What is your process of writing screenplays?

Well, I am by no means professional, but I like to just keep the script open on my desktop, write something and then let it stew. I'll come back to it every now and then, if I get any inspiration throughout the day, whether it be a line of dialouge, cutting something out, or a new scene entirely. I like to work in small steps, but consitently, that way there's no pressure to cram, and I always have the script on my mind, letting it brew with everything new I learn, or personal experiences I remember. In the early stages, usualy full scenes come to me before the actual bigger plot and events, I use those scenes as grounds to build up everything else from, even if they get cut, they get my mind on the script and characters. After that I like to jot down notes when the events and basic outline of the script start comming to me, with that I let the plot evolve in my mind and take a humanity for a while before Ill sit down and write it.

Scripts are like children...each one requires different discipline and nurturing. Some are naughty and some are nice. Sometimes when you try to mold them they rebel and other times they happily cooperative. And just when you think you've raised them right, you have to back and fix something. But eventually, you just gotta let 'em go and breathe on their own.

I write when the mood takes me, and think up more stories in between. They just pop into my head when I'm doing something unrelated. Some ideas are explored and then dismissed, but others go further. Arcs. Good ending. Outline. Experimental first act. If it works, then write more.

There's no universal standard. You find what suits you best, and do it.

-Derek
My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies.

Writing habits

I know a screenwriter who has a converted bedroom that's all black! Floor, ceiling and three of the walls, and the windows have black-out shades on them. The only furniture in the room is a small, glass-top table, one chair, a fern stand and a coffee maker. No phone, cell or otherwise. No clock, or TV, just his laptop computer connected to a projector that throws the page up on a wall.

When he gets started writing, he doesn't stop until he finishes what he's working on, drops or hits a stone wall he can't go over or around. His wife says he's been in there sometimes for 20 hours straight, others for just an hour. If he wants someting to eat, he comes out and gets it himself, but the house rule is; no interruptions. She laughs when she says she listens for the toilet to flush to make sure he's still alive.

Oh, about the fern stand. He often writes standing up, which I do, and highly recommend trying.

What...?

The ImagiNation said:

I'd like to know how you personally motivate yourself to write....

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Funny. My ideas come to me in the shower and in the car, makes typing awkward.
Mightypen

I find a lot of my inspiration comes from watching the discovery channels. As for my process, I tend to mull things over in my head for a few weeks until I have a beginning, middle and end roughed out mentally. Then, I go to town with a written outline or if really inspired, I start writing the script from page 1 and go forward.

Joe Calabrese said:

I find a lot of my inspiration comes from watching the discovery channels.

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Mine is the History Channel. I tape 'em. Great for avoiding researching some things the old fashion way too.

my screenwriting process is a backward approach i guess.

i get an idea floating through my head (-- more than a few come out of my dreams -- some are based on a mixture of people, events and life experiences of mine) i have to have a working title before i can even write the first line. i know this sounds anal and is way out of character for me -- but it's the truth.

i'm old school. (all of my writer buds laugh at me)
first i decide on a title.
then i index the entire script. a different colored index card for each character. (my office walls resemble a neon rainbow)
i write longhand first. (i said all my writer buds laugh at me)
then i transfer everything over to word.
from there i begin to kill off my babies (yeah, as a writer this step hurts)
and finally i end up with a finished script.

that is if i don't rewrite it a gazillion times.

all in all, this process works for me.
but sometimes, just sometimes, i think maybe i should concentrate on writing in novel form.

the filly

Music. Music. Music.

Just about every idea I get comes from a feeling a song brings to me. Or a scene that flashes through my mind while hearing a song.

I usually get a flash of a scene in my head, and my story builds around that. I can't count how many times a song has to remain on repeat while I flesh out the scene.

The idea rolls around in my brain, sometimes for a couple of weeks to a month. Then I'll jot down some ideas of what it is I want to happen. I'll flesh out characters. I might write out a couple of scenes, and find their places later.

I usually buy a black single subject, college ruled spiral notebook and I have to have one of those fancy gel-roller pens. There's something wonderful about the feeling of writing in longhand, the ideas seem to stream from my brain, down into my arm and then to my hand, through the fingers and pour out of the pen onto the paper. Spiral notebooks are easier to carry around and have on hand than a computer. I just pull the notebook out and write.

I always tell my family/friends that if they see me with that notebook in hand and I'm staring off into space, don't bother me. I'm not really staring. I'm watching my movie to see if works out before I write it all down.

process of writing


well I'm not a screenwriter yet so I have no certain order when I write or when I don't write. writing is my love and always been since I was child and I always have some kind idea to write. I love to write and it's no hardship on when to do it.

One thing I find that works well is to have a journal on hand or notebook on your computer for ideas for screenplays. Sometimes they come fully formed, sometimes it's just a flash unconnected - they are often the most inspirational - then overtime re-read them and look for the connections. Find the themes you are interested in. The deeper you look, the deeper the screenplay, the more power.

Sometimes what was looks like a formed idea is really the seed idea for something completely different. Amaze yourself. I use and trust the inner mind, more and more. After all the subconscious mind contains over 90 % of our human capabilities.

