Re:How Do You Start A Script
Posted: 2007/10/09 22:33
What I do after inspiration hits is make a "master sheet," which contains a one-sentence main premise, a paragraph underneath that goes into a bit more detail, and any important characters and/or character relationships. Then, I write out the plot in the present tense (i.e. "He jumps up over the couch" instead of "He jumped up over the couch"). I feel like if I write it like it's happening, it'll feel like it's happening when I script it (I do the same thing when I actually write the script, using the active voice instead of the passive voice. I've been told artists like that more, so you can't lose). Then, I go back to the plot, put it in one window, bring up a blank document in another window, and start writing the script, using ALT-TAB to switch between plot window and script window (which saves a LOT of time with the mouse). The trick is to know which sentence needs a panel and which sentence needs only a caption or piece of dialogue.
This helps me a lot more when I'm trying to script longer pieces (like graphic novels), but it also works with smaller ones (like the 10-page sci-fi piece I got published in Mysterious Visions Anthology this year over at Dimestore Productions). But the most important answer to your question was Caleb's: Do whatever works for you, because if it doesn't work for you, you're not going to get it done.
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