Writing a screenplay can feel so daunting with those 100+ blank pages staring you down. My method of outlining will take some of the time, effort and terror out of facing the first draft.
Thanks for this- I'm going to implement it for my next book...unfortunately, I started my first draft with no outline and have had to stop too many times to deal with that butterfly effect.
Yeah it really takes the momentum out of writing when you have to go back and fix stuff you could have addressed in the outline! Glad this was helpful!
Agreed! The older I get, the more I take caretaking of future me seriously!
Since my TV thrillers have all been commissioned so far (not written on spec), I'm always working with an exec throughout the process. We'll go back and forth, doing multiple iterations until we are both happy with the outline. Once that's approved by the exec, the script really doesn't actually deviate that much from the final outline!
If you're writing on spec, it would probably be helpful to get feedback from a trusted colleague at the outline stage so you can address any issues that you might not have seen. But of course, sometimes things change as you're writing the script when your characters start getting minds of their own :) Changes will always happen, but the outline is meant to do as much preventative maintenance as possible!
I've been working on commission for a company so they're involved right from the start which has been nice and we don't tend to surprise each other too much!
Fortunately my one spec went through without too much drama!
That's excellent! Congrats! I've never done the spec side (I got commissioned to write a concept for my first one based on the strength of my sample), so that's super interesting for me. Did you get your spec approved first or after writing your first? Did that play a role in the ease of getting your spec through?
It was with two different companies. I'd written other things for the first company (three novellas) and they called to ask if I'd ever done a screenplay. I'd only written short films to date, but they let me have a swing at it as a commissioned piece. The spec was for another company that I'd been talking that has seen some of my other work. I have a lot of tracks running with different outlets. The spec was a swing at a style I'd never written before so I really enjoyed the chance to see if I could pull it off.
Once again, Lauren, you nailed it. Excellent advice. The 20 pg 'no-dialogue outline' serves as a form of treatment for any producer or exec. Dialogue should be the last thing you add.
By the way, what happens with Reinhard and Sheryl? :)
Thanks so much, Dick! An outline of this kind really makes everyone’s lives easier, you’re right! Someday I’ll write Reinhard and Sheryl’s story in full :D
Thanks for this- I'm going to implement it for my next book...unfortunately, I started my first draft with no outline and have had to stop too many times to deal with that butterfly effect.
Yeah it really takes the momentum out of writing when you have to go back and fix stuff you could have addressed in the outline! Glad this was helpful!
This is a brilliant advice, it makes the outline process seem less daunting for a novice like myself!
That’s so great to hear! I’m not a novice anymore and it helps me immensely every time!
I’m working on getting better with outlining so I really needed to hear this article. Amazing!
I’m so glad! Stay tuned for more! In my next post I’m tackling loglines.
Outlines make everything better! I like to think of it as a gift to Future Me!
How far does your finished product tend to stray from the original outline? Or do you update as you go along?
Agreed! The older I get, the more I take caretaking of future me seriously!
Since my TV thrillers have all been commissioned so far (not written on spec), I'm always working with an exec throughout the process. We'll go back and forth, doing multiple iterations until we are both happy with the outline. Once that's approved by the exec, the script really doesn't actually deviate that much from the final outline!
If you're writing on spec, it would probably be helpful to get feedback from a trusted colleague at the outline stage so you can address any issues that you might not have seen. But of course, sometimes things change as you're writing the script when your characters start getting minds of their own :) Changes will always happen, but the outline is meant to do as much preventative maintenance as possible!
That's very sensible.
I've been working on commission for a company so they're involved right from the start which has been nice and we don't tend to surprise each other too much!
Fortunately my one spec went through without too much drama!
That's excellent! Congrats! I've never done the spec side (I got commissioned to write a concept for my first one based on the strength of my sample), so that's super interesting for me. Did you get your spec approved first or after writing your first? Did that play a role in the ease of getting your spec through?
It was with two different companies. I'd written other things for the first company (three novellas) and they called to ask if I'd ever done a screenplay. I'd only written short films to date, but they let me have a swing at it as a commissioned piece. The spec was for another company that I'd been talking that has seen some of my other work. I have a lot of tracks running with different outlets. The spec was a swing at a style I'd never written before so I really enjoyed the chance to see if I could pull it off.
It's so interesting learning about other writers' journeys!
Yes! And such a useful reminder that there isn't just one way.
Once again, Lauren, you nailed it. Excellent advice. The 20 pg 'no-dialogue outline' serves as a form of treatment for any producer or exec. Dialogue should be the last thing you add.
By the way, what happens with Reinhard and Sheryl? :)
Thanks so much, Dick! An outline of this kind really makes everyone’s lives easier, you’re right! Someday I’ll write Reinhard and Sheryl’s story in full :D