Need Help! Page 3

Quote: Badge @ March 10 2011, 1:22 AM GMT

Billwill does seem to be getting a bit of a shoeing for offering some help!

Would it be acceptable to all if he just said other techniques are available at the end?

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Or maybe I should have put
BAZ,
as a first line to make it clear that the advice was for him.

Of course other techniques exist and many writers will have found their own methods, but what I proposed is a good starting method for a beginner, who from his postings here hasn't got a clue yet of how to write a script.

After a few scripts, the Dev Cards techniques won't be needed as a writer will be able to do all that planning in his head. Nonetheless some writers do continue using this technique and in the case of using co-writers or teams writing sitcoms, it becomes fairly essential. Ask Micheal Jacob about the 'bible' he used to keep for the "Birds of a Feather" series when he worked at Alomo. It replaced such cards and contained the character synopses and previous events and scenes etc. I seem to recall it was about 30 to 50 pages long. Micheal's job there was script editor & he was the one responsible (among other things) for seeing that the members of the team of writers did not go off-track with their locations, characterisations or mentions of prior events etc. By the time they got to the last of the 100 episodes, BoaF had lots of fans who would have screamed blue murder if there were inconsistencies in the scripts.

The Cards technique is described in Everett Chambers book called "How to Succeed by Producing TV Movies" (aye it's American.). But it is used by other writers & teams also.

You can see the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Producing-TV-Movies-Everett-Chambers/dp/096205870X

And if you click on "Click to Look Inside" and then put "Hitting the Wall" in the search box, you can scroll down and read the bit where he describes the technique, and no the cards are not set in stone as various BCG members assumed, they are simply a very fluid technique for making notes arranging them and chucking away scenes & scenarios that are discarded as you go along.

And I'm not the only one that got stick from writers on suggesting it

I have had a few battles with writers over this technique of working, but when they finally agreed to try it, they were grateful. In fact some of them have permanently adopted this method of writing.

And in case you think Everett Chambers doesn't know what he is talking about, he is a producer, director and writer. Here is his IMDB page. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0150329/

Wasn't really having a go.
Just feel that an over reliance on prep work and a belief that, once that's done, the rest just flows from the pen, is plain misleading.
I also think a lot of people never get beyond the prep process - often seeking solace in reams of character background rather than throwing themselves into the scary world of the blank page.
And the only way you'll find out if your any good is just getting on and doing it.

Now a good logline - I think that's essential.
It's all about storytelling - you need to know where it's going.

I do it for a living, and if I spent the amount of time prepping that all the books advocate I'd never get anything done.

In terms of dialogue there's no way you can find a characters voice from background work.
Usually it turns up half way through then you re-write toi fit.
OR you 'cast' it in your head - this works briliantly.
It'll all f**king change anyway should you be lucky enough to get something taken up.

So - not having a go - just giving you the realists POV.