How to start?
- Thread starter Nazrat
- Start date
interesting links to refer to here in the Screenwriting discussion forums
interesting links to refer to here in the Screenwriting discussion forums
helpful links:
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/showthread.php?t=5440
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/showthread.php?t=4648
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/showthread.php?t=5617
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/showthread.php?t=5616
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/showthread.php?t=5618
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interesting links to refer to here in the Screenwriting discussion forums
helpful links:
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/showthread.php?t=5440
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/showthread.php?t=4648
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/showthread.php?t=5617
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/showthread.php?t=5616
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/showthread.php?t=5618
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Thanks Jody.
Helpful info. I've looked at most of these threads already I'll go back to them later as I need them, but I'm not sure it's going to help me with what I'm trying to find out now. I've also been searching the forums but haven't come across what I'm looking for. Perhaps I missed something here or there? I'm trying to ask about the baby stages of a story and what is usually done first, or in what order. I downloaded that e-book that's linked to in one of those threads and am currently reading it, but I'm trying to find out how other people go about starting their story.
Helpful info. I've looked at most of these threads already I'll go back to them later as I need them, but I'm not sure it's going to help me with what I'm trying to find out now. I've also been searching the forums but haven't come across what I'm looking for. Perhaps I missed something here or there? I'm trying to ask about the baby stages of a story and what is usually done first, or in what order. I downloaded that e-book that's linked to in one of those threads and am currently reading it, but I'm trying to find out how other people go about starting their story.
I guess I'll give an example of what I'm trying to do here.
I have a few screenplays in mind, and not sure where to go with them.
First one is a mafia comedy. I know what it's going to be about and I know what some of the characters are going to be about. I have a couple of scenes in mind that I would like to put in. I don't know how the whole story is going to play out to the end.
Second one is a paranormal type of thing. I have a general idea of what it's going to be about. I know who the main character pretty much developed. I have the first couple of scenes in mind and how they will play out. I don't know how the whole story is going to play out to the end.
Third one is a Lethal Weapon/Bad Boys type of film. Action with comedy. I have the main characters, the two detectives developed in my head. I know how I want the story to begin and maybe the ending as well. But I don't know how the story in between is going to play out. I still have to figure out the villain's overall scheme is.
I guess the common thing for me so far is that I have a general idea of what the movies are going to be about, and development of the main characters, and a few scenes in each one of them.
Should I continue character develpment? Work on the plot? Write a treatment? An outline? I know I have to do some research on the topics of these screenplays to give them a strong backbone to cary the story, but other than that, what angle should I take in bringing my writing along further?
I have a few screenplays in mind, and not sure where to go with them.
First one is a mafia comedy. I know what it's going to be about and I know what some of the characters are going to be about. I have a couple of scenes in mind that I would like to put in. I don't know how the whole story is going to play out to the end.
Second one is a paranormal type of thing. I have a general idea of what it's going to be about. I know who the main character pretty much developed. I have the first couple of scenes in mind and how they will play out. I don't know how the whole story is going to play out to the end.
Third one is a Lethal Weapon/Bad Boys type of film. Action with comedy. I have the main characters, the two detectives developed in my head. I know how I want the story to begin and maybe the ending as well. But I don't know how the story in between is going to play out. I still have to figure out the villain's overall scheme is.
I guess the common thing for me so far is that I have a general idea of what the movies are going to be about, and development of the main characters, and a few scenes in each one of them.
Should I continue character develpment? Work on the plot? Write a treatment? An outline? I know I have to do some research on the topics of these screenplays to give them a strong backbone to cary the story, but other than that, what angle should I take in bringing my writing along further?
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just write
just write
How writers write, get started writing, re-write, re-edit, complete manuscripts, and overcome writing obstacles vary with each person, situation, and deadline.
In my opinion I'd say yes to all of the above you asked here: yes, continue character development, work on the plots, write treatments, and write outlines.
Which should you start drafting first?
Pick one, any one.
There's really no right or wrong answer.
Writing is an exploratory process; it takes real commitment with the simple activity of writing things down on paper or typing into a word processor on your computer or laptop, (or mobile phone, if you're writing while you're waiting on line at the super market).
In time you'll eventually find out what "your" writing process is.
Finding out about other writers' writing processes will definitely help, inspire, and motivate. As much as possible keep doing things that will keep you inspired and keep you motivated.
But realize there comes a time that, well, you've just got to start writing - inspired or not inspired - and whether you think you might have a couple or "many" short cuts handy or in your writing arsenal, there's really no short cut to hard work. Write things down, re-write, re-edit, don't be afraid to throw drafts away and re-start. Just write.
Select any of the things you listed above and as you write and as you explore let us know how choosing to begin there helped and had its advantages and disadvantages.
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just write
How writers write, get started writing, re-write, re-edit, complete manuscripts, and overcome writing obstacles vary with each person, situation, and deadline.
In my opinion I'd say yes to all of the above you asked here: yes, continue character development, work on the plots, write treatments, and write outlines.
Which should you start drafting first?
Pick one, any one.
There's really no right or wrong answer.
Writing is an exploratory process; it takes real commitment with the simple activity of writing things down on paper or typing into a word processor on your computer or laptop, (or mobile phone, if you're writing while you're waiting on line at the super market).
In time you'll eventually find out what "your" writing process is.
Finding out about other writers' writing processes will definitely help, inspire, and motivate. As much as possible keep doing things that will keep you inspired and keep you motivated.
But realize there comes a time that, well, you've just got to start writing - inspired or not inspired - and whether you think you might have a couple or "many" short cuts handy or in your writing arsenal, there's really no short cut to hard work. Write things down, re-write, re-edit, don't be afraid to throw drafts away and re-start. Just write.
Select any of the things you listed above and as you write and as you explore let us know how choosing to begin there helped and had its advantages and disadvantages.
*
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Thanks Jody.
I want to ask about outlining, if I may. How do you do it and what should it consist of?
And about the Lethal Weapon/Bad Boys type of script I said I was working on:
Last night I decided to work on the scene that I wanted to begin the movie since I had it so developed in my head. (the introduction of the heroes). I wrote a treatment for it and then tried to write a rough script for it, just to see how it would come out. I was happy with it, I went to bed thinking about the villain. After all, the whole story is based on his operation and how the heroes are going to try to stop him. I didn't want to do the whole weapons/drug smuggling thing because it's been used so much. I wanted something different. I woke up this morning and BAM! It came to me. DRUGS! LOL!
But it's different. Something I don't think I've seen done in this way. I'll have to dig around and find out for sure. Now, what I thought was going to be the first scene, became the second scene. The first scene will be the introduction of the villain where there's a bit of a twist, and the second scene will be the introduction to the heroes. I was able to connect the two scenes (details of the first scene still have to be worked out) through an unexpected shared character. Later on in the film, the twist from the first scene will become even more twisted, and things get a little complicated.
OMG! How am I even going to write this? I don't even know what I'm doing yet! LOL
So now that I've finally got the plot, I have to research some stuff and figure out how to put it all together.
This wasn't even the script I was trying to focus on at the moment, but it's developing itself right now.
I want to ask about outlining, if I may. How do you do it and what should it consist of?
And about the Lethal Weapon/Bad Boys type of script I said I was working on:
Last night I decided to work on the scene that I wanted to begin the movie since I had it so developed in my head. (the introduction of the heroes). I wrote a treatment for it and then tried to write a rough script for it, just to see how it would come out. I was happy with it, I went to bed thinking about the villain. After all, the whole story is based on his operation and how the heroes are going to try to stop him. I didn't want to do the whole weapons/drug smuggling thing because it's been used so much. I wanted something different. I woke up this morning and BAM! It came to me. DRUGS! LOL!
But it's different. Something I don't think I've seen done in this way. I'll have to dig around and find out for sure. Now, what I thought was going to be the first scene, became the second scene. The first scene will be the introduction of the villain where there's a bit of a twist, and the second scene will be the introduction to the heroes. I was able to connect the two scenes (details of the first scene still have to be worked out) through an unexpected shared character. Later on in the film, the twist from the first scene will become even more twisted, and things get a little complicated.
OMG! How am I even going to write this? I don't even know what I'm doing yet! LOL
So now that I've finally got the plot, I have to research some stuff and figure out how to put it all together.
This wasn't even the script I was trying to focus on at the moment, but it's developing itself right now.
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I recommend finding a book that you feel best fits the things you're looking for. Not just any book about screenwriting, but one or more screenwriting books that directly address the things you're looking for.
