First draft

[Tormod]

Im in the process of writing my first screenplay. I´ve just started writing and are on my 17th page or so, just in to act II.

And of course the urge to rewrite or start over sets in. Now I had said to myself that I was just going to push through, but after reading Dara Marks book on theme and character arcs, I see that the story outline I have now, isn´t working as i hoped it would. Now I know what changes that have to be made, and im outlining these as we speak, but should I push through and do these changes during the rewrite, or should I start over now, and save me from writing something that I know won´t work?

What do you guys think?

 

[Randall_Oelerich]

My thought would be to have as much of the story structured from the start, before you write scenes. Foremost, know the fundamental hero's quest and conflict-- " My story about [hero] who struggles with [opponent] over [end of story visible goal]." Then know your basic story world, time setting. Lay down your major turning points, especially the inciting incident that propels the hero into the real story that starts with act II, and decide on a midpoint turning point of commitment to the quest, and also a climax scene, and a reversal.. Is the hero's struggle enough to sustain the story, is the goal of the hero large enough? What is your hero's weakness that is addressed during the story to show growth of the hero? What important moral choice will the hero make as the story progresses and ends?

Im in the process of writing my first screenplay. I´ve just started writing and are on my 17th page or so, just in to act II.

And of course the urge to rewrite or start over sets in. Now I had said to myself that I was just going to push through, but after reading Dara Marks book on theme and character arcs, I see that the story outline I have now, isn´t working as i hoped it would. Now I know what changes that have to be made, and im outlining these as we speak, but should I push through and do these changes during the rewrite, or should I start over now, and save me from writing something that I know won´t work?

What do you guys think?

 

[Tormod]

I think I didn´t say what I meant hehe.

I have the story structure with major turning points, acts, characters, reversals and everything. But after reading the book on theme and character arcs, I don´t feel the theme and character arcs are developed enough. And I will have to make some major changes to the story to say what I mean to say about the story.

I was really inspired from the "write from theme" method that Kylekmd talked about in his thread, and that dara marks writes about in her book. Everyone should read this book!

 

[Randall_Oelerich]

Tormod you and me are in the same situation. So I will have to follow this thread carefully for advice from others. I have a 3rd draft done of a feature screenplay, gearing up for a revision/rewrite where I want to change the story world slightly, enhance the antagonism/opponent/mystery, add more character arc and moral arc theme. I suspect we are both in store for some serious rewriting.

I think I didn´t say what I meant hehe.

I have the story structure with major turning points, acts, characters, reversals and everything. But after reading the book on theme and character arcs, I don´t feel the theme and character arcs are developed enough. And I will have to make some major changes to the story to say what I mean to say about the story.

I was really inspired from the "write from theme" method that Kylekmd talked about in his thread, and that dara marks writes about in her book. Everyone should read this book!