I wrote my first spec script with just an idea in mind, and went for it. Very basic outline. Lots of revisions, rewriting. For my latest I’m working on the treatment first. What works for you? From idea to finished screenplay, what’s your process? I’m curious, and would love to hear.
Nikita
4 people like this
Hey, Nikita Simpson. I make a really detailed outline for a feature script or TV series, then I rewrite the first draft of the script as I go. After I finish the first draft, I rewrite the script some more. I break the rewrite up into categories:
– A Story
– B Story
– Subplot(s)
– Character Arc(s)
– Dialogue
– Track (I go through the script, tracking important things like character behavior, relationships, and items)
– Visualize (I go through the script, visualizing the action and dialogue -- it helps me think of ideas, scenes, etc. and catch story issues)
– Sometimes other things
– I do one final rewrite where I go through the script, making sure I didn't miss anything
4 people like this
Hey Nikita Simpson - I always start with an outline and then revise that before I go to story. I typically fill out as much as possible and make worldbuilding notes on a separate document. Sometimes those notes give me ideas to incorporate the story. Once I feel in my gut that it's fleshed out, I go to story.
5 people like this
Espresso.
Wild idea pops up.
Wild and short writing session --anything goes-- to have a first look at the idea from different angles.
Write a logline -- if this is difficult, apparently not high concept enough => garbage bin.
Establish the premise and the theme in one line.
From the logline: first attempt at tone, world, characters, core conflicts, basic plot outline.
Then, find the right names for each character and anything else that needs a name (since
names have subconsious meaning)/
Then, a closer look at the characters: wants, needs, conflicts, etc.
Then --boring, yet needed to better understand how a character will react, speak etc-- write backstories.
Continue with working on the other aspects: worls, plots, etc.
Beer.
If still believable, start writing scenes.
Get lost in the story and the cool concepts.
Offer your masterpiece to a professional reader.
Beer.
Bummer. Realize you only wrote draft 1 of many more to come.
Live the Save The Cat "Debate" beat yourself.
The rest is rewriting, I guess -- or garbage bin time again.
3 people like this
Very interesting to hear from you all, thank you. Sometimes, especially when struggling with writing, I feel like I’m the only one that’s going through it all haha
2 people like this
You're welcome, Nikita Simpson. I know what you mean. That's one of the great things about Stage 32. You can jump on here when you're struggling with something and get support/encouragement and you see that you're not the only one going through it.
3 people like this
Nikita Simpson great question - and some wonderful answers from our colleagues! I will be revising my process to:
- start with an espresso (per Marco)
- make sure I have a solid A story (per Maurice)
- gut check that the world is something I will be interested in for... a few months at least and flesh it out (per Leonardo)
- beer
- beer
- logline (per Marco) as it keeps me close to the original intent of the story
- outline so I have the entire cause and effect working out
- when finally ready to write scenes, prepare a beer with a shot of espresso in it ;)
On a more serious note - I love that we all have different processes and, as you said Nikita, even our own process will change from project to project. But I do consistently need a pretty fleshed out treatment before I write scenes.
3 people like this
I simply come up with an idea, write "Myself" a logline. Do a promo poster with A.I. and keep it next to my computer as I write the story, like I'm looking at a movie theatre and saying I wonder what that's about. Start there and do a lot of editing as I go.
2 people like this
Idea --> MDQ/Climax --> major story shifts/act breaks --> outline --> write