This is the third in my “10 Tips” series for Film Actors. For previous blogs, please see 10 Tips For Film Actors On How To Write Great Scenes and 10 Tips For Film Actors On How To Get A Job When You’re Broke.

I write this blog from the perspective of an actor who has been a writer since I was a kid. At first I wrote plays, then screenplays, then novels, then short stories and now I find myself back to writing screenplays and TV pilots (and this blog!)

Writing great scenes is as much about collaboration as it is about what you put on paper. It’s always more important to know what NOT to say than what TO say. Here are some tips on how to create memorable scenes that will make your acting life easier and help you stand out in a good way…

1. Be Specific: If you are given a character that has no name or vague descriptions (“the cop” or “the woman”) ask the director if you can invent a name and/or history for your character. It’s always nice when you can get backstory from the director but sometimes they don’t have time to give you specifics so it’s up to you to figure out where your character comes from and what their

Screenwriter, actor and acting coach Josh Bycel gives 10 tips that will help film actors write better scenes for their acting class. “Film actors need to learn how to write scenes,” says Bycel, who teaches acting in Los Angeles and New York City. “I’m not talking about writing a screenplay, but writing a scene specifically for your acting class.”

In the world of acting classes, Bycel is known as one of the best teachers for film actors. He has helped thousands of students hone their craft over the years at his classes. He also teaches a popular screenwriting class with his writing partner Jonathan Fener (30 Rock).

“If you want to be in Hollywood, you need to learn how to write,” says Bycel. “It doesn’t matter if you’re an actor or a writer. If you want to be in this business, you need to know how to write.”

Bycel says he doesn’t agree with the common advice given by many acting teachers who tell actors not to pursue screenwriting because it’s too hard and they won’t get paid anyway. “The truth is that if you can write a good scene, it will make you a better actor,” he says. “You’ll have more ideas, better preparation and better audition

1. The goal of this blog is to help you write an unforgettable scene.

2. The key idea to remember is that the scene comes first, not the characters.

3. The scene is the most important thing. It’s more important than the characters and the plot, because it’s where all the drama happens.

4. If you’re writing a scene, think about how you would direct it as a film. Who are your actors? What do they say? What do they do? Where does it take place? What are their relationships with each other? How can you make the scene as dramatic as possible?

5. It’s better to write a scene that has an actor doing something interesting than to write a bunch of scenes with people talking about stuff that isn’t very interesting. That’s why movies have so many “action” scenes and not just people sitting around talking about stuff: because action is much more exciting than talk!

6. If you’re writing a scene with two characters, try to make them different types of people: one who’s hotheaded and impulsive, another who’s calm and thoughtful; one who wants revenge on his enemies at all costs, another who prefers justice over vengeance; etc…

Writing great scenes is a skill every actor needs to master because it’s a great way to get in front of the camera. You can do that by creating a web series or sketch comedy or even writing your own short film.

If you want to write a scene you need to start with a similar process as developing a character: find their goals, obstacles, and tactics. Then what you want to do is create an obstacle that creates conflict and tension.

The character goals will be the basis for the story and the obstacles will create the conflict that propels the story forward.

As actors, we have been taught how to develop characters and stories when we are on the other side of the camera but rarely do actors think about how they can use these techniques when they write their own scenes for themselves.

You’re an actor. That’s a wonderful thing! You were born to be an actor. You were meant to be an actor. All you need is that one person to give the right role to you and you will shine and everyone will see it.

But don’t wait around for that to happen. Let’s take matters into your own hands.

When I was starting out as an actor, I had a lot of friends who were also actors, and we would all do the same thing: wait around for someone else to call us in for a role. We would go on auditions, and we would get callbacks, but 99% of the time we would not get the part. It was very discouraging, but we kept telling ourselves that all it takes is one yes. All we needed was one big break, one big opportunity that could change everything for us.

But why did we have to wait for someone else to give us that chance? Why didn’t we give each other those chances?

That’s when I realized how powerful writing scenes could be. Writing scenes allowed me to practice my craft every day. Writing scenes allowed me to work with other actors on my schedule, instead of waiting around for someone else’s schedule or audition dates or callback times

1. Don’t create a “story arc” or “character arc,” or anything else that arcs. Create a character and a scene that have an inner logic and shape to them. If you do, the arc will take care of itself.

2. The character is not you! It is way too easy to bring your own attitudes, judgements, and outlook on life to the scene. You aren’t playing yourself. You are playing someone else in a different situation with a different history. Find the unique qualities in the character and focus on them.

3. It is all about the other person in the scene (or people if it is group). Your job as an actor is to listen, respond honestly, and react to what they say and do (and how they say it.) Be present with everyone on set, so you can be present with everyone in the scene.

4. What are you doing in this scene? Make sure you know what your purpose is in it – why you are there, what your motivation is for each beat – and don’t stray from it (unless the director tells you to!) If you don’t know why your character is in this scene, ask yourself questions

1. In your first draft, write with abandon; don’t hold back. You can fix it later.

2. Write what you know: what you have read, seen, felt, or experienced.

3. Write what you feel; write from the heart.

4. Write with authenticity, then add originality and creativity.

5. Write about your personal experience of the subject matter (for example, transcribe a memory).

6. Have an opinion about everything and be curious about everything; get interested in something, then get obsessed with it — that’s how to fuel your creativity and imagination!

7. Think like a writer: watch movies with a critical eye and ask yourself “what would I have done differently?”

8. Don’t be afraid to offend people by telling stories truthfully; if you believe in it, someone else will too!

9. Don’t worry about imitating the greats; do what feels right for your story!

10. Read as much as possible! Read until you find something that inspires you!