At ScreenCraft, we've poured over thousands of scripts for past contests and one thing that trips us up while reading is the use of the word "just." Often times we're cruising through the pages when a character comes to a decision, or action, or important moment and the word "just" pops up to steal the scene and make us question what's going on.

To be clear we're not down on the adjective JUST, only the adverb.

JUST:

adverb

1. 1.

   exactly.

   "that's just what I need"

   synonyms:

   exactly, precisely, absolutely, completely, totally, entirely, perfectly,utterly, wholly, thoroughly, in all respects; More
2. 2.

   very recently; in the immediate past.

   "I've just seen the local paper"

   synonyms:

   a moment ago,a second ago,a short time ago,very recently,not long ago "I just saw him"

When you comb over thousands of scripts, you start to realize that there's always a common denominator when it comes to the best. They're active, they hold on and never let go with the pacing, and have characters with clear ideas about what they want and how they'll get it.

There's no room for "just" in scripts like that. "Just" weakens thoughts and emotions - especially in crucial moments. Does your character want to JUST get the holy grail or does she WANT to get the holy grail. You may think these emotions are the same, when in actuality to the reader, there is a measurable discrepancy. Especially when "just" can be supplanted with the word "only."

If your character ONLY wants something that's great. They have a clear objective, they can speak to it directly, and you can use "only" to deepen who they are as a person.

They're only after money, only wear bespoke suits, only go to Mass on Christmas and Easter.

If a character "just" wears bespoke suits, he sounds kind of lazy, or limited in options.

"Just" is a word that makes us think that the character doesn't have strong feelings toward an objective or doesn't care that much. It also connotes a whining, "I JUST want it." If your principals don't care, then why should we?

Another issue we have with the word is that you never need it. Think about the best lines in all of cinema if we add "just" to them.

"Frankly, my dear, I just don't give a damn."

"We just need a bigger boat."

"I just coulda been a contender . . ."

Screenwriting is different from all other forms of writing because every sentence put on the page needs to be economical. It needs to express the thoughts, feelings, and actions of the story without being ostentatious. It's a blueprint, not a final draft. On set changes, ad-libbing actors, and the editor have the final say in what the movie eventually looks like, but the way to get to those steps is to create something dynamic.

If every word counts, pages are limited, and stories need to flow at a certain pace, then you cannot afford to use extra verbiage to get the same point across.

To be clear, we're not advocating completely avoiding the word, but armed with this knowledge, KNOW when you're using it. Go through the dialogue in your script, perform a word search and see how often you use the word "just" as filler. Take it out and see how each person speaks with a direct line and force.

There will be times you need the word but here, at ScreenCraft, we just want to see you succeed--and be economical.