Looking to start a screenplay m, just bought this book is it worth reading I hear great things??
Looking to start a screenplay m, just bought this book is it worth reading I hear great things??
Hey everyone! I'm just about to start my Masters' thesis which is a feature length screenplay. Any favorite outlining tips that you have? I've used beat sheets and treatments/outlines before, but I was wondering if anyone has any other recommendations that you prefer. ie index cards, etc. Thanks!
William - Thanks for sharing your method. I'm going to try it. I imagine being able to see the entire story on one page is very helpful.
Allison, Pilar Alessandra has a podcast, "On the Page." You can find it on your phone. There's a specific one... #446. 'Return of The Coffee Break Screenwriter!' I think this is a fantastic approach to an explanation for (outlining) if you must search for a better way to do so. IMHO
Thanks for the input, everyone!
I use cards (the Celtx app). Once I have the story I select cards for a single character (by selecting categories) and make sure they have a complete story in their own right. Plus I can see if they are consistent, are they the hero of their own story. Simple method.
Try to limit it to one or two pages. Encapsulate all the main concepts, characters and key plot points. If it's for a 'selling document', don't draft less than ten times!
Hey guys! I'm sure I'm not the only one here who has this problem. As a writer, I spend most of my time alone with my computer. The big issue is to get anywhere in this business, you have to network. Does anyone have any advice for someone who is an introvert, and social settings scare me. How does...
Expand postHey guys! I'm sure I'm not the only one here who has this problem. As a writer, I spend most of my time alone with my computer. The big issue is to get anywhere in this business, you have to network. Does anyone have any advice for someone who is an introvert, and social settings scare me. How does someone like me learn to network without causing myself to panic? And what's the best way to network?
Hi Jake. Here's an article our CEO, Richard "RB" Botto, wrote for Medium on introverts and social media—everyone has something to offer. I hope it helps: https://medium.com/@RBwalksintoabar/so-you-thi...
Expand commentHi Jake. Here's an article our CEO, Richard "RB" Botto, wrote for Medium on introverts and social media—everyone has something to offer. I hope it helps: https://medium.com/@RBwalksintoabar/so-you-think-you-have-nothing-to-off.... :)
Hello film world. I am Jake, I hail from the great south of the US, and a Los Angeles transplant. I am an aspiring television writer, who also enjoys time in front of the camera. The dream is to create and star in my own television show. I have been a member of Stage 32 for over a year now, but have...
Expand postHello film world. I am Jake, I hail from the great south of the US, and a Los Angeles transplant. I am an aspiring television writer, who also enjoys time in front of the camera. The dream is to create and star in my own television show. I have been a member of Stage 32 for over a year now, but have never put the time into it that i should have. Currently on the search for representation, and looking forward to meeting and connecting with more people on here! Best of luck to all of you!
Thank you. Feels good to be back. Got to get that career rolling. I will definitely looking into the writing resources.
Control what you can control...Charge forward.
Retroactive-welcome!
Fellow tv writer aspirant also :) welcome!
Welcome!
As someone who is just getting started in the world of filmmaking, there are certain things that I lack the funds for when producing a film, like a location scout. Since I'm taking on the role of location scout for my next project, what are some tips when searching for the perfect location that will fit in my budget.
I'd suggest going back a step - when you're writing your screenplay (or arranging to direct/produce someone else's), keep in mind what locations you're likely to have access to. Would a restaurant tha...
Expand commentI'd suggest going back a step - when you're writing your screenplay (or arranging to direct/produce someone else's), keep in mind what locations you're likely to have access to. Would a restaurant that you eat at/bar that you drink at let you shoot? Does a friend have a creepy basement or attic that would be perfect for a thriller? Thinking about it that way will make it easier.
As a person who prefers long format writing like television, I struggle when it comes to feature film writing. I am currently working on a project, I know the story and how it will end. My only problem is the opening for the film. Is there any tips anyone could give that would help with deciding on how to open the film?
The beginning of your script, prior to the inciting incident exists to showcase your character's flaw. Kramer Vs Kramer: Dustin Hoffman is selfish. So we see how he interacts with his world, who benef...
Expand commentThe beginning of your script, prior to the inciting incident exists to showcase your character's flaw. Kramer Vs Kramer: Dustin Hoffman is selfish. So we see how he interacts with his world, who benefits from his flaw and who suffers (his family, specifically son) And when his wife leaves him, leaving the boy, Hoffman's world is turned upside down. Basically, make sure you are showing off your protagonist's character flaw and how it allows him to interact with the world around him so that when that I.I. hits him, his world is turned upside down. And now the movie can REALLY begin. Just ask yourself what you think he does on a regular basis because as soon as that inciting incident hits, that's routine is gonna stop.
