Screenwriting : "The End Is Just The Beginning" by Maurice Vaughan

An interesting article Maurice Vaughan , thanks for sharing :) I don't start outlining at the end, but I do know the end before I start outlining/writing, if that makes sense! Cheers.

You're welcome, Joanna AY. I don't start outlining at the end either. I know the ending before I start the script though.

I never outline. My screenplay was completed by tapping into my creative juices visually.

I write a hot hook opening first, then I write the denouement. The outline comes next as I try to find my way from beginning to end. Typically, they all change during the process.

I jump around a lot when I outline. But I will quiet often see an ending first.

U usually need to find a good opening and good ending....then dot 'em up...

You making Memento 2?

I think that most competent writers know their ending at least vaguely before starting. I know some writers who just adlib from page one and the results are like watching someone trying to thread a needle by holding the wrong end of the piece of string.

Great responses, everyone!

Next question: Do you write from the first scene to the last scene in a script, or do you jump around writing different scenes (Example: Writing a scene in Act Two, then writing a scene in Act Three)?

Most of the time I write from the first scene to the last scene (unless I get stuck on a scene, then I jump around writing different scenes).

For those that outline, this article adds extra insight as to how stay "on the path." As was stated, character growth must be earned step by step--believably for this particular character in this particular story.

Additional two cents. Some (many) writers do NOT outline first. And some of them are bankable writers.

Thanks Howard. My screenplay has received good feddback from a working American screenwriter and Australian martial arts Actor Richard Norton. Richard has done a couple of movies with Jackie Chan and is best friends with Chuck Norris. He is a pioneer martial artist here in Australia. I'm lucky Richard gave my screenplay the time of the day. I've been a big fan of his for years and for him to say he likes what I done is an amazing feeling.

Thanks Mark. Wow, some good connections you have there. I wish you the best!

Thank you Howard. I will get there. It's just a matter of when.

Thanks for commenting, everyone. I wanted to add that sometimes an ending will change as you write a script, but having an ending in mind before writing a script gives you a clear destination. It keeps you from getting off track or going down rabbit holes.

I start off by writing the scenes I already have in my mind. Then I start at the beginning of the script and try to go straight through. I will jump around sometimes though, depending on how my writing is going.

The book "Backwards & Forwards" by David Ball was based on his work at the Guthrie making sure plays were stageworthy - working the logic of a plot from back to front, and then reverse-engineering the emotional growth forwards works brilliantly for the screen as well.

I quite often have a cool ending and write toward it. I see the image is Guy Pearce from Momento. Here is a video of Nolan explaining the Bobby-Pin method that made that movie https://youtu.be/tYScJZWhaHA

I do that for most of my scripts, Lisa Lee.

Thanks for the book reference, Fred.

Thanks, Craig D Griffiths. I'm going to check out the video.

Fred Gooltz, thanks for that interesting share:)

Maurice Vaughan, as others have said, I think the ending is vital. After I write the 8-15 big-picture sections of my story at a 10,000 ft view (I use www.scriptoutliner.com ) like Lisa Lee, I also jump around from scene to scene. Once I have a SHORT description of all the scenes, then I do a talking draft because making an outline just gets the movie clear in my head. Once it can play in my mind's eye, I can just close my eyes and dictate it using the Howard Hawks Method.

I actually wrote my first two scripts by figuring out what I wanted the ending to be and working backwards. For some stories to me it works better.

Thanks for the Talking Draft link, Fred. I might use it for my next project.