how to write a script outline _ the 8 essential plot points

5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints

http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 1/22

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CraftaStoryClimaxWhichThrills&Delights

Iftheendingofyournovelorscreenplayisdeeplysatisfying,readerswilladdyoutotheirautobuylist,andHollywoodwillputyouonspeeddial.Withthisebookyouwilllearnabout:

using4categoriesofantagonistsand8rulesofengagementtobuildyourstoryclimaxonasturdyfoundation2criteriaatthecoreoftheclimaxwhicharecrucialtofulfilltoavoiddisappointedaudiences3qualitycontroltestsyourstoryclimaxmustpasstoearnaudiencesenthusiasticsealofapproval

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HowtoWriteaScriptOutline:the8MajorPlotPoints

PlotisTHEdrivingforceofyourscreenplay,soitsessentialthatyouspendtimeonyourplottingskillswhenyourewritingascriptoutline.

Youcancreatethemostinterestingcharacterintheworld,butwithoutanequallyinterestingplot,theaudiencewillnotwanttospend90120minuteswiththatperson.

Forexample,manypeoplefindCharlieSheenscurrent2011selfdestructivespiralinterestingtoreadandgossipabout.Butwouldtheywanttospendanhourandahalfoftheirliveswatchinghimswillalcohol,dodrugs,andooglewomen?

Ithinknot.

ButgiveCharlieboyagoalperhapstorejoinTwo&aHalfMen,thesuccessfulsitcomhewaskickedoffofwhileheovercomeshisaddictiontoalcohol,drugs,&women

andthat,peoplemightwatchbecausetheyllwanttoknowifhecanpullitoff.Maybenotsomethingtheyllpay$10tosee,butasamovieoftheweekonTVwhynot?(AlthoughIsuspecttherearesomefilmexecutiveswhothinkCharlie:3Dwouldbequitetheblockbuster)

Sinceyouwanttoknowhowtowriteascriptoutline,letmeclueyouintothedirtylittlesecretaboutplot:



Withrareexception,allmovieshavetheSAMEstructure.

Yes,youheardmecorrectly.AthrillerliketheBourneIdentityhasthesamestructureasafamilycomedylikeToyStory.

Nomatterthestoryoritsgenre,eachonehas8plotpointsthatyouhavetohit.Andonceyouknowthese8plotpoints,writingascriptoutlineandafullscreenplaybecomesinfinitelyeasierbecauseitsnolongeryouvs120blankpages.

Yourewritingtowardsagoalinsteadofblindly.

Istronglyrecommendthatbeforeyouwriteonewordofyourscreenplay,youspendtimereflectingonthese8majorplotpoints.Theywillformthebackboneofyourscriptoutline.Plus,itllsaveyoutimeandheartacheinthelongrun.

Sowithoutfurtherado,heretheyare:

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#1:Opening&ClosingImages

Thefirstimageintroducesyourstorytoyouraudience,somakeitagoodone!Ideally,thefirstimageisavisualrepresentationofyourentirestory,especiallyitstheme.

Yourclosingimageisyourlastcontactwithyouraudience,somakeitstrong.Agoodclosingimage,likethespinningtopinInception,canevenchangeourinterpretationoftheentireending.

TheclosingimagefromINCEPTIONisofthisdreamtotem

Itsprobablybesttodecidewhatyouropeningandclosingimagesaregoingtobeafteryouvegotasoliddraftunderyourbeltandhaveaclearunderstandingofthethemeyouretryingtoconvey.

Imustgivecreditwherecreditisdue:IdidntspendtoomuchtimethinkingaboutopeningandclosingimagesuntilBlakeSnydermentionedtheminhisscreenwritingbookSavetheCat(whichIhighlyrecommend).

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#2:IncitingIncident

Theincitingincidentisthateventthatchangesthecourseofyourmaincharacterslife.Iftheincitingincidentdidntoccur,yourmaincharacterwouldvetakenanotherpathandyoudhaveanentirelydifferentscreenplay.

Forapostdedicatedtothisspecialplotpoint,checkoutTheIncitingIncident:Definition&Examples.Andifyouwanttoreadacomprehensive,flufffreeguidededicatedexclusivelytotheincitingincident,clickhere!

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#3:FirstActBreakThefirstactbreakmarkstheendofyoursetup:youveintroducedmost,ifnotall,ofthekeycharacters.

Weknowaboutyourmaincharacter,hisgoalandtheobstacleshefaces.Hesdonehisprepwork,andnowhesreadytogo.

Inalotofmovieplots,themaincharacterhastogoonajourneyinordertoachievehisgoal.Becauseofthat,oftentimes,thefirstactbreakinvolvesaphysicallocationchange.Foranexample,readscreenwritingtip#2inWritingaComedyScript:TipsfromTheHangover.

Amateurscreenplaysarenotoriousforelaboratefirstactsthataresimplytoolong.Althoughtherearenohardandfastrules,thisbreakusuallyoccursbetweenpages2530inyourscreenplay.Keepthatinmindwhenyourefleshingoutyourscriptoutline.

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#4:theMidpoint

Themidpoint,asitsnameimplies,istheatthemiddleofyourscreenplayssecondact.Itchangestheentiredirectionofyourstory.

Forexample,inagoodvseviltypestory,thegoodforceshaveexperiencedsetbackaftersetback.Butatthemidpoint,somethinghappensthatchanges



theirfortunesforthebetter.Forthefirsttime,successseemslikeapossibility.

Inacomedyordramawherepeopleofdifferentpersonalitiesarethrowntogether,themidpointmarksthemomentwheretheystopseeingeachotherasenemies,usuallybyaccomplishingaminor,butimportant,goaltogether.

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#5:thePointofCommitment

Thepointofcommitmentiswhereyourmaincharacterreaffirmshiscommitmenttohisgoal.ItsanotherplotpointthatIdidntthinkmuchaboutuntilIreadVikiKingsscreenwritingbook,HowtoWriteaMoviein21Days.

AccordingtoViki,thepointofcommitmenthappensaroundpage60ofyourscreenplay.AtfirstIwasskeptical,butthenIstartedlookingforitandloandbehold!itwasthere,justasshesaidusuallyclockingin60minutesintothemovie.

Iwouldntspendtoomuchtimeonthisplotpointwhenwritingyourscriptoutline,butbecauseImpersonallyinterestedinpsychologyandhumanmotivation,Ithinkitsaninterestingpointtoinclude.Youlloftendiscoveryoualreadywroteinapointofacommitmentinyourscreenplay,evenifyoudidntconsciouslyintendtodoso.

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#6:AllIsLost

Atthismoment,yourmaincharacterhasexperiencedanextremesetback.Hesthefarthesthecanpossiblybefromhisgoal,anditseemsimpossibleforhimtoaccomplishit.ThismomentusuallymarkstheendofActII.

Tolearnaboutthethreeessentialstocraftingtheperfectallislostmoment,readthisarticle,or,foramoredetailedwritingguide,readTroughofHell:HowtoWrapUptheMiddleofYourStorywithMaximumImpact.

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#7:theClimaxIntheclimax,yourmaincharacterhasgatheredhisresources(bothinternalandexternal).Inthisfinalshowdown,hewilltesthismettleagainsttheantagonisticforcesthathavethwartedhimfromachievinghisgoal.

Ifhehasatragicflaw,intheclimax,hedemonstratesthathehasovercomeit.Allthelessonshelearnedduringthesecondactwillpayoffintheclimax.

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#8:theResolution

Ah,werealmostdone!

Ifyourscreenplayhasahappyending,theresolutionisthebestpartforyourhero.Hegetstoenjoythefruitsofhislabor.Hisworldisinbalanceagain.

Mykindofscreenplayresolution

Ifyourscreenplayhas,shallwesayamoreEuropeanending,theresolutionisbittersweetforyourhero.Hemightnothaveaccomplishedhisgoal,butsomehowhesstillinabetterplacethanwhenhebeganhisjourney.

Finalthoughtsonyourscriptoutline

Ifyouneedhelptocreateascriptoutlineofyourown,tryoneoftheactionstepsbelow:

DownloadTheUltimateStructureWorksheet.Itcontainsquestionsandchecklistsdesignedtohelpyoueasilyconstructascriptoutline.Bestofall,itsabsolutelyfree!Seethe8essentialplotpointsinaction.Readthisarticletoseeexamplesofthe8essentialplotpointsfromLordoftheRings:TheFellowshipoftheRing.ReadChapter11ofWriteScreenplaysThatSellbyHalAckerman.Asawhole,thisscreenwritingguideisfilledwithsolidadvice.Chapter11,whichrevealsAckermanssnowplowingplottingtechnique,isespeciallyhelpful.

andforalongtermsolution



Breakouttheindexcards.Watchagreatmovieandwritedownitsplotpoints,onebyone.Ifyourepressedfortime,usealistofplotpointsfrommyarchives.Writeeachplotpointontoanindexcard.Dividetheseindexcardsintocolumns,sothatthelastcardineverycolumniseitheramajorturningpointoranactbreak.Ifyoudothisregularly,youshoulddevelopanintuitionforscreenplaystructurethatwillmakeplottingyourownscreenplaysandwritingascriptoutlinetentimeseasier.

