5/27/2015

HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints

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HowtoWriteaScriptOutline:the8MajorPlotPoints

PlotisTHEdrivingforceofyourscreenplay,soitsessentialthatyouspendtimeonyourplottingskillswhenyourewritingascriptoutline.
Youcancreatethemostinterestingcharacterintheworld,butwithoutanequallyinterestingplot,theaudiencewillnotwanttospend90120minuteswith
thatperson.
Forexample,manypeoplefindCharlieSheenscurrent2011selfdestructivespiralinterestingtoreadandgossipabout.Butwouldtheywanttospendan
hourandahalfoftheirliveswatchinghimswillalcohol,dodrugs,andooglewomen?
Ithinknot.
ButgiveCharlieboyagoalperhapstorejoinTwo&aHalfMen,thesuccessfulsitcomhewaskickedoffofwhileheovercomeshisaddictiontoalcohol,
drugs,&women
andthat,peoplemightwatchbecausetheyllwanttoknowifhecanpullitoff.Maybenotsomethingtheyllpay$10tosee,butasamovieoftheweek
onTVwhynot?(AlthoughIsuspecttherearesomefilmexecutiveswhothinkCharlie:3Dwouldbequitetheblockbuster)
Sinceyouwanttoknowhowtowriteascriptoutline,letmeclueyouintothedirtylittlesecretaboutplot:
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Withrareexception,allmovieshavetheSAMEstructure.
Yes,youheardmecorrectly.AthrillerliketheBourneIdentityhasthesamestructureasafamilycomedylikeToyStory.
Nomatterthestoryoritsgenre,eachonehas8plotpointsthatyouhavetohit.Andonceyouknowthese8plotpoints,writingascriptoutlineandafull
screenplaybecomesinfinitelyeasierbecauseitsnolongeryouvs120blankpages.
Yourewritingtowardsagoalinsteadofblindly.
Istronglyrecommendthatbeforeyouwriteonewordofyourscreenplay,youspendtimereflectingonthese8majorplotpoints.Theywillformthe
backboneofyourscriptoutline.Plus,itllsaveyoutimeandheartacheinthelongrun.
Sowithoutfurtherado,heretheyare:

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#1:Opening&ClosingImages
Thefirstimageintroducesyourstorytoyouraudience,somakeitagoodone!Ideally,thefirstimageisavisualrepresentationofyourentirestory,
especiallyitstheme.
Yourclosingimageisyourlastcontactwithyouraudience,somakeitstrong.Agoodclosingimage,likethespinningtopinInception,canevenchangeour
interpretationoftheentireending.

TheclosingimagefromINCEPTIONisof
thisdreamtotem
Itsprobablybesttodecidewhatyouropeningandclosingimagesaregoingtobeafteryouvegotasoliddraftunderyourbeltandhaveaclear
understandingofthethemeyouretryingtoconvey.
Imustgivecreditwherecreditisdue:IdidntspendtoomuchtimethinkingaboutopeningandclosingimagesuntilBlakeSnydermentionedtheminhis
screenwritingbookSavetheCat(whichIhighlyrecommend).

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#2:IncitingIncident
Theincitingincidentisthateventthatchangesthecourseofyourmaincharacterslife.Iftheincitingincidentdidntoccur,yourmaincharacterwouldve
takenanotherpathandyoudhaveanentirelydifferentscreenplay.
Forapostdedicatedtothisspecialplotpoint,checkoutTheIncitingIncident:Definition&Examples.Andifyouwanttoreadacomprehensive,flufffree
guidededicatedexclusivelytotheincitingincident,clickhere!

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#3:FirstActBreak
Thefirstactbreakmarkstheendofyoursetup:youveintroducedmost,ifnotall,ofthekeycharacters.
Weknowaboutyourmaincharacter,hisgoalandtheobstacleshefaces.Hesdonehisprepwork,andnowhesreadytogo.
Inalotofmovieplots,themaincharacterhastogoonajourneyinordertoachievehisgoal.Becauseofthat,oftentimes,thefirstactbreakinvolvesa
physicallocationchange.Foranexample,readscreenwritingtip#2inWritingaComedyScript:TipsfromTheHangover.
Amateurscreenplaysarenotoriousforelaboratefirstactsthataresimplytoolong.Althoughtherearenohardandfastrules,thisbreakusuallyoccurs
betweenpages2530inyourscreenplay.Keepthatinmindwhenyourefleshingoutyourscriptoutline.

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#4:theMidpoint
Themidpoint,asitsnameimplies,istheatthemiddleofyourscreenplayssecondact.Itchangestheentiredirectionofyourstory.
Forexample,inagoodvseviltypestory,thegoodforceshaveexperiencedsetbackaftersetback.Butatthemidpoint,somethinghappensthatchanges
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theirfortunesforthebetter.Forthefirsttime,successseemslikeapossibility.
Inacomedyordramawherepeopleofdifferentpersonalitiesarethrowntogether,themidpointmarksthemomentwheretheystopseeingeachotheras
enemies,usuallybyaccomplishingaminor,butimportant,goaltogether.

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#5:thePointofCommitment
Thepointofcommitmentiswhereyourmaincharacterreaffirmshiscommitmenttohisgoal.ItsanotherplotpointthatIdidntthinkmuchaboutuntilI
readVikiKingsscreenwritingbook,HowtoWriteaMoviein21Days.
AccordingtoViki,thepointofcommitmenthappensaroundpage60ofyourscreenplay.AtfirstIwasskeptical,butthenIstartedlookingforitandlo
andbehold!itwasthere,justasshesaidusuallyclockingin60minutesintothemovie.
Iwouldntspendtoomuchtimeonthisplotpointwhenwritingyourscriptoutline,butbecauseImpersonallyinterestedinpsychologyandhuman
motivation,Ithinkitsaninterestingpointtoinclude.Youlloftendiscoveryoualreadywroteinapointofacommitmentinyourscreenplay,evenifyou
didntconsciouslyintendtodoso.

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#6:AllIsLost
Atthismoment,yourmaincharacterhasexperiencedanextremesetback.Hesthefarthesthecanpossiblybefromhisgoal,anditseemsimpossiblefor
himtoaccomplishit.ThismomentusuallymarkstheendofActII.
Tolearnaboutthethreeessentialstocraftingtheperfectallislostmoment,readthisarticle,or,foramoredetailedwritingguide,readTroughofHell:
HowtoWrapUptheMiddleofYourStorywithMaximumImpact.

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#7:theClimax
Intheclimax,yourmaincharacterhasgatheredhisresources(bothinternalandexternal).Inthisfinalshowdown,hewilltesthismettleagainstthe
antagonisticforcesthathavethwartedhimfromