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How Changing The Setting Saved My Short Screenplay | Screenwriting Blog

I’ve had an idea in my head for a specific type of movie for a while.  It’s a short that I’ve been dying to write but I could never get over the hump.  I could never reach the point where I was happy enough with the story.  I was reluctant to write the script.

Sometimes, stories hang out in the back of your mind, waiting for the right element to fall into place.  Some linger longer than others but a few weeks ago, I finally realized what my story needed to make it to the next level.

I changed the setting.

The new script is drama with science fiction elements about a loner with peculiar social issues.  That story could take place in basically any time or place.  For the longest time, I set my story in the present with references to some of the technology available today.  It made sense but I hesitated to write it.  You have to be excited about a story if you’re going to create a screenplay that does it any justice.

You can’t write a quality screenplay if you don’t believe in the story.

I got excited the second I decided to set the movie in 1994.  Why 94?  You’ll have to wait and see but suddenly, I was able to insert references to some memories from my own childhood about the way things were back then.  Now the script has a unique setting and a heartfelt story I can get attached to.

Work on the screenplay began quickly and now I’m just trying to find enough free time to get it done.

If you’ve never tried it, take a story you want to write and think of the most random location or time to base the tale around.  It changes things a lot.  It may not work but it will tell you something about your characters.  Instantly you will start thinking about how they would react in each given situation.

When you can think like that, your script is in good shape.

How Changing The Setting Saved My Short Screenplay | Screenwriting Blog

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A Blue Hat, Adidas Superstar Shoes & Screenwriting | Screenwriting Blog

HOW MY NEW HAT INSPIRED A NEW LOOK
FOR MY MAIN CHARACTER

I’m a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy.  It’s a style I’ve come to embrace and while I switch up the shirts everyday, there are two main stays in my fashion rotation.

A plain blue hat and my a Adidas Superstar shoes.  For at least the last 4 or 5 years, I’ve been purchasing variations of both.  The tradition of the blue hat started when I first began working for a Sports network.  When you’re surrounded by die hard sports fans every day, the logo on your hat is big.  I’m very particular when it comes to hats and went through a streak where I couldn’t find a Jays, Leafs or Raptors hat that suited me.

So I went plain blue and it worked for me.  It’s the same with my shoes.  Each year, I buy a new pair in the Spring and retire my old shoes.  The cycle restarts and I’m ready for another year of film and television work.

Recently, I was at a Blue Jays game and my girlfriend had me try on a few hats.  Out of the blue we both chose the same one and a white Blue Jays hat is now tops in my rotation.  It’s a big change for me.

What does this have to do with screenwriting?

Somehow, getting a new hat and rethinking my overall ‘style’ got me thinking about characters in my screenplays.  Specifically, a nerdy character that stars in my latest short.

Creating a character’s look can be extremely specific or simply general guidance for the costume designer.  There are examples of both everywhere but I tend to give general descriptions unless it’s really necessary.  Still, sometimes it is necessary to really describe a characters fashion sense in order to fully convey the person you imagined on the screen.

Getting a new hat made me rethink the character I’m in the midst of creating.  Perhaps this is an opportunity for me to add a little bit more depth to the character.  What if he wears a hat.  Is it old?  Is there a story behind it?

Mark Zuckerberg wears sandals in The Social Network and that adds a tiny but significant detail to the story.

Is there a way you can learn more about a character by dressing them in different ways?  Absolutely.  If it lends to the story, why not take the opportunity and add a couple layers to their story.

Getting a new hat caused me to think about how attached I was to my old one.  Whether I like it or not, my hat and shoes said something about me.  What would a change in style say about my character?  How would he react?

Obviously, I’m not going to waste screen time sending my character to the mall to buy new shoes but I did come up with a different look than my original plan.  It’s a look that better suites the story I want to tell.

It’s amazing what a few sentences can change.

It wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t let go of my old hat.

Click here for more screenwriting posts.

PS: The shoes stay.

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The Athletic Nerd: Screenwriting

After this post, I thought it would make sense to ACTUALLY follow my own advice and write.  Not just talk about it…

So, I woke up, checked out my daily websites and got right to it.

It turns out, it’s easy to write screenplays when you sit down and… write.

