Anyone Else Do This for a Writing Exercise?

WrittenIn1981 · Jul 28, 2009

Lately, I have noticed that in times of writer's block or just out of sheer boredom, I will get one of my DVDs out, watch it, and then attempt to describe a few of my favorite parts on paper as though I were writing the novelization of the film out.

Can anyone tell me if this will help me in the long run to become a better writer, or if this is just pointless busy work that might actually be detrimental in the long run?

Also, I am curious if anyone else does this.

aadams73 · Jul 28, 2009

I've never done this, but I can't see how it would hurt as long as you're doing it just as an exercise. Anything that gets you writing is good.

Mr Flibble · Jul 28, 2009

I used to do something similar ( still do when the Old Man complains he hasn't seen me all week). I'll watch a film, or a talk show and write out descriptions of the person. Not 'Tall, blonde' etc. I try and come up with a unique way of describing that person. How are they moving, what does their voice sound like? What are the telling details?

I reckon it really helped.

scarletpeaches · Jul 28, 2009

It could teach you how to write in detail, so I say go for it. Never done it myself, but in a way it's like people-watching, isn't it? Instead they're on film, rather than in a cafe or waiting room or passing you on the street.

Matera the Mad · Jul 28, 2009

I would say it is a very good exercise. Possibly better than writing scenes from your imagination because you can have it objectively checked by someone else to see how effective you are (with a lot of slack for individual perceptions).

Canotila · Jul 28, 2009

That's a really good idea. I wonder how well it would work out for action scenes. I suck at those.

Cranky · Jul 28, 2009

I've never tried it myself, but I think it sounds like a really good exercise. I think I might have to try it, so thanks for asking the question!

Exir · Jul 28, 2009

This sounds like an excellent excercise. I think it would be even better if you were writing from a good source. Take a movie that you really admire, maybe novelise it in the whole. Heck, it takes time, but I don't know -- if you have fun and are willing to do it, I reckon it can really teach you something.

vox · Jul 29, 2009

It sounds like a very good exercise. It's probably in the same family as taking a novel and retyping a scene or chapter to get a feel for how it flows, although in your example, you're using your own words instead of someone else's.

Another thing that I find helpful is breaking down the scenes that make up an entire movie. Yes, movies are very formulaic, but it does help to see the elements and hooks and where they're placed. Alexandra Sokoloff has done act by act breakdowns of two movies on her blog http://thedarksalon.blogspot.com/ and I've found it very enlightening.

Diana W. · Jul 29, 2009

What a great idea! I'm going to try this. It'll probably help with character and scene descriptions.

Mr Flibble · Jul 29, 2009

Canotila said:
That's a really good idea. I wonder how well it would work out for action scenes. I suck at those.

Pretty good actually. I watch / write the wrestling, UFC for fist fights, ( very good for seeing how people move when injured), Conan / LOTR for sword fights. Make good use of the pause button. Maybe some Bond for chases? ( I don't often write anywhere with cars so....) Or I just watch Big Trouble in Little China. For the hell of it

lucidzfl · Jul 29, 2009

WrittenIn1981 said:
Lately, I have noticed that in times of writer's block or just out of sheer boredom, I will get one of my DVDs out, watch it, and then attempt to describe a few of my favorite parts on paper as though I were writing the novelization of the film out.

Can anyone tell me if this will help me in the long run to become a better writer, or if this is just pointless busy work that might actually be detrimental in the long run?

Also, I am curious if anyone else does this.

lol i did something kind of similar when writing my trilogy.

I got out the matrix trilogy and watched it start to finish, and kept detailed notes on "What not to do"

MumblingSage · Jul 29, 2009

WrittenIn1981 said:
Lately, I have noticed that in times of writer's block or just out of sheer boredom, I will get one of my DVDs out, watch it, and then attempt to describe a few of my favorite parts on paper as though I were writing the novelization of the film out.

Can anyone tell me if this will help me in the long run to become a better writer, or if this is just pointless busy work that might actually be detrimental in the long run?

Also, I am curious if anyone else does this.

I kept thinking I should try it, if only to learn action scenes. In the end, though, I had more fun writing fanfiction of the series when I created new scenarios.

If it's not taking time from any other writing project you could do, I can't see it doing any harm. Generally practice makes perfect, and this is practice...and if it's fun, that's an added benefit.

WrittenIn1981 · Jul 29, 2009

IdiotsRUs said:
Pretty good actually. I watch / write the wrestling, UFC for fist fights, ( very good for seeing how people move when injured), Conan / LOTR for sword fights. Make good use of the pause button. Maybe some Bond for chases? ( I don't often write anywhere with cars so....) Or I just watch Big Trouble in Little China. For the hell of it

The wrestling and MMA idea is great. You might also look into fighting martial arts and fighting movies to get a good dramatic feel to a fight (even if they can sometimes be less than realistic.)

Anyone Else Do This for a Writing Exercise?

WrittenIn1981

New kid, be gentle!

aadams73

A Work in Progress

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

scarletpeaches

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Canotila

Sever your leg please.

Cranky

Exir

Out of the cradle endlessly rocking

vox

Diana W.

I'm evolving

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

lucidzfl

Back from the dead

MumblingSage

Inarticulate Herb

WrittenIn1981

New kid, be gentle!