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Ten GIFS on Writing Your First Screenplay

By Jameson Brown · August 28, 2014

You’ve put together your various outlines and beat sheets. Now it’s that tear inducing time you have been dreading for a while: the beginning. Don’t fret. The following ten steps should help guide you with the initial writing phase of your first draft. Close your eyes, deep inhale and harness the chi. 

 

10. Time is Running Out! Don’t Procrastinate

Getting started is the hardest part. Do not let that white abyss scare you. Once your idea is outlined, put pen to paper and forge ahead (even if what you are writing doesn’t make that much sense in the beginning). The goal here is to get an initial story out of your head. Know, though, that this story will absolutely change.

9. Don’t Bitch About It

We are ALL in the same boat. Every one of us gets stuck, or goes brain dead. Constant complaining is a genuine annoyance so turn that negative energy into fuel by funneling it into collaboration. If you are in a writers group / online community, go there to see who can help. You will be surprised at the power of others. 

8. If You Are Not Excited, STOP

There’s no time for false prophets in this industry. It’s quite simple: if you half-ass it, your end product will be terrible and you will be sniffed out. Make sure you are in it for the long game; and make sure you are telling the story you are dying to tell. 

7. Find Your Zone

Environment is key to success and focus, but make sure it fits YOU and how YOU work. Having the right environment will enable your thoughts to come forth better. 

6. Edit What Doesn’t Fit, Even If It’s Your Baby

This can be hard, but a lot of the time must be done. Editing plot points and character focal points (to fit your story of course) will keep your script tight and always moving forward. 

5. Find Your Time and Stick With It

Like environment, timing is everything. Some are sunrise writers. Others are Owl writers. Moral of the story: find when you flow best and stick with it. Consistency here is key to finishing, especially during rough patches.

4. Doodle During Breaks

Breaking things up will help keep the mind on a timer. If you drive too long, you will blow a tire and wreck. Take those much needed breaks, but try and always keep a pen to paper, even if it is a doodle. 

3. Talk Yourself Through It

Always, always, always talk to yourself when writing your screenplay. Remember, this is a screen story, with dialogue and action. Putting some live animation behind your creative process only helps verbalize your story even more. This step will help a lot during the editing stages.

2. Feedback is EPIC! 

This is one of the most important steps. Putting your story out there for others to see and hear will let you know where you stand. Does this mean you make every change that has been voiced? No, not at all. But it will shine a light on what might be missing and what is not unneeded. 

1. Make Initial Edits and Finish 

This is not the editing stage. Make an initial round of edits from your first round of feedback and close the book on your first draft.