***

Whatdoyouthink?IfyouwerewritingaTVmoviebasedonCharlieSheen,whatwouldyourscriptoutlinelooklike?

WhiteboardOutlinebyJoGuldi

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DaveJune2,2011,9:56am

Whatnonsense!!Howwouldyouapplytheserulestosuchlandmarkfilmsas2001,SOLARIS(tarkovski)orDavidLynchsLOSTHIGHWAY,,,

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scribemeetsworldJune2,2011,10:48pm

Dave,

Icanunderstandyourindignation.ItseemslikeImtryingtostuffthemagicofastoryintoasegmentedlittlebox.Butthatsnotmyintentionatall.

Firstletmesaythattheseareguidelines,notrulesofthethoushaltnotkillcategory.

Secondly,knowingtheseplotpointsinyourscreenplaymakesitaloteasiertonavigate100120blankpagesbecauseyouvegotgoalstowritetowards.Theyalsopreventyourscreenplayfromhavinganaimlessplot,whichdrivesmostreaderscrazy.

ThepointofScribeMeetsWorldistohelpaspiringscreenwritersselltheirscreenplays(withoutsacrificingtheirartisticintegrity).Sincemostproducedmoviesandscreenplaysthathavesoldrecentlyhavethese8plotpoints,itmakessensethataspecyourehopingtosellwouldhavethemtoo.Attheveryleast,youshouldbeableidentifythesepointstostudioexecutivesbecausetheyLOVEthem.

NowIhaventseen2001:ASpaceOdysseyorSolaris(toborrowfromJosephConrad,thehorror,thehorror,)butIfinditdifficulttobelievethatmovieswhicharesuchclassicslackaclimaxoraresolution

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JamesFebruary18,2012,7:10pm

Bothfilms,2001:ASpaceOdysseyANDSolaris,astheyarebothbrilliantlyandsuccessfullyplottednontraditionallyandmoreunlikeyour8plotpoints,theybothdohaveaclimaxandaresolution.In2001:ASpaceOdyssey,theclimaxiswhentheprotagonistrealizesheissuddenlylockedoutinspaceoutofthemothership,whentheartificialintelligentrobotmachinethatverballycontrolstheshipthroughvoicecommandswillnotlethimreentertheship,electronically,sohisresolutionistoenterthemothershipthroughtheonlyreliablemeans,hisbackupmanualentrance,againsttherobotsverbalcommands,whichupsetstherobot,andthenhedecidestoshutdownthecomputerrobotsystemaltogether,permanently,ultimatelydeliveringthemessagethathumanscanneverputcompletetrustintoanycomputermachinetobeinchargeoftheirresourcesforsurvival,thatonlyhumanscanbeinchargeofthatmanually.InSolaris,theclimaxoccurswheneveryoneonthespaceship,exceptforone,isplaguedandhaddiesbythecosmicdiseasewhilestationedoutinspaceoverabillionmilesawayfromEarth.Theprotagonistisoneoftheplagued,butheisstillalive.ThelonesurvivordecidestoreturntoEarthandescapethecosmicdisease.ButtheprotagonistsresolutionisthatinsteadoftakingtheoptiontogobacktoEarthwiththelonesurvivor,heacceptstoremainbehind,ashehasfalleninlovewiththephysicalmanifestationofabeautifulhumanfemalethatthecosmicairbornediseasehascreatedforhim,whichhasremovedhimcompletelyfromhisrealityintoaphysicallyaltereddimensionalstateofmindtolivewithherforeverwhiletrappedinouterspaceoverabillionmilesawayfromEarth,andthatiswherethefilmends.

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Thesebrilliant8plotpointsareNOTnonsenseATALL,Dave,youstupidignoranthalfbrainedmoron!Youdontevenknowcrapabouthowtoevenbegintowriteasuccessfulmoviescript,soSHUTTHEHELLUP!!!OnlyacompletejackassmindlessidiotlikeYOUwouldcomeoutandmakesuchanirrationallypreposterousandbrainlessjuvenilecommentlikeWhatnonsensetoanobviouslywellstructuredlayoutdescriptionof8plotpointsforamoviescript!!!Youareobviouslyacompletepatheticignorantwithnottheslightestrationalsenseofcomprehension!YourbraincellscannotevenprocesslogicalandrationalinformationevenclearlyspelledoutforyourightinyourfacethatyouinsteadresorttoreactlikemindlessAfricansavagebaboon!Thescreenplayexpertwhopostedthesewellconstructed8plotpointsNEVErsaidanythingaboutapplyingtheseplotpointstoeverysinglefilmthereisandhaseverbeenmadeoutthereinworld!The8plotpointsareageneralstructureofplotsthatiscommonlyappliedtoMOSTfilms,notanexactblueprinttoeverysinglefilmever,youidiot!Youdontevenhavetocopyexactlyevery8plotsastheyare,asyoucanminusoneoraddanextraplotandmakescertainchangesineachplotstructure,aswell,whichishowyougettowriteandcreatesuchamazingnontraditionalfilmslikeSolarisandTheLostHighway!Useyourhead,atleastwhatsleftofit,beforeyoudecidetosayorpostsomethingsostupidandsoignorantlike,Whatnonsense!!YOUaretheonewhoiscompleteandutternonsenseandtheloadofabsoluteridiculousbrainlesscrapthatcomesoutofyourstupidignorantmouthiswhatistotalNONSENSE!!!

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jasonstongDecember20,2012,12:08am

Tothepersonwhopostedtheoriginal8points..itreallyopenedmyeyes.Ivebeenwritingforyears,mostlyjibberishifuaskme,songs,comedy,latelythebeginningofascriptthatIthoughtmightmakeamericalaughlikeweallneedtosomedays..butIdidntknowhiwtoputittogether.Thankyou.Imclearernow.Andnomatterwereitgoes.Yourknowledgewashelpfulandguiding.Neverletsomeonelikethenegstivepeoplewhowriteonthebathroomwallseverchamgewhatsinsideofyou..theygetwhattheyneedinyourreply..thanksagain

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scribemeetsworldDecember20,2012,1:52pm

HiJason,

Thanksforyourcomment.Thisisthekindoffeedbackwhichkeepsmemotivated!Iwishyouthebestofluckwithyourcomedyscript!

PS:Youmightfindthesepoststobehelpful:ComedyWritingTipsfromtheHangoverRaunchFreeScriptTipsfromBridesmaids

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BruceTrittonJune26,2011,11:38pm

Iabsolutelylovethisblog.ItisallIhavebeenreadingsinceIfounditacoupleofdaysago.

IgnoreDave.Heisoneofthoseartistictypeswhovaluestyleoversubstance.

Ireadonequotefromthistypethatabsolutelyflawedme,

StevenSpielbergistooaudiencedriventobeagreatdirector.

Itslikesaying,

Thishospitalistoopatientdriventobeagreathospital.

Iamanewbiebutitwouldseemtomethattheaudienceshouldbeyounumberoneconcern.Artistictypesdontseemintelligentenoughtograspthatyourblogisaboutgreatguidance,notsetinstonerules.

IhavereadmanyofyourpostsandhavethenanalyzedthescreenplaysIamcurrentlyworkingon.IamseeingalotofmistakesthatIdidntnoticebefore,thankstoyourgreatblog.

ManymanythanksScribe

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HiBruce!

ImsogladthatScribeMeetsWorldhashelpedyouwithyourownscreenplays!Thatswhatthiswebsiteisallabout.

Yourobservation,audienceshouldbeyournumberoneconcernisspoton.Ifyouwritewiththisasyourguidingprincipleandfamiliarizeyourselfwithscreenwritingbasics,yourspecscriptswillbewayaheadofthepack.

Yoursupportisverymuchappreciated,andifthereisaparticularscreenwritingissueyoudliketoseeaddressedinapost,pleaseletmeknowthroughthecontactpageorinthecomments.

Goodluck!

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AmySutoDecember1,2011,2:46am

Thisarticlechangedmywholeoutlookonscreenwriting.StructureisexactlywhatIneedtofocuson!Asanaspiringscreenwriter,thiswebsitehashelpedmebeyondbelief.

Justwondering,haveyoueverheardofScriptFrenzy?Itsa30daycompetitioninAprilforscreenwriterstowritean100dayscript,anditisincrediblymotivating.Ididitfouryearsago,andIvebeenhookedeversince.

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scribemeetsworldDecember2,2011,12:13am

HiAmy,

ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorldIappreciatethekindfeedback!

IhaveheardonlypositivethingsaboutScriptFrenzy,althoughIhaveneverparticipated.Ifyoucandashoutascriptin30days,youhaveagreatroughdrafttoworkoninthefollowingmonths.Thatsoftenthehardestpart,towritepagesthatyoucanworkwithandmoldintosomethingreallygreat.Imgladitshelpedyoustaymotivated!

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claraspeakJanuary11,2012,5:17pm

IagreewithBruce.Filmsshouldbeallaboutemotion.Atleastinmyopinion.Iputtheseplotpointstothetestandsureenough,theyreallintheblockbustermovies!

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scribemeetsworldJanuary11,2012,10:34pm

HiClaraspeak,

ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!Imgladyouputtheseplotpointstothetest.WhileIliketothinkallthepostsherearehelpful,theyaremuchmoresowhenyouactivelyengagewiththemandusetothemtoanalyzemoviesand/oryourscriptinprogress.

Oneofthedrawbacksofbeingascreenwriteristhatyouworksohardtocultivateananalyticaleyesothatyoucanassessyourscreenplayandfixitserrorsthatyouoftencantjustsitback,relax,andenjoyamovie.DependingonamovieandhoweagerIamtoseeit,Illmakeaconsciouschoicetoturnmyanalyticalmindoffandtrytojustenjoythemovieforitsownsake,attheleastthefirsttimearound.IfIthinkIcanlearnfromit,Itrytowatchitasecondtimeandlookforcluestoitssuccess(orlackthereof).

Ofcourse,thisisntveryefficient,butthiswayIgettobeasatisfiedmoviewatcherandscreenwriterallatthesametime!

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Thatdoesnotmakethoseblockbustermoviesgreatjustbecausetheycontainthe8plotpoints.Limitingyourscreenplaystorytojustthese8plotpointsmakesyourstorybecometoopredictableandreducesmanypossibilitiesofitbecomingpotentiallyinnovative,unique,andoriginal,whichisoneofthemaingoalstowritingagoodscript.Toomanyoftheseblockbustermoviesaretoopredictableandlackagreatcompellingstory,becausetheydependtoomuchonthe8plotpointsbyrevolvingthestoryaroundtheplotpoints,insteadoftheotherwayaround,makingthestorybecomebland,typical,weak,andboring.Attheendofthemovie,yougohomefeelinguncompelled,unemotional,unmoved,andunsatisfied,allbecausethescreenplaypaidmoreattentiontomechanicalstructurethanacompellingandartisticallycreativestory,wheremostofitsattentionshouldhavebeen.

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ButwouldtheywanttospendanhourandahalfoftheirliveswatchinghimSWILLalcohol,dodrugs,andOOGLEwomen?Oh,ITHINKYES!!!Asamatteroffact,DEFINITELYYES!!!AndyouhavetobequiteamoronofahumanbeingtoactuallythinkNOT!!Ooglewomen!?Oogle!?!?Hahaha!!!LMFAO!!!Yeah,interestingchoiceandinterestingUSEofasmarmyjuvenilepseudoterminologythatyouplacesuchoutofcontexthereandonethatdoesNOTexistintheEnglishlanguage.

Firstofall,whoeverthemindlessidiotwhocookedupthispreposterouslyirrationalstatementaboutCharlieSheen,CharlieSheendoesNOTooglewomen,youmoron.Thatisyourridiculouslyidioticanddespicablesexnegativemediabrainwashedjuvenilefaketermforpretentiouslyromancingandseducingwomen!CharlieSheendoesNOTpretentiouslyromanceandseducewomen!Herealistically,honestly,andmaturely,ANDsuccessfullyromancesandseduceswomenlikeatrueintelligenteducatedrightmindedandmatureREALmandoesinREALlife,socutthecrapwithportrayingtheideaofromancingandseducingwomenintosexassometypeofbadthingorsomething,becauseyousoundlikeacompletebrainlessidiot,andnothingcouldEVERbefurtherfromthetruth!

ThatswhatdifferentiatesCharlieSheenfromothermen.CharlieSheenisarealman,unliketoomanypatheticchildishfeeblemindedwimpyidiotguysoutthere,whoareNOTrealmen,who,insteadofproperlyseducingandromancingwomenthewaytheySHOULDbedoing,biologically,instinctively,andintellectually,byNature,thewayalloutsuccessCharlieSheendoes,resorttosurrendertothepatheticideologicalperversionsofabstinence,marriage,monogamy,commitment,exclusiveonononemissionarypositionsex,andstomachturningpseudomoralcrap,likethepushoverpansiesandcowardstheyare,rightbeforetheirmentallysickanddegenerateradicalfeministsexphobicdelusionalmonogamistcrazedskankwomenwhocontrolthem,which8outof10timesalwaysresultsinabsolutemisery,torment,suffering,andregret.

ThatiswhyCharlieSheenisbetterthanthosepushoverpansycowardloserguysandwhyheisatotalsuccessinhiscareerANDinpersonallife,despitethatwholemediafabricatedcharadeofnonsensethatbulliedaroundhiminthenewsearlylastyear,andYOUaresofeeblemindedenoughtogetsuckedinbytheliesandthebullcrapcookedupbytheignorantsexnegativemediaaroundCharlieSheen,tohavethenervetowriteupthatincrediblyidioticandveryfalsestatementyouwroteuphereagainstSheen.But,youjustkeepsuckinguptothebulls**t,right!?

Swill!?!?Hahaha!!!LMFAOagain!Wow,youreallyareeasilysuckedinbythemediafabricatedbulls**t!Itsincredibletoseehowsomepeoplearejustsoeasilymanipulatedbypublicizedliesandexaggeratedfacts.Foryourinformation,justlikecharlieSheendoesNOTooglewomen,HealsodoesNOTswillalcohol!HeDRINKSalcohol,justlikeanyothernormalsanerightmindedpersonwhodrinksalcohol,andasfarasdoingdrugs,sowhat!?HemaydoaremayhavedonedrugsjustlikeanyotherpersonwhohasdonewhodidNOTbecomeaddictedNORsickfromit.

Contrarytoyourirrationalopinion,iftherealCharlieSheenwereturnedintoamovie,realistically,peoplewouldWANTtoseeagoodamountofCharlieseducingandromancingseveralwomen,manyofthemsimultaneously,astheromancingandseductionofwomenbybothmenANDbyotherwomenarealwaysoneofthehighestandgreatestfailproofnaturalsellingideasformovieplotsthatalwayssucceed,andthatisafact,aswellastheywouldwanttoseehowhedealswiththesituationanddilemmaofhiscareeratthatmoment,butshouldtheromancingandseductionofwomenendatsomepointinthefilm,thewholeplotandstorywouldberuinedandcrumpledtopieces!Therestofthestorywouldntmattermuchanymore,becausehemostcompellingaspectofthecharacterspersonawouldbegone.Thestorywouldcollapse,andthefilmwouldsurelyturnoutintoatotalfinancialflopattheboxoffice.

WhoCharlieSheenisasacharacterandasarealperson,asacharmingalphaladiesmanwhoalwaysromancesandseducesmanydifferentwomenwithpower,charm,intelligence,andwit,almostalwayssuccessfullyleadingtogreatpassionateuncommittedandunrestrainedmeaningfulsex,andwhoisfinanciallywealthyandindependentwithagoodsolidcareer,isEXACTLYthecharacterthatpeopleDOWANTtoseeinCharlie!Otherwise,hischaracterandthestorybecomesuninteresting,unrealistic,andveryboring,anditsnotCharlie!So,YOUgotitALLwrongtohavethesicknervetoactuallyresorttothemindlessthoughtthatsomehowpeoplewouldactuallyNOTwanttoseeCharlieSheenbeinghimself,beingarealman.AndasfarasseeingCharlieswillalcohol,thatsanotheroneofyourmediafabricatedoutofcontextmindlesslystupidandignorantterminologiesofpointlessnegativejudgmentyouareattemptingtoutilizeagainfornogoodreason.

TheinterestingpartofthejourneyaspectoftheplotwouldNOTbeCharlieSheentryingtomakehiswaybacktoTwoAndAHalfMen,becausethatmaynotbewhathewanted.MaybehedidnotwanttogobacktoTwoAndAHalfMen,andevenifhedid,hisnormalsanerationalhumanbehaviorofdrinkingandseducingwomen,thewayMOSTpeopleintheworlddoandthewayALLpeopleshoulddo,bynaturallyintelligenthumanbiologicalfact,hasabsolutelynothingtodowithhislossorhislosingoutfromreturningtotheshow.

Asamatteroffact,itsCharliesoccasionalexcessivedrinkingandhisdedicatedpassionatecommitmenttoseducingandromancingwomenintopassionatemeaningfulsexthatmadehimthegreatcelebratedandlovedcharacterthateverybodywantedtosee,hisseductivepassionatesexwithseveraldifferentwomenherecentlymetbeingfarmoremeaningfulthantheeversotragicmeaninglesscommittedmonogamouslovebasedsexhisbrotherAllenhad,thelittleheevergotthroughoutseveralyears,withhisthenpsychologicallyneuroticsexnegativecrazyfeministbitchexwife,Judith,andallthatiswhichmadealargepartofkeepingtheshowtogetherforalmost10years.