Think of your phone number? Where was it seconds ago? Already inside of you, right?

That's power.

Best wishes,

Nick Dunning
Head of Development
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http://www.screenwriting-on-the-net.com/Post
Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art
Hollywood film Institute
New Producers Alliance

Writing time

I write best at 5 AM - til Noon - then take a break for another cup of coffee and fresh air. It depends on what type of script I am working on as to how I set it up. If it is based on a true happening/person, I do all the research first and pick out the most interesting parts, do a quick outline - nothing too definate - and try to invision sceenes on the screen. Do the first draft and see how long it is - then add or delete to bring it to the 90-120 page guideline. If I am working on something "off the top of my head" I am sure to keep a note pad or tape recorder nearby at all times because you never know when an idea about a sceene, to add or take out, will happen - and - if you are anything like me, I think of something and fifteen minutes later forget the same great idea! I try to write no less than 10 pages a day - most times I am able to get a script done in 4 to 6 weeks - unless I hit a roadblock/mind block and then I put it away for a while and work on something else. Like everyone else, my ideas come from the strangest places - I can be watching something on TV, or driving down the road and see something unusual, or just from life in general. Most times, the characters take on a life of their own and guide me through the script and that dictates a lot of the changes. In an effort to try and not be too wordy - just go with your gut - whatever works for you may not work for others - if it is working - do it!
www.ReynoldsTheWriter.com

The ImagiNation said:

I'd like to know how you personally motivate yourself to write your screenplays. I've read of people who spent 90% of their time writing notes and whatnot on paper, while on spending 10% of their time actually writing the screenplay.

And do you put yourself on a specified work schedule when you write your screenplays? Such as, you only write in the morning/night? I read an interview with M. Night Shyamalan who stated that he wrote 6 pages a day until the script was complete.

I think it would be interesting to find out how each of us go about writing and how long it takes us from the general outline to completion.

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My process is pretty straightforward and I've stuck with it for a year. I write everyday LOL.

I wrote my first screenplay over a year, due to the research involved and the fact that I was a novice. I wouldn't do it like that again, but I knew the characters so well that I still can't fully let them go. My second screenplay, I really followed the advice of Lew Hunter. He made it clear that I needed to move on. So with my second, I wrote it over a period of two months and so far have done about two months of rewrites. I might have a day or two where I don't have time to put in ten pages or do much of anything, but if I write just a sentence it's still something. Keeping your characters close is important, in my opinion. You want to "see" them everyday.

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I'll write nearly the entire thing into a notebook. I write while i'm at work. I have no computers, and I need something that I can hide quick for when I see my boss coming. When I get home I transfer it all onto the computer. Sometimes I'll continue on with it. If that happens. I'll jot a note in my notebook of where I stopped, so I can continue on the next day.

willwriteforfood said:

I'll write nearly the entire thing into a notebook. I write while i'm at work. I have no computers, and I need something that I can hide quick for when I see my boss coming. When I get home I transfer it all onto the computer. Sometimes I'll continue on with it. If that happens. I'll jot a note in my notebook of where I stopped, so I can continue on the next day.

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wwff --

i refer to this way of writing as "old school".
it's the way i choose to write.

i also think maybe it's the hemingway in me.

the filly

I have to agree with the notes part of the notebook, I am a full time film student in Vancouver BC and there is a point at the end of each semester where I have to go back through every page of my classbooks to look for old notes etc, lol.

I have been working on a trilogy now for the past six years and there have been many methods which have come and gone but in terms of structure and the mechanics of the screenplay I have a very mechanical approach.

Though, when it comes to HOW I write the scenes that is a much more organic process which does involve the mentioned music music music.

I do suggest one thing though, no matter on what method you use, keep everything!!!

My process is pretty much scatter-shot, at best.

Sometimes I'll ponder and pontificate on an idea and start a treatment, only to realize I don't have enough of a story built around the principal concept so I'll back-burner it.

Sometimes I'll sit down with an idea which just popped into my head and bang out sixty pages (I once wrote sixty pages in an eight hour sitting because the story just flowed right out). Usually, however, the majority of the pages are junk, so I end up only keeping about ten of them after re-reading them.

Sometimes (and this is the case with the very few scripts I've actually seen all the way through to my final draft) I'll write 3-6 pages a day for about a month and a half, then put it away for 2-4 weeks, bring it out again and start the rewriting process, going through several drafts until I'm satisfied. My rewriting process usually takes, depending on the script, about a month and a half...less if I have reliable input (which isn't often).

And sometimes I'll just sit and stare blankly at my computer screen for hours on end, trying to come up with something. I usually have too many ideas floating through my head and have problems settling on just one. Then I'll turn off the computer and go off to read, or watch a movie...and within a few minutes I find I've suddenly decided on what to write lol

But regardless of what my thought processes are on any given day, I make it a point to at least show up at my computer every single day with the intention of writing. Sure, there are days when I don't write anything at all, but at least I'm there should some idea decide to spring forth.

Wow! I'm so glad that someone finally asked this question! I've been to may sites and have difficulties writing this super awesome screenplay. I have the best idea but can find a way to get it all out! Thank you for asking this question!