* Start by reading everything you can about your subject. "I read everything I could get my hands on about Facebook, the Winklevoss twins, and Eduardo Saverin," Sorkin said about his work on The Social Network. "I read all the articles, all the books, and even the court documents."
* Get to know your characters. "I want to know everything about my characters," Sorkin said. "What makes them tick, what they want out of life, and what their flaws are."
* Write a strong story structure. "Structure is everything," Sorkin said. "If your structure is weak, your whole screenplay will fall apart."
* Write every day. "The more you write, the better you'll become," Sorkin said. "Try to write something every day, even if it's just a few pages."
* Get feedback on your work. "It's important to get feedback on your work from people you trust," Sorkin said. "They can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses."
2. Diablo Cody (Juno, Young Adult)
* Write what you know. "I write best when I'm writing about things that I know about," Cody said. "I drew on my own experiences when I wrote Juno and Young Adult."
* Be fearless. "Don't be afraid to be different," Cody said. "The best screenplays are the ones that break the rules."
* Write from the heart. "If you don't care about your story, no one else will," Cody said. "Make sure you're passionate about your material before you start writing."
* Don't give up. "Screenwriting is a tough business," Cody said. "There will be a lot of rejection. But if you're passionate about writing, you have to keep going."
3. Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained)
* Watch a lot of movies. "The best way to learn how to write screenplays is to watch as many movies as you can," Tarantino said. "Pay attention to the structure, the characters, and the dialogue."
* Read a lot of books. "I read a lot of books, especially crime fiction," Tarantino said. "Reading helps me to learn new words and phrases and to come up with new ideas."
* Practice writing. "The more you write, the better you'll become," Tarantino said. "Try to write something every day, even if it's just a few pages."
* Don't be afraid to experiment. "Don't be afraid to try new things," Tarantino said. "The best screenplays are the ones that break the rules."
* Have fun. "Screenwriting should be enjoyable," Tarantino said. "If you're not having fun, it's going to show in your work."
4. Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs)
* Create a unique world. "I like to create my own worlds that are a little bit different from the real world," Anderson said. "My characters are often quirky and eccentric, and my sets are often very stylized."
* Have a strong visual sense. "I think about the visuals of my films very early on in the process," Anderson said. "I like to create beautiful, visually appealing images."
* Pay attention to detail. "I pay attention to every detail of my films, from the costumes to the props to the music," Anderson said. "I want everything to be just right."
* Be patient. "Screenwriting takes time," Anderson said. "I often spend several years working on my scripts before I'm ready to shoot."
* Don't be afraid to experiment. "I'm always trying new things with my films," Anderson said. "I don't want to be stuck doing the same thing over and over again."
5. Lena Dunham (Girls, Tiny Furniture)
* Write what you know. "I write best when I'm writing about my own life and my own experiences," Dunham said. "My characters are often based on people I know, and my plots are often inspired by things that have happened to me."
* Be honest. "I think it's important to be honest in your writing," Dunham said. "Don't try to pretend to be someone you're not. Your readers will be able to tell."
* Be brave. "Don't be afraid to take risks," Dunham said. "The best writing is the writing that pushes the boundaries."
* Don't give up. "Screenwriting is a tough business," Dunham said. "There will be a lot of rejection. But if you're passionate about writing, you have to keep going."
6. Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther)
* Find your voice. "The most important thing is to find your own voice as a writer," Coogler said. "Don't try to imitate someone else's style. Be yourself."
* Write about what you're passionate about. "I write best when I'm writing about things that I'm passionate about," Coogler said. "I'm drawn to stories about people who are struggling to overcome obstacles."
* Do your research. "I spend a lot of time doing research before I start writing," Coogler said. "I want to make sure that my stories are accurate and authentic."
* Don't be afraid to experiment. "I'm always trying new things with my writing," Coogler said. "I'm not afraid to take risks."