Actually,abetterplottothelifeoftherealCharlieSheenwouldbeifatsomepointhegivesuppursuinghisreturntoTwoAndAHalfMen,becauseherealizesitsnotworthitanymore,butthedrinking,thedoingoccasionaldrugs,andespeciallytheromancingofwomenpartofhischaracteralwaysstaysintact,becauseTHATiswhatpeopleWANTtosee,notjustinCharlieSheenbutinmanymaleANDfemaleleadprotagonistcharacters,socuttheridiculouschildishnonsensewithmakingthebeautyofdrinkingandseducingwomenouttobeabadthing,insomestrangebizarrewayifevenpossible,byusingstupidsmarmypretentioustermsthatarecompletelyoutofcontextandjuvenilesuchasswillandoogle,becauseyousoundlikesomesickreligiouslypervertedsexnegativesycophanticfeministsupportingpseudomoralcrazeddegenerate.Drinkingalcohol,gettingdrunk,andromancingandseducingwomenintosexareALWAYSagoodthing,andTHATisanunequivocalandaninarguablefact!

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AndBTW,romancingandseducinglotsofdifferentwomenonaregularbasiseveryweeknonstoporasoftenasoneneedsanddesiresisNOTanaddiction,notbyanymeans,whatsoever,andneverdoesitEVERbecomeanaddiction!So,doNOTeverplacetheconstantglorioussexualpursuitofmanydifferentwomenintothesamecategoryastheconstantpursuitofdrugsandalcohol,likesomedespicablesexnegativejerk,becausesexuallypursuingafterwomenconstantlyisclearlyNOTthesameasconstantlypursuingafterdrugsoralcohol!Whatareyousomekindofsickdisgustingsexphobicmisogynistreligiouslypervertedcreep!?Apparently,youthinkyoucancomeouthereonpublicinternetandselfappointyourselfassometypeofelectwhogetstodictatehowmuchsexandhowmanywomenpeoplecanhavesexwith,includingwhenistoomanywomenandtoomuchsex!?!?Yourekidding,right!?

TheconstantsexualpursuitofwomenisNEVERanaddiction,becausetheconstantsexualpursuitofwomenishowhumanssurvive,notjustbiologically,buthowwesurvive,emotionallyandpsychologically,asthenormalhealthyfunctionalandveryrationalbehaviorofsexuallypursuingwomenconstantlyisabiologicalhumannecessitythatcomesdirectlyfromNature,NOTtoprocreate,buttoachievetheconstantsexualgratificationthatthehumanbodyneedsonaregularbasisinordertoalleviatethetestosteroneandestrogenlevelsthathelppeoplebecomephysicallyandpsychologicallystableenoughsotheycanactuallycarryonwiththeworld,andthatbalancecanonlybeachievedwithtrueequilibriumbyhavinglotsofsexwithlotsofdifferentandnewpartnersonaregularbasis,alwaysconstantlysearchingfornewpartnerswhennecessary!

ThereisNEVERalimittohowmanydifferentwomenonecanhavesexwith,andhowevermanydifferentwomenyouhavesexwithneverbecomesanaddiction!Thattypeofdespicablewayofthinking,wheretheconstantsexualpursuitofmanydifferentwomenissomehowanaddiction,isanideologicalperversionandanimposedmentalcorruption.YoudoNOTputwomenintothesamecategoryasdrugsandalcohol!WomenareNOTabunchofthingslabeledlikeshelfitemsNORaretheythingsthatcarythesamekindofpotentialrisksandhazardsasmanmadeproductsdo,likeyousodisgustinglyimpliedwithyourperverselystatedcorruptideologythatCharlieSheenshouldovercomehisaddictiontodrugs,alcohol,andtowomen!

WomenareNOTsomethingyougrowanaddictionfor!Theyarebeautifulsexuallyenticingintellectualactualhumanbeingswhogivebirthtootherhumansofbothsexes,whoaretheonlyreasonyouevenexist,andwhomweall,bothmenandotherwomen,becomeemotionallyandsexuallyarousedandpassionatefortoendlesslevelsofneedsanddesireswithoutlimit!ThereisNObecomingaddictedandthereisNOtoomuchwhenitcomestothesexualpassionforwomen,andyoudoNOTgettodictateanyconditionsNORtermsonwomen,onoursexualdesiresandpursuitsforwomen,andhowwegoaboutthem,EVER,youdespicablesexnegativecreep,sogetthatignorantreligiouslypervertedanddestructivelycorruptideologyoftoomanywomenequalsaddictionmisogynistjudgmentalbigotedstupidityandsackofbulls**tliesoutofyoursickhead!

Toomuchdrugscanleadtosicknessanddeath.Toomuchalcoholdrinkingcanleadtopoisoninganddeath.HavingsexwithlotsofdifferentwomendoesNOTleadtophysicalsicknessNORdeath,sohavingsexwithlotsofdifferentwomenonaregularbasisinconstantpursuitisNEVERaproblemNORdoesiteverbecomeanaddiction,andneitheryouNORanyoneEVERgetstodictatehowmuchsexandhowmanywomenonecanhavesexwith!

Asamatteroffact,peoplebecomephysicallysickandverymentallyunstablewhentheyareNOThavingmuchsexornothavingANYsexatall!Peoplealsobecomephysicallysickandverymentallyunstablewhentheyarehavingverynongratifyingandmiserablesex,usuallyoneonaverysteadydecline,usuallywithinamarriage,withonesinglepartnerandbeingpsychologicallytrappedwithandbecominglesssexuallyattractedtoastheyearsgoby.

ThereisabsolutelyNONEEDforCharlieSheentostopsexuallypursuingmanydifferentwomen,justasthereisnoneedforANYONEintheworldtostopsexuallypursuingmanydifferentwomenonaregularbasis,whetheryouareamanoranotherwoman,becausealwayshavingsexwithmanydifferentwomenonaregularbasisisNOTaproblem!Itisthenecessarybiologicalmannerinwhichwesurviveandlivefunctionally,anditisalwaysagoodthing!Youhavetobereligiouslypervertedandsickintheheadbrainwashedwithsuchdespicablemoralcraptohavethenervetoideologicallyportraythenaturalsexualpursuitofmanydifferentwomenasiftobeanaddictionorsometypeofunhealthybehavior,whennothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth.

Thatbeingrightfullyandfactuallystated,hereistherealtruerationalquestion.WouldmovieviewerswanttospendanhourandahalfoftheirliveswatchingCharlieSheenswill12stepbrainwashingideologicalliesandbulls**tbarfedoutbysocalledexpertsduringsupposeddetoxicationprograms,watchhimswillthesameirrationalandbrainwashingdespicableliesandbulls**t,suchasthecookedupfabricatedconceptofloveoversexandotherridiculouslyperverseliesandnonsensebythesamedegeneratemanipulatorswhowilltrytoconvincehimofthebiggerliethatheissomehowsometypeofsexaddict,thenhavetheviewerslaterwatchCharlieooglesomereligiouslycorruptsexuallyrepressedpietistgirl,onesinglegirl,intothepervertedbowelsofabstinence,commitment,marriage,monogamy,andexclusiveheterosexualoneononemissionarypositionsex,untiltheybothdrownintothepriggishguttersoftheirownmisery!?

Doyouactuallythinkviewersaregoingtowanttospendanhourandahalfoftheirliveswatchingthis!?!?Oh,IthinkDEFINITELYNOT!!!

Andallfortherandomsaketojustseeifhecanpullitoff!?PullWHAToff!?!?Astoptohisdrinkingandhisrationalbehavioranddevotedpursuitofsexualpassionafterwomen,justsohecantransformintoasexuallydeprivedandpsychiatricallymiserablewreck!?MOSTDEFINITELYNOT!!!ThatissomethingthatisNOTEVERnecessaryforANYONEtohavetopulloff!

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scribemeetsworldMarch19,2012,11:32pm

James,

Inresponsetoyourcomments:

Oogleandswillaredescriptiveverbswithpunch.ThatswhyIusedthem.

Iagree,youdontwanttowriteamoviewhoseplotrevolvesaroundthe8essentialplotpoints.Yourscriptshouldntbemechanicaldrivelbutyoudontwanttowriteanunorganizedmesseither.Ifyouutilizetheplotpointscorrectly,eachscenewillfloworganicallyintothenextoneso



thatnothingcomesacrossasforced.

Heartisalsoascriptessential.Iftheaudiencedoesntcareaboutthecharactersinyourscript,thentheywontgivetwofigsthatyourscreenplayisperfectlystructured.

