Screenwriting : Where’s the Right Place? by Maurice Vaughan

I have a SILO anecdote for you Maurice Vaughan - a producer passed on a pitch for a script of mine because the show SILO was just hitting the airwaves. Why pass on my pitch? Because the word silo was used in my one-pager: a 30 second scene in the entire story. First was a WTF moment, then I had to laugh and feel relieved that "producer" passed :-)

Wow, Matthew Kelcourse. Pass because of one word. And it's only a tiny part of your story. I can see if the silo was a major part or the location. I hope another producer scoops up your script!

Matthew Kelcourse, that's crazy. It happens though. I've had worded changed in scripts because they rhyme with certain curse words. I've been asked to not mention the seats in a car are leather because it might upset a die-hard vegan. You're right to feel relieved.

Dont you outline Maurice Vaughan ? Are you saying you write out entire scenes and then cut & paste later?

Here's a screenshot of how many tv shows breakdown an episode, write as a group, the plot is figured out before bosses assign a writer to write the episode

Hey, Dan MaxXx. Yeah, I outline where info (and other things) will go in a script, but I also like to add info in different scenes and see which scene is the right place for it. Outlining is great, but there's nothing like actually writing scenes to see where things need to go. I write the test scenes in the script. I don't cut and paste. I like everything in one document.

Cool. Final Draft software has revision mode, keeps track of multple changes & versions while leaving main document alone.

As ever, the best process is the one that works for you. I don't think I consciously consider the timing of reveals. I go with what feels right. I do have a scene building template and that always calls for some kind of reversal or revelation.

Dan MaxXx I use revision mode when I work with a director/producer on ghostwriting jobs, but I haven't thought about using it for spec scripts. Thanks for the idea.

I love SILO special because surprises me, many scenes are unexpected with the twists, special at S2. I am happy you are watching Maurice VaughanCJ Walley said: “the best process is the one that works for you” :))

SILO is one of the best shows I've seen recently, Sandra Isabel Correia. Just when I think things are going one way, they go in another direction. And the acting is fantastic! I'm looking forward to season 2!

So, you go to love S2 :))) I am so happy you are watching Maurice Vaughan and the acting is really good. For me S 2 is even better! Thursday new episode:)))

Progressive disclosure of information is one of the most valuable tools we have as writers.

We know, as the writer, everything about the characters and story. It’s our job to tell the audience what they need to know and when they need to know it.

Withholding information can be intriguing. Mystery can be great. Withholding too much information for too long will cause confusion. Your audience will turn on you.

I haven't seen Silo, but the show that comes to mind for me is Lost. Each episode revealed previously hidden character backstories at the moment we needed to know them.

I love that show!!

As a sci-fi fiend I avoided this thread like the plague, but I just finished episode nine of season two. This season has been a tad too slow for me, generally, but episode nine is VERY good. Never been a huge Steve Zahn fan, but dude absolutely slays his role in the series. To avoid spoilers (I would rather commit seppuku) that is all I will state for now!

Hey, Mike Childress. I like the slowness of the show (and other shows and movies). That's where I connect with the characters, and connecting with the characters makes the action scenes more impactful in my opinion.

Maurice Vaughan I can do the slow burn, I mean I tend to like/gravitate towards espionage fodder, and CI (counterintelligence) is known as "the slow game"! Also Rebecca Ferguson is...wooooooo!

Obviously I would rather commit seppuku than drop spoilers, but episode ten is actually better than nine!