Screenwriting : How I Prep for a Script by Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing. I start mine in a document with the following tabs. Very similar.

Great post...yeah much like yourself, my genesis is a standard word document, though most often it lives in the notes app on my phone because the thread of the idea started there...maybe at 4 in the morning. From there I conceptualize many of the same things. Genre and sub-genre are pretty evident to me at this point but specifying that out probably has its place. Logline is underrated as a guidepost I would say...I relax a little bit once the logline kind of jumps off the keyboard without me forcing it. This tells me that the hook is palpable, evident. I then get into the characters to see if they have enough dimension to make their story, their choices something we all care about. By this point, I have probably had my mind set on a plot point, character exchange, or cold open that I am particularly excited about. Though that excitement needs to be tempered so that I can outline more and see where the major holes are. Is my Protagonist looking like they are too passive? Are the supporting characters stealing the show? Is my third act too obvious and without any nuance? I find it surprising how many problems you can identify even in these early stages. I beat board, outline, and then I swallow the nausea of apprehension and begin on page one. Now there is no turning back.

I am so fearful of losing my notes on my phone. I have to email them to myself every so often haha or I would be devastated if I did lose them.

You're welcome, Tiffiney Cornish. I like that! It's organized. What program is it?

That's a great process, Mario Riportella! "I find it surprising how many problems you can identify even in these early stages." I know what you mean. It's like no matter how much I outline though, problems still come up when I write the script. Have you thought about using a voice recording app for notes?

I do the same thing, Darrell Pennington. Email things to myself every so often. I also have a USB cable that I can send stuff to my phone.

Great outline to share Maurice!

Thanks, Ewan Dunbar. What program do you use to outline?

Maurice Vaughan it’s a Google Doc.

Thanks, Tiffiney Cornish. I'll have to try it.

Maurice Vaughan Let me know how it goes. I'm big on organization, myself. I even keep a running concept database so when I'm finished one I can quickly queue up another.

Ok, I will, Tiffiney Cornish. That's a great idea, and it saves time. I did a digital spring cleaning on my laptop. It's a lot easier to find things now.

I do alot of background checks alot of them, logline, outline, characters and other breakdowns... It helps alot, you know your story, you know your characters, you know how everything is going to be aligned. It reduces writer's block, cause you now have a material to go back on. But give room for flexibility cause alot can be change, most times when I have the outline can be slightly different in the end products, just like creating paper from wood, it's the same foundation, but the product is built on that foundation even there's changes.

Great points, Samuel Moses Osigwe! "But give room for flexibility cause alot can be change." Exactly. Some things change, you think of things, and you realize you don't need some things from the outline (I suggest saving those things though since you might end up using them).

I use my tool I told you about the other day! It does all of that and more for me! Check it out scenerail.com , 50% off for any interested Stage32 people. Discount Code is STAGE32

Wind me up. Watch me go. Where she stops? Nobody knows. ...it's a complete mess but I end up with a feature film script in the end. Thank you for sharing your word doc and thank you for always posting helpful information. You're amazing Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Simon M James. Hope you're doing great! I checked out your website after we talked. I was planning on using Scenerail, but it's AI.

Thanks, Lauren Hackney. You're amazing too. Thanks for all the support. Hey, whatever works for you. My spec script outlines are messy, but it's easier for me to outline that way. The outlines I make for writing jobs and ghostwriting jobs are organized since I share them with producers, directors, etc.

Hi Maurice, yes but no! It does not write for you; you have to do the work. What it does in its simplest terms is what film schools and others have done for decades. It analyses structure and shows you what to put where for maximum impact based on your idea. So if you wanted to write a new thriller called 'Bite' but use the structure, pacing, feel of Jaws it would show you 'how' Jaws worked and where to put what for maximum impact so that when you write 'Bite' the pacing, structure, setups and payoffs, minor characters and world building are all there for you to follow the map to write a completely original piece called 'Bite'. I can message you a free test link if your curious. Once you see how it works and what it does, you'll realise it is AI for writers, to help writers, it is absolutely not an AI write my script for me tool, i hate that!!

