Posted by Jiyuu at adsl-216-63-107-13.dsl.bumttx.swbell.net on May 13, 2001 at 05:22:05:
In Reply to: sometimes it takes a slap to the face... posted by TragicMagic and noname pro. on May 13, 2001 at 02:01:46:
The easiest way I've found in writing is to figure out the story first, THEN start writing. Grab a spiral and start writing down character's names, descriptions (both physical and personality). Then figure out what you want to do to these characters. Then, once you have everything sorted out, start writing it. If you have an idea for a great scene in the middle of the script, write it down so you don't forget. Just don't open up a Word document and expect brilliance to trickle down. No matter how much you hated your English teacher, prewriting IS important. And you might save yourself some time by finding out your movie is a plotless piece of shit BEFORE you waste months of time on it!
Also, another tip for dialog (shamelessly stolen from The Man himself) is to find the Fletch novels. The stories are good, the mysteries are intreguing , and the story is told almost exclusively through dialog. Plus, they're pretty damned entertaining too.
Darryl Mott Jr.