Screenplay | The Athletic Nerd

How Four Screenplay Pages Can Impact Your Day

BAD DAYS HAPPEN…
BUT THAT’S WHY I LOVE SCREENWRITING

A few days ago, I woke up in a really bad mood. It happens to us all. This particular morning was awful and there wasn’t an explanation for it. I was just cranky to say the least.

On a normal day, I wake up and publish the latest post on The Athletic Nerd. Then I write something new or tweak existing posts. Depending on my work schedule, that usually leaves me with a couple hours to do whatever I want. Screenwriting is usually the number one contender for that slot. But I like to work on new graphics and brainstorm as well from time to time.

However, I didn’t feel like doing anything when I woke up that day. I hate being bored and basically wandered around the web looking for interesting things to read. It was a low morning at first but screenwriting was there to save the day once again.

I finally decided to take some pressure off and ditch my morning routine. I focused solely on my new feature screenplay. I hadn’t made any progress in a week or so.

So I loaded my notes and Final Draft on my monitors and got to work. Over the course of the next few hours I was silent as I typed. At first, I reworked a few scenes I was meaning to tweak. But my bad mood officially ended the second I broke new ground.

By the end of my session, I had crafted 4 new pages which isn’t a lot but it was all I needed. I felt a rush of excitement as I reached a pivotal scene and blasted through it like I had seen it a million times in my mind.

I felt a sense of accomplishment. I was in a good mood. The happiness stretched throughout my day. I found myself thinking about the new pages as well as the changes I wanted to make. I spent a great deal of time on the bus making notes to enhance the scenes I wrote that day. I couldn’t wait to get back to my script.

I also found myself wondering what triggered my bad mood. Was I blocked because I hadn’t written a word in a week? Maybe the lack of screenwriting contributed to my sour mood.

XTRA | Screenwriting: My Last Line of Defense

I’ve said it many times on this blog that I’ll never stop writing screenplays whether my work finds success or not. Screenplays can turn around days just begging to be wasted. Each page inspires the next and whatever was bothering me disappeared.

I’m happy when I write. Even though circumstances limit the amount of screenwriting time I have each week, I know it’s always there. There are always pages waiting to be filled.

It was a good day.

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Screenwriting: An Invisible Major Character Must Disappear

April 12th, 2012 | Posted by jasonmckinnon in Featured Posts | Screenwriting - (0 Comments)

SOMETIMES CHARACTERS YOU ENVISIONED JUST DON’T FIT…
YOUR VISION.

I’m currently working on a screenplay that has 4 main characters and I love it so far. But that wasn’t always the case. In the beginning, there was 5…

When I set out to outline the story, I incorporated a character that I felt needed to exist. But he was a problem from the moment I typed his name. You see, the other 4 characters have great stories and relationships with one another. The fifth character was an outsider simply because I couldn’t find ways to fit him into their lives. He never had anything interesting to do but I was stuck because he was eventually going to matter…

Still, that didn’t change the fact that he was dead weight. He would appear to be part of the group but his dialogue wasn’t needed. He really only talked because he was in the room and I felt like he had to.

When I finished the first act, I found the number of characters I introduced to be a tad confusing.

XTRA | Introducing Too Many Characters Too Quickly

I set out to make my character introductions more memorable while eliminating as many distractions as possible. I quickly came to the realization that my beloved 5th character wasn’t needed. I started coming up with creative ways to avoid writing him into the story and the story got a lot better. It felt right. As I began eliminating all traces of the character from my screenplay, things became more clear and focused.

The truth is, if a character feels forced or has nothing interesting to do, it’s probably time for the axe to fall. I knew deep down the character wasn’t going to work. That’s the advantage of a first draft. I gave him a shot and he didn’t fit but at least I know definitively now. It can be pretty hard to let go sometimes but you have to ask yourself an important question:

Does this make my screenplay better?

Moving forward, I’m happier with my simpler and more focused story.

And the journey continues.

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The Screenwriter’s Window Stare

March 27th, 2012 | Posted by jasonmckinnon in Featured Posts | Screenwriting - (2 Comments)

SOMETIMES A SCENIC PAUSE IS ALL YOU NEED

While working on my new screenplay, I found myself writing a scene that was working but it wasn’t quite… there. It was interesting but it was missing something. Ironically, that also happens to be the same criticism that makes screenwriters cringe.

“It’s missing… Something… I don’t know what it is but… I don’t know just… Something.”

It’s easy to probe the reader for more on what might be missing but when you feel that way it’s tough. You have to discover the answers on your own. I found my answer looking out the windows next to my desk.

I’m fortunate enough to live in an apartment with a fairly fantastic view. It’s not spectacular by any means but it’s gorgeous compared to the garbage cans I stared in my previous home. The main living area has wall to wall windows that overlook a highway that winds over and around a huge park.

I wheeled my chair over to the window and stared, thinking about the scene and the missing piece that eluded me… Staring out the windows was peaceful and calm. As time passed, I just worked it out in my head.

I found the answer in the way the scene began or more specifically, the transition between my new scene and the previous sequence. I came up with a better way to make the transition more seamless. It forced me to start the new scene later. (Which is almost always a good thing.) It made the scene more exciting and within an instant, everything clicked. It felt write. Finding the missing piece simply required a perfect mixture of calmness, creativity and a good view.

