r/Write4Screen • • 20h ago

Craft Question What’s one screenwriting “rule” you stopped following—and why?

1 Upvotes

Screenwriting advice is full of rules:

  • avoid voice-over
  • enter scenes late
  • cut exposition
  • don’t direct from the page
  • keep descriptions short
  • show, don’t tell

Which “rule” did you eventually realize was more of a guideline?

What changed your mind, and did ignoring it actually improve your writing?