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First Screenplay: My Writing Adventure

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Follow My Progress

It all started April 2008, when I embarked on the Script Frenzy challenge to write a 100 page screenplay in 30 days. I had never tried to write a script (or fiction, for that matter) of any kind. I love movies and I was hungry for a challenge, so I began with an idea for a mystery and a couple of main characters. I got about 10 pages in before I threw up my hands and quit. But the idea stayed in my head and I was still really interested. With some encouragement from a friend I picked it up again a couple of months ago.

The First Draft

I'm 14 pages in now and getting a little lost. I have a very basic story outline, but making a more detailed sequence of events and a list of scenes would be helpful for me. That is what I am working on now. Each writer has a different process. Some plan and some improvise as they go. I think I'm somewhere in the middle. I need structure to work from but plenty of room for spontaneous ideas.

My Main Characters

Renee
She is a graduate student in literature struggling to complete her PHD and embark on an academic career. In her research she will uncover something unexpected that will lead her on a search that will change her life forever.

Charles
He is a man living a life of desperation because he is not pursuing his dreams. Instead he is trapped in a life of practical sensibility. Secrets are about to destroy the facade.

Writer's Work Station

photo courtesy of woodsy at stock.xchng

How long will it take me to finish the draft of the screenplay?

cappuccino136 predicts:

I am really busy right now with the Giant Squid Challenge for June. I don't have much time to concentrate on this project. I hope to be done in 6 months.

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Li-Li-ThePinkBookworm predicts:

Well, sometimes it takes a little longer when life gets in the way. So, if you REALLY focus, a couple months, but with life, you are right. 6 months seem to be a good expectation.

Li Li

Jewelsofawe predicts:

I don't know, but I love the premise. It sounds intriguing.

TheWhistler predicts:

Six months.

Cinetech predicts:

The more you write the most interested you'll become. I'd say 3 months...

rane84 predicts:

I'm sure you can get it done 6 months! Slow and steady wins the race :) Good luck!

 
 
 

Learning Screenwriting Craft

My writing circle recommended Save the Cat!, a guide to screenwriting. They write novels and short stories, but this book has a lot of principles of plotting that apply to all fiction. Two of them have read it and say that it is very helpful. I will read this book as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Save the Cat!

Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

by: Blake Snyder

Amazon Price: $10.30 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Screenwriting School

I started a separate lens to detail what I learn about screenwriting, including tools and references.

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Do you write any fiction?

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Sure I do. Fiction is fun.

Li-Li-ThePinkBookworm says:

Well, both actually, but fiction more and I also enjoy it a little more. Depends on what I feel like writing and what the topic is.

Li Li

Intuitive says:

I love to write romances but I get too sucked in and don't want to come back to the real world so I don't.

sirkeystone says:

I have yet to write a "did this" I always write "what if's"

Jewelsofawe says:

I used to write fictional stories when I was younger. I laugh now when I read them. They were from when I was 10 or so.

No, I stick with non-fiction.

TheWhistler says:

No, I wish I could.

 

My Movie Lenses

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My Humorous Take on Writing for Hollywood

I wrote this as I prepared to start the challenge. It was part of an April Fools humor challenge at Associated Content.

I signed up for Script Frenzy 2008. The challenge is to write a 100 page script in 30 days, starting April 1st. I'm going to write a guaranteed blockbuster movie script. This is just the thing I need to get me going financially. I know that the story I've come up with will rake in a fortune. Want to know how I'm going to do it? Here is the outline for my goldmine blockbuster movie script.

First I studied demographics. The adolescent male audience makes or breaks a blockbuster movie. To get the teenage boys into the theater you need some pyrotechnics. In my script Bumblebee, the giant transformer robot, is going to fight the Cloverfield monster. This provides lots of high-tech action, chases and explosions. The giant robot and indestructible monster will totally level New York City. Manhattan doesn't stand a chance. How exciting is that?

Read the whole article

Screenplays in the Blogosphere

Screenplay demanded the dialogue: Paruchuri
Aaron Sorkin to pen screenplay for Steve Jobs film
The Art of Adaptation
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Reviews

Did you enjoy this lens? What would you like to see here?

  • NanLT Aug 1, 2009 @ 4:37 pm | delete
    How is your writing coming along?

    You have been featured on 100 Lenses for my 100th Lens
  • JaguarJulie Jul 18, 2009 @ 3:42 pm | delete
    Well, I give you a lot of credit for tackling a screenplay! That's incredible -- not something that's in my immediate future.
  • Li-Li-ThePinkBookworm May 31, 2009 @ 4:36 pm | delete
    Awesome lens! I look forward to what happens to your dream, let us know as soon as you finish your script!!!

    5 stars

    Li Li
  • cappuccino136 May 24, 2009 @ 4:28 pm | in reply to Intuitive | delete
    I liked that photo, too. I got it from stock.xchng and unfortunately I had to remove it because I made a mistake about one of the restrictions the photographer put on the creative commons license.
  • Intuitive May 19, 2009 @ 7:51 am | delete
    My favorite class ever was screenplay writing taught by Dan Coffey (also known as Dr. Science). I love the picture of your "storyboard" on the floor. 5*
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cappuccino136

I am a freelance writer living in the magnificent Pacific Northwest. Formerly I taught ESL to adults in Korea and in the US. I have always expressed myself... more »

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