Thanks, Simon M James, but I don't use AI for outlining scripts.

I hear you but that's a bit like saying I refuse to read books like Save The Cat BUT no worries Maurice. You aren't alone, I have had a lot of people say the same thing but the ones who tested it loved it, I will say no more about it on here. All good :-)

To prep for a script is also getting the actors for script readings to test our the script in a table reading. And another is pitching it to executives on the script tank in Wednesdays (once a month) or Thursday pitch practice with John and Nicole on stage 32.

Those are great ideas, Ron Reid! I plan on pitching during a Pitch Tank and Pitch Practice.

Maurice, when it comes to preparing to write a script, you're a Hall of Famer!

Since jumping onto Stage 32, I've adopted some of the methods I found in the template you created....especially how to come up with a logline and how to devise major characters.

Me...after developing a logline, I go after six plot points (something I adapted from made-for-TV movies and from Michael Hauge's system). Once the six plot points (the sixth is the climax) are established, I work on an "outline/scene list."

Then I figure out what the main characters are actually like...after that, it's time to write the script itself.

Once the script reaches the "FADE OUT" page, I come up with a synopsis...taking into consideration changes that took place between creating the scene list and finding the script's last page.

Last component: A written pitch...and that's only after I've run the script through tools like Prewrite, ScriptHop, ScriptReader, and ScreenplayIQ.

Great post...thanks bunches!

I use Scrivener for the bigger projects. Much in the same way as Tiffiney Cornish does in Google Docs.

Thanks, Jim Boston. You’re welcome. Glad the template I made helped! I made it from different things I’ve learned over the years. I update the template from time to time. Writers can use it for short scripts too, but they probably won’t need everything in it for shorts.

I think coming up with a synopsis after the script is done is better. I used to write it before the script, but I had to make a lot of changes to the synopsis once the script was done.

I’ve been meaning to try Prewrite. I’ve heard great things about it.

Hi, Phil Clarke. Bigger projects like features and TV shows?

Maurice Vaughan Bigger projects as in more involved. Those with complex story worlds etc.

+1 for Scrivener. I've sworn by using it for years now. It's built by authors for authors.

I don't get this process. Maurice is SO organized. I'd LOVE to exchange a script with him and see how his process worked into making the final version. I just start writing and have NO idea what the actors will say or do until they tell me. Then I do the synopsis, logline, etc. I guess I am backwards.

On a novel, the requester gives me short snippets which I expand.

On a requested script, sometimes I get 2 pages of an outline.

On my own work, locations suggest the story.

Cheers for a sustainable strategic and creative approach, Maurice Vaughan !!

Myself I seem to approach the process differently each time,

while I have only written 7 feature scripts I tend to take about 6 months to a year to execute but I am a spec writer so therefore not on any real deadlines or accountability except to myself,

as a visual artist I found my way into my most recent story (which I've now made into micro-budget episode 1 as a concept reel and it's doing well on the festival circuit via Film Freeway) by putting the cart before the horse and starting the whole process with several months of Location Scouting.

It was hiking in the forest in nature and discovering settings and topography and natural landscape features that really brought my imagination to work on the sense of place and thus developed a framework for the story to grow,

so I love writing a location-centric visually compelling story world (even if it is a recognizable component of our real life world) and concurrent timeline through the scenes as I build a trajectory so to speak for the character web to exercise their obsessions.

I never really prepare before writing a script. The only thing I do is clearly define the theme I want to write a film about. Then I spend two or three days just thinking about it. And suddenly — boom — the whole movie appears in my head. I can see it. I see the main character, sometimes even the supporting ones, but the main character I see from beginning to end. Then I start writing the script. Some of the supporting characters appear naturally during the writing process.

