I've been trying to come up with a storyline for about 2 weeks now. Say I want to make a short film about a young girl having a Abortion. I just cant come up with the words. I wrote down all locations that I have access to but just dont know where to go from there. I need filmwriter 101!
Coming up with storylines!
- Thread starter wnyhiphop
- Start date
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/forumdisplay.php?f=25
I also don't think STARTING with locations is a great idea, but if you're really indie, that might be the way to go.
I also don't think STARTING with locations is a great idea, but if you're really indie, that might be the way to go.
what do you want to tell with your story?
you said it was about abortion. are you for abortion or against it?
does she get the abortion or is the film just about her decision?
just keep asking yourself questions like these. hell, right them down
and then piece the answers into the story.
that's one way i come up with ideas when i just have a simple plot
device.
you said it was about abortion. are you for abortion or against it?
does she get the abortion or is the film just about her decision?
just keep asking yourself questions like these. hell, right them down
and then piece the answers into the story.
that's one way i come up with ideas when i just have a simple plot
device.
suprmatch
Active member
There is a million and one ways to come up with a story line. A few to add...the guy that got her pregnant, the night she got preg, her thoughts, pressure from parents-friends, her inner battle with these thoughts. Man I think I might do this story. Good luck with you story. If you think about something you can think up a story.
Film writer 101:
Your main character wants to do something.
Someone/something else wants to stop it from being done.
The whys and hows are the story.
Your main character wants to do something.
Someone/something else wants to stop it from being done.
The whys and hows are the story.
alex whitmer
Veteran
Other tips
Other tips
When really stuck, consider writing the story backwards. In other words, know what the end is, and then write how she got there.
If she got the abortion, what obstacles did she encounter along the way. If she's young, most likely it will be her parents that will play a big part.
If she's an independant woman, it may be that is the father that gets in the way, or even her own guilt due to religious convictions.
You want thhe audience to experience the process through her eyes, or through another character profoundy affected by the outcome.
If, for example, the father really wants the baby, how will he deal with the thought of abortion. The way I understand the law, at least over there in US, is that it is ultimately the woman's decision (as it should be).
Create a powerful conflict she needs to overcome. Create anger and joy.
You could also visit a clinic and interview a staff member or patient, or join a forum and ask questions. Read articles about post-abortion stress to get the needed information to creat your character depth, and make her believable to those who have expereinced either an abortion, or the decision process, even if they never went through with it.
try this one ...
http://afterabortion.com/
Keep in mind your own convictions about abortion will no doubt be a part of this. The most difficult and most rewarding part of writing is being so many people. To do this well and create beleivable conflict, you will need to be pro-abortion, anti-abortion, and apathetic.
Once you write it, I'll be happy to analize the structure and dialogue for you.
Alex
Other tips
When really stuck, consider writing the story backwards. In other words, know what the end is, and then write how she got there.
If she got the abortion, what obstacles did she encounter along the way. If she's young, most likely it will be her parents that will play a big part.
If she's an independant woman, it may be that is the father that gets in the way, or even her own guilt due to religious convictions.
You want thhe audience to experience the process through her eyes, or through another character profoundy affected by the outcome.
If, for example, the father really wants the baby, how will he deal with the thought of abortion. The way I understand the law, at least over there in US, is that it is ultimately the woman's decision (as it should be).
Create a powerful conflict she needs to overcome. Create anger and joy.
You could also visit a clinic and interview a staff member or patient, or join a forum and ask questions. Read articles about post-abortion stress to get the needed information to creat your character depth, and make her believable to those who have expereinced either an abortion, or the decision process, even if they never went through with it.
try this one ...
http://afterabortion.com/
Keep in mind your own convictions about abortion will no doubt be a part of this. The most difficult and most rewarding part of writing is being so many people. To do this well and create beleivable conflict, you will need to be pro-abortion, anti-abortion, and apathetic.
Once you write it, I'll be happy to analize the structure and dialogue for you.
Alex
Last edited:
FutureDVXUser
Well-known member
I was gonna start a topic about this... But since it's already here, I have a question... It's a little different than being able to script the concept out... It's more about focusing one one idea at a time...
I have an ex amount of screenplay ideas, a mix of features and shorts. And after (and sometimes even before) writing the synopsis, I can see the entire movie being acted out in my head... This happens for every idea...
