Where do you go to bounce ideas? I belong to two screenwriters forums/groups but they're not designed for this, mostly for reading scripts and offering feedback. I'm looking for a group of writers who can help dissect flaws, brainstorm or critique developing scripts. Example: Writer: "Hey, I have an idea of a mechanic who kills people and then uses them for auto parts, but can't decide if his auto shop should be popular or struggling because..." Us: "Well, better to make it a struggling business because then the audience understands why he's doing it." or... "instead of killing his customers, maybe he just just kill those that don't pay" or... "you do realize that this is awfully similar to Auto Mechanic Massacre IV, right?" So where do you go when you just want to express yourself? :-)
Screenwriting : Where do go to just brainstorm? by Jacqueline Hicks
Where do go to just brainstorm?
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I ask non-writing friends. I'm happy to join a brainstormer.
Funny, though. My non-writing friends zone out after awhile, lol! I like your offer and will probably take you up on it. What have you written?
A bunch of stuff LOL.
Okay, I will try that more then. Sometimes it seems my friends always want to write the movie for me which isn't what I'm looking for and if they can't do that, they kind of lose interest. I want people to find the flaws, help me think through a specific dilemma. For example: I'm writing a "found footage" (kinda) script now along the lines of Paranormal Activity. Sample and simple question: What kind of career would this guy have that would have him out of work for eight months to have to take a large monetary offer to stay in an abandoned house for $$, BUT have useful skills that would help him survive the craziness in the house, like electrical? But wait. If he's so skillfully gifted, say, as an electrician, why isn't he still employed? I've done enough scripts where the lead is a business man/woman. Don't want that this time and I don't want to script to feel "scripted" either. I want a real job, realistic skills, etc. That's just one onion I'm trying to peel. When I ask my friends questions like this, I get responses like, "Oh! You know what? He should be a ex-hit man and you could show scenes when he..." Um, no, I can't show scenes of him doing anything because the script is "live" and "hit man" is a little too Hollywood for what I'm trying to do here." "Oh, you know what? You should do a movie about killer bees who are in a house and..." "No, I'm trying to do THIS script." "Oh. How about putting someone else in the house with him?" "Yes, there will be. But what about my lead's JOB?" But Jacqueline, you've convinced me to ask different people, maybe co-workers or others who can answer my specific questions. I just thought that other writers would be more focused. Wait. Maybe I just need new friends... :-)
I always try and reduce things to their most basic simple state. If I were asked the same question you posed above I would reply with some questions: Is it important to the story "what" your character's job is? Does it have a direct effect on how he/she reacts to the events and surroundings. Would they react differently if the were a mechanic or an accountant or a teacher or a ????. Sometimes (and this is just my opinion) things get all jumbled up with backstory, and sometimes its better to just leave something sit for a bit and come back to it later. What kind of electrical skills does your character need to have? something specialized or something a handyman would be able to figure out. Why has your character been out of work? are they bad at what they do or are they difficult to work with and hence a bad hire. does it matter why they are out of work and maybe they take on this gig because it pays a lot? just trying to help. good luck :)