The only research I do is when the script involves a specific profession or social background. In that case, I look for all the materials I can find on the subject. For example, if the story is about a doctor, I study how medicine works, the routines, and the environment. Or if I’m writing about prisoners, like I did once, I watch lots of videos of former inmates talking about prison life, the slang they use, and how things really are inside.

Some people pre-write and some people re-write. There's no right and wrong. It all comes down to how our minds work best. Love your process. Feel confident in it. Keep refining it.

I'm going to try Scrivener with my next script. Thanks, Phil Clarke and CJ Walley.

The outlines for my spec scripts are organized at first, Jon Shallit, but they get really messy! I don't think anyone but me can understand them. Looking forward to doing a script swap with you one day! Writing without any idea what the actors will say or do until they tell me is hard, but I like being surprised along the way.

Location scouting is great for outlining, Daniel Stuelpnagel! I do location scouting online sometimes to outline scripts and scenes.

That's a great process, Aleksandr Rozhnov! I have to know the theme at the start, and sometimes I come up with sub-themes for a script.

Exactly, CJ Walley!

I love this Maurice Vaughan. So, for me, first I have the idea/theme. The second step is to create avatars for the main character(s). Third, I go into detail about world-building. Four, I write the first logline and start the outline. But sometimes, when it's a short script, I just start writing it. They have different processes for me.

I like your process, Sandra Isabel Correia! Why do you create avatars for characters?

Thank you, Maurice Vaughan. Because I come from the fashion industry, where launching a new brand always begins with defining the client. We build a detailed persona: what they look like, how they spend a typical day, where they live, their profession, the car they drive, and their holiday destinations. We visualize them as real people, complete with images and emotional texture.

That same instinct carries over to my screenwriting. I naturally create character avatars that go beyond surface traits. I link their emotional struggles, inner conflicts, and thematic challenges to their lifestyle and visual identity. It’s not just about who they are; it’s about how they move through the world. This approach helps me write with precision, empathy, and cinematic clarity.

It's my process based in my previous life :))

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia. Creating avatars for the main characters is a fantastic idea! I used to draw, so I might start making avatars for my characters. Thanks for the idea!

Yes, it's so helpful, Maurice Vaughan. Besides, it will help you to visualize them. I am happy for that!

It seems as if for the most part I am doing this backwards. Maybe it is because to date I have focused on TV series. I let the idea gestate in my mind for a bit, usually intoxicated many of the times to see if the idea hits both sides of my brain, and just sort of imagine the story mentally as if I am watching it happen and then just start writing what I see in my head. All of the world building I do after the fact actually. I guess now that I think about it that is sort of ass-backwards haha but I like what I have come up with so far using this approach (4 spec hour long pilots).

The way you outline is fine, Darrell Pennington.

"and just sort of imagine the story mentally as if I am watching it happen and then just start writing what I see in my head." I do that too. It helps me think of ideas and find problems with the story and characters. I visualize the action, the location, where characters are standing/sitting/etc., and what’s going on in the background.

Do you picture the trailer (www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Picture-the-Trailer)?

Just because all of my projects to date have been serialized series I don't think in terms of trailer but I do envision the opening and closing credits as I think they can be utilized to tell story.

As mentioned, there's no right or wrong. I know artists in other mediums who go in with no plan at all. They just see what happens.

You do what gets the best out of you creatively, and that can change over time.

When people say things like "you must write a vomit draft" or "writing is rewriting" or "a treatment is essential" they are being dogmatic and failing to see beyond their own process.

As ever, the writer that's winning is the one who's enjoying it.

That’s such a great system — super methodical but still creative. I really like how you build from theme and logline first; it shows you’re grounding everything in intention before diving into the details.

For me, the prep process depends a bit on the project. Usually, I start with a core emotional question — something like “What would someone sacrifice for redemption?” or “Can love survive guilt?” From there, I sketch a few key scenes that feel emotionally charged, even before I know the full plot.

