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Before writing a screenplay

DesperadoMan17

DesperadoMan17

Ok I have my idea. I know what I want to write. I have the characters set. The location is either UK setting or USA. Now the problem is how do I start. What do you do before you start writing?
 
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Know what venue your completed film product will be distributed through.

Youtube.
Film festival; local, regional, national, or international.
Looking for a distributor to pick it up?
International distributor.
DIY VOD.

Then spec and budget accordingly before writing.
 
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I would suggest you open a blank Word document and just start writing. Don't worry about format; just write.

Write everything you see in each scene and let your characters wander through the blank pages of your imagination.
 
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I start with the characters and the setup. I like to know what is going to happen to my characters and who they are as people. Once I have that, it's easier to write believable situations and dialog.
 
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I start with a basic plot idea. Then I develop it further, as well as developing the characters. Then I decide on the outcome (or multiple possible outcomes that I decide on when the time comes) and then I start writing a first draft.
 
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Before writing your script, talk to people about your story.

See if their eyes glaze over, and if they change the topic of conversation as soon as they get a chance.
 
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Scorer said:
I start with a basic plot idea. Then I develop it further, as well as developing the characters. Then I decide on the outcome (or multiple possible outcomes that I decide on when the time comes) and then I start writing a first draft.
Click to expand...

good info! so in other words just write a treatment with 3 acts (10 pages). after that start writing the 1st draft.

am I getting this right? do I have to write 1 or 2 pages about the characters? or just simple lines should do it
 
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Just start putting words on to paper. Don't stop. Daily. Make it a habit. You will have some thing in hand to show (if you have the guts to share). You will learn mountains. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO FAIL. We have all failed -- it is how we learn. Try to not to make the same mistakes twice. Network. Be honest. Be humble. Always give 100%. You may get there eventually. Just remember, quitters never win (a quote from playing sports in my past) and the only way out is through (Mark Twain -- I think).

Everything else will take care of itself. You got to start by writing.

My cheap 2 cents...
 
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Thanks guys! Hope everyone had a good Christmas. I got some good books on screenwriting and filmmaking. The Screenwriters Bible. Master Shots. And The Portable Film School. Those are the main ones I got. I also got Film Editing which is connected to Master Shots collection.
 
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Yes tons of movies. And I have movies similar. Oceans, Italian Job, Snatch, Lock, Stock, and two smocking barrels, resevior dogs. Those are the ones that got me my idea. Mainly from Snatch, but I just need to see how I am going to put my story together.
 
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For me, I usually get random inspiration out of the blue in the form of a few scattered scenes. As I think about those scenes, the gaps in-between just sort of... crystallize into place and once I have enough plot points I can start writing and just fill in the details.

I've also had luck with just sitting down and writing. I have two practice screenplays I use to try out different ideas and interesting characters and plotlines start to emerge all on their own. That's fun too.
 
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