How Data Can Help You Write A Better Screenplay, by Walt Hickey of FiveThirtyEight

The data gods at Five Thirty Eight evaluated the success rate for thousands of screenplays submitted through The Black List and have distilled some interesting insights. For example…

Hagen said novice screenwriters find writing good dialogue and characters particularly challenging. Genres that rely heavily on dialogue and characters — namely, comedies — tend to fare worse overall. On the other hand, niche dramas — particularly those set in a compelling time period, or at a particular location or event — claim the top spot. A good setting can compensate for poorer character development or dialogue, whereas when comedy misses, it misses big.

Check out their article, How Data Can Help You Write A Better Screenplay.