How would you go about writing a screenplay about a very specialised subject if you're not familiar with it? Is research really enough? Because I watch a series like House or Suits and the jargon is really daunting sometimes.
Screenwriting : Subject-specific writing by Keith Katane
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Keith: I am the moderator of the Ann Arbor, Michigan, Screenwriters and the Jackson, Michigan Screenwriting Group. Research is a good first step. I'd also suggest getting your hands on fiction, novels and/or short stories about the subject. This way you can see how the subject is handled by other writers. Search Google or go directly to Amazon.com and input your search term for Books. I would also recommend joining a screenwriting group, if you have one not too far from you. In my groups, we post our scripts onto a Yahoo Groups website two weeks prior to meetings. At the meetings, we go "round-table" and discuss what we thought was good and what we thought was bad about the script.
Keith - research is a good first step, however I would urge you to seek a collaborator from the field. Most people are honored to provide their knowledge, expertise and wisdom if you just ask. This keeps you focused on the story and not getting lost in the labyrinth of supportive detail. Finding experts is as easy as google or a Linkedin search. Hope that helps, Vince.
Wow, Nick, you wrote an identical comment to my discussion! Funny!
Hi Nick, I see it the other way around. My field of research needs the entertainment industry to be better understood by non-scientists. A main reason why I never charged for science consultations. Annelie
I agree with Vince. Research is a good first step. But you need to get your hands dirty. Talk to the experts and, if possible, spend time with them in their element. Good luck!
While writing a piece of historical fiction set in the late 1940's, I was able to get in touch with my protagonist's octogenarian widow. She provided me with a wealth of information about my character and minor details about my story not in the history books. The less I had to make up, the better the story seemed to be.