Here's a question for everyone:
Whenever you're starting a new script, do prefer to write-out a detailed synopsis to brain-storm ideas before you begin, or are you more of a "write down a few lines of actions and dialog and see were it goes" type of writer?
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Hey, Marcus Fike. I like to write a detailed outline before starting a feature script. The outline has the logline, the theme, storylines, brainstorm ideas, character bios, etc.
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lots of dot/bullet points. Perhaps a line if it comes to me while outlining. When I have about 50 I know I am away. Cut and Paste into Writerduet and start converting it all to screenplay format, as I have broken the story already.
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I don’t “prefer” to outline, but with features I force myself to so I know where I’m going.
With shorts, I pants it, then fix things later.
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I always have an outline and another rule that I set for myself is always writing the ending first.
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If you want to write movies & tv for corporations, you must outline. Especially tv writing.
But if you're writing specs, do or use whatever. I'm playing with AI software. I type ideas & sentences and AI spits out pages for me to review.
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How do you know what the characters will say or do before they tell you?
(When Asimov was asked about this, he said, someone does something or says something and he just takes dictation. It all follows organically from that. He was pretty good, by the way...)
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I think outline. I took a class once that we did the outline w scene headings and then chose whichever scene in the outline I wanted to write and filled out into a script not in order. was very interesting how it all worked out.
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I'm a firm believer in the outline. My best scripts are the ones I thoroughly outlined before. My worst ones are the ones where I just sit down and let err rip! These days I usually spend 4-6 months writing outlines because frankly I work full time and can only really squeeze in time on nights and weekends. But I'll usually have a handful of outlines going at all times. For me it really helps to let ideas marinate and cook low n slow into a most savory dish. The outline of the script I wrote last year was 23 pages. The outline of the script I'm writing now is 46 pages. The outline on the script I'll write next is already 8 pages having barely been fleshed out. Mine really read more like scriptments than beat sheets, but over a longer course of time, many of the simple story issues get resolved because I've given myself a lot of time to gather solutions, find inspiration from the world around me, and think of interesting angles to connect dots and mine for more story.
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At the very least I always do a plot point outline. so let’s say I have a goal of 120 pages. I determine the information that is critical in the first ten pages. I then establish the events that need to happen on page 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90. Then I want to know my last ten pages the same as my first ten pages.
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At some point you will need to nail down the structure of your story really well. You can always do this while you write the screenplay, and in the multiple drafts that follow, but I think it’s so much easier to nail down the structure when you do it via an outline. An outline allows you to step back and get the whole picture more easily and more quickly and do the rearranging and reworking in the more simplified format of an outline than in the more rich and messy format of the screenplay. I am still very much an amateur and have not written many screenplays, but I’ve done it both ways, and I really like using an outline first.
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I'm a pantser. (Or as Brandon Sanderson says: A discovery writer). But I discipline myself to take notes when I figure out where I want the story to go so I won't forget. I've tried many times to do an outline first, but I find that when I do that, my "Muse" feels like she's done and then doesn't want to write the actual story. So, I figure out the end goal, and then write to it, discovering the story along the way. Then I fix it in revision. LOL
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Hi Marcus Fike, I like to start with a couple of sentences: intro an idea for a protagonist and their major challenge without being too specific so everything remains pliable. If those two sentences don't excite me, I file them and go back to reads and rewrites.
Side note: I always find something in any project to tweak (perfection is a pursuit, not an accomplishment) and I've read my projects enough to have an intelligent answer should anyone ask, "What else you got?" without looking for notes ;-)
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Hi Marcus Fike I usually have a starting image and an idea of how things might end and then sort of join those dots. I'm rubbish at planning and actually sticking to said plan! I like to write a first rough draft and see what happens, I then keep the parts that work and then make a plan when the story is much clearer to me.
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I used to type Fade in and write but now I outline. It's boring but it's easier and it saves me a lot of time.
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Sometimes I don't even name characters until I'm done with the story.
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One of the things I enjoy is creating the characters personalities. Before I make them I already have been daydreaming of the story in my head.
Sometimes if the names comes easy to me. I just write them on top of the paper.
Then I write sort of a logline and then summary. Next would be the outline and I adjust it as the story takes a more solid shape.
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Marcus, I like creating what I call an "outline/scene list" (in a way, it's a synopsis) before I start an actual script...and I don't develop an actual, formal synopsis until I've reached my script's "FADE OUT" page.
Great question! Thanks for posting!
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I’m a big believer in outlines and beat sheets before commencing screenwriting. But I know some writers who just start writing - apparently Tarantino is one of them.
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Sam Sokolow you know me so you know one more.
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These are all great answers! Though I think it might be time for me to jump in...
For me, it personally depends on where my initial idea comes from. If I'm setting out to write a screenplay, then I'll usually brainstorm a few ideas, concepts and plot points. Once I have an idea of what I'm doing, then I'll create a rough outline of the story and major plot points, and then continue to refine that before I start writing the scenes and dialog.
However, sometimes I'll end up being struck by an idea and just jot something down. Most of the time I just file it away, but sometimes, I'll start creating an outline around it.
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If there is money, Im writing whatever the employer wants.