I'm working on a feature length movie script. I have a lot of ideas, but I haven't really settled on any yet, although I probably have enough things that I have a movies worth of content.
The more time I spend thinking about things, I figure the better the ideas get and the script would be. But, if I wait too long, I never will get it done and never move on to accomplishing other things.
Any suggestions on when to move on from the planning stage to the actual writing stage? Or, if I should just write it and then edit a lot: how do I know when I'm done editing and ready to do whatever I'm going to do with it?
The slower the pace, the higher the quality. It's important it's good (which I realize also relies on other factors, like my writing ability and creative), but it's also important I finish it and do so in some sort of timely manner. How do I find the balance between the two?
I'm working on a feature length movie script. I have a lot of ideas, but I haven't really settled on any yet, although I probably have enough things that I have a movies worth of content.
The more time I spend thinking about things, I figure the better the ideas get and the script would be. But, if I wait too long, I never will get it done and never move on to accomplishing other things.
Any suggestions on when to move on from the planning stage to the actual writing stage? Or, if I should just write it and then edit a lot: how do I know when I'm done editing and ready to do whatever I'm going to do with it?
The slower the pace, the higher the quality. It's important it's good (which I realize also relies on other factors, like my writing ability and creative), but it's also important I finish it and do so in some sort of timely manner. How do I find the balance between the two?
I would just starting writing a basic plotline, then start on the script, you know it is done when you can't think of anything anymore
Wesley Winterswijk- Visual Effects Artist
Posts: 60 | Location: Schiedam, Holland | Registered: June 20, 2004
I find it better to simply just start writing because even if you don't like the direction you're going in, you can get other ideas just by writing and then you can write based on that idea. I find that this puts me into a cycle where I continue to write but am also editing out ideas I don't like while adding new ones until I find the one I find works.
However, that's just what works for me, everyone has there own style of writing, so it's best to try a bunch of different styles, so you can choose the best one for you.
Posts: 292 | Location: State College, PA | Registered: April 13, 2004
I've found it useful to engage in a variety of pre-writing exercises. Brainstorming helps, as well as outlining, free-writing, etc. I carry a small notebook in my back pocket (a memo pad like reporters use). Any idea or inspiration I have I jot down until I can get back to it. Practice pitching your ideas to friends too. Even if they are not as creative, sometimes when you hear an idea verbalized you understand it better. Environmental issues could be a problem too. I can't write at home. I can write at our local cafe at 2 in the morning while sipping on cheap coffee. Find what works for you. Preproduction is the most important phase.
Posts: 2 | Location: Sioux Falls, SD | Registered: August 03, 2005
Originally posted by RagDoll: I carry a small notebook in my back pocket
I've been carrying a memo pad around with me all the time for the past three years. At first it was to write down filmmaking ideas. Then it just became to write down anything important. Now, it's mostly because I don't feel complete unless I have one with me.
Studentfilms.com Filmmaking Forums 
