Questions for the "outliners"

[tomasz1985]

For the "outliners" out there.

Have you been writing a lot of ideas for scenes, characters etc in you notebook before you begin to outline?
You aren´t suposed to have every scene that will be in your script when you outline right? You outline and perhaps have your act climaxes and some other scenes pointed out. Then you fill the the vacum between the scenes you have outlined in your first draft? And then you rewrite it?

I know you can write a screenplay in thousand different ways but you who outline before you write your first draft, how would answer the quesions above?

As always I´m very thankful for your answers to my posts.

[Geevie]

Each project has been different. I used to outline by act, by what I wanted done by each act break (including key scenes to get me there). That lead to writing scenes as they came to me.

Now I use index cards and I do include every scene.

[TonyRob]

Have you been writing a lot of ideas for scenes, characters etc in you notebook before you begin to outline?

Yep. But I *do* write a synopsis and a brief outline pretty early on, just to give myself direction and focus with my brainstorming notes. Then, after A LOT of brainstorming, research, character work and such, I do my Super Outline.

You aren´t suposed to have every scene that will be in your script when you outline right?

Well, there's really no "supposed to" involved here. Everybody does things differently. *I* include every scene in my outline, but I also give myself permission to deviate from it during the first draft, when inspiration strikes. I don't hold myself to it. It's very detailed, yet I leave myself some serious creative breathing room.

[whistlelock]

Write a lot of scenes prior to starting the first draft? Not so much. A few "test" scenes to see if characters will act the way I had planned. that sort of thing. but not a lot of "long hand" writing prior to firing up the writing program.

But then I have come to consider the first draft the last step in the outline phase.

I've been writing a series of short stories- this time not using my usual method of creation and it's been slow and very frustrating for me.

In a series of three, I'm near the end of hte second story and I'm ready to scrap it and go back to my usual method.


So, for me, extensive outlines are the way to go. I know that every element in the third and second acts is supported by introducing those elements in the first. I know that well before sitting down to write.

I've found that makes the actual writing easier and faster.

[Revisionist]

My last outline was thirty pages and contains every little detail in the script. Even some dialogue that I never seem to use. But there's a ton of info that never makes it in. Even if it doesn't... the scene is crystal clear in my mind well before I even think about typing Fade In:

With theme in every scene. Arc. Conflict. It's all there. The act of writing the script is the easiest thing.

[odriftwood]

Outlining forces me to find conflict. I might have a high concept premise which will carry me though the first act break but then what? Once I get into the outline I know the story needs to be driven forward by action and conflict. So if nothing is happening, I need to mix it up. I have to figure out what's the last thing my hero would want to face. Whatever that is, I throw it into the mix. Lo and behold the story is elevated. If I didn't have that outline, I'd be lost. But that's just me...