I feel like most people struggle with tending to write too much, especially in first drafts of stories and really having to cut down their scripts during their second and third drafts. I have the opposite problem. I never seem to be able to write more than 60 pages for my first draft and my script actually gets longer with each consecutive draft.
Can anyone relate? Is this a bad thing? And does anyone have any tips on how to write more and get more story out of my system? Thank you in advance!
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I can relate very much.
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I would really consider using page real estate to establish pacing and tone. Keeping descriptions to 2-3 lines can help, and onomatopoeia can work on single lines also.
But if you consider the events that happen in, for example, "The Dallas Buyers Club", it has many scenes of wins and losses. These are the scenes that help cultivate your character's depth by throwing challenges their way (and the choices they make) to make them more three dimensional. Each should kinda follow the principles of improv - "yes, and" or "yes, but, therefore"
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Celine Leon Sounds like you're writing some decent Shorts already! I tend to have the opposite problem as you, but sometimes I will go back and build a character out more after analysis. Do you visualize or read dialogue aloud as you write? I try and think that one page could potentially equate to one minute of film as I am going through my scripts.
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I typically use beat sheets, so I'll have a general idea of pacing.
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Matthew Anthony Williams The only thing there is a beat sheet doesn't dictate anything about page count.
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Some really great advice here from the group regarding your beat sheet. We are actually working on a beat sheet webinar that we'll be rolling out here soon. I also would recommend looking at your 2nd act. That is usually the longest stretch and it has to be done right in order to hit the page count. Here's a really great webinar to help you with that: https://www.stage32.com/education/search?term=jason+mirch&h=the-secret-t...
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Actually ure on a good track here, because it's easier to extend than to contract. And even more important is to keep descriptions, readable short and camera-wise... and as someone else already mentioned, having detailed treatment and beat sheets helps keeping track to the designated page. I've projected a script at 101 pages and wrote it exactly to that extent. It's possible.
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Celine Leon As long as what you are doing works for you it doesn’t matter what I think. However here is a tip that may help you. It sounds like you are making things happen too easily for your main character. Try giving your character more hurdles that he or she will have to overcome to achieve their goal.