Sometimes at night I lose sleep thinking about them, because I can see it in my head as if I saw the movie in theatres with my friends or as if I got the DVD... Even the stuff I can't do like Art work, Banners, Posters, Special Effects...
My problem is that I can never find the attention span to sit with one and just write it... In very rare cases (Like the SpyFest) can I find the attention span of an adult to take the time and write a script... But I really have fun thinking of movies to do...
My question is: How do people that write movies and what not tone down to stick to one concept before jumping around and having an X amount of uncompleted concepts saved on their computer?
Any writer - tips, advice, whatever would really be appreciated...
Thanks
I have an ex amount of screenplay ideas, a mix of features and shorts. And after (and sometimes even before) writing the synopsis, I can see the entire movie being acted out in my head... This happens for every idea...
Sometimes at night I lose sleep thinking about them, because I can see it in my head as if I saw the movie in theatres with my friends or as if I got the DVD... Even the stuff I can't do like Art work, Banners, Posters, Special Effects...
My problem is that I can never find the attention span to sit with one and just write it... In very rare cases (Like the SpyFest) can I find the attention span of an adult to take the time and write a script... But I really have fun thinking of movies to do...
My question is: How do people that write movies and what not tone down to stick to one concept before jumping around and having an X amount of uncompleted concepts saved on their computer?
Any writer - tips, advice, whatever would really be appreciated...
Thanks
Mark Harris
Pain in the ass
FutureDVXUser said:
Well, like most things creative, it boils down to a lot of old fashioned work and discipline. A large part of developing a writing technique for yourself is figuring out how to get yourself to want to write even when you don't want to write. For me, I often just have to sit down and tell myself: "Come on asshole, just ****ing get into it and do it." Then I focus and get my imagination working and start solving the problems, etc. But it takes work and discipline. That's all.
alex whitmer
Veteran
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Lots of great writers have the same issue of balancing multiple ideas. Mark Twain was one of them. He had several stories going at once. Some took years to write, others were written in a short time. Wherever the inspiration took him.
My advice is to have as many going as you want, and work on those you feel inspired to write.
You may find yourself working like a maniac on one, only to to set it aside to follow the trail of another. Not a bad thing.
To actually get one finished takes a little more finess.
I suggest you 'schedule' one or two with due dates, and set aside days to work on them. When you hit writers block, pick up one of the other stories and write a page or two, then come back to the task at hand.
In a short period of time, you will develope a nice rhythm, and a nice portfolio of finished work.
A
Mark Twain
Lots of great writers have the same issue of balancing multiple ideas. Mark Twain was one of them. He had several stories going at once. Some took years to write, others were written in a short time. Wherever the inspiration took him.
My advice is to have as many going as you want, and work on those you feel inspired to write.
You may find yourself working like a maniac on one, only to to set it aside to follow the trail of another. Not a bad thing.
To actually get one finished takes a little more finess.
I suggest you 'schedule' one or two with due dates, and set aside days to work on them. When you hit writers block, pick up one of the other stories and write a page or two, then come back to the task at hand.
In a short period of time, you will develope a nice rhythm, and a nice portfolio of finished work.
A
it's great you have a lot of ideas, but i agree w/ mark harris that it takes discipline to realize that idea and flesh it out and make it an actual story, because an idea is not the same as a story. i would suggest starting with shorts, even if it's under 5 pages. i think the important thing is finishing it. then you'll have more confidence to tackle longer, more complicated stories. start small. baby steps!
LoneWolfProductions
Member
Usually before I think about the story like, I come up with my premise. For some people the premise is just the basic idea of the story (Ex. A man wakes up and realizes he's turned into a frog) or a premise that covers the sort of moral of your story (Ex. Abortion leads to blah blah blah).
The second premise idea will not only give you an idea of what your story is about, but gives you a point A to point B outline. Plus like what others have already said, the premise should be something you should care deeply about, or else what's the point of going through the film making process?
Also create a number of different outlines. I say more than one because you can pick and choose which one you like the most.
The second premise idea will not only give you an idea of what your story is about, but gives you a point A to point B outline. Plus like what others have already said, the premise should be something you should care deeply about, or else what's the point of going through the film making process?
Also create a number of different outlines. I say more than one because you can pick and choose which one you like the most.