There are always pauses when you’re writing a screenplay. Whether you are trying to come up with the perfect line of dialogue or a describing a difficult action sequence, there are always ponder moments. Moments when you challenge your imagination to come up with that something that’s missing. Something that clicks. Something better.

Some days, the answers come easy. For the days they don’t, I’m happy I have my window. The answers are usually out there somewhere.

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Screenwriting: Introducing Too Many Characters Too Quickly

March 21st, 2012 | Posted by jasonmckinnon in Featured Posts | Screenwriting - (0 Comments)

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

I’m just about finished the first act of a new feature length screenplay I’ve been developing for the last few months. Before I began the second act, I wanted to take a few days and really analyze what I’ve got so far and the overall tone I’ve set for the script.

Is it entertaining?
Does it move quickly?
Are there any slow or boring sequences?
Which characters work?
Which do not work?
Is the dialogue interesting?
Does each moment contribute to the story?

These questions brought up something that concerns me:

DID I INTRODUCE TOO MANY CHARACTERS?

The first 10 pages of a screenplay are vital to gain the readers interest and too many characters can make things confusing in a hurry. How many is too many? Does it matter as long as you’ve spread things out?

The first 10 pages of my new project introduces 17 characters. (That number includes minor roles etc…) The way I see it, if I can make these 10 pages work, if I can establish these characters, I’m in good shape moving forward. The issue here is the techniques used to introduce my characters. It brings up new questions:

READ LIKE A READER NOT A WRITER

Is this story easy to follow?
Do I remember names?
Do some characters stick more than others?
Is it overwhelming?
Can some characters be held back?
Is… It… Entertaining?

XTRA | Be Honest… Is Your Screenplay Entertaining?

I’ve been racking my brains trying to figure out ways to make my first 10 pages better… In this case, my story begins at a funeral and we meet several people who are vital to the story. Little by little, the funeral unfolds and more important characters are added in.

After a few hours of work, I think I’ve integrated these characters rather efficiently as each one moves the story forward. However, the biggest change came when I merged two characters into one. The result is a simpler script and a much better character overall.

IF IT SUITES THE STORY. MAKE IT WORK.

At the end of the day, if it works it works. I don’t think anyone will complain about too many characters if it’s easy to follow and the characters are memorable. It’s also important to remember that it is the first 10 pages and you don’t have to introduce EVERYONE at the same time.

The minor changes I made had positive ripple effects throughout the first act and now I feel as confident as every moving forward with act 2.

Here are a couple links I found on the web on the topic of introducing new characters:

How To Introduce A Character

Most Common Mistakes Series: The Dangers of Character Overload

Screenwriting Structure Series Part 10: Your First Ten Pages & The Ordinary World

Screenwriting Mistake #45: Introducing Too Many Characters

The Basics of Introducing A Character

And here is Robert Mckee’s take on introducing new characters:

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All Time Best: Opening Voice Over

March 19th, 2012 | Posted by jasonmckinnon in All Time Best | Featured Posts | Movies | Screenwriting - (0 Comments)

IN BRUGES
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY MARTIN MCDONAGH

After I killed them I dropped the gun off in the Thames, washed the residue off my hands in the bathroom of a Burger King and walked home to await instructions. Shortly thereafter the instructions came through – ‘Get the f$ck out of London you dumb f$cking c*&#%. Get to Bruges.’ I didn’t even know where Bruges f$cking was…

… It’s in Belgium.

All Time Best: Opening Voice Over

Opening voice overs… So many times they become too long and wordy. The bad ones are obvious and full of exposition. I know because I’ve written some pretty wordy ones myself. (They are collecting dust for a reason.) Needless to say, opening voice overs are difficult to pull off…

Many screenwriters stay away from voice overs. The same screenwriters have probably seen Adaptation (2002) and it’s portrayal of Robert Mckee’s thoughts on the matter:

“God help you! It’s flaccid, sloppy writing. Any idiot can write voice-over narration to explain the thoughts of a character. You must present the internal conflicts of your character in image, in symbol. Film is a medium of movement and image.” (‘Adaptation’ Written by Charlie Kaufman.)

In Bruges is most definitely an exception to the ‘rule’ which are meant to be skillfully broken. (Annie Hall is another fantastic example) I’m a big fan of the versatility of voice overs but it has to be done right especially if it opens a movie. It’s risky but it can also be unique.

Martin Mcdonagh succeeds where many have failed. He strings a couple sentences together and perfectly captures the spirit of the movie and the main character played by Colin Farrell.

It’s a fantastic movie and a perfect example of how a simple concept can be injected full or originality, humor and entertainment in the right hands. I’ve loaned it to so many people who skipped it.

If you skipped it, it’s worth a try. From an aspiring screenwriter’s perspective, it’s absolutely inspiring.

Check out these links for more on Voice Overs in screenplays:

The Script Lab | When Voice Over Works

Gideon’s Screenwriting Tips | Voice Overs In Your Screenplay

The Story Department | The Great Voice Over Debate

The Script Lab | Top 10 Voice Overs In Film

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How Four Screenplay Pages Can Impact Your Day

BAD DAYS HAPPEN…
BUT THAT’S WHY I LOVE SCREENWRITING

Screenwriting: An Invisible Major Character Must Disappear

SOMETIMES CHARACTERS YOU ENVISIONED JUST DON’T FIT…
YOUR VISION.