IthinkthatamoviefocusedonCharlieSheensexploits(withalcoholandwithwomen)wouldbeonenote.Peoplewouldquicklytireofwatchingsuchrepetition(Imreferringtofulllengthscripts,nottoa20minutesitcom).Ithinkaudiencesprefertoseeprogress,toseecharacterschangingintosomeonebetter(orworse)thantheywereatthebeginningofafilm.

Butthatsmyopinionandassessmentofaudiencetastes.Yourecertainlyentitledtoyourown.Youclearlyhavealotofpassionandaloveformovies.UsethispassionandwriteascreenplaymaybeaboutacharacterlikeSheenorareligiousdegenerateandseeifanyoftheadvicehereishelpful,CharlieSheencommentaryaside.

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SeanAugust31,2012,3:50am

SurprisedyourespondedtoJamesatall.

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tsilverJuly2,2013,3:10am

SoamI.RunonsentencesandBSIcouldntevenreadhiswholediatribe.

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austinApril2,2013,4:31am

Youseemlikeasupercooldude.ordudette.eitherway,propstohowyouhandledthisjamesdouchebag.

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scribemeetsworldApril2,2013,11:25pm

HiAustin,

ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!JamesscommentshavegeneratedalotofcommentarywhichIdefinitelylike.Freespeechisusuallyawinwinallaround.Fortherecord,Imadudette

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HaakonDahlFebruary25,2012,6:13am

Thankyoufortheexcellenttips.Igotherefromstorycharts.ca,whereIwasmotivatedtogoGooglingforIncitingIncident.ImveryhappythatGoogleputmehere.

Forwhatitsworth,Ifindthatacertainamountofpruningincommentscangreatlyimprovethehealthofawebsite.

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HiHaakon,

ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!Imgladyouvefoundthesitetobeuseful.Ivecheckedouthttp://www.storycharts.cathanksforbringingittomyattention.



Tofurtheryourstudyofscreenwriting,IalsohighlyrecommendScriptshadow(tolearnmoreaboutthecraftbyanalyzingrealscreenplays)andDeadlineHollywood(tolearnmoreabouttheindustry).AlexEpsteinsCraftyScreenwritingisalsoarealgem!

Pruningcommentsiscertainlysomethingtoconsider,especiallyasthesitegrows,butfornowImlettingtheFirstAmendmentreign!

Aftervisitingyourownwebsitewhichdefinitelyhasapoliticalslant,Iwonder,haveyouseentheIdesofMarch?Ifso,whatwasyourtake?

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HannahApril25,2012,7:38pm

No!Dontprunethewebsitecomments!ThatmightmeanIwouldneverhavegottoreadJamesepicresponse!

Although,atfirst,Ithoughttheguysoundedlikeacompleteidiot(itneverdoesanyoneanyfavourstolaunchintoaneedlesspersonalattackonsomeonetheyhavenevermet)asIread,Iwassurprisedtofindhehadsomeveryintelligentpointstomake.IhadneverreallythoughtofholdingthelikesofCharlieSheenupasanAlphaMalehero,whogoesagainstourlearnedsocialconstraintsand,farfrombeingimmatureinhispursuitofsexwithmanydifferentwomen,isactuallybeingtruetohisbiologicalnature.Ihadneverthoughtofmarriedmenasactuallyweakforturningtheirbackagainsttheirs.OnceIhaddecipheredhisspecialstyleofwriting,IhavetosayIagreewithmuchofwhathewroteexceptthemannerinwhichhedeliveredit.

Ithinkinaperverseway,itkindofhighlightsthekeymessageofthesiteabouttheneedforstructure,leanwritingandstickingtothekeypoints.Greatideas,greatcontent,canbelostwhenpresentedinapoorform.Goodformiscrucial.

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scribemeetsworldMay1,2012,9:22pm

HiHannah,

ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!ImgladyouenjoyedreadingJamesscommentsyoureright.Whenyouviewthemfromanevolutionarybiologyperspective,theydomakesense.Oratleastmoresense.

Goodformisabsolutelycritical.Theorganizationofyourscreenplayisasimportantasitscontents.Ifyouhaveanymoviesthatyoudliketoseeanalyzedonthesite,pleasesayso!

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BrookeJune2,2012,7:46pm

Hi,

Thankyousomuchforthissite!IvegottenalotoutofreadingitasItackleimprovingmyfeaturecomedyscript.AsIvebeentryingtoseethe8plotpointsinmyownfilmIkeepcomingupwithafewquestions:1.Youwrotethatat#6thecharacterhasarecommitmenttohisgoal.AndIwaswonderingwhyhere?Whywouldsomeonerightafterthemidpointsuddenlyreaffirmthemselves?2.Attheact2breakAllislostandthenthenextmomentafterthebreakistheClimax:Ikeepwondering,doesntthereneedtobeanadditionalplotpointthatisveryimportantinbetween?Howcansomeonegofromlosingeverythingtosuddenlyhavingwhatheneedstosucceedduringthecrisis/climax.

Iwouldbesogratefulifyoucouldhelp!Thisscriptmightkillme.Thanks,Brooke

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scribemeetsworldJune3,2012,11:11am

HiBrooke,

ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!Imgladitsbeenhelpingyouasyourcompleteyourcomedyscript.

PlotPoint#6,thepointofcommitment,issomethingthatIfirstcameacrosswhenreadingVickiKingsHowtoWriteaMoviein21Days.Andafterreadingaboutit,Istartednoticingitinmoreandmoremoviesbutitsbynomeanssomethingessentiallikeastrongmidpointorclimax.Soifitscausingyousleeplessnights,Iwouldntworryaboutit.



Astowhyitwouldcomeafterthemidpointalotoftimes,themidpointofascripttakesthesecondactintoawholenewdirection.Soitactuallymakessenseforthecharactertoreaffirmhiscommitmenttoachievinghisgoalafterthemidpointhasshakeneverythingup.Also,itsnotlikethecharactersaysrightout,Imgoingtodothis,andcomehellorhighwater,nothingsgoingtostopme.ButheSHOWSit.

Thepointofcommitmentmightbeatesttodeterminewhetherornotthecharacterwillcontinueonhisjourneymaybeitsatemptationofsorts.Atthispoint,itslikethecharacterhasaneasywayout,andusually,hellchoosetostayin.Youcanseewhythepointofcommitmentisusuallybuiltintoalotofscreenplays,becauseitsanaturalextensionoftheobstacle/goal/obstacle/goalsequencewhichisthebackboneofplot.Itsjustoneinaseriesofobstacles,andbyovercomingit,theheroshowshiscommitmenttoachievinghisgoal.

RE:theclimaxyes,thereareadditionalscenesbetweentheallislostmomentandtheclimax.Theessentialplotpointsarelikeachecklisttofollowtomakesurethatyourscreenplayhasasolidstructure.Youllfillinthescenesbetweeneachone.Theplotpointsmakeiteasiertodoso,becauseitmakesyourgoalmoremanageablei.e.,okay,Ijusthavetofigureoutwhathappensbetweenthefirstactbreakandthemidpointinsteadof,ohmigod,IhaveanentireActTwotowriteandIhavenoideahowtofillallthosepages!

Betweentheallislostmomentandtheclimax,somethinghappenstomaketheherorallyandnotgiveuponhisgoal.Alotoftimes,oneofthesupportingcharactershelpstheheroexperiencearealizationthatheshouldntgiveup(likeinBridesmaids,MeganslapsAnnieandtellsherthatAnniecantgiveupwhenlifehasknockedAnniedown).Thenthecharacterpreparesforthefinalclimax.

GoingbacktoBridesmaids,Anniepreparesbygettinghertaillightsfixed,bakingacakeforOfficerRhodes,andbyresolvingthingswithHelen.Bridesmaidsisaboutinternalcharactertransformation,sotheclimaxisntafaceoffbetweengoodandevil(likeatypicalactionmovieorthriller),butaboutAnniecomingtotermswithherpoorselfesteem.ByseekingoutOfficerRhodesandmakingupwithLillian,Anniedemonstratesshesovercomeherinternaldemons.

Ihopethishelpsgoodluckwithyourcomedyscript!

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mazhughesJune19,2012,4:08am

Sorryforspambutjustreadingthroughthesitethankyouscribe.Goodwords.

AndCharlieSheen3D?Uber.

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DianaJuly21,2012,12:16pm

JamesiseitherCharlieSheenoroneofhispersonalfriends.

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scribemeetsworldJuly21,2012,2:20pm

LOL,Diana!

IthinkIshouldsetupaseparatesectionjustforcommentsonJamessramblings!

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GibsAugust15,2012,10:33pm

haha,James,umadbro?CharlieSheens#1fan

Greatsite,justfoundit!

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scribemeetsworldAugust21,2012,1:46pm

HiGibs,



ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld.ImgladtohaveCharlieSheens#1fanasareader.Winning!

