The creators of Stranger Things recently shared practical, no‑nonsense advice for aspiring screenwriters — grounded in their own journey from film school to one of streaming’s biggest hits. Their guidance cuts through hype: focus on discipline, story fundamentals, and building your own path.
What They Emphasize: Writing Habits & Process
- Treat writing like a routine — The Duffers stress that success doesn’t come from inspiration alone. They recommend setting a regular schedule: “if writing feels like pulling teeth, you might be doing it wrong.”
- Keep scripts lean and readable — Their core script elements: action, description, dialogue. Action should unfold at a measured pace so readers don’t get lost; description should be minimal but evocative; dialogue should stay natural and avoid over‑explaining.
Early Lessons: Use What’s Around You
Before fame, the Duffers learned a hard but important lesson: it’s okay — even useful — to read or watch less‑loved or poorly written material. They say that seeing how bad scripts get sold helped them realize they could do better.
Their advice for early filmmakers: don’t over‑reach. For small projects or student films, keep things contained and manageable rather than trying to create a cinematic epic on a shoestring budget.
How to Break In Without Connections
- Show, don’t just script — If you can shoot, edit, or mount even a simple short film, do it. The Duffers say that hands‑on experience helps demonstrate you know how a set works beyond just writing.
- Network smartly — Sending a spec script directly to a major studio rarely works. Instead, aim to connect with an agent or manager who can get your work read by producers.
Final Thought: Persistence Beats Perfection
The Duffers didn’t arrive overnight. Their early career included struggle, rejection, and even failure. But they view those setbacks as part of the process.
Their message to emerging writers: get your hands dirty, keep writing, stay practical, and use limitations — budget, time, lack of connections — to your advantage. With consistency and creativity, good ideas can still break through.