I decided to go with a family/drama I’ve been considering for a while.  It’s a concept I’ve been working on for ages but until a few weeks ago, I didn’t know what to do with it.

Then I had one of those shining moments when I knew exactly what to do.

Why didn’t I write it?

I didn’t feel like I had enough time.

I was 100% wrong.

After about 2 hours of work, I completed a 10 page script that could definitely make an interesting short film.

Note: All that development work definitely pays off.

I feel like a screenwriter again.

Writing a script is such a rush and there is nothing better than finishing a new story.  What surprised me was how emotional this story became.  It evolved as I wrote it and became a touching story about losing a loved one.

These types of breakthroughs can only happen when you’re actually typing pages.  You can develop stories forever but the little details will never emerge until the pages stack up.

Every writer should push themselves.  There comes a time when you have to tell yourself to shut up, sit down and write!

Yesterday was that day for me and it couldn’t have worked out any better.

Next I plan to return to my feature script.

I suppose what I’m trying to say is:

I enjoy writing screenplays.

The Athletic Nerd Screenwriting Blog

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Photoshop Cures Writer's Block

I sat down this morning to start writing a new short that deals with a psychic child and a family crisis.

I’m hoping to start a new trend where I can finish at least one short every month while I finish my feature screenplay.

Since I’ve already completed a short script for June, I’m not under the gun to finish but I’ve encountered a problem.

I’m stuck!

Writer’s block happens to everyone who enjoys telling stories. It’s especially true with screenwriters.

Typically, when I’m blocked, I enjoy being active.  In the past, I would play basketball to keep my mind occupied.  Today, I’m either outside running or at the gym since I no longer have a basketball net.

I’ve also become a fan of playing video games as a way to distract my mind.  (I love playing video games in general but it still helps.)

Some people watch movies.  Others call friends.  There are even those who try to power through it by continually writing.

I’ve recently discovered a new way to cure writer’s block:

Photoshop!

I think I can sum up my tactics for curing writer’s block with one word: Hypnotic

It’s strange I know but hear me out…

I engage in an activity that doesn’t require astronomical amounts of brain power. Something that keeps me busy while I work out the problems in my screenplay.  Basketball, Sim City, Cooking etc…

I find that this takes the pressure off my brain and allows me to think clearly.

Over the last few years, I’ve become an obsessed Photoshop hobbyist.  It has quickly developed into a passion.  I love learning new Photoshop techniques.

So when I’m blocked and I can’t type another word, I’ll open up a new Photoshop file and mess around for a while.  Before I know it, I’ve completed an original image that I can be proud of.

Take today for example…  While I was stuck I created the image above.  It took about 30 minutes to complete once I was finished tinkering with the little details.

As an added bonus, I came up with a solution to my screenwriting problem while I was working.

Photoshop saves the day again.

My writer’s blocked is cured!

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Writing About Screenwriting...  Instead Of Screenwriting

I have many passions and almost all of them involve being creative in some capacity. My favorite among them has always been screenwriting.

I’m dedicated to developing my skills as a filmmaker, editor, and blogger but screenwriting has always been my number 1 priority and for good reason. I’ve been writing screenplays for years and each page is more challenging than the one before. There’s always something new to learn.  There will always be new stories to tell.

I simply can’t get enough and it goes well beyond writing screenplays. I’m a student of the craft and I’m constantly looking for ways to get better.  I also spend a lot of time writing posts about screenwriting.  This post has a pretty in depth section on screenwriting as a matter of fact.  However…

Am I losing valuable time better spent… screenwriting?

It’s an interesting irony given the fact that I spend a lot of time writing about screenwriting instead of writing screenplays.

The one thing I’ve learned when it comes to writing about screenwriting online is that there are millions of sources that illustrate HOW to write screenplays.

I’ve purposely avoided instructional posts so I could focus on writing about WHY I write.  There are so many challenges to being an amateur screenwriter.  People have jobs, families and responsibilities.  It’s hard to balance it all out and still be proud of the pages you produce.

But it’s supposed to be challenging.

Every writer faces different challenges on the road to success.  The trick is staying committed and passionate until that wonderful day comes and you see your words on the silver screen.

Until I reach that goal, why not write about what I love as much as possible?

I dont’ see anything wrong with it.

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