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JuergenHeinemannSeptember2,2012,9:11pm

Hi,Imrelativelynewtothissite.ButsincefindingitIhavebeenonitnonstop!Sothankyouforallthehelpfulinformation.NowtowhyImhereandmyquestion.Iamawriterslashfilmmaker.RecentlyIwasapproachedbyamajorhollywoodproduceraboutmywork.Sohenowhasoneofmyscripts.Helikesitbutsaiditwastoodense.Thiseludestowhatyouhavebeensayingaboutamateurscriptsbeingtoocomplicatedandconvolutedinthefirstact.Ihavereadovertheeightplotpointswhichwasabigonewithhim.AsagainyoustatedthattheyarewithMajorStudiotypes.AndImnotreallythatfaroff.IfeelwithabitofsloughingandaminorrevampIshouldbewelltogood.Butmyquestionis.dotheseeightplotpointshavetostayinthisorder?Immostlyreferringto#6AllisLostCantheybeshuffledabit?Imnotopposedtorevampingthisscript.IveneverbeenaItsmyworkandmybabytypeofwriter.

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scribemeetsworldSeptember4,2012,7:41pm

HiJeurgen,

Congratulationsongettingaproducerinterestedinyourwork!ThatsahugestepIhopeyoucelebratedinstyle

Intraditionalthreeactstructure,theallislostmomenthastooccurbeforetheclimaxandtheresolution.Itcantoccuranysoonereitherbecausetheprotagonisthasspenttheentiresecondactpreparingforthatmoment,butinsteadofclaimingvictory,hesuffersdefeat.

Hestheabsolutelyfarthestfromhisgoal,despiteeverythinghesdoneinthesecondact.Onlybygainingnewinsightcanherallyhisstrengthforonelastattemptintheclimax.Ifyourscripthasahappyending,thenhellalsogainprettymuchcompletevictoryattheresolution.

SoIguesstheshortanswerisnoyoucantreallyshuffleitaround.Iveneverbeenabelieverinfixedpagenumbers,soitsnotlikeyouhavetohavetheallislostmomentonaspecificpage,butchronologically,ithastocomebeforeyourclimaxandresolution.

Firstactsarehardtotrim,usuallybecausethewriterissofocusedongivingtheaudiencebackgroundinformation.Ifthecharactersareinterestingandtheprotagonisthasacompellinggoal,theaudiencewillstillfollowalongeveniftheydonthaveallthebackgroundinfo.Givethemsomecreditiftheyrehooked,theycanwaittillacttwoformoredetails/explanations.IsthereacharacterintroductionyoucandelaytillActTwoinsteadofincludingitinthefirstact?Thatmightbeonewaytotrimitdown.

Densitycanalsorefertohowleanyourwritingis.Usingfragmentsandfewerwordswillmakeyourscriptfeellighter.Makesurenoneofyourparagraphsarelongerthanfourlinesandminimizeoverlylongdialogues.Buttakethisadvicewithagrainofsalt.Youdontwanttoruinthevoicewhichhookedtheproducerinthefirstplace!

Goodluck!

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JuergenHeinemannSeptember5,2012,12:11am

ThankyouSOmuch!Nowthatmuthoughtshavehadmoretimetocongelesotospeak.ImprettysureIvegotitdown. thanksagain.Andyoursightisawsomebytheway.

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NageshiraleNovember25,2012,6:04am

Dearsir,Iwanttoprepareastoryoutlineforasuspensefilmbasedoncollegestudentslife.Wouldukindlyhelpmeinthismatter.Iwillbehighlyoblisedifitcouldbepossoble

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scribemeetsworldNovember27,2012,6:12pm

HiNagesh,

Icantgiveyouspecifichelpregardingyourproject,butIamplanningtowriteapostwhichdescribeshowtoplotyourmoviefrombeginningtoend.Ithinkthiswillbehelpfulforyou,andIllletyouknowassoonasitscompleted.

Inthemeantime,youmightwanttoreadAlexEpsteinsCraftyScreenwritingorBlakeSnydersSaveTheCat,astheybothgivehelpfuladviceonthistopic.Also,studytheplotpointsforasmanysuspensemoviesasyoucanfind.Takenisntabadplacetostart!

CarsonReevesoveratScriptshadowhasdoneseveralreviewsofthrillerscripts.Ifyougothroughthese,youcanlearnalot,notjustfromthepostitselfbutalsofromthecomments.Goodluck!

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EADecember5,2012,8:52pm

HavingjustbeengettingmyfirstinvitationfromafamousHollywooddirectortowriteanoutlineforastoryIsuggestedtohim,Ifoundthisinformationveryusefulanditwillcomequiteinhandywhengettingontomyfirsteverscreenplay.Thanksforsharinggreattips,lookingforwardtosteppingintothemoviemakingworld!

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EA,

Whatexcitingnews!Imsohappyforyouandgladthatthispostgaveyousomehelpfulguidelines.Keepinmindthisarticleonlydescribestheessentialplotpointsyoullprobablyneedmoretofleshoutyourstoryoutline.HalAckermansWriteScreenplaysThatSellwillcomeinhandyatthisstage.

Goodluck!

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LovePearlsDecember12,2012,3:43am

Thankyou,thankyou,forthis.Plotpointshavesetmestraight.IhavewrittenthemdownandthejourneybeginsIdohaveaEuropeanEnding,butIhopeitisstrongenoughtotouchtheaudienceasIttouchesme.Arethereanyexamplesofdeathbeingabetterplace?Itisnotmorbidbyanymeans,butitissymbolictotheresolution.Mycharacterishappytomeethislostloveonceagain.Anythoughts?

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scribemeetsworldDecember12,2012,8:52pm

HiLovePearls,

Imgladthisarticlehelpedyou!Offthetopofmyhead,Gladiator(whichseemsespeciallypertinentforyourproject)andBraveheartarebothmovieswherethedeathoftheprotagonistmadeforanextremelystrongending.Idontthinkanyoneintheaudiencewascomplaining!IfIthinkofothers,Iwillpostthemhere.

Goodluckwithyourscript!

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GregMarch25,2013,5:17pm



Smokemethmuchjames?

Anyways,soIseehowthesemainpointsrelatearoundastorywheretheheroisputintoapredicament,hasaseriesofsetbacks,onesetbackisaboveallelse,theworst.Atthispointsomethingchanges(Ithinkwecanallagreethisisveryresonating.)Andintheendtheherotriumphs.

Somyquestiontoyouiswhathappensifinourstorythereisasenseofhopelessnessandtheheroneversuceedsandthelightattheendofthetunnelnevergetslarger?Couldthestorybeappealingifthereisaclimaxbutnotasummitbythehero?

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HiGreg,

YoualwayshavetodowhatsrightforYOURstory.Thatbeingsaid,herearethreethoughtstoconsider:

1)Reallifecanbehopelessenough.Peoplegotothemoviesinparttoescapethatfeeling.Youmightwanttoreconsideracompletelybleakendingjustformarketabilityssake.Ifyourherofails,thepossibilityofahopefulendingshouldexistforanothercharacter(howeverminor).

ToquoteSydFieldfromhisbookScreenplay,IoncetaughtaworkshopinGermanyforsome50writers,andoutof50stories,46ofthemendedindeath,suicide,mayhem,anddestruction.Itoldthestudentsthattherearebetterwaystoendascreenplaythantohaveyourcharactercaught,shot,captured,die,commitsuicide,orbekilled.

2)Ofcourse,ableakendingmaybeexactlyyourpoint.TheendingofChinatownsureisnegativebutthatsthewholepointofthemovie.Therichcananddogetawaywithmurder.IfyoucanconveyyourpointofviewaswellasChinatowndid,yourscriptcanbeacallingcardwhichcangetyouanagentandpossiblyassignmentworkevenifitsnotmarketableenoughtobeproduced.

3)Peoplebecomeimmunetothingsthemoretheyareexposedtothem.Forexample,afterawhile,ifanactionmoviedoesntpaceitsactionscenes,audienceswillstopfeelinganadrenalinerushwhilewatchingthemonscreenbecausetheyvebecomehabituatedtothem.Thesameprincipleappliestoamoviewhichleanstowardsthebleakside.Ifthehopelessnessisntpunctuatedbyhappier,morehopefulmoments,thebleaknesswillloseitseffectandyouraudiencewillbenumbtoit.

Inotherwords,thereshouldbesomesuccessachievedatsomepoint,otherwisetheseriesoffailureslosesitsimpact.Twoidealpointsforcreatingafalsesenseofhopearea)attheendofActTwoandb)inthemiddleofyourclimax.

Ihopethishelps.Goodluck!

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JuliaMay21,2013,12:07pm

Ireallyhavetothankyouforthisamazingsite!Icomefromgermanysoitskindofdepressingsearchingforreallygoodgermansitesthatmighthelpyouwithyourscreenwritingprocess.Imgladifoundsiteslikeyourswhichhavebeenveryhelpful!