When writing the first scene you need to first introduce the audience to the Ordinary world of your story. Then you take us on the journey of your protagonist. I'm not saying you can't start big but w...
Expand commentWhen writing the first scene you need to first introduce the audience to the Ordinary world of your story. Then you take us on the journey of your protagonist. I'm not saying you can't start big but we need to see your character doing his regular daily duties before you thrust them into the journey you have created for them. Hope that makes sense. Here's a link that hope can help you... http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/the-hero-journey-mythic-structure-o...
Billy Wilder put it, "Grab 'em by the throat, and don't let go". Apply that lesson to films you love. How do they do it? Now ask, "How do I want to do it?" The great one's go to their passion. Wilder...
Expand commentBilly Wilder put it, "Grab 'em by the throat, and don't let go". Apply that lesson to films you love. How do they do it? Now ask, "How do I want to do it?" The great one's go to their passion. Wilder didn't go to Hitchcock's passion or Kubrick's passion, he went to his own. What is your passion, Jacob? Start with that!
I'd say the opening of the film is where you set the tone up for your film, garnering attention and tuning in expectations, and not necessarily by telling the main narrative or the beginning of the st...
Expand commentI'd say the opening of the film is where you set the tone up for your film, garnering attention and tuning in expectations, and not necessarily by telling the main narrative or the beginning of the story. Prelude: In horror films, often a prelude involving a first victim or original tragedy kicks things off to give people an idea of where things are going. Superhero films often introduce the hero or villain, showing the ordinary world suddenly contrasted by larger than life characters, usually outside the main conflict of the film. Fantasy films speak of the past that sets up for the present more often than not. A romantic comedy may reference the previous failed relationship to contrast new ones and show the foibles of the protagonist. Etc. Skip to Midpoint or Climax: Not sure what this device is called, but a lot of films do this, where we see the end of the film or some middle part, before being taken back to review how the characters got where they are now. These scenes are usually very grabbing or powerful in some way, gripping an audiences attention immediately, allowing the more sedate beginning to come in afterwards, rather than lose people in the first few minutes. These are just alternatives to simply telling the story though, and not always necessary. Sometimes the story itself will start off so fast and furious you don't need these chronological cheats, but as not every story's beginning is going to be a massive draw, there's nothing wrong with establishing excitement with these options.
Hi Jacob, as a screenwriter also very much in the struggling class, I get stymied by this too. My response is to ask the question first of what character am I centred on in the screenplay. Usually tha...
Expand commentHi Jacob, as a screenwriter also very much in the struggling class, I get stymied by this too. My response is to ask the question first of what character am I centred on in the screenplay. Usually that isn't ambiguous since I write very single dominant character kinds of scripts. Second question is, what is the most important thing in that character's life, their greatest aspiration or their greatest problematic obstacle? This is intimately tied up with the major theme of your script. Third question is, what makes them most angry and what will they do when provoked to extremis? That's usually the trajectory of most stories. Combining these answers I try to construct an opening scene that shows a character at their most raw and vulnerable and in the process of something related to those answers. It may or may not be part of the overall narrative, for example it might be a flashback or come midway through or foreshadow the end. My intention is to show and define the character in as short and effective a scene as possible so as to go into the story. A particular favourite of mine for this is the opening scene in GOODFELLAS with the trunk murder horror, where you see how Ray Liotta's character is a career criminal in the first couple of minutes. It's best when it's as direct as this. Hope it helps and best of luck with the script, Edward St.Boniface
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. By using this site, you are accepting our cookie policy
Yes. It's worth reading.
I read that like 8 years ago.
1 person likes this
Great book and instructor, great friend of writers, and great lover of film. RIP, Mr. Field. Good luck, Stephen!
I've read several books, in and out of school. I have personally never read this one. Most of the books, for me, didn't really help. I felt like the more I read the more I was getting roped into these...
Expand commentI've read several books, in and out of school. I have personally never read this one. Most of the books, for me, didn't really help. I felt like the more I read the more I was getting roped into these specific molds of how a story should be told. For me, the best learning I ever got was just from reading scripts. I focus on Tv writing, so I found as many pilot scripts I could find and I read every single one. Especially those that were similar in tone and genre. So my advice, take what you read in the book with the thought that it's just a roadmap, not a solid set of rules. Then read every script under the sun to see how the pros do it, and then start writing.
I've read many screenwriting books and Fields' first two books are the best I've read. I go back to them time and time again.