Read movie scripts.
You can find them here:
http://www.script-o-rama.com/snazzy/dircut.html
You said you're in the baby stages of starting your screenplay -
The Syd Field's Screenwriting Workshop DVD might be an interesting DVD for you to look at.
You can find it in the Writers Store:
http://www.writersstore.com/product.php?products_id=1617
There is also a book called the Screenwriter's Bible.
You can find it at The ASC Store:
http://www.ascmag.com/store/product.php?productid=1190&cat=0&page=1
Screenwriting tools like Movie Outline have built-in formatting and guides.
You can find it here:
http://movieoutline.com/
Screenwriting Contests can keep you motivated, keep you writing, and give you deadlines to look forward to. Some screenwriting contests give feedback on scripts. Off the top of my head - check out The Writers Place and Script Savvy. Links with more info here:
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/news/0409_screenwriting-twp.shtml
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/news/0209_scriptsavvy.shtml
You can find contests here:
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/featured/2010/Contests-and-Festivals.shtml
Off the top of my head, upcoming deadlines include DC Shorts' call for screenplays (http://www.dcshorts.com/) and the Champion Screenwriting Competition (http://www.championscreenwriting.com/).
StudentFilmmakers Magazine has a Screenwriting Section in the magazine. Not only do you get the Screenwriting Section in the magazine that has how-to articles and best practices, but the magazine covers the 5 stages of filmmaking - from development and pre-production to production and post production to distribution. You can subscribe to the magazine here: https://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/store/product.php?productid=16322
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Read movie scripts.
You can find them here:
http://www.script-o-rama.com/snazzy/dircut.html
You said you're in the baby stages of starting your screenplay -
The Syd Field's Screenwriting Workshop DVD might be an interesting DVD for you to look at.
You can find it in the Writers Store:
http://www.writersstore.com/product.php?products_id=1617
There is also a book called the Screenwriter's Bible.
You can find it at The ASC Store:
http://www.ascmag.com/store/product.php?productid=1190&cat=0&page=1
Screenwriting tools like Movie Outline have built-in formatting and guides.
You can find it here:
http://movieoutline.com/
Screenwriting Contests can keep you motivated, keep you writing, and give you deadlines to look forward to. Some screenwriting contests give feedback on scripts. Off the top of my head - check out The Writers Place and Script Savvy. Links with more info here:
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/news/0409_screenwriting-twp.shtml
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/news/0209_scriptsavvy.shtml
You can find contests here:
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/featured/2010/Contests-and-Festivals.shtml
Off the top of my head, upcoming deadlines include DC Shorts' call for screenplays (http://www.dcshorts.com/) and the Champion Screenwriting Competition (http://www.championscreenwriting.com/).
StudentFilmmakers Magazine has a Screenwriting Section in the magazine. Not only do you get the Screenwriting Section in the magazine that has how-to articles and best practices, but the magazine covers the 5 stages of filmmaking - from development and pre-production to production and post production to distribution. You can subscribe to the magazine here: https://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/store/product.php?productid=16322
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I would love to buy books, but unfortunately I can't afford to right now. I'm currently unemployed. Thanks for the suggestions though. I'll definitely keep them in mind for the future.
And about what I'm looking for, it's more than just about screenwriting. I also need specific info on how law enforcement handles the type of situation I have in mind (the twisty part that gets a little complicated for me). Once I understand that, then I will figure out the best realistic/theatric balanced way in which to write it.
And about what I'm looking for, it's more than just about screenwriting. I also need specific info on how law enforcement handles the type of situation I have in mind (the twisty part that gets a little complicated for me). Once I understand that, then I will figure out the best realistic/theatric balanced way in which to write it.
There's always Barnes and Noble, Borders, different libraries...
StudentFilmmakers.com always has new educational resources, articles, and news on the site.
At the Top Right Search Box, enter the search term SCREENWRITING (without quote marks), and you'll find some resources, articles, and news related to screening.
As much as possible stay motivated and inspired to write. Keep writing.
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StudentFilmmakers.com always has new educational resources, articles, and news on the site.
At the Top Right Search Box, enter the search term SCREENWRITING (without quote marks), and you'll find some resources, articles, and news related to screening.
As much as possible stay motivated and inspired to write. Keep writing.
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