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How Four Screenplay Pages Can Impact Your Day | Writing A Screenplay

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.

Click here for more on Screenwriting

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Screenwriting: An Invisible Major Character Must Disappear | Screenwriting Blog

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.

The Best Screenwriting Websites

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Screenwriting Rhythm: Two Extremes | Screenwriting Blog

THE ZONE VS THE PAUSE

Recently I took a look at two completely different ends of the spectrum when it comes to a screenwriter’s rhythm.

There’s the blinding fast creative outbursts found only in The Screenwriting Zone.  And there is the slow problem solving pace that requires techniques like The Screenwriter’s Window Stare.

One is a fast paced, adrenaline pumping explosion.  The other slows the creative fire down but your imagination still burns just as bright.

Both are seemingly different on the surface offering completely different ways to fill up the pages.  Either way it’s screenwriting and it’s an addiction.

“There are many paths to the top of the mountain but the view is always the same at it’s peak.”

I love that quote…

Where do you stand?

Personally, I prefer The Zone.  It’s such an incredible feeling to fall into a trance and just write until you catch up to your imagination.  However, there are still times when I enjoy solving a tough story problems that halt my progress.  The thing is, solving these problems is pretty amazing as well.

At the end of the day, the pages are still filled with words no matter how long it takes you to write them down.  It just depends on your creative state of mind in that moment.

Write!

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The Screenwriter's Zone | Screenwriting Blog

SOMETIMES, YOUR FINGERS CAN’T KEEP UP

The Zone is elusive and cunning.  It’s stealthy and mysterious.  It’s extremely difficult to capture but it’s magical when you do.

Screenwriter’s have all been there before.  You sit down and stare at a blank page and everything makes sense.  You know exactly what to do, how it sounds and what it will look like.  You can envision the action, the dialogue and the spirit of your characters.

Before you know it, a couple hours have passed and your wrists ache as you type.

IT’S ALWAYS A BLUR

It’s the creative black out.  You can’t really remember how it happened but you’ve written something you’re proud of.  At this point, readers don’t mean anything.  It’s just you, your words and the satisfied smile on your face.

But what happened?  What was it that made the words come so easily?  How was this particular day different than any other?  That’s what makes The Zone so amazing.  You can’t predict it.  It sneaks up on you.

XTRA | The Screenwriting All-Nighter

Essentially, it’s nothing more than a steady flow of ideas.  One leading to another.  The story in your mind clicks and you can’t wait to write it down.  So your fingers move along the keyboard.  You get that excited feeling in the pit of your stomach.  It’s an feeling screenwriter’s crave.  Once you’re there, it’s nothing but pure creativity.

SNAPPING OUT OF IT

It’s always a little sad when the creative outburst ends but it’s worth it.  You sit back in your chair wondering how you lost track of time for so long.  How you thought of that great moment on page 12.  How your characters made you laugh or cry.

The Zone.

From a screenwriting perspective, I can’t think of a better way to spend a couple hours.

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Recently On The Athletic Nerd

March 7th, 2012 | Posted by jasonmckinnon in Web - (0 Comments)

The Athletic Nerd Movie Screenwriting Independent Film Blog

There’s a lot going on with The Athletic Nerd these days.  Since 2012 began, I’ve been working hard to create daily original content.  But more than ever, I’ve been promoting the work of talented filmmakers and artists from around the world.  THE POST has evolved into a true staple on this blog and I’m so excited to see it evolve further in the future with new projects submitted by YOU.

Above all else, I want to keep coming up with new things to write about.  I’ve been thinking a lot about where to take this blog in the future and how I will grow creatively along with it.  I’m pretty pumped to see what’s possible this year and beyond.

In the mean time, here’s some of my favorite new and updated posts over the last few months:

COUNTDOWNS

Top 38 Movies To Look Forward To In 2012

Top 10 Cinematic Game Studios

Top 10 Gladiator Movie Moments

Top 10 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Movie Quotes

Top 5 Moments From The New Avengers Trailer

Top 10 Things I Noticed Watching Beauty & The Beast As An Adult

The Top 100 Dumb & Dumber Quotes Part 1 #100-31

The Top 100 Dumb & Dumber Quotes Part 2 # 30-1

SCREENWRITING

Rewriting Your Screenwriting Goals

Screenwriting & Minecraft

My Loyal & Awesome Screenwriting Partner

The Athletic Nerd, Video Games & Screenwriting

Screenwriting Inspiration In Photoshop Magazines

Do I Have A Romantic Screenplay In Me?

FEATURED

Indie | Lessons Learned: Playing Through vs The Climb

Why The iPad 2 Is The Center Of My Creative Universe

THE POST

Short Films, Animated Shorts, Trailers & An Algorithm

Like Movie Blogs?  Check Out The Lamb

Short Films, Indie Features & Batman

Introducing: Studio Vox

Short Film: Smoke

More Short Films, Documentaries & Indie Film Projects

INTERVIEW | Remaking A Film In 60 Seconds: Amelie

Traveling Through Life Begins It’s Journey

Indie Game: The Movie Trailer & Your Passions

More Indie Trailers & Short Films

Do you have an indie project you’d like to promote?  Email me at jason@17west.ca.

Have you watched a short film today?

 

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