Laying out the storyline
Posted: March 28th, 2008 | Author: Simon | Filed under: Journal | Tags: dramatica, index cards, screenwriting, script frenzy, storeview, story arc, tumblr | 2 Comments »After re-reading sections of Syd Field‘s classic screenwriting book, I tried to let go of the computer last night and instead write down the story arc on small index cards.
Even though the task at first seemed daunting, it is quite frankly the best tool I’ve applied yet to my script writing experience.
I especially like this card:
But all in all it gives a superb overview of the storyline and it was really easy to identify areas where the story was rushed and areas where the story was just stalling.
For all the neat programs I’ve tried, they are all beaten into a pulp by simple good old pen and paper, who would have thought.
I think I should try this card-system, too, for my next screenplay. I wrote my first script totally without them by only writing down some notes into my notebook. We recently did the card-system in college and I found out that it worked perfectly fine – so I should give it a try!
As for Syd Field… I read his book as well and first I was very impressed by what he had to tell, but after getting a closer insight into many other books such as The Screenwriter’s Bible etc., I figured that his description was a tad bit too much on the surface. Anyway, he made me keep reading those fantastic books about screenwriting.
I can’t recommend the index card system enough. As they say in the commercials: “It really works” :)
Having a fleshed out outline when sitting down to write the screenplay is such a big help that it really can’t be overlooked.