Answer 1

1. My first answer right now is: write with a voice. Not literally of course. What I mean is that a story isn't worth listening to if there wasn't a point to be arrived at. Stories with resonating themes are more likely well received. Anyways, writers have voices. My best example would be... Ayn Rand vs. Jane Austen. Both great writers in their own respect, but they have completely different voices. For writers, having a voice is probably the hardest thing to achieve and at the same time most powerful tool to have. Without a voice a writer's message or point can seem cliche or detached. When you read anything and see that the writer is clearly connected to the themes and truths he/she is trying to arrive at, you feel you can trust the writer; there is some sense of assurance in a writer that has a voice. I think, and again I just think, that this makes the difference when a screenplay without a "name" comes into the hands of someone who can make it into a film. Besides having a compelling story, concrete characters, etc. the difference between another good story and screenplay worth investing in is one where the screenwriter has a voice.

2. In my interview with playwright/director Bernardo Solano, he said that the most integral and essential part to a screenplay is the heart... which is essentially a part of the writer. But I can't say the best way to write a successful screenplay is to be a great screenwriter - obviously. However I do feel that is an important part of it; it doesn't make sense to write a good screenplay and not be a good screenwriter, right? So what makes a good screenwriter? I think above all things, and something hidden and yet apparent in the screenplays I've read, is that voice... I'm trying to think of other examples of the answer coming up but I can only think of maybe a quote or two. Honestly, my sources aren't really that credible (as far as research goes) its hard to get academic sources for screenplays - other than tons of books on how to write a screenplay written by people who have never sold one... which in my opinion is not very good research.

3. I have some comments from an interview. But I have been reading screenplays and came to this conclusion after looking through my research, the interviews, and my other components. So I guess research, interviews, screenplays, and my own notes are my possible sources of evidence. I still need to think of better resources.