There is nothing like hitting that 90 page mark and knowing you're just about finished. I've got about 7-10 scenes left and am so excited to start getting feedback on screenplay #5! But I know I have to take my time and lay it all out real nice. haha What are your favorite ways to keep from rushing the ending?
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I like that feeling, J.M. Gulmire. You look at the page number and think "Yes!" I rewrite as I go, so that helps me from rushing the ending. I also remind myself that the ending is very important, so I don't need to rush it.
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It is a good feeling Maurice Vaughan :)
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What keeps me from rushing the ending is being cognizant of the fact that there are many rewrites to come after the muscle draft is completed. I'm in no hurry to get to those rewrites. That's what helps curb my over-eagerness.
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I don't give myself permission to do the title page until I hit page 60, and when I'm about to do the final scenes, I stop for a day to let the whole thing simmer together before finishing it. I revise and edit to start my writing day, then create new scenes, so I'm usually pretty satisfied with my first drafts and really feel like it's done.
... Before I start the tweaks and punch-ups.
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I tend to give myself an entire day to write major scenes, including the climactic scene in the script. Other than that, I try to slow down and make sure the words I want are the perfect words. Another good tip would be finishing a scene, then getting up and doing something else for an hour or so.
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As I approach the ending, I typically reread the entire script so far and make sure everything works towards the ending I have envisioned. That being said, my most recent script I totally changed the ending after writing it so what do I know?
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Good point Sabrina Miller
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Man, I'm glad I'm not the only one who tries to slow down and really scrutinize it as the ending gets closer. haha
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Great question J.M. Gulmire I rewrite until the ending says "Yeah, that's the stuff." Then I rewrite some more.
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Jason Contino I agree that it can be helpful to reread the script thus far before writing the ending to ensure character actions and plot developments all track. In my opinion, the trickiest part when doing a reread is avoiding the temptation to rewrite scenes in the first and second act. It can be easy to fall into perfectionist limbo where you get caught in a cycle of endless rereads and rewrites before completing the ending.
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I never write a script without an outline so I never rush to the ending. I just follow the outline and get there when I get there.
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Outlining.
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Pre-writing helps me maintain a steady and efficient pace.
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Keep the ending a working idea in your head, not on the page yet. The lead-up to the ending may change or reveal an even better ending.
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Jessica, I'm like Terrence in that I won't write a script until I come up with an outline first...and I follow the outline I've cooked up until I get to the last scene.
Sometimes, I "call an audible." In other words, I'll cut out a scene that appeared in my outline (or, to help the story as I'm writing the script, add a scene the outline didn't call for). At times, I modify the scene that appeared in that outline...as long as the change helps me tell the story and make it believable.
But I don't want to rush to "FADE OUT." I've got to make sure every plot/subplot has a conclusion.
Thanks for posting this, Jessica, and I'm glad you're here on Stage 32! Wishing you all the VERY BEST!
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I always start with an outline and do my best to work to that ending. However, seldom does the story turn out that way, as I genuinely take dictatorship from the narrator and characters in my head, allowing the story to write itself. The minute I can no longer hear a character's voice or see a scene in my head, I stop typing and move onto the deck, front cover or another project entirely. It probably sounds crazy, but it works for me.
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You know when you write for income, the outlines dont change, and you cant make changes without approval . Ppl spend hours/time casting, designing, pre-rigging sets based on outlines. Especially tv- crew prep before scripts are finalized.
My animation-friend worked on the Avatar sequels; they had no scripts, used pre-vis storyboard outlines. Millions on salaries for 3-4 years, and no scripts. crazy way of making movies.
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I am a terrible pantser. I have to keep looking at a very lose outline to keep me on track. I usually run way long and have to edit it down... but I know the ending before I write word one. It's in my head. It's why I am addicted to the script I am working on and can't sleep nights. But then I have a bunch of editing to do, and a lot of cutting.
Don't slow down! Write your heart out! Pour it out onto the page!
JMHO
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Fury Road was also developed by storyboarding rather than scripting. Pixar effectively do this to a degree too, or at least have it as a core part of their regular process. I can see the power in it. You effectively create a comic book version of the film and that process forces you to think visually.
At the end of the day, your process is your process. There's no right or wrong. You have to lean into your strengths and address your weaknesses.
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I rush the ending in the rough draft to follow my outline, because I'm always long on pages lol! Then with rewrites, I continue to cut back earlier scenes and add to the ending. I'm a word hoarder though - cut out words, oh wow room for more! It's a struggle.
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Okay, so I think everyone's thinking this is referring to not outlining my scripts haha I ALWAYS start with an outline, but those last few scenes are just so intimidating that I try soooo hard not to rush them even knowing what's going to happen.
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But you guys are so fun!!! haha
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I never rush the beginning middle or the end.
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One idea is not to write the end last. I don't know if this helps but I write high level ideas first, flesh them out a bit, dwell on it (sometimes for ages), add in specific dialogue, back off, look at the story arc etc etc. In other words the writing is happening in a non-linear fashion, and although I will probably write the end last, it won't be for the first time, it will be tweaking the concepts and dialogue. In this way nothing feels rushed.
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Right Colette? I have a couple of readers to go over it first. That's always my next step so I can tweak it. But I def can't produce it myself. Not right now ,so I'll be pitching and subbing to ISA gigs once it's ready.
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When I get to page 70 I know all I need to do is go back and revise the dialogue. I move things around if needed but just make the scenes better is where I start. I end up with about 100 -106 pages give or take.