I like to really go into detail with a feature script outline. I’ll come up with a logline, the theme, a three-second pitch, the number of characters, number of locations, character bios, details about the location(s), the rules of the world, story beats, etc. If I’m outlining a short script, I’ll do a quick outline (logline, theme, number of characters, etc.). I outline my scripts in Microsoft Word on my laptop or phone. Sometimes I outline in Gmail on my phone and send it to myself.
How much detail do you put in your outlines? And what program do you outline with?
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Hi Maurice, not much, I want to put more detail into my writing though
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I'm all about Scrivener and I outline a lot. I actually produce a development notes document when writing on assignment.
I build up levels of detail from the basic story line to every beat in every scene. It sounds like a lot of work, but it's actually a quicker process for me and keeps everything tight. The beauty of doing it all in Scrivener is that I can basically just keep adding to a document and splitting it where I need to.
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That's cool, Billy Kwack. Some people like to make short outlines, and some people like to skip the outline and go right into the script.
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I used to make detailed sketches, Google locations, come up with characters and character psychology, and study themes for the plot. I'm not doing that right now.
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I've heard great things about Scrivener, CJ Walley. I'm so familiar with Microsoft Word, and I know the shortcuts well, so I've been hesitant to switch to another program. I plan on trying Scrivener though. I make development notes documents for directors and producers too. It saves me time because I know what the producer/direct expects up front instead of writing the script and having to go back in to change things.
I've had Final Draft so long, and I still haven't tried the outline feature yet, Dan Guardino. I'm gonna try it. Maybe with my next short script.
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I've also been hesitant to switch from Microsoft Word to another program because I turn my outlines into treatments after finishing scripts, CJ Walley. It's easy to do that in Word.
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I google locations, come up with characters and character psychology, and study themes too, Arthur Charpentier. I also look at photos and videos when I'm outlining scripts, like virtual house tours.
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My outlines can run pretty long. I write more of scriptments though than pure synopsis style outlines. My longest was 43 pages in a Google doc. But the average is usually 8-10 pages.
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My outlines used to run really long, Pat Alexander. Like 60 pages and more. I used to add things that I didn't need. My outlines are close to 8-10 pages now. Sometimes 15-20 if I need to figure out extra stuff.
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I usually jump back and forth from notebooks to word docs for multiple passes on outlines and plot synopses. For my current script, I’m working my notes and outline side-by-side in Scrivener.
I do the same thing, Mike Boas. Multiple passes on outlines and plot synopses. That helps me figure out things in the story and find plot holes, and that helps me organize things so it's easy to find things when I write the script. The downside to outlining in Microsoft Word is I can't have my notes and outline side-by-side like in Scrivener.