Go Forth and Procreate

It is half term starting today for me after work.

That means I have a week to focus on my screenplay preparation for the 14-day Screenplay blog that is being run (see previous post). By zeroing in on some of the main ideas being espoused in the prepatory stage, such as characters, theme, genre, plot and setting, I can start to visualise the interactions more clearly. I want them to take over my life for this period of time, sweep over me and spark to life in my head. This will not be easy, being the first time, but you have to start somewhere!

So on my preparation To-Do list (with help from ideas on the website)

1) Finding some unusual, interesting, engaging characters to introduce quickly.

2) Present them with a problem, that is not mundane or stereotyped.

3) Find the solution for this problem in a way that is not predictable, but plausible.

4) What genre is my story?

5) Given the basic story, what are the Act breaks? Working on the 1/4, 2/4, 1/4 rule...

6) Characters need to be built up - really understanding the motives and background of the protagonists and antagonists.

7) Once the premise has been fully nutted out, see if I can fill in this premise sheet....(http://www.mattcourtney.com/wordpress/wp-content/Premise.doc).

8) Then I am ready to start visualising Act 1 - what is the opening image, where is the theme stated, what is the set-up, what is the catalyst, what is the conflict that builds up to the climax of Act 1, breaking into Act 2.

9) And so on.... if I can get my organisation working, then I will be in the box seat to begin.

Over at Fun Joel's Screenwriting Blog (http://funjoel.blogspot.com/2006/05/336-hours.html), there are some other useful tips:

1) Planning is everything (see above!!!!)

2) Don't edit as you write (this is a bit like Write from the Heart (1st draft), then from the Head)

3) Make sure you budget enough time (in my case, I have 14 days)

This blog has LOADS and LOADS of useful links.

Well, I better get my mind on the task ahead.
Hooroo!