Screenwriting : What is your outline process? by Robert DeVerger

Interesting information. Good news!

You are so right. There is no one specific way to write a visual snap shot of a story. Some have used an outline as a map. Some have used any method that fits into their creative mind. I often write out lots of notes onto yellow pads. The color of yellow stimulates the mind. As I'm writing, the characters themselves write the first draft. Then while rewriting, there is some push and pull even if the story has to change a bit, just to get it right.

My personal approach is to discover a storyline/theme. Then I write a killer opening scene with solid audience bait & set the hook. Then I write the final wrap-up scene. That's when I really get into outlining the story map as a way of getting from point A to point B. Basically, that's Act II.

Just dot points. This is like smoke that slowly forms into. ghost, then finally into human form.

Outline? We don' need no stinkin' outline!

Bill you should try doing Dot Points. It is like telling the story to yourself. I get excited by some of the things I find. I don’t think I can stick to a structure for any part of my process.

I detail my process here. I wouldn't trust a screenwriter who doesn't/can't outline.

Can't wing it if writing is your occupation. Might as well get paid step by step, keep you employed longer, make the employer pay a step at a time, so they get invested in your work that they are forced to pay for the whole whack.

I write a beginning in Final Draft. First scene, teaser, whatever. It basically functions as a writing prompt. Then I leave it to mull over. I think of where I could go from that prompt, and start collecting ideas together. Once I've got a nice chunk of ideas, I take everything to my little organising board (Scapple) and enter them in, arrange them, draw lines between them, nix the things that aren't going to work.

Once everything is in an order that I like, I jot down the bullet point list (memory prompts) and start writing. If I get stuck, it suggests there is something wrong with my outline - something is missing, or doesn't fit together the way I thought it did. I leave it again, mull it over a bit, go back to the board and figure out what's not working and why.

I guess there is no silver bullet for the process. If you can solve all the issues and get resolved the block using your process you are fine, but doing it without the outline is a cumbersome task.

I used to use this chaotic method but then it added about 2 more drafts to the project. Now, I actually take the time to create comps/descriptions of characters and settings, write a beat sheet, and then write. Everyone has a different process but anything that saves time, later on, is what I prefer.

I don't like writing outlines so I only do so if I need to for a reason.

The best method is whatever works for you. If you're in the game long enough - you'll find 'it'.

Craig, not sure what you mean by Dot Points. Can you tell me more?

I'm not sure there is a one solution that fits everyone. I for one am not good at outlining, I've struggled with it a long time. And I've taken so many classes and webinars on the subject. It's just not the way my brain works and the story always ends up going off the rails once I sit down to write anyway. So I came up with my own solution. I let my creative brain write for as long as I can (and usually I can go for 30-50 pages before I lose steam). I print that, and I outline the story I just write to see if it's in line with the story I want to tell. That get's me closer to finishing the draft faster, letting my creative brain go as long as it wants to and then fixing the issues in the rewrite. That's just me.

I don't use an outline. I begin each new project when I have my characters and the overall situation in place. Then I ask three questions for each character; What do they want? Why can't they get it? What fear/personal lesson do they need to overcome to get the outcome they desire?

Robert, once I come up with a logline, I don't want to continue the project until I've found six plot points...stages that get me from my story's beginning (for instance, a factory worker contemplates suicide) to the story's end (that factory worker starts embracing life, once and for all).

Then I come up with a combination "outline/scene list," where I get to go into detail with the story...introducing the main characters, putting in dialog in some cases, etc.

Along the way, I go online and do research on the city where my story's set. That way, if a script of mine is set in Des Moines, IA, it'll have "Des Moines flavor," not "New York City flavor" or "Los Angeles flavor." I'm trying to keep from being generic.

Glad you're on Stage 32, Robert...and I wish you all the VERY BEST!