I'm keen to learn all the different methods writers use for story development. From the original outline, to the first draft, second draft, and right through to the final draft. Do we all use the same set in stone process? Or do some of us have a totally different process? I hope this is not something that has been asked before, or a silly question to be asking. I am just interested in other writers and how they go about their projects :)
Screenwriting : Individual methods of story development. by Gavin D Walsh
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I spend a lot of time watching and re-watching my movie in my head to figure how the story should progress . Once I'm at a point where I think it's well fleshed out I break it apart on index cards to find the beats. I discovered that I work well within Blake Snyder's "Save the Cat!" method. His books offer some really great exercises for story development but I know some find it too formulaic. When everything feels right, I outline my story using a piece of software called Slugline. It's a barebones writing tool that allows you to breakdown your script inline with your action and dialogue. I find it very useful to see my outline along side everything as I write. This allows me to tweak it as I go and helps to connect the dots between each scene. Once I complete my first draft, I let it simmer for a bit and then pass it around to a few people whose feedback usually helps steer me in the right direction. Then I pretty much just write and repeat until I feel like I've written the best script that I can write. I recently saw a "making of" video from filmmaker Seth Worley, who also uses Slugline, and he discussed breaking down his script like a clock so that he can see how the beats line up. I've never heard of this technique before but I found it very interesting. You can see him use RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK as an example at around the one-minute mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f7utWakXSM
Thank you for the comments :) That looks like what we call an organised mess, Stuart, lol. I'm sure you will create something from that. And thank you, Chris. I am going to watch that video right now :)
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For me it's all about taking the character on a journey and transforming them: http://channel101.wikia.com/wiki/Story_Structure_101:_Super_Basic_Shit and https://www.youtube.com/user/clickokDOTcoDOTuk/videos
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I can't do the card system. I just can't wrap my head around all those loose bits of paper. Instead I write in word over and over developing the story. it ends up a mess and i have to start a new word doc, but it's all in my head so it does become tidier. Then when i can write an outline and start making that a sort of treatment THEN I go to FD and format it in.
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I will use outlines and note cards, to develop scenarios, character development, etc. Then it is a process of reading and rewriting, having others read and rewriting the script again - until all of the conflicting or confusing parts of the screen play are found. Sometimes what I started with, ends up being an entirely different animal.
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Thanks for all the comments guys, really appreciate it. Very interesting to read different methods. :)
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Hey, G! For examples of how I build stories, check out pictures and videos on my profile. https://www.stage32.com/blog/Bullet-Proof-Pages
Thank you, Shawn. I'll take a look at this a bit later.
Very true, Jim. Thank you for your input :)