Screenwriting : Three Pros & Cons of Outlining by Vince Conside

Yep. Most of the cons are the reasons I avoid detailed outlines. I find the story loses its magic if I mess with it too much before I write it, and continually outlining without actually writing is just procrastination.

Total agree -

Misses the big "Pro" - as a professional you will be required to turn in a treatment before you go to script, and they will expect the script to match the treatment (plus any notes). You'll have to outline eventually, so it's good to learn how to make it work for you.

Is there any rule against writing some of the scenes first, and then outlining? That's how I work. I have to have some scenes written before I can start an outline.

I outline to hell and back. Then the script pretty much writes itself.

I'm sure there are pros who write the whole danged script quick as they can and then write the treatment based on it... Then adjust the script to the treatment notes. But usually they like to get the basic story locked down before you go to script - and proceed in creative steps.

I used to write and then outline but had a project that I had to write the outline first and it sure made my writing much easier. I've never gone back to freestyle writing, unless I can see the entire project end to end in my head and it's a pouring out.

I don't know why there'd be any cons.

I made a comment similar to this the other day, but I deleted it. I usually try to keep quiet, because I'll learn more by listening than talking, or in this case reading than typing. That said, I outline everything. I want to know my story, characters, and structure before I type FADE IN, and I don't really see how I could come to know any of that without outlining... I'm so pro-outlining that I even outlined this comment.

Mister Martell s advice: No paychecks & spec scripts: no outlines needed, write blind. Paychecks & assignments: employers expect outlines, write like a pro.