I can’t recall how many times I’ve read the advice not to direct your screenplay, but I do know that I’ve even written about it before here at ScriptXRay.
It’s a perfectly sound guideline to write by – however, I’ve also been noticing a lot of screenplays coming in that feel safe, tame, and molded … as if forced into a suit and told to conform if they want to fit in with the industry standard. I can’t help but imagine a lot of screenwriters out there are reducing their voice, …

I can’t help but notice that screenwriting continues to be approached more and more from the business side of the trade rather than the artistic and expressive side these days.
Whether you’re skimming the UCLA extension program for screenwriting courses, reading blog posts such as “Marketing you Screenplay and Securing a Rich Deal,” or books on packaging elements into your work, they’re all focusing on the business aspect of the trade.
While this might be a bit naive to be writing, I simply think it’s necessary for screenwriters to remember what makes …