sense! I always thought the story was more important than the camera angles.
6 days ago