Once I have those, I move into a rough beat outline, but it’s more intuitive than structured at first. I use index cards (digital or physical) to rearrange moments until the emotional rhythm feels right. Then, before writing, I’ll draft short character monologues — things the characters might say when no one’s listening. It helps me hear their voices clearly once I start scripting.

I love your idea of keeping folders organized by stage — it’s such a small thing, but it makes a huge difference when you’re deep in revisions.

Out of curiosity — when you finish outlining, do you usually stick closely to it while writing, or do you let the story evolve as you go?

I typically write a seperate Google Doc with story ideas, beats, characters, motivations etc. I often go back to that document and add or subtract stuff. When I think I have a solid Idea I begin writing from Scene 1.

My process is a bit chaotic. I outline the characters and scenes that I "feel the most" first. Then I fill in the blanks. I often tweak my outline as I write my 1st draft since things all to often play out a big differently. Any new ideas while writing draft 1, go into my outline. It's a dance back and forth until the draft is complete. Then a full read through and the amount of cringe will correllate with the amount of rewriting.

Thanks, Asia Almerico. Starting with a core emotional question is a great idea!

I used to use physical index cards to outline. I haven't tried digital index cards. Thanks for the idea.

I usually stick closely to the outline while writing, but some things change.

I save my outlines because I might use things from them for other scripts.

I like your process, Dodi Hochez. Have you ever started a script at the middle or end?

Outlining the characters and scenes that you "feel the most" first is an interesting approach, Michael Dzurak. I'll have to try it.

"Any new ideas while writing draft 1, go into my outline." I do the same thing.

Do you use highlights in your outline so it's easy to find things?

Maurice Vaughan Yes, I highlight things in my outline according to what I want to add or take out.

What colors do you use, Michael Dzurak?

Maurice Vaughan Green and red.

The main colors I use are yellow, blue, green, and pink, Michael Dzurak.

Yellow for things I'm not sure about, things I need to research, and things I need to finish later.

Blue for scenes.

Green for dialogue.

Pink for things I won't use. I highlight those things instead of getting rid of them because I might end up using them.

Maurice Vaughan, that looks like a good system. I also work in spacing and typeface so as not to have too many colors in the page.

Concept, theme, genre & structure where characters drive the plot. Initial outline obviously but it can morph. When mining the above, a plot may work better in another direction. A project is a living entity. I back up with Word & Final Draft. Also hand notes, i phone dictation & drawings.

I'm extremely old school and use countless notebooks. For my two first drafts (different stories) I didn't do any prep. I did a great deal of research for the original concept set in the 1840's but completely winged the second one. Hence my current mammoth task to merge them both and actually create that solid base.

You're right, Debbie Croysdale. A project is a living entity. I outline a script, but I know things will change when I write it.

Great idea to back up a script with Word and Final Draft! I back up with FD. I have auto save on in FD, but I also save a script manually.

Do you take screenshots of your hand notes and drawings in case something happens to them?

I remember using notebooks to outline, Marie Hatten. Did you run into any problems while winging the second draft?

@Maurice Yes, I take screenshots of hand written notes & drawings. Also back up all laptop files on USB stick. May use coloured index cards for double journeys or one protagonist solving two equally important cases. (Separate stories overlap) Yellow for Timelines, Blue for Relationship lines, Pink for Main/Subplots, Lime for Key Sequence Endings. There’s no “one right way” to use cards, I know some writers who use many more, even for each beat etc. I prefer the minimum. Once the main puzzle yields, on how to best execute a parallel narrative or Tandem, I prefer spontaneous free flow of the rest. Too many “tangible” pieces of card at play, diverts from organic inner speak of characters who drive my plots. Years back I experimented with a lot of cards & the process for myself, became clinical over creative.

Backing up files on a USB stick is a great idea, Debbie Croysdale! I need to get another one. I have a USB cord that goes from my laptop to my phone though.

Maurice Vaughan Yes many lol. I knew the first draft protagonist more but neither are speaking for themselves, great indicator they developmental work is needed .

Valerie J Runyan Yes! I feel like I think better on paper.