screenplay writing terms

There are so many daunting aspects of screenplay writing.  

For starters, what do all those screenplay writing terms mean?

Here are some definitions:

Green Light - When your script moves from development to actual production.  

Log Line - A sentence or two that describes your screenplay.  Brief and to the point.

Spec Script - Original screenplay.  You weren't hired to write the script so you are not making money up front.

Synopsis - A few-paragraph description of your script.

In addition to learning all the terms, there is also the magical aspect.

If you like to write, you can lose yourself in your imagination and somewhere down the line you might find yourself completing a script.

Once in a while, as you are in the creating or dreaming mode, remind yourself of the realities:

• Read about the rewards and challenges of screenwriting.  

• Check the date and time—how long have you been writing that same script?

• Is this really what you want to spend your precious time doing?

After some soul searching, and you decide screenwriting is for you, you are fortunate to have found one thing in life you feel is worth doing--writing.