Screenwriting : Outlining/Writing Scenes by Maurice Vaughan

My approach is similar to yours ;)

Maurice Vaughan Couldn't agree more! Well done.

Great minds, Maria Baltazzi. :D

Thanks, Michael David. I've used different approaches, but this one works best for me. I think writers should try different approaches to find one that works best for them.

You have everything we need there, Maurice Vaughan. Thanks for sharing :)

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia. How did you approach outlining/writing scenes in your short script?

Maurice Vaughan , for my short script, I had all the shorts in images in my mind. The first thing I did was to outline the scene sequences. Second, I wrote the scenes into the script based on my outline. Third, I will go scene after scene with some items from your list above. Because it's a short script for a 10m film, it's easy for me to work like this. How do you do with your shorts?

I like how you outlined and wrote your script, Sandra Isabel Correia, especially "I had all the shorts in images in my mind." I outline my short scripts like I do my feature scripts (I outline the script, then use the outline as a guide as I write & rewrite the script), but my short script outlines are really short.

Hi Maurice, I'm watching, Talk to me, on Netflix, looks pretty good

I liked that movie, Billy Kwack. Sophie Wilde is a talented actress! What did you think of the movie after watching it?

Hi Maurice, I thought it was smart and the ending was alright

I was shocked by the ending, Billy Kwack. How do you outline/write scenes?

Each scene has a beginning, middle, and end. Just like your script. In your scene, find out where the umph is. By that I mean, the conflict punch, the revelation (silence), the decision, or character bit you wish known. Where in the scene is the umph: beginning, middle, or end? Then key off that. For example some scenes might start with a line that leads to a direct attack (conflict).

Hi Maurice, the movie was written by two directors. They work well together

That's a great idea, Lindbergh E Hollingsworth! I'm gonna try it. Thanks.

They were gonna direct the new live-action Street Fighter movie, Billy Kwack, but Kitao Sakurai is gonna direct it.

Hi Maurice, cool, I didn't know

Thank you Maurice Vaughan. I used a different outline process for my short, because the scenes sequence came first in my mind. For my scripts, I do as you do. For my short, the outline was one page and a half :))

I think Kitao Sakurai is gonna do a great job on the Street Fighter movie, Billy Kwack. He directed four episodes of Twisted Metal.

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia. The outlines for my shorts are that length too. One and a half pages. Sometimes less. Sometimes I want to put a B Story or Subplot in a short script, but I don't want my scripts to be too long. If I can figure out a way to wrap up the B Story or Subplot quickly, I'll add it to a short.

Hi Maurice, cool, I know twisted metal the video game

I played some of the games growing up, Billy Kwack. I'm excited for season 2 of the show! The writing in first season was incredible!

Hi Maurice, really, if I come across it I'll check it out

We are on the same length Maurice Vaughan :)) It’s my first short script, but I am happy that I am doing well. So, like that, you write not only one short, but two shorts, because of the B Story or Subplot, is that?

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean, Sandra Isabel Correia.

Maurice Vaughan sorry about my English :)) Both of us use one page and a half to do a short script outline. I was asking about your B Story or Subplot. you said “ If I can figure out a way to wrap up the B Story or Subplot quickly, I'll add it to a short.” My question was if you write a new short or ad to the same? I explained better?

Oh ok, Sandra Isabel Correia. I would add the B Story or Subplot to the short script. I like the idea of writing a separate short about the B Story or Subplot though.

Now I understand Maurice Vaughan. Thanks for explaining and I think it’s a good option:))

I also work with an outline of sorts that lays out my major plot points.

As I go through writing the screenplay, I refer back to those plot points to make sure I am moving the story in the right direction and moving it forward. It is also easier for me to work up dialogue in this fashion. I'm looking at what I want to happen in the beginning and ending of a particular scene and now I have a guide for how I want my characters to get there, although for the most part I want to get them there organically.

Agree @Maurice Every point you make for writing outline I find crucial. @Lindbergh Great point too, each scene can be a mini story in itself (depending on length & time constraints) with beginning, middle & end. Particularly in serial/episodic audiences want satisfaction/resolution in sub plots despite main plot remains hanging. EG Pulp fiction has excellent examples. Separate scenes need not be “Epoch” can be simple as a character fancies another, mid point they form a plan/make a play, result hot date or drink thrown in face & anything in between. Often I do 3 outlines for short, feature, episodic/serial. However outline is not my prison, I find it okay to be a panster sometimes, as long as attempt after to spin pearls/nuggets out of whatever tangent my writing took.

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia.

Hi, Renae Richardson. It's great to meet you. That's a great approach. I figure out the beginning and end of a scene too. My scenes got a lot better when I started doing that. I've heard of writers starting at the end of a scene and working their way to the start, but I haven't tried it yet.

"However outline is not my prison, I find it okay to be a panster sometimes." I relate, Debbie Croysdale. I do the heavy lifting in the outline, and I use the outline as a guide when I write and rewrite a script, but I'm open to things changing.

"Depending on length" reminded me of something. I noticed a while back that a lot of my scenes in scripts were all really short. I check how long the scenes are now. It's a mix of short and long scenes, and that helps the rhythm of my scripts.

Maurice Vaughan That is a great approach: begin with the end in mind. It makes perfect sense, especially when looking at the work in its entirety. Admittedly, I began a script a while back and got through a great deal of the story when I realized that although I had a conceptual idea of how I wanted to end it, the way the story grew my initial conception did not coalesce the way I saw it at first. Yeah, I can see that working as well. Knowing where you want to land helps you not overshoot that landing.

You're right, Renae Richardson. I need to know how a story ends before writing the script even if it's just a short line like "The team plans their next move." Sometimes I come up with different endings when I outline and see which one is the best for the story.