What is the best way to start a screenplay

B

Bill_Bolton

Well-known member
I'm a newbie at screenwriting (but shooting for years). Should I do an outline or a treatment first? Scene Cards and Dialog 2nd? My guess is to do the treatment first because it will give more life to the characters. BTW - I've upgraded from Scriptware to Final Draft 7.

Thanks to all the smart folks here.
Bill
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

Basically, I think there isn't one specific method for how to get your story out of you. It's a personal process. I tend to switch back and forth between writing a treatment and scenes. There are days when I have action and dialogue bubbling at the surface and I need to get them down. There are other days when the overall story may seem to need work, so I'll try to outline.

I think the most important thing to do is just start getting material on paper. What people say about 90% of writing is rewriting is absolutely true. I never expect to sit down, write a treatment and then hang it on the wall as the final map. The treatment and the script are always works in progress.

Again, what I've mentioned is my approach. But the universal rule is write, whether you know what you want to say or not, whether what you want to write is treatment or scene. Get it on paper.

Also, if your new to scripting, I would highly recommend reading several scripts. Try to avoid shooting scripts for the simple fact that they have been altered by the director to include camera movement. If you have Final Draft 7 you don't have to worry about formatting.

Best of luck.
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

I agree. There's no best way to write a screenplay. I try to outline, but I can never stick to an outline because once I start writing, the characters always take me in a different direction. I just keep writing and try to keep one or two scenes ahead in my mind, but I don't stick to any hard and fast rules. I let whatever flows from my mind hit the page and edit later. On my current screenplay, I've written about 280 pages, but I've cut that down to 115 in the second draft. So I write a lot and cut a lot. Some people see this as a waste of time, but I believe that if any of that cut material is any good, I'll end up using it down the road in a future screenplay or novel. I get both my best and worst material when I'm writing freely, without the restriction of a treatment or outline. So I'm happy to throw away the garbage to get the good stuff.

Hemingway said he wrote 100 pages of **** for every one page that was brilliant. Then he'd do his best to throw the **** away. I try to follow the same philosophy.

Having said all that, I know some writers who outline an entire screenplay or novel and stick to it. I've been writing in one form or another since I was 12, and that just doesn't work for me. If index card and outlines work better for you, by all means go that route.
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

"Fade In" ;)

Ok, your question is probably going to generate different answers from each person. I start mine by writing my idea down so I can see it on paper/screen/whatever. The act of actually writing something can force you to articulate the idea.

You can expand on this to create an outline or a treatment. Again, it's a personal process. Others jump right in and begin writing.

Check out Syd Field's screenwriting book or some of the many others out there for more ideas. There's also a ton of info on this on the web.

Good luck!
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

I recommend that you check out the book
Screenwriting from the Heart,
by James Ryan.
I've read tons of screenwriting books and this is by far the best in my opinion.

If you don't know how to start I recommend that you think of a question or topic that you want to explore, and then start writing characters. Write from their point of view. If you come up with some compelling characters they will write the story for you.

Acting classes are also VERY usefull to writers, since much of writing is ACTING!
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

Dude, just read lots of screenplays and read the book Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting, by Robert McKee.

And don't forget that there is no formula to write a screenplay. There may be a form, but no formula like in Maths or Physics.

All the best

Fidel.

PS: You can download screenplays in pdf format from www.screentalk.biz
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

Thanks to all. I've picked up a copy of Robert McKee's book and that's what I was looking for; great advice. I have Fields book, but found it to be too formulaic. It's back to the keyboard for me...

Bill
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

I start with paper and writing down a basic plot outline:

Archeologist is on the hunt for Lost Ark while dodging Nazi's in Africa.

Then I start hashing out scenes:

1. Open with Jungle Intro of Jones stealing anicent IDOL and then escaping Island
2. Back at the University Jones is approached by Government

Both of these consist of Characters and Ill even do a Character page with a short background when applicable

Then I start the first draft.
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

Once you've got a good understanding of screenplay format and you've written a couple of shorts, a great book is "How to NOT Write a Screenplay" by Denny Martin Flinn.

I found that book to be most valuable out of all the ones I've read, because it filled in so many tiny little gaps in my knowledge, but would say it's only useful after you've explored screenwriting a good bit.

You might also look into The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler.

Some people swear by it, I mostly swore at it as I found it's advice completely counterintuitive and simultaneously under simplified and overcomplicated, but I think it’s more of a personality thing then anything else.
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

Remember when writing anything, a story is about things that happen and how characters deal with it. Know your characters well, and they will guide you.
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

yes, interrogate them like a detective.
Live with them, feed them, etc...

All the best

Fidel.
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

Absolutely let the characters guide you. This is one of the reasons I don't outline extensively. The charcaters always end up doing stuff I didn't expect. I have no control over them! ;)
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

[quote author=J_Barnes link=board=writing;num=1088293514;start=0#8 date=07/01/04 at 05:54:25]
You might also look into The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler.  
[/quote]

Excellent choice and I to reccomend this one.
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

[quote author=John Hudson link=board=writing;num=1088293514;start=0#12 date=07/01/04 at 10:58:23]

Excellent choice and I to reccomend this one.
[/quote]


Yes I do agree with this one two.

All the best

Fidel.
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

[quote author=John Hudson link=board=writing;num=1088293514;start=0#7 date=06/30/04 at 23:52:40]I start with paper and writing down a basic plot outline:

Archeologist is on the hunt for Lost Ark while dodging Nazi's in Africa.

Then I start hashing out scenes:

1. Open with Jungle Intro of Jones stealing anicent IDOL and then escaping Island
2. Back at the University Jones is approached by Government
[/quote]

John, this sounds AWESOME. You should keep writing it ;)
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

I write five main plot points on a 3x5 index card. I put them in order then I make notes on how I can connect the cards. Once I have my notes I make an outline and then start with the character breakdown. From there I write a detailed treatment and then I start the first draft....
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

Have a look at this software:http://www.download.com/3302-2056_4-8630163.html

Don't buy the professional version, because it is almost the same as this one. The only difference is that it has some extra windows that allow you to type the name of your protagonist, antagonist and the love interest.

This software allows you to create a step outline of your story. Then, you can export that as RTF and load it into your screenwriting software.

All the best

Fidel.
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

Also check out StoryView. It's made by the company that makes Movie Magic and it is awesome...
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

Having read both Story by McKee and Writer's Journey by Vogler, I prefered McKee. His narrative and explanations are top notch. Has anyone read Screenwriting Updated by Linda Aronson? Her approach seems more business-like, how to get a greenlight and how to avoid being thrown in the garbage.
 
Re: What is the best way to start a screenplay

But you can combine both McKee and Vogler's. I don't agree with all the stuff that is in McKee. It is definitely the best book I have read about screenwriting, but still there are some elements missing.
If you guys haven't read the Dramatica theory, then read it. It is online: http://www.dramatica.com/theory/theory_book/dtb.html

It has some interesting views as well.

All the best

Fidel.
 
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