about screenwriting - how to start story

[draags]

Im from sweden and want to learn from other people around the world, so here is my questions.

- How do you start when you begin with your story?
(i know this is hard to answer)

- How importent is it to write a synopsis or treatment or outline before writing in your script program.?

- Is it important to also send synopsis, treatment or outlines to the producers?

- Do you before you start writing your story do character descriptions, with things like ambition, conflict and the characters progress throw the story?


I hope you understand my question on my poor english.

[Pandoraisme]

Hi, Draags. Welcome to the boards!

- How do you start when you begin with your story?
(i know this is hard to answer)

Man, you do ask some tough questions. ;) For me, this is a process I can't even put into words.

- How importent is it to write a synopsis or treatment or outline before writing in your script program.?

This is really important to some writers, not as important to others. I think having a solid outline is what most would recommend. Personally, I do outline, but I find my creativity doesn't really kick in until I begin to write the actual screenplay. Everybody's different.

- Is it important to also send synopsis, treatment or outlines to the producers?

If you are just venturing into screenwriting, I wouldn't worry about this just yet. Concentrate on the craft and making your material the best it can be. Though my first screenplay was not ready to be shopped, I had no problem getting read with a simple query letter. No one requested a treatment or synopsis.

- Do you before you start writing your story do character descriptions, with things like ambition, conflict and the characters progress throw the story?

I have a feel for my characters when I start to write, but I don't know them intimately until the second draft. That said, I'm quite familiar with their goals and the conflict before I write a word.

Read everything you can on this site. Wordplayer.com also has some excellent articles that will help steer you in the right direction.

Best of luck to you. Since my mother came from Denmark, I've had the pleasure of visiting Sweden and hope to return again someday.

[draags]

Thanks for your answer, i know it´s tough questions.

Why i ask about this is because many swedish screenwriting school think that it is bad for your inspiration to do this planning before you start writing.

Many people in sweden really banned all things that came from the big USA.

I think that´s bad.

Visit our country, sweden.


:rolleyes

[Pandoraisme]

I just read a quote by A.I. L. Diamond that echoed the way I feel about the subject of planning...

"I don't like to have it down too cold or too well figured out before I start, because I think some of the excitement and enthusiasm goes out of it."

That's the way I feel. But everybody's different. :)

Here's a few websites with scripts you can read on line -

www.script-o-rama.com
www.simplyscripts.com
www.allmoviescripts.com

Happy reading and writing.