THE OUTLINING PROCESS (PT. 1)

 

THE OUTLINING PROCESS

 

Outlining is a pivotal step in screenwriting, serving as a roadmap for your narrative. The depth of an outline can vary greatly among writers, from simple bullet points to extensive 30-40 page documents. A more detailed outline can streamline the writing process, providing clarity on character details, settings, and plot developments that drive the story forward.

The Bullet Point Outline offers a high-level view of each scene, focusing on the essential plot points without delving into specifics.  For example:

 

·       Joe arrives home from work to find his wife’s dead body in the bedroom.

·       He’s interviewed by a police detective.

·       A week later, Joe struggles to get through his day at work.

·       Post-work, Joe drowns his sorrows at a bar, meeting Carla, an attractive woman.

·       They return to his place for an intimate night.

·       Joe wakes up to find Carla dead beside him!

While this outline sets up the first act, it’s just scratching the surface. As you flesh out your script, you’ll encounter questions that require deeper thought. Addressing these early on can save time and ensure your story’s elements are cohesive and compelling. Remember, the outline is not just about sequencing events; it’s about envisioning the film in your mind and laying a solid foundation for your screenplay.

Let’s delve deeper into the bullet points to flesh out the narrative and character details:

 

Joe’s Arrival Home: Starting with Joe’s arrival might be too abrupt. It could be beneficial to first depict Joe’s work life to provide context. Is he a blue-collar worker or a corporate executive? His work environment and interactions with colleagues can offer insights into his character. The type of neighborhood and house he returns to will also paint a picture of his socioeconomic status and lifestyle.

 

The Discovery: When Joe enters his home, his actions can reveal much about his relationship with his wife. Does he eagerly search for her or nonchalantly grab a beer? The discovery of his wife’s body should be shocking, and the method of her murder—stabbing, shooting, strangulation—will set the tone for the investigation.

 

Police Interview: During the interview with the detective, Joe’s demeanor and responses can hint at his innocence or possible guilt. His emotional state, the questions asked, and his answers will shape the audience’s perception of him.

 

Returning to Work: Joe’s behavior at work post-tragedy can show his coping mechanisms. Is he withdrawn or pretending to be strong? Introducing or re-introducing a colleague who may have had an affair with Joe’s wife adds complexity to the plot.

 

Meeting Carla: The setting of the bar where Joe meets Carla can influence the mood of the scene. Their interaction, who initiates contact, and Carla’s background are crucial elements that will affect the dynamics between them.

 

The Morning After: The circumstances of Carla’s death, whether similar to Joe’s wife’s or different, will raise questions about Joe’s involvement. His immediate actions upon discovering Carla’s body will be telling—does he call the police, a lawyer, or try to cover it up?

By asking these questions and exploring the answers, you can create a more layered and compelling story. Each detail adds depth to the characters and their world, making the screenplay not just a series of events, but a story that feels real and engaging. By probing deeper and asking questions about your scenes, you enhance your ability to chart the course of your screenplay. This process of inquiry not only clarifies the sequence of events but also enriches the world you’re creating, offering a clearer vision of the story’s trajectory and the characters’ journeys within it. It’s a method that ensures your screenplay unfolds with purpose and direction, resonating with authenticity and depth.

Check out my screenwriting e-book A BEAST IS BORN!

WHY DO WE CREATE?

 