Thisarticlereallyinspiredmeandalsohelpedmealot.ButIstillgotafewquestionsandhopeyoucanhelpme!Imstillinkindofalearningprocesswhenitcomestoscreenwriting,butImworkingpassionatelyonascreenplayatthemomentandIvealreadyoutlinedeverymajorplotpointsoIknowwhatthestoryisaboutandwhatmyleadcharacterreallywantsetc.Ialsooutlinedtheeightsequencesofthescreenplay.Somynextstepistostartwritingatreatment.IvealreadydonethisbeforeandIthinkitisquitehelpfulsoItotallyagreedwithyourarticleabouttreatmentsIvereadearlier.ButIwaswonderinghowmuchoutliningistoomuch.

WhilesearchingforoutlineexamplesIfoundadevelopmentforascreenplayofaTVshow.Itwasjustforoneepisodesoitwasntthewholestoryofthewholeseasonofthisshow.Butwhatreallyconfusedmewasthateverysinglescenewasoutlinedandwrittenaskindofatreatment.ButtheresothersiteswhereIvereadthingslikeWhenitcomestoscreenwriting,justoutlineatleastyourmajorplotpointsandthengetitdone.Well,Ithoughtmaybeitisagoodwaytooutlinethewholescriptsoyoullknowwhatyouactuallywanttowriteabout.ButthenIthoughtifIoutlineeverysinglesceneIwanttowriteintheactualscript,Iwillspendmoretimeoutliningthanactuallywritingthescript.SoitkindofconfusedmeabitandIwantedtoknowhowyouyourselfhandlethoseoutliningprocess.Because,Ithinkitsgoodknowingwhereyourstorygoesandhavingthewholeplotstructuredinthoseplotpoints,butlikeyousaidinanotherarticleaboutthe8020rule,themoreyouresearchthelessyouwrite,Ithoughtmaybeitsthesamethingwithoutlining.MaybeIwontgetthescriptdoneifIspendtoomuchtimeoutlining.

HopeyouatleastknowwhatmyproblemisandcanhelpmeabitsoIwontbeasconfusedasIamrightnow!

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scribemeetsworldMay21,2013,9:04pm

HiJulia,



Imsogladthatmysitehasbeenhelpfulforyou!Inregardstooutlining,Ithinkitisanessentialpartoftheprocess.IliketooutlineasmuchaspossiblebecauseIfindthatthisreducestheamountofextensiverewritingIhavetodolater.Youdoraiseagoodpointthoughyoucanoutlinetoomuchandneverstartwritingyourscreenplayinthefirstplace.Thisdefeatsthewholepurposeofoutlining!

ThisishowIapproachoutlining:first,Ifocusoncrackingthe8essentialplotpoints.Then,Ifigureoutwhatneedstohappeninorderforthoseplotpointstooccur.Iaddinscenestoheightentheemotionortoimprovethelogic,etc.Thisusuallyyieldsalistofabout40plotpointsorso.IputeachplotpointonanindexcardandshufflethemarounduntilIthinkIhavethemorganizedintoasolidstructure.ThenIthinkabouteachplotpointhowitshouldbegin,whatshouldhappeninthemiddle,andhowitshouldend.Ifanyfunnyideasorlinesofdialoguecometome,Iwritethesedownaswell.Idontwritemuchmaybeonesideofanindexcard,sometimesbothsides.ItdependsonhowextensiveIthinkthescenewillbe.IdothisuntilIhavefilledouteachindexcardandthenIrepeattheprocessacoupleoftimes.

Bythispoint,Imitchingtobeginwriting!Ithinkthatsagoodindicatorofwhenyoushouldswitchfromoutliningtowriting.Youdonthavetoadddetailstotheindexcards,butIwouldntstartwritingbeforeIhadalistofalltheplotpointsorganizedinawaywhichbesttellsmystory.

Thisis,ofcourse,themethodwhichworksforme.Somepeoplehateoutliningandwritebytheseatoftheirpants.Itsoundsthoughlikeyouareanoutlinerlikeme!

Toclarify,inthearticleaboutthe8020rule,Iconcluded20%ofyourresearchwillyieldabout80%ofthedetailsyouactuallyuseorneed.SoIresolvedtoresearchless.Byresearch,Imeanttimespentlookingupfactualdetails,notoutlining.Infact,inthesamearticle,Iconcludedyoushouldspendmoretimeoutliningratherthanless!(Butnottothepointwhereoutlinebecomesaprocrastinationdevice.)

Ihopethishelps.Letmeknowifyouhavemorequestions!

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GBlivinsJune23,2013,10:46pm

Imnewtothissite,buttheideasyoupostaretimeless.Thankyouforsharingyourthoughtswiththeworld.IespeciallyfoundyourBacktotheFuturenotesveryhelpful.AsforJamesearlierinthisthread,Ivefoundtherearetwotypesofscreenwriters:1)thosewhorecognizethatthereindeedisstructuretoallgreatfilmsand2)thosewhothinkeverythingtheywriteisflawlessandifpeopledontunderstanditorlikeit,theybecomepissedoffandblametheworldfortheirshortcomings.(Andbytheway,using2001andSolarisasexamplesonlymadeyourpointstronger.ThosemoviesneverseethelightofdaywithoutKubrickorClooney.WhowasJameskidding?)

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HiGBlivins,

Thanksforthekindwords!Ithinkonceyourealizehowmuchtimeasolidstructureandanoutlinewillsaveyouduringtherewritingstage,youfindthesetoolstoberatherliberatingthanrestrictive.

CanyouimaginewritingafilmlikeBacktotheFuturewithoutanykindofstructuralaid?Nightmare!

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IsaJoyAugust11,2013,2:46pm

IlladmitIprettymuchhateoutlining,butitmakesthetaskofcompletingascreenplaymuchlessdauntingandsomethingthatsactuallydoable.

IfindyourwebsiteveryhelpfulasIdailypursuemydreamsofbecomingaHollywoodfilmmakersothankyou!!

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JillDecember16,2013,8:47am

IjustwantedtodropanotetosayhowmuchIamlovingyouradvice!Youofferupsomegreat,concisetipsforaspiringscreenwriters.Iambookmarkingyoursiterightnow.Thanks!

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HiJill,

Thanksfortakingthetimetowriteacomment!Yourkindwordsmeanalottome.Goodluckwithallofyourwritingendeavors.

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RobertMarch21,2014,2:37am

Hello,

Imalsoanaspiringscreenwriter,andIjuststartedataboutthistimelastyear.Sofar,Ivecompletedfourmoviespecscripts,oneTVpilotscript(anhourlongdrama)andImcurrentlyworkingonasitcom.

IthinkthislistisaGREAThelp.AnyonewhohasdoneanythingknowsthatyouALWAYSwanttostartoffwithdirection,especiallyifyourenewtoit.Tojustwingitisalmostneveragoodidea.Justlikemanyothers,Iunderstandthatthesearejustsomegoodguidelinestobeginwithandofcourse,thebetterweget,themorewemaybeabletodeviateappropriately.SomefolksturnsomethinglikethisintoanEnglishprojectandthatswhyitdrivesthemcrazy,butwhattheyneedtounderstandisthatthisisjustsoyoucanhavesomestructureandknowwheretobegin.Thisalsoallowsyoutobreakthescriptdownandfocusmoreondoingmaybe30pagesatatimeratherthantryingtofigureall120outinonesittingorgettoonespotandjustbestuckbecauseyouhavenoideawheretogonext.

Obviously,withmoreexperience,again,yourebetterequippedtodeviate,andthatsanotherthingalotoffolksmisunderstand.Weasamateursarenotinagoodpositiontodeviatejustyet.Weoftenwanttocompareourselvestoseasonedscreenwritersandthatsnotagoodidea.Allweseeisthefinishedproductandifitdoesntmatchcloselywiththisformatorsimilar,thenwewronglythinkthatnostructurewasusedatall.

WhileIlladmitthatitISfrustratingtosometimesseeworkouttherethatlookslikeitstayedFARawayfromthisandissometimesjustplainbad,thethingforustorememberisthatweDONTwanttoberememberedforthat.Inotherwords,itseasytoseethatitlookslikesomeonewasabletoputahalfheartedeffortintosomething,succeedandthenfigurethatthatsallweneedtodoaswell.WewanttomakeOUROWNnames.

Sorrytogetintoallthat,butIjustwantedtothankyouforcreatingthislist.AsIsaidabove,ImworkingonasitcompilotnowandIcameonlinetolookupgoodwaystooutlinethat.Icameacrossthis,andImgladIdid!

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HiRobert,

Thanksfortakingthetimetoshareyourobservations.Youvesummarizedthebenefitsofoutliningquitenicely.Outlinesdefinitelymakewritingalongerworkmoremanageableandsaveyoualotofgriefinthelongrun.

Itsinterestingtoreadarticlebyauthorswhodontlikeoutlining,buttriedtoembraceit(forwhateverreason).Forthemostpart,theyendupconcludingthatoutlininginadvancesavedthemalotoftimeduringtherewriteprocess

Youvebeenenormouslyproductiveinthelastyear.Itsoundslikeyoudbeagreatassettoashowswritingstaff.

