Quote: Mike Greybloke @ February 26, 2008, 9:21 PMI'll put your mind at rest - it was milky shower gel.
It somehow felt wrong to use the real thing.
milky shower gel !!? I don't buy that......Maybe becuase there's no such thing ! Insert 'i know what you did' looking smiley.
Personally, I use pina colada mix when I have to fabricate large quantities of semen.
Digressions aside, lots of great advise in this thread.... good luck to one an all!
Quote: Matthew Stott @ February 26, 2008, 10:42 PMI just like to get right in there and start writing. The world and characters tend to form in my mind at the same time, then i start thinking about a few things that could happen, then I just start writing and see where it goes. So not really all that organised, at least at first, I just prefer to get stuck in and start putting words down on paper, i couldnt sit there and plan out all six episdoes, plots, sub-plots, characters, etc and not be actually writing the script itself; when an ideas there it sort of forces itself out and i feel like I just have to start writing. This can mean scripts can end up a bit unfocussed and rambling, but then thats what re-writing is for. For me, overplanning at such an early stage would feel stifling and like I was killing the idea. Interesting though to see other people methods.
Virtually the same for me and Aid.
Mind you, we haven't got round to a rewrite yet as still too disappointed with the negative reactions!
Maybe we will in a few months, if still together as a writing team!
Quote: David H @ February 25 2008, 7:18 PM BSTSome good points made on this. Leaving the dialogue till last, as they say, is right. You need to look at storyline and your beats (plot points) first. Break down an episode of a show and see what they're doing. It will become a lot clearer.
Also, I would advise once you have all your storyline and plot points to just write dialogue that fits with it without worrying about character. If something strikes you as if it's in character put it in, but you can always put your character's voices in later. Attempt your three jokes per page no matter how feeble, knowing you can improve them another time.
So, don't write the dialogue until you've written all the action?
Quote: Matthew Stott @ February 27 2008, 4:42 AM BSTI just like to get right in there and start writing. The world and characters tend to form in my mind at the same time, then I start thinking about a few things that could happen, then I just start writing and see where it goes. So not really all that organised, at least at first, I just prefer to get stuck in and start putting words down on paper, I couldn't sit there and plan out all six episdoes, plots, sub-plots, characters, etc and not be actually writing the script itself; when an ideas there it sort of forces itself out and I feel like I just have to start writing. This can mean scripts can end up a bit unfocussed and rambling, but thenthat's what re-writing is for. For me, overplanning at such an early stage would feel stifling and like I was killing the idea. Interesting though to see other people methods.
Hmm, I now do practically the opposite of this, and write much better scripts.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 1 2010, 3:02 PM BSTHmm, I now do practically the opposite of this, and write much better scripts.
What's your process now, Matthew?
Quote: Marooned @ July 1 2010, 3:47 PM BSTWhat's your process now, Matthew?
Well, the initial idea first, whether that is a character, a relationship or a central situation. I'll then write lots of bits and pieces, fleshing out the characters and the world and working up a skeleton for the pilot. I'll generally just go over these again and again, putting more flesh on the bones, until I've got to a point where I think it's ready to start properly writing.
Basically I just prepare a lot more rather than thinking 'Vet On The Moon, that's ace!' and then writing immediately.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 1 2010, 3:56 PM BSTWell, the initial idea first, whether that is a character, a relationship or a central situation. I'll then write lots of bits and pieces, fleshing out the characters and the world and working up a skeleton for the pilot. I'll generally just go over these again and again, putting more flesh on the bones, until I've got to a point where I think it's ready to start properly writing.
Basically I just prepare a lot more rather than thinking 'Vet On The Moon, that's ace!' and then writing immediately.
Do you write all the action first and then start writing the dialogue? Or do you do both at the same time?
Quote: Marooned @ July 1 2010, 4:42 PM BSTDo you write all the action first and then start writing the dialogue?
I don't know how you'd even go about that really! If I'm writing a scene, even just a quick sketch of it, then I'm writing everything; directions, actions and dialogue.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 1 2010, 4:45 PM BSTI don't know how you'd even go about that really! If I'm writing a scene, even just a quick sketch of it, then I'm writing everything; directions, actions and dialogue.
Neither do I. It's just that some of guys in this thread were saying that leaving the dialogue till last is the right thing to do. Wasn't quite sure what they meant...
I think they were taking the piss - although we all prefer to do things in different ways.
It all depends from project to project really. There are no hard and fast rules. Sometimes you can write a scene and then you find it fits somewhere. Other times something might inspire a character and then you get an idea for a situation.
Don't think there's any hard or fast rules. the more you write the more you find what works for you.
For me I need an idea of who the characters are and a rough idea of the story then I SPLURGE out a first draft of action and generally unfunny dialogue and then use that as a starting point.
When I wrote a 30 minute script which followed an established format I found it easier to write all the action first and then add the dialogue.
Some other stuff I have started with nothing other than a character and the knowledge of where I want to get to and then just gone at it.
Another time I sat in a room with actors, they got into character and talked and I wrote down and polished.
so you know... horses for courses and all that malarkey.
Quote: Marooned @ July 1 2010, 4:47 PM BSTNeither do I. It's just that some of guys in this thread were saying that leaving the dialogue till last is the right thing to do. Wasn't quite sure what they meant...
There's no right way, as others have said, it's just whatever works for you. Try different things, go with whichever you thinks works best.
Echo the last three posts. Listen to how others approach it but find your own path.