Here’s a question to ponder: What drives us to create? Is it the allure of FAME? The pursuit of GLORY? The desire for WEALTH? Fame can be elusive—how many screenwriters can we name off the top of our heads? William Goldman, Shane Black… and then? Glory is fleeting—who remembers the latest Oscar winner for Best Screenplay? And wealth? According to the Writers Guild, the average screenwriter’s salary isn’t the stuff of dreams. If you’re seeking fame, glory, or fortune, screenwriting might not be the path for you. For me, it’s the Creative Process—the thrill of nurturing a mere idea into a full-fledged, marketable screenplay. And if that script becomes a film, or brings a touch of recognition and financial reward, that’s just a bonus. The true excitement lies in what happens after your work is released into the world. Once, I had an experience that crystallized why I create. It was a moment that defined the essence of my passion for creation. During a recent phone conversation, a friend and business associate shared her enthusiasm for my latest screenplays. Despite my modesty, she was adamant about their excellence and thoroughly enjoyed them. She’s even working on elevating them to producers. She also brought up a short film I made, which she adored and shared widely. One of her friends, feeling down at the time, found joy and laughter in it, brightening their day. That feedback is incredibly rewarding. It’s affirming to know that a simple creative endeavor, born from a desire for fun and expression, could lift someone’s spirits. That’s the power of creation. This is the essence of why I create. It’s a reminder for all creators—whether you’re writing, filming, painting, or photographing—to recognize the potential impact of your work. It’s a testament to your existence and influence on others. Remember this as you create: your work can touch lives in unexpected, meaningful ways. It’s a declaration that says, “I was here.”

Check out my screenwriting e-book A BEAST IS BORN...

ACTION SEQUENCES: A BALANCING ACT

 

Recently, I critiqued an action script that, while narratively sound, lacked the punch in its action sequences. The scenes were static, missing the visceral impact essential for the genre. This is a common pitfall when the prose is too passive or descriptive without being evocative.

When crafting action scenes, consider the level of detail necessary to paint a clear picture without dictating every punch. It’s about striking a balance between guiding the reader’s imagination and allowing room for the director’s vision.

For example, instead of detailing every blow in a fight scene, focus on the pivotal moments that define the characters’ skills, the stakes, and the outcome. Use active verbs and vary sentence lengths to mimic the rhythm of the action.

To truly grasp the art of action writing, study the works of accomplished screenwriters like Shane Black. His screenplay for The Long Kiss Goodnight exemplifies how to write compelling action that’s both descriptive and engaging, without being overly prescriptive.

 

EXT. THE FRONT PORCH – JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR – NIGHT

THE CAROLERS continue their interesting rendition. Snowflakes fall. All is quiet. All is bright.

Especially bright is the SHOTGUN BARREL pressed to the throat of the lead soprano.

The weapon’s a HE-109. Over and under combo. Shotgun on top. High explosive cannon on bottom.

You’d sing shitty too.

INT. HOUSE – SAME

Samantha walks to the door. Carrying a bowl of festive M&M’s. Just as she gets to the door –

The singing stops.

The sound of FOOTFALLS. Running off into the night.

Samantha frowns, puzzled. OPENS THE DOOR.
The carolers are gone.

MR. BARNES remains. Gun in hand.

Escaped convict. Trained killer.

BARNES: Evening, Charly. Long time.
He swings the gun. SLAMS the barrel into her.
Glass shatters. M&M’s everywhere.

She gapes at him. Dumbstruck, unable to THINK.
Hurry it up, lady, we need a decision, live or die –

SHE GRABS THE GUN BARREL

Snaps out of it, just like that. Wrenches the gun –
They reel and rock.

ON THE STAIRS

Appears seven-year-old CAITLIN, eyes like saucers:

CAITLIN: Mommy...!

SAMANTHA: GET OUUTTTT!!!!

Sam’s cry is a veritable shriek, as

HAL

Appears, snarling. POUNCES on Barnes –
Succeeds in annoying him.

For his trouble, Hal gets three broken ribs and a trip to the fireplace. Airborne. Comes down, bam!

He catches fire. SCREAMS. Rolls over and over on his broken ribs, as

BARNES

Kicks Samantha in the gut. She collapses onto the stairs. Splinters the banister.

The he sees CAITLIN. Top of the stairs, she’s paralyzed.

SAMANTHA: NO!!!!

Barnes is already moving forward. SPIN-COCKS the shotgun, draws a bead –

Promptly slips on the festive M&M’s. Goes down.
Gun goes off, WHAM--! A flat concussion.

The banister EXPLODES. A storm of wood chips, as

SAMANTHA

Surges up the stairs, toward her daughter –

BARNES. On the ground. Fires, WHAM!

