write a screenplay

http://gointothestory.blcklst.com/2011/12/writing-goals-2012-part-1-looking-back.html

Scott Myers has got a good series on writing goals which I started using, need to follow through and come up with some definite writing goals for next year.

I’m thinking I need to create a writer’s “package” which I read about in another screenwriting book- basically a 10 minute short piece, a 30 minute TV series piece (in my case probably more 45 minutes) and a feature.

Would be nice to have all those elements in play. Also to have a short to show people. Either made by myself or something I wrote that got made. Problem is my ideas are more feature-focused. I have a TV-series idea (which could also be a feature), another idea that could be a series but which I think is better suited to be a feature, and well the list goes on.

In reference to the Heart Attack post, just double checked and I did start writing about this idea in 2009. Scary. Lets hope my thought processes for the other screenplay ideas I have lying around don’t take as long. Although some have been stewing for quite a while.

I nearly had a heart attack looking at my last post- thinking it said August 09 as in 2009, was thinking I’m sure I haven’t been working on it that long. And I haven’t because of course it meant the 9th of August 2011. I now have roughly 80 or so pages, and the middle is still a muddle, and I’ve added a few elements that need to be clarified, and I need to buy some printer cartridges so I can print it all out and go through it once more, but according to my saving system I’m on my third draft (really my fifth I think counting the printed out scripts.) So some advancements on the process although I know you’re meant to slog to the end before you rewrite, but if something’s not working I don’t see any point in continuing with it.

And I have roughtly 65 pages- but this isn’t me writing none stop, this is stopping and starting and doing bits here and there and then re-evaluating things. Or doing nothing whatsoever and thinking about writing :) But still 65 pages. Sehr gut.

To make it a proper feature would need it round the 90-100 mark. The big problem is the middle (like most films).

I’ve written some more, have roughly 25 pages, but have just realised it’s a wee bit depressing my whole story idea.

May need to alternate it with something uplifting- I though up a comedy-drama-sci-fi idea but it’s got an equally un-buoyant ‘theme’.

Ah well. The main idea is to get it finished.

The original idea was to make it myself, have absolutely no idea how to do that as it requires money and you know expertise. But hey ho…

My plan for 2011: Complete my screenplay!

It’s the same story as talked about 20 months ago (!) I have actually got somewhere with it though- I’ve managed to write roughly 20 pages of the attempted feature length script, really whether it goes anywhere or not it’ll be an achievement to finish it seeing as I haven’t been able to get that far before (actually the aforementioned 20 pages are a pretty amazing achievement considering my abilities at procrastination.)

I definitely recommend Pilar Alessandra’s The Coffee Break Screenwriter especially if you’re a procrastinator. It breaks everything up into 10 minute segments which are pretty easy to do, makes it all manageable and less like a huge mess. Obviously it still doesn’t write the damm thing for you, that’s my next hurdle.

Anywho main aim for 2011 besides being more adventurous is finish the screenplay!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

I’ve gone back to the simplistic elements, the sci-fi bits were added to fill plot holes but became just a bit over the top and far too complicated. Think its something to hold back for another script. Need to stick to basics, the idea is the audience is half in the dark anyway, and I want a sort of dark tone, deception, confusion throughout so I shouldn’t make things too clear or complex.

I’ve figured out how to rid some plot holes, which seems to advance the story into to some sci-fi-esque areas. And I’m a little clearer on the way things are panning out.

And I have an idea which I’ve started writing, I’ve decided I’m writer/director/actor material (possibly), so I’m going to write, direct and have a minor part in it. It’s gonna be a short NO budget film, although I was looking on the UK film council website and I could be funded (if I make it a feature film-which at the moment it could turn in to), but it involved something about development which I didn’t understand. Sounded like they’d be giving me a loan and I had to find a financier/production company who would pay it back. Although that doesn’t seem to make much sense. So not sure if that’s the way forward. I’m sort of storyboarding it ( very vaguely) and then writing out what happens in each scene. So far like two scenes lol. Not very focused, trying to figure some other stuff out at the same time.

Well I’m back on 43things and I have actually slightly progressed in a few things, at least in this goal anyway. All previous ideas I wrote down before have left my head, but I did take a scriptwriting course, the teacher was pretty vain and useless, but I did start writing which was good, and am attempting to continue during the summer.