How Professional Screenwriters Outline

Summary

This transcript explores the creative process behind writing screenplays, focusing on the balance between structure and improvisation. Writers emphasize the importance of planning and outlining, but also the necessity of flexibility as the story evolves. While dialogue is seen as a secondary element, structuring the plot is highlighted as the core of storytelling. Writers discuss their methods of using story beats, index cards, and outlines, though they avoid over-planning to maintain creative freedom. The process is likened to crafting a blueprint for a skyscraper, with the characters eventually driving the narrative forward as the story unfolds.

Takeaways

• 😀 Writing is seen as structure, not just dialogue. The real storytelling lies in the building of the story’s skeleton and framework.
• 😀 The planning phase is essential but flexible. While it's important to have a sense of direction, it's more crucial to allow the story to evolve as you go.
• 😀 Writing genre pieces means you generally know the final act, but it's best not to over-plan, as the story will naturally shift during the writing process.
• 😀 The process of creating the middle of the story is vital. By the time you reach it, the story becomes something different, and the characters reveal themselves more clearly.
• 😀 Writing a script often starts with a page of story beats, which are gradually turned into scenes. This results in a first draft that is imperfect but workable.
• 😀 Overthinking or outlining too much before writing can stifle creativity and limit spontaneity. There’s value in letting the story evolve naturally.
• 😀 Some writers rely heavily on structural tools like arcs and scenes laid out in notebooks to visualize the entire plot before starting. This helps avoid getting lost in the weeds.
• 😀 The process of writing is a balance between structure and discovery. It’s like navigating a forest with a map, but discovering new paths as you go.
• 😀 Index cards and outlines are useful tools for organizing ideas but can become overwhelming if overused. Breaking the story into manageable sequences on paper can be more effective.
• 😀 Writers need to be flexible with rules. They can be helpful when facing challenges, but adhering strictly to structure can stifle the unique voice of the story.
• 😀 Story breakdowns using sequences help visualize the entire film, making it easier to spot pacing issues and adjust scenes without getting bogged down in details too early.

Q & A

What is the main idea about how the speaker views writing?

The speaker views writing primarily as structure, with dialogue being a secondary component. They emphasize that building the skeleton of the story is the hardest and most crucial part of writing.

How does the speaker approach the planning phase before writing?

The speaker does not over-plan or outline too heavily. They prefer a rough understanding of the middle of the story and leave room for discovery as they write. The idea is to get to a point where the characters dictate the direction of the story.

What does the speaker think about outlining before writing?

The speaker does not outline before starting. They find it restrictive, as it makes everything too literal. Instead, they rely on spontaneous material development before deciding on a more detailed structure.

How does the speaker handle the revision process after writing the first draft?

The first draft is seen as a starting point. The speaker acknowledges that it will be flawed, but they emphasize the importance of having something to work with. They delete story beats as they expand the script, gradually refining it.

What does the speaker think about the relationship between the writer and the audience?

The speaker believes that if the writer doesn’t know where the story is going, the audience won’t either. However, they also stress that it's important for writers to remain flexible and open to changes as the story evolves.

What role do the characters play in the writing process?

The speaker sees the characters as crucial to the story’s development. As the writer progresses, the characters become more fleshed out, and they begin to drive the story in unexpected directions.

How does the speaker view the importance of structure in writing?

Structure is essential for the speaker. They prefer to have a clear idea of the plot and sequence of events, which helps guide them through the writing process, though they allow room for flexibility and discovery.

What is the 'sequence outline' approach mentioned in the script?

The 'sequence outline' method involves breaking the story into fifteen to twenty sequences, each covering a specific part of the film, such as the first act, second quarter, and so on. This method helps visualize the entire film and allows for easier adjustments.

What does the speaker think about rules in writing?

The speaker believes that rules can be helpful when the writer is struggling, but if the writing is going well, following rigid rules can be counterproductive and may harm the script’s individuality and interest.

How does the speaker describe their overall writing process?

The speaker's process involves starting with a basic structure, writing the first draft without rigid plans, and refining the script through multiple revisions. They emphasize that the writing process is about discovery and flexibility rather than rigid planning.