Screenwriting : Question by Sille Larsen

All Good over there. https://www.instagram.com/stage32/

I would re-watch 10 MASH episodes then proceed... ;)

Research! I've found it to be incredibly helpful to research anything I don't have personal experience with in my scripts, no matter how big or small. Adding those nuggets of authenticity can really help make your story and characters pop. The specific subject matter can help determine how deep you need to dive.

Using your example, if you're intent on accurately portraying the minutiae of an emergency room doctor's professional life it can't hurt to reach out to an actual doctor for anecdotes and information. Of course if this is out of the question the internet is always a great resource as well.

Hope this helps!

I'd suggest doing as much research as possible. (Talking with actual doctors or if you know someone in the field) Also, I've learned a lot just by watching more TV lol. Watching more TV has helped me better be able to develop characters into actual human beings.

Hi, Sille Larsen. You can research the subject, you can talk to professionals, or you can hire a professional to work with you one-on-one to make the script accurate. If you hire a professional, you can do an interview, asking them questions. Maybe a few hours, which should be a reasonable price. Or maybe they will do the interview for free.

You dont have to be an expert of whatever job occupation/world you are creating, but you should be an expert of storytelling. The Craft. Using tools of the trade- setups & payoffs, foreshadowing, mcguffin's, plot twists - drama/conflict. Worry about the emotional journey you are taking audiences.

I watched Rhimes' masterclass videos and she and the writing staff leave out medical terms/whole phases blank on the page. They got doctors on payroll writing the medical stuff.

I guess just work on world building of your characters and if it's a great concept, professional consultants of whatever you writing about - doctors, crooks, Top Gun pilots - will come on board and make it believable.

I spent years as an intelligence analyst. If you watch movie, intell people have an exciting job. Bouncing around a room in real time giving info to field agents.

I spent years wading through data and staring and spreadsheets. Boring.

It just needs to make sense. I don’t care if a police drama follows proper police procedures.

I mostly lean on my own experience, but also explore...writing is more than typing behind the desk...used to say "screenwriters are human dumpsters", just sponge around...one of my scripts got me workshop entrance and an award I have a soldier nearly shooting his superior...incident that happened to me while in army...(ok, I did not shoot my superior, however nearly shot coupla wandering cherry's approaching my post...but it was a ROE)...

Thank you all for your comments! It was so helpful. My plan is now to write something down that I want to include in my story, the plot, etc. And when I am ready to write the script I will reach out to an expert and hopefully, he/her will help me.

Thank you all,

Best, sille

Reading books from doctors, paramedics etc. can be helpful if you don't know anyone in the profession. There will be US equivalents but in the UK there are books like: This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay (now with a TV adaptation starring Ben Wishaw), Do No Harm by Henry Marsh and Blood Sweat And Tea by Tom Reynolds (adapted from his blog which later became the TV series "Sirens"). All provide a very un-varnished account of what life is actually like in the profession and from different viewpoints.

Ewan, if you notice my story is NOT about doctors it is an example to specify my question! I now know what I am going to do. But thank you for your comment! So helpful. - Sille

Appreciate you sharing this, Sillie!

Most professionals are open to being shadowed a day. Just start calling until you get a yes. They always enjoy it as well and say it helps them remember why they entered that career.