Screenwriting : So many ideas! by Shahnam Khosraviani

I write several at a time. It helps to keep things fresh and interesting for me. I schedule and label the days to I work on the different projects and maintain that (unless I get a super cool idea for a project that just can't wait until its "day.")

Write at least a treatment or outline for each and put it aside then you write one at a time and the other ideas won't get lost. While writing you probably get 3 or 4 new ideas. Write them down and continue with the one you write. Later you write a treatment for the new ones and start writing with the next. It's wise to start the next right after you finished the first draft (which includes for me you checked the spelling, typos and minor mistakes). The new, second script will keep you grounded because it's like Sokrates shall have said: you know that you know nothing. You only finished a first draft of a screenplay. By writing no. 2 you get a certain distance to your first. After you finished that second first draft you go back to no. 1 and re-write it until you think you can give it to a script consultant or Joey's team here on stage32. As soon as you gave it away you please don't think about it anymore and concentrate on script no. 2. After no. 2 reached the level that a script consultant checked it and you dare to submit it to any contest you begin again with no. 3 and 4. The advantage of working this way is you never lose any idea and you will get done 2 scripts very soon. Never do this with more than 2 scripts as you then will never finish any to the level when it can be sold. Hope this all was not too confusing and I explained and expressed it all correct. Wish you luck. Dare to begin that's the main point. Instead of thinking so much about how and where and who and why etc. - just write. If you want to be a screen-writer you first have to concentrate on writing. Getting your story on a screen will happen automatically as soon as you have mastery of the handcraft of writing. Good luck and all the best - and happy holidays for you too!

If you're new to screenplays, write one at a time until you have a good idea of what you're, doing before you start to tackle multiple scripts.

Thank you everyone for commenting and shedding a little insight on how you do things. I will probably just go with writing one at a time but, for all the others I'll just be writing outlines, characters etc... Set them aside until the current script is finished. Again thanks everyone for commenting back.

Start them all. Write whatever comes to your mind first. Once you hit the Brick Wall, move to the next script, whatever pops in your head, any idea, any thought, write it down. It's much easier to remove or edit something in your script(s) than add or come up with something later.

Thanks for the great advice niksa!

You're welcome. Oh, I use something else. Depending what genre the script is, I create my own soundtrack list, different for each script, it helps to push forward but this is probably not a good advice, if it works for me, it doesn't mean it will work for you.

Why do you say funny, that's actually a proof that NO TWO PEOPLE ARE ALIKE theory is wrong, always was. If one person is doing something, it's just a theory.When two people are doing the same thing, it's work in progress... or something like that. By the way, what CD is it, the one that puts you back on track?

No, no, you did say it right, but maybe you should have use weird or strange since we both use the same method. As for my music taste, from Bach to AC/DC, everything in between and above. Go figure.

Let's start with craft... how much homework have you done on the art of screenwriting... and the art of storytelling? What are you reading now?

True, Shawn. I thought he might have done this already. First read novels to learn how stories are told. Watch how films are structured and read screenplays. To me that's still the best way to learn because anything is possible.

Thanks everyone for all the great responses! Shawn I'm currently in the middle of reading the book "Story" by Robert McKee. Also I listen to podcasts, my two I'm currently listening to are "curious about screenwriting" & "indie film academy"

That's what's up, Shahnam

Okay, I wanted to start a new lounge discussion but since some of you mentioned it, let me ask you something. Let's say you have a completed script (more or less) and you're not sure what some manager or agent will think of it (assuming you somehow even manage to get that far) so hear me out and let me know what you think of this UNUSUAL APPROACH. You have a completed script. (FACT) Let's say it's a Thriller or Horror. Find a movie which is similar to your script, and by similar I mean genre of style. Download the script and find the movie so you can watch it. Then you read the first page or two. Then you play the movie for a minute or two, see how it looks like in a VISUAL MODE. Keep in mind your script will be differently written (most scripts you can find are shooting scripts or final drafts) If you can visualize what you've written and if it looks similar to whatever script you are reading and the movie that you are watching, then you're half way there. Then you write down the management agency (it's always mentioned in opening credits) and try to contact them or you can ask Joey, here on Stage32 and see are there any pitching sessions where the managers from that agency will be present. Look, all human beings have one flaw, they are all addicted or have a habit to stick to whatever is working or selling and they hardly ever look for something different and that makes them predictable. Personally I think we all have a much greater chance to get our script even opened by following they tracks of footsteps (last two words are just a figure of speech). Maybe, because of my unusual choice of words or my rusty English none of this will make much sense to you but you never know.

This is my process. When I get an idea I start a new card stack. I use Celtx cards. The first card is a logline. As I get ideas I drop them on the appropriate stack. One will get my focus and I work on it till it is done. Any deleted scenes go in a word doc for use in future stories.

Peer review sites can be a great way to learn and practice the nuts and bolts of screenwriting before spending money on pro coverage. For the typical new-screenwriter problems like long action lines, on-the-nose dialogue, exposition vs conflict.. Peer reviewers are often really helpful at pointing this out and offering suggestions. Also I found that giving peer reviews really helped me understand these concepts. The only peer review site I'm currently familiar with is Talentville. You can see recent reviews there, they are generally very high quality reviews. Years back there was TriggerStreet Labs, where Pierre from this thread was an active moderator and a very helpful contributor, if I remember correctly.