Paper, or Computer?

Paper, or Computer?

  • Pen and Paper

    Votes: 6 16.2%

  • Computer

    Votes: 31 83.8%
  • Total voters
    37
Robbie Comeau

Robbie Comeau

Como's back. back again
How do you guys write mostly...How how do you start off your story, pen and paper, sitting on the couch, or on the computer?

Is there a better way to write of these two options?
 
I start with pen and paper, but altogether, I go through these steps:

1) Pen/paper brainstorming/free associating in a loose-leaf binder so I can add, remove or reorder pages. Story ideas, characters, jokes, etc. Anything goes. Just write it down.

2) Bulletin board and index card style scene/structure building. Due to space limitations I use either:

-A 20x30 illustration board divided into 4 rows horizontally for features (act 1, act 2A, act 2B, and act 3) and 2x3 post-its for each scene/event.

Or:

-The loose-leaf binder and 2x3 post-its on manila divders, one act (or half of act 2) per side.

The loose-leaf is becoming my favorite because of its flexibilty - just add or remove dividers for additional versions without losing earlier ones. The illustration board approach is better for being able to see the whole movie at once, but you have to remove things to redo them. Right now I have three pieces of illustration board taped together at the top so I can have at least two variations (or different scripts) plus a cover to keep the post-its in place when it's stored.

A short can be done on one or two facing pages of the loose-leaf.

3) Final Draft and a Mac G5 or Powerbook G4 for writing the actual script.
 
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everybody is different

i generally write my screenplays in final draft on my computer, but i do my outlines both on a notebook I always carry with me, and in textpad on the computer, if i happen to be sitting down when a brainstorm hits.

normally I'll write a few pages of a couple of random scenes that hit me and then after that, i start writing outlines over and over again, at home, on the bus, in the pub, on film sets inbetween shots, you name it, all in the notebook. sometimes i'll write scenes in the notebook i carry or the notebook i keep by my bed.
 
I write by hand my first drafts all the time.

When I get around to typing up the first draft on the computer I usually do an edit right as I type and add in things that may be missing.

from there I refine on the computer.. my initial ideas are all generally written by hand.. those seem to be the better ideas anyways than the ones I write solely on the computer..
 
Paper first, start with outline, character sheet, thoughts, partial dialogue, then when I have a semblance of a story, I pop open my Movie Magic and draft a script. Consider using paper/pen to first put your ideas down on paper, outline or index card scenes, know your ending, then start on computer.
 
Have to use a computer because I can never read my own handwriting due to arthritis in my thumb that i broke when i was in the fifth grade.
 
Computer. Movie Magic Screenwriter. But I start with paper and pen with the outline, or sometimes outline on the computer. it depends on where I am, when I start writing.
 
I usually use my laptop and final draft so I keep a decent check on the page count.

If I plateau or am just a bit bored I might whip out the pen and paper, sometimes that gets things going for me. Else I'll think about the script before I go to sleep and sometimes things will come to me.
 
Always have a pad of paper and a pen handy. There is no telling when you'll just suddenly get an idea for something, so write it down before you forget. Then you can smooth it out on the computer, and arrange it into your story at your convenience. And spell check it ;)
 
Early on, I religiously use pencil and paper (sunrise service)

After I get a framework, I'll swing over to laptop in bed

When synapses fire during the day, I'll scribble notes on paper or PalmPilot

On the road, I'll dictate messages to my cellphone voice recorder
 
I write all my ideas on my arms. Since i'm ambidextrous I can fill up both arms with a full length movie.


...yeah, just a joke. I use Montage.
 
Computer, unfortunately. It gives you a lot, but also takes a lot from the experience.

MS Word with some free templates.

This CeltX thing looks very interesting and has adequate support for my language.
 
depends...
It like the Dark Half... there are some stories that just beg for paper, and some that need to be organized on a computer.

So, both and neither.
 
first ideas and rough outline with pen and paper then I move to the computer.

not sure which one is "better" - depends on the person.
 
Pen and paper. Always start out with it, since I want to be in dfferent areas when I'm creating. Home is boring and should be reserved only for laying down the final first drafts, which is where I keep my computer at.

Plus you can always doodle on the pages, which can be very handy sometimes.
 
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