Screenwriting : Does Anyone Do This When Writing? by Kellie Burke

Yes.

Kellie:

I remember I got "hired" for a European TV Pilot and the lead writer, a Brit had, these complicated character descriptions. I thought they impeded the creativity of the other writers and were a waste of time. As a writer, the guy was terrible. I've never done them and think they're a waste of time. I wrote some brief character descriptions for a pitch that went to a Big Six Studio in April, but I had already written the script without them and did it for the benefit of the guy reading the pitch. And, my descriptions were no more than two lines.

As far as a scene-by-scene treatment? I've only done one and I've written more than 30 scripts. I prefer a simple outline of scenes or a short synopsis of the story I'm going to write.

I do the same thing. With me I just get so caught up in writing, especially when an idea hits from nowhere. I wrote 120+ pages in three days. Not a single character sheet in sight.

I write thorough outlines, followed by beat sheets for each scene. Each to their own, but for me, it helps ensure my foundation is solid and that each scene is arcing and pushing the story forward.

It all depends upon what your individual work habits and preferences are. For some of my scripts I did a lot more leg work. For others, I didn't need to. My advice is to set things up however you feel comfortable.

I use an outline so I can keep focus and not make it go all over the place. Have not written without a treatment but have my character sheets with me just in case. And if you did all of that with your first script that is fantastic Kellie Burke.

If you wanna work professionally, practice writing short and long treatments. If writing is a hobby and you're working alone on specs, it doesn't matter.

MaxXxy is correct in as much as a screenwriter should be prepared to deliver what their client wants. However, my experience has been that a detailed and organized treatment did not produce a a superior script to ones I write without them.

Dan MaxXx is right on that one.

Kellie. I do. The only time I ever wrote a treatment is when I wrote screenplays on assignment. I never made up a character sheet.

What I have done is to write out my story first, then make a screenplay from that. After the script is finished, I write up a synopsis. Works for me.

It all mushes together for me. I get an idea - I write the ending, then I write the beginning. Now I know where I'm starting from and where I'm going to. Then I start story outlining, character bio's & synopsis to figure how to get from the beginning to the end - and everything changes along the way.

I suggest you use my technique - get input from Ms. Shiraz, Jack Daniel and John Player. Works for me - or maybe it doesn't.

Mr. MaxXx, I want to do this professionally! I like long treatments though.

For me, every screenplay is different. For some I write an outline and proceed from there. With others I go into more detail, with scene headings to capture the spin of my developing idea, and then write that in. Others I write a synopsis for, before opening Final Draft. My current work was borne out of research pieces and wrote itself after I loosely mapped characters and stages. I know where I'm heading with my main characters and settings, but tweak them as I progress. Once my first draft is complete, I do a detailed character sheet, questioning their reactions, backgrounds etc. These can be quite long, at first. Last of all, I write a kind of bible, as most of my work is not set in mainstream locations or contemporary settings. Then I begin editing.

Sometimes, as Joanna mentioned each screenplay is different, it depends on many things. Sometimes, I just get swept up in the creative moment others without the planning and mapping it would never come to fruition, the same goes for my non script writing.

It seems to depend on my mood, workspace, the base of the story and if it needs to be accurately researched or is, for want of a better phrase, completely of my own creation.

When it comes to my characters, I often have them very vividly in my mind, ( I think I am a better character writer than story writer oftentimes)

So tend to only make notes on a re-read or if there is something earlier in the story( especially if it is serialisation) that I will come back to later in the story, to help with continuity.

For a spec' script, I create the characters as I go along, but I then take character notes to draw from as I write and write more notes as I go along, so it's a bit cyclical.

But I do need to take notes as I am thinking faster than I can type the screenplay, so I use a beat board for outlining and create mind maps for plot and characters. I usually write the ending first.

Although, of course, when you're in the bubble all that goes out the window and you just type until you're all out of words...

I tried outlines and character synopsis but they didn’t work for me. Then I was watching a couple of videos on writing and very successful screen writers all said - write the way that works for you. With me i can picture the entire plot ion my head. I start writing scene one - go back edit scene one and write scene two. Go back dirt 1 and 2 write three. By the time I finish I have the whole thing and it’s ready for a rewrite.

That being said I am awful with treatments and synopsis, but as Dr. maxx said you need them to be a professional - so I write a bad one and have my sister rewrite it - (she’s a commercial writer - much better at sales pitches then me)

I’m not saying this is right. I’m saying write how you are comfortable.

A PS to this - I just took a course - the professor has written screenplays and novels - he is a big outline guy. Says he’s been outlining his last novel for two years. His gets upset because his wife can just sit down and write without guidelines. Doesn’t know how she does it.

I said he should write a book on how to write novels lol

His answer was he should but would have to outline it. — lol

Do what comes natural

Ps if you do write without character notes or an outline you better spend a lot of post writing on individual dialogue consistency checks. Characters evolve and their voice throughout must fit them.

There is no set formula... def write the way that works best for you...YET, writing at least 3-pages on each intended character--their personalities, idiosyncracies, wants, obstacles to their wants, character stakes, signature lines, hot items they carry, how they relate to other characters and the protagonist, etc. can provide you a launch that is jet-packed and full-proof and will not have you floundering at midpoint.