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!

20 Screenplay Marketability “Musts”

20 Yeses Qualify You for Round 2

1. Is the concept fresh and unique or presented in a fresh way?
2. Is there foreshadowing conflict?
3. Is there a clearly defined protagonist?
4. Does the protagonist have a clear goal or problem?
5. Is the antagonist introduced early and is he/she/it a worthy adversary?
6. Are the characters three-dimensional?
7. Is the narrative (action) concise, descriptive, visual, and does it tell the story?
8. Are the scene transitions smooth?
9. Are the speeches short? (no talking heads or numerous phone calls)
10. Does the dialogue ring true and true to the characters?
11. Is this story a page-turner?
12. Has this script been checked for typos, homophone confusion and spelling errors?
13. Is the cast of characters manageable in size?
14. Have CAMERA directions been kept to a bare minimum?
15. Has the writer written only what can be seen or heard?
16. Is the formatting up to industry standard?
17. Have these pages evoked some kind of emotion?
18. Have adverbs and words like (about, a little, a bit) been avoided
19. Is the story focused, clear-cut and logical?
20. Does the writer have an original voice or style?

Taken from 2020 contest

Hi, I am just starting out here, so that I will have an area in which I can devote serious time to writing. I have a dream of being a screenwriter, and have put myself on the path so this can be achieved. What I need from this blog, as opposed to my other personal blog (To be found here!) is a focused arena for which I can interact with other writers, and build up my confidence and interest.

To this end, I am about to start the 14 Day Screenplay, which is associated with NaNoWriMo.

I have also discovered and will be exploring over my half-term (I am a teacher) the following offered by the BBC - Writer's Room - an area about how to get published by the BBC and the associated useful software including ScriptSmart .

Has anybody used this software before????

Apart from that, I work around Oxford and have some time to explore London over my holiday, so I hope to develop some solid local ideas for you soon. So stay tuned!