FromwhatIveread,thestructureofaTVshowsharessimilarprinciplestothestructureforafulllengthfeaturescreenplay,butitdoeshaveitsownnuances.(Soyoudhavetoadapttheoutlinepresentedinthisarticle.)

Formorespecifics,readSuccessfulTelevisionWritingbyLeeGoldberg&WilliamRabkinandWritingtheTVPilotbyWilliamRabkin(ifyouhaventalready!).

Bestofluck

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AmyMarch22,2014,6:21pm

Greatstuff!

WaslookingtoprocrastinatefromcontinuingwithmyoutlinesoitsalwaysreassuringtoknowImnotlostbutontherightpath.Inspiredtogetbacktoit!



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HiAmy,

ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld.Imgladtohearthatthisarticleinspiredyoutogetbacktoit!

Goodluckwithyouroutline

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BiancaApril15,2014,3:59pm

Ihaveaquestion.

SoIvebeentryingtogetatleastabasicoutlinebasedontheworksheetyouguyshave,butImconfusedonwhattodoifyouhero/protagonistsmaingoalgoesagainsteverythingyourstoryisabout.

Forexample:Say,yourprotagonisthasanabilitythatcanhelppeoplebuthatesit.Sotheirmaingoalistobecomenormalandsafe.YettherearealltheseconflictsthatleadyourmaincharactertodotheoppositeontheirgoalwhichImguessingisembracingtheirsituationandability.

Ifitslikeso,doesntthatmeantherearenostakesifdontsucceedtheirmaingoal?Ordoesitmeantheirmaingoalhaschanged??

Imreallyconfused.

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HiBianca,

Ihaventseenitinalongtime,butitseemstomethattheplotofSpiderMan2matchesthesituationyouvedescribed.PeterParkerwantstorejectbeingSpiderManandembraceanormal,safelife,but,bytheend,learnstoembracehissuperheroidentity.Studyingthatmovieshouldhelpyoualot.

Oddlyenough,studyingamovielikeAboutaBoymayhelpyoutoobecausethepushpullstruggleoftheheroissimilar,eventhoughhesnotinpossessionofsuperpowers.

Tobemorespecific,Will(HughGrantscharacter)professesanearnestdesiretolivealone,likeanisland.Thisistheequivalentofaprotagonistwhowantstobesafeandnormal.ButMarcuswontletWillaloneheforcesWilltochangeandembracelifelikeanislandchain.

Ihopethishelps.Goodluck!

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DerekAugust11,2014,5:18am

Thanksalot.Ibelieveanoutlineistoascriptwriterwhatabusinessplanistoanentrepreneur.Your8plotpointsareagreatbreakdownoftheclassical3actstructureandyouhavemademyworkveryeasy.Anyonewhovisitsthissiteisblessedwithsomeformofcreativepower,andasweallknow,powerisnothingwithoutcontrol.Thecontrolisinoutline.Ihopeyoudontmindmementioningyouinmysuccessstoryinafewyearstocome.

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scribemeetsworldAugust12,2014,8:31pm

ThanksDerekforthekindwords!

Withyourpositiveattitude,Imsuresuccesswillcometoyousoon



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MarquiseOctober8,2014,4:17am

Ijustfounditfunny:AsIwatchIntotheWildbySeanPenn(2007)towriteananalysispaperInoticedthatthemoviepracticallyfollowsthisplotpointoutlinealmostexactly.AfterreadingthisIammuchmoreconfidentinanalyzingthesignificanceoftheplotpointstothestory.Thanks!

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scribemeetsworldOctober8,2014,7:21pm

HiMarquise,

ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!

ItlookslikeyourfirstvisitisanexampleofwhatJuliaCameroncallssynchronicity.

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samuelNovember18,2014,5:39am

IdontknowhowtostartwritingascreenplayIhavealotofimagesinmyminditcomesasdreamsattimethoughtattimevisionIneedhelp

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SarahFebruary11,2015,4:18pm

Wow,thispostwassohelpful!ImactuallylookingforwaystowriteaneffectiveoutlineforacomicIwanttostart,andmostofmystoriestendtolackstructure.Thislistisagreatplatformtostartbuildingmyownstoryon,andtoScribeIcanonlysaythankyou!!!:)

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scribemeetsworldFebruary14,2015,8:38pm

HiSarah,

Imsogladthisarticlemighthelpyouwithyourcomicvery,verycoolandperhapsafirstforScribeMeetsWorld!

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StacyApril7,2015,4:07pm

HeyScribe!

Greatwebsite.IamrecentDirecting/Screenwritinggraduateofaveryhandsonindustrylikefilmschool.Beingoutofschoolforawhile,mywritingskillshavebeenslowlydullingout.Planningtogotograduateschoolthisfallforfilm,IdecidedIneededtoreteachmyselfmanythingsIhaveforgotten.Imfilmschool,wetalkedaboutstory,howweneedabeginning,middleandend.Weneverwentindepthtoplotpoints,3actstructure,lowestlow,etc..whenmythesisadvisoranalyzedmythesisscripthegavebackfeedbackwithwordslike,theclimax,thingscomein3,lowestlowetc.Ididnotreallyunderstandwhathemeantuntilafterreadingthis(andmanyofyourotherlinksonyourwebsite).Iwasmoreofadirectingmajorthattooksomewritingcourses.FirstofallIwanttothankyouforpostingsooftenpleasekeepup!Youhavealotoffans.

Two,inclass,wemainlywatchedmoviesandthenwewouldanalyzethem.Wewouldtalkaboutwhyitworkedtheimages(i.e.openingandclosingimages,howthemoviemadeuscareaboutthemaincharacter,etc)Itwasmorefilm,lesstheory.ImnotsureifyouwouldconsideryourwritingtheorysinceyousaidthiswebsiteisforpeoplewhowanttoSELLtheirscript.Iwenttoamoreartdrivenschoolbutmyteachertriedtoinstillsomebusinessmentalityaswell.Iwouldliketoaskyou,doyouthinkasawriterwhowritesfromtheheart(usually)butalsovaluesamoviethathasgreatstructure(withsuspense)doyouthinkitsbettertofirstgowithwhatyoufeel,thentweakitout?OrshouldIfollowthe8plotpointstructure,makesureithitseverypoint,thentrytoartfullycraftitout?



Anyways,thanksagainandlookingforwardtoreadingmore!Wouldlovetohearaboutsomeforeignfilmsaswell.IamworkingonastorythattakesplaceinChina,mostofthecharactersspeakChinese.ButthemainisanenglishspeakerIamalmostconfusedonwhoIshouldputthefocusonaudiencewise.IguessthatmaybeaquestionIhavetoaskmyself!

Andlastly,canyoupleasedoananalyzationonaWoodyAllenfilm?Iwouldliketoseehowhehitsthese8marks,orhowhemakesitwork.Healwayshasthemosttaboorelationships,yetitalwaysworkssowonderfully!

Thanksagain!!

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HiStacy,

Itsalwaysbesttowritefromtheheart.

Thekey,though,istofigureoutwhatkindofprocessworksbestforyou.Somewriterscanplotinadvance,whilestillwritingfromtheheartothersfeelthatthattheyneedmorespontaneity(egpantserswhowritefromtheseatoftheirpants).

Choosetheprocessthatyouenjoymost.Thenevaluateyourrawmaterialandfigureouthowtomolditintothestrongeststorypossible.(Andmostcommerciallyviabletoo,ifthatsyourgoal.)

Ifyoureaplotter,youllbeworkingwithanoutlineifyoureapantserthenyourrawmaterialwillbeyourroughdraft.So,youalwayshavetodosomekindofanalysis.Butthepointintimewhenyoudothatanalysisdependsonwhatworksbestforyou.

Re:WoodyAllenhisnamemakeshismoviescommerciallyviable.SoananalysisofhisfilmsisunlikelytopopuponthissitebecausebasicallyonlyWoodyAllencansellaWoodyAllenesquemovie.Ifyoureinterested,BillyMernithasanexcellentanalysisofANNIEHALLinhisbook,WritingtheRomanticComedy.(Thebookisagreatresource,BTW!)

Goodluck!

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GirlFridayMay3,2015,2:42pm

IjustwanttosaythankyouforgiveusthisinformationforFREE.Inthisworldwherepeoplearejustouttogetthealmightydollar,itissorefreshingtoseesomeonewhoobviouslywantstohelpthewriter.IfIcouldshowyoumybookcaseofazillionbooksonscreenwritingyouwouldhaveaheadache.Youvemanagedtodowhatthosebookshavefailedtodoformeforyears.Comingupwithstoryideasandbigconceptswerenevertheproblemforme.Structureontheotherhandughh!NowIfinallyfeellikeIcanapproachstructuretherightway.WhenIwinmyOscarforbestscreenplay,Iwillmentionyourname.

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