Sorry I haven't posted for months now, but I have a fairly good excuse: I've been writing! Or more accurately, rewriting. In my opinion, rewriting is the core of the writing process. It's where all the heavy lifting is done. It IS writing.
I just finished my structure passes; all I focus on is making sure the structure is solid and the core concept is - well - still the core concept. After the structure rewrite(s) I reread the whole thing in one sitting - has to be one sitting - to see how the story "flows". If it does, I can now set aside any major worries about the WHOLE and focus in a little tighter on fixing the PARTS that don't flow, along with any major narrative/character holes. This constitutes another rewrite. Once that's done and I'm happy with every scene and the basic flow on a storytelling level, I give it to a few trusted readers. While waiting for feedback I either work on what I already know needs fixing, or set it aside for a week or so and brainstorm on my next project.
Once comments come back I take all issues into consideration, and rewrite where I see appropriate. I then move on to my character pass, which is where I'm at right now. My character pass involves listing all the characters, questioning their individual story functions, thematic functions and general personalities. I've done this once already, before I started writing the screenplay. But knowing what you're going to write and executing it precisely are two very different endeavors. Now that it is written, have I given my characters enough familiarity? Enough uniqueness? Enough to do in each scene? What do they add to each scene they're in? Etc. Once I'm done with this character pass, I'll move on to my "connection" pass. If you haven't the foggiest what that could be, you should check out Pilar Alessandra's podast On the Page episode 112 "Rewrite".
After a few more passes my spec should be in market shape. I think I'm getting close. Which is why, on the tail end of this script, I'm also starting to put together my new spec. Right now I'm fleshing out the plot - beginning, middle and end - characters, and theme. Taking copious notes on any pertinent ideas, looking for inspiration everywhere; sketching out scenes and making scene cards.
A side note - a business note - these 3 specs I plan on using as writing samples all have one major attribute in common: they're all high-concept tentpole genre films. I'm choosing to work on these projects as opposed to others in my catalogue because these projects serve to "brand" me as an intelligent, high-concept, tentpole writer. Seems a good move, since my goal is to write those types of movies.
I also feel I could be writing faster if I were more focused. Given the nature of the business, writing well and writing fast have to be second nature, right? So I'm giving myself deadlines on the next spec, we'll see how that goes.
Aside from writing, I've always been a reader, but only recently rediscovered the library. Remember those things? Feel like I've fallen in love with the written word all over again. I ALWAYS have a book with me now. Reading about movies and writing, but also reading authors and about subjects that excite and inspire me. Highly recommend a library card because it's FREE, and you can check out like 30 things nowadays. So I'm getting exposed to a lot of stuff I otherwise wouldn't have sampled because I'm interested, but not $24.95 interested. So hopefully I'll discover some new favorite authors soon.
Might be stating the obvious, but the library's also a great place to sit and think. Research. Dream. It's quiet and usually sunny, lots of windows, very conducive to creativity. Beats the hell out of trying to be open and creative amidst the clutter of posers littering Starbucks like a bunch of geeky little hipster alien tech-heads. No offense.
I'm also reading produced screenplays I admire, as well as giving feedback on various friends' screenplays - working those analytical muscles.
I'm also compiling a target list of managers to start hitting up. This means doing lots of research - scouring the forums at Done Deal, Artful Writer and others in the quest for mangers' names and affiliations, their track records, their reputations, buying habits, looking for personal connections, compiling email addresses, listening podcast interviews with agents/managers/producers/writers, pouring over industry news coming from my subscription services, websites, etc., updating my contacts list and keeping connected. Any and everything to keep current and know who's out there - who's buying what, who's looking for what, and with whom I may have the best chance of building a stellar career.
So again, my sincere apologies (and gratitude) to those of you who actually read this blog for not posting in some time. I've been a little busy lately. But if you're a comer, hopefully you've been busy too!
8 years ago