The wall disappears THREE INCHES FROM CAITLIN’S HEAD.

Blown to shreds, you can SEE OUTDOORS.

Samantha doesn’t miss a beat. GRABS her daughter –

FLINGS HER OUTSIDE.

Through the hole in the wall. Takes her by the belt and fucking HURLS her out into space!

EXT. SIDE OF HOUSE – SAME TIME

Two stories up. The kid is ejected, flailing.

Floats in SLOW MOTION. Across a ten foot gap –

INTO THE TREEHOUSE.

Sails head over heels into the place. Hits with a CRASH. Alive and unhurt.

BACK INSIDE THE HOUSE

Samantha didn’t even look. Didn’t need to.

Here comes BARNES. Up the staircase. Reloading.

Samantha launches herself down the stairs.
COLLIDES, head on. Down they go.

Barnes, rolls to his feet. Propels her into the KITCHEN.

INT. KITCHEN - SAME TIME

She hits, WHAM, spray of cat food –
SKIDDING. Across the linoleum.

Slams to a stop. Hard. Cupboard pops open, out comes the IRONING BOARD. Falls into place, SNAP--!

A GUN BLAST disintegrates it. Reveals Sam, cowering behind.

BARNES: I want my eye back, bitch.

Samantha struggles to her feet. Dazed. Barnes abandons the shotgun. Takes the IRON down from its spot on the shelf –

Begins to beat her with it.

Savagely. Methodically.

Samantha takes hit after hit. Head snapping to and fro. Reeling backward...

Still he comes. No mercy. SLAM. To the head.

Bleeding now. Stumbles...Raises her arms pitifully –

Still he hits her. DENTS the iron.

BARNES: Goddamn you. Fight me. What’s wrong with you, fight me!

You don’t need to emulate Shane Black to enhance your action scenes. The key is to inject energy and visual flair into your writing. Instead of a bland description like “Joe punches Jack and Jack falls on the floor,” try something more dynamic that paints a picture and conveys the intensity of the moment. For instance:

 

“Joe’s fist rockets forward, a blur of fury, connecting with Jack’s jaw. Jack’s body crumples, hitting the floor with a thud that echoes the punch’s impact.”

This approach not only makes the scene more engaging but also helps the reader visualize the action as if they’re watching it unfold on the big screen. Keep your action vivid, concise, and full of momentum to capture the essence of a cinematic experience. Elevating action scenes in a screenplay involves using vivid, dynamic language and varying sentence structure to create a sense of urgency and movement. Here are some examples:

 

Before: “John runs through the forest. He jumps over a log.”

After: “John barrels through the dense forest, heart pounding. He vaults over a fallen log, barely touching the ground.”

 

Before: “Sarah and Mike engage in a sword fight. They block and attack.”

After: “Sarah and Mike’s blades dance in a deadly rhythm, clashing and sparking. With each expert parry, their eyes lock—two warriors in a ballet of steel.”

 

Before: “The car chase speeds through the city streets.”

After: “The muscle car roars down the city streets, tires screeching as it weaves through traffic. Buildings blur past, horns blare, and the chase is a symphony of adrenaline.”

 

Before: “The building explodes.”

After: “A deafening roar rips through the air as the building erupts into a fireball, sending a shockwave that shatters windows and showers the street with debris.”

 

Before: “Anna dives into the water to save the child.”

After: “Anna plunges into the churning waters, her arms slicing through the waves in a desperate race against time to reach the flailing child.”

By focusing on the sensory details and the emotional stakes of the scene, you can transform straightforward descriptions into memorable moments that leap off the page. Remember to use strong verbs, vary your sentence lengths, and focus on the characters’ experiences to bring your action scenes to life. Your goal is to create a script that’s not just a blueprint for production but also an enthralling read that captures the essence of the action-packed story you’re telling.

 

A BEAST IS BORN: A SCREENWRITER'S JOURNEY FROM SCRIPT TO AWARD-WINNING SHORT FILM