When you outline a script, visualize the trailer. Visualizing the trailer can help you think of scenes, characters, dialogue, etc. You can do this when you're writing or rewriting a script too.
Screenwriting : Screenwriting Tip by Maurice Vaughan
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Love this tip Maurice!
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Thanks, Niki. And visualizing a scene can help a writer when they're struggling to write it.
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Great tip, Maurice Vaughan. That's what inspires me to proceed with a project. If I can't see the trailer in my mind then I'm not excited enough to start writing an outline.
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I have images of certain scenes of the feature I'm writing, I haven't visualised it' all but I'll get there eventually.
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Never thought of this before, but makes a lot of sense as a tool for developing scenes. Thanks!
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I am putting some final polish on a pitch/bible for a meeting tonight. I had to describe the “look and feel” of the show. It forced to think of things like colour palette and style.
This forced me to go back and make sure the bible had that feel in its structure and language.
This is exactly like imagining the trailer, but for me it was the series. I had to know what the target was if I hope to tell someone else.
Great post Maurice.
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Visualizing the trailer can also help tremendously with formulating a logline as well.
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Love this. I also have to find a piece of music that will go with the trailer. I usually land on something by either Audiomachine or Hans Zimmer.
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I think you should try it, Greg Wong. It's also fun seeing your movie/show in your mind.
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You're welcome, David Abrookin.
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Visualizing a trailer works for a show too, Craig D Griffiths. A TV writer would probably have to visualize different trailers. Maybe one for each season. Hope the meeting goes great!
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That's a great idea, Richard "RB" Botto! I'm gonna try it. Thanks.
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Me too, Leo. Sometimes I loop the music and visualize the trailer.
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Cool, Ty Strange. Do you ever revisualize the trailer if you lose excitement for a script?
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Honestly, Maurice Vaughan, I have yet to lose excitement for script once I dig into it.
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Meeting went well. Thanks for asking.
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You're welcome, Craig D Griffiths. What project was the meeting for (if you wanna say)?
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Absolutely. I’ve found that studying trailers across the last few decades can be a really helpful creative tool in writing your next script.
That's a great idea, Nick. Thanks!
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Btw, I did postproduction on studio trailers, so writers here know generally the Marketing Dept assembles/has final cut of trailers. Lots of disagreements with cinematographers on color grading.
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I always do a outline before and going during the script
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If I remember correctly, that's exactly what Robert Rodriguez did for EL MARIACHI.
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I've never thought to do that. Great advice!
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I always outline too, Allen. If I don't, I'll write myself into corners.
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Cool, Ulrich. I heard about EL MARIACHI way back. I need to check it out.
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Agreed, Dan MaxXx. Official trailers are a marketing tool for the project.
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Dan MaxXx agreed. But if you as a writer, have no idea of what the world would see. If you cannot visualise the finished product. It would be like driving with a blacked out windscreen. You cannot see where you are go.
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Maurice Vaughan it is a SciFi anthology series set in the near future. The engine and story mode I cannot talk about. I don’t think anyone will steal it or that it is that breath taking. I just want to keep some freshness in it for them.
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A Sci-Fi anthology series sounds interesting, Craig D Griffiths! I've heard of Horror anthology series but not a Sci-Fi series.
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Maurice Vaughan this thread was the prompt for this weeks video.
https://youtu.be/th46vwuyLLc
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Maurice Vaughan thank you, sir.
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Maurice, Thanks for the tip. Good one!
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It truly helps to visualize & it highlights the moments with the most dramatic tension. Thank you for the tip Maurice !
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Thanks, Craig D Griffiths. I'll check out your video.
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You're welcome, Geoff Hall.
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You're welcome, Jed.
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You're welcome, Stephanie. You're right ("it highlights the moments with the most dramatic tension"). If anyone's struggling to figure out moments with the most dramatic tension, a major scene, plot point, etc., I suggest visualizing the trailer.