I'm having difficulty with this because the battle is based in the late 18th century and I don't know what will look good until im at location physically planning it out, Should i just put loads of shot ideas and major scenes then carry on writing?
Screenwriting : Battle scenes by Leon Reaper
Battle scenes
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My suggestion would be to track-down some screenplays for films that have major battles in them... for example "Braveheart" and "The Patriot"... I recall both films having large-scale battle scenes, while at the same time being rather intimate as the major characters are followed through the battles. Perhaps looking at how these scenes were written (with the knowledge of how they later were filmed) would help?
I suppose so, thanks Gabrielle, slow-paced scenes are more my thing where dialogue is mostly key.
I'm writing a script depicting the life of Isaac Brock who fought for Upper Canada in the war of 1812
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Many people have written " Battle ensues " and then only listed key plot points ( hero is incapacitated and barbarian rides off with damsel )... and dialogue of course... action coordinators are often used to figure it out ( 2nd Unit Director / DP ).
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You need to hit the emotional beats of the battle. There's no point in having it in there at all if it doesn't make you feel something about the characters. I wouldn't worry about the technicalities of the fighting, but would focus instead on what our characters are doing specifically and how their goals are thwarted.
That's what I thought, to keep writing : one soldier bayonets another in the head then another did this, blah blah blah. takes too much time, ill focus on the protagonist only ^_^
So, my take: Every action that reveals your protagonist or antagonist and the future needs of the story is important. Make sure the things that you need to make the director accomplish are set out, and evocatively so (and then give that hope away, lol, but still ...). Do not allow yourself to be bogged down in what the location might look like. And, respectfully " I don't know what will look good until I'm at location physically planning it out" is your giving yourself an "out." Now's the time; plan it. Just because you may have to change your plans later, does not give you the leeway to approach it with half your attention and excitement, now. If you're going to be the director, great, but it sounds like you would still have to entice the funds. Why give that opportunity to excite others, short shrift? Best, and luck.