Screenwriting : Outline? by Daniel Canngieter

The most important thing is "how does it end" and I don't mean just a systematic denouement of loose ends - but a "wow moment" or a "I didn't expect that (in a good way) moment". Too many great stories with gripping content (which I am sure was outlined to the hilt) fizzles in one second flat when the ending is garbage, incomprehensible, utterly beyond maddeningly stupid, just counterintuitively disastrous, or just stops at some point with no feeling of completion. The best part of the movie should be the end. The worst thing anyone can say to what they watched is "well, that was two hours of my life I will never get back". So as you can tell, I am no fan of outlining a story. As you can tell, I am no fan of outlining - get the end right, an the story will happen.

Well, there's always a treatment when I do feature script. It's basically a construction of the idea, establishing the beats of the story, pace and components (many writers overlook the importance of having a "B story" attached). Treatment length may vary, since I do it for myself over a spec it usually ain't too much detailed. However doing it on assignment for producer or studio may need a whole lotta work...I've seen studio film treatments going up to 80+ pgs, some including major dialogue sequences as well...moneygivers must know you're on the right track when paying for your involvement...

I wrote an outline for a novel I was writing. It honestly never occurred to me and go back and look at the outline until long after I finished the book. Th title and main character's name were the same. Thatw as about it.

If you want to do this for an occupation, start learning how to write outlines, treatments, scriptments, synopsis, whatever you want to call the document. There is no such thing as winging it when working for corporate feature film employers or television. Everything is done in stages- that's how corporations pay big money $$. Step deals. Even high-salary novelists listen to editors and publishers before they write pages.

The outline is a great way to work out the story, to create a map for your screenplay. It certainly helps to know where you are going first, no? Organize. Plus the script comes together much faster and easier. An outline is part of the process. It serves the story, not the other way around. There is always room for discovery along the way. Me, I tend to work backward; I always know my ending first. I also write a lot of notes, do research, sketch in script form, and write a messy, long synopsis for my eyes only to help me suss out everything. Then, I put it together in a screenplay. Now, say, if you are working for hire, you most likely would be expected to do an outline, to work out steps of the process with others, etc. So it’s helpful to develop different writing approaches and skillsets. ;)

Hi Daniel - my last effort was totally "write as I go" and I found myself trying to work around the parts I thought were best, and fit in new scenes to help it make sense. For a recent project, I wrote out my own internal pitch doc and outline and that helped work out some of the kinks before writing. It seemed a lot easier to slot in the important beats I wanted to hit in each act before actually writing. When I reached the point where I just needed to start writing the actual script, I was surprised how quickly the writing flowed.

As you become a more proficient writer, it will eventually dawn on you that the dreaded outline is a necessity. When I begin a new project, I have a basic theme in mind. Then I write a 'killer' opening - a super hook. Next I write the final scene. I set it aside for a few days. Then I go back and slog through developing the journey from opening to end. That's the dreaded outline that can take forever - draft after draft - but once completed the screenplay essentially writes itself. Easy pesy!

I'm what they call a "pantser" I almost never write down an outline. That being said I do generally know where I'm going and how I want to get there. If you feel more comfortable writing it down go for it. Just don't limit your writing if in the process of writing you think of a better way to do things.

I've got a whole process which is gaining in popularity after it was mentioned in a Film Courage interview last year. The last two produced movies I wrote were turned around in less than a week. I also once got an offer of funding for a synopsis I'd written that morning. Lots of writers have been reaching out to me to tell me my process is transforming their writing.

Prewriting was a game-changer for me. Faster, more flexible, better results.

Heres the link; Turn & Burn Screenwriting Guide.

Yeah I always start with an outline then write the scenes in chronological order -- however sometimes I get inspired and write whole scenes that are to happen later in the outline. Then I go back to the main script, and continue writing -- once I get to a spot in the story that I've already "pre-written" then I'll open my "extra" file and copypaste the scene into the main script. Even after I think I'm done the whole thing, I'll sometimes go back and add scenes based on what I've recently learned via information syphoned through Stage 32.

So yeah, it's good to have a pre-determined structure but it's not necessary (in my experience) to live and die by it right down to to last letter.

Write the climax first (hero changes her ways and 'wins'). Then work back and write the midpoing/plot point 2 (hero makes a big bad choice and opposite of climax occurs). Then work back to plot point 1 (hero chooses to enter the journey). The only major plot point the hero does not actively control is the first one, the inciting incident (something happens TO her). From there, beat it out using cue cards scene by scene, or just start writing. As long as you have those four major plot points mapped out the final product will be stellar.

My first 2 or 3 scripts were heavily outlined. Then I fell off the outline wagon. And it is a baaad habit. I find that it is harder to write that way. I'm writing a new one and forced myself to do an outline and it is going much more efficiently. Loving it. Either spend the time on the front end or stare at the blank page wondering where to go next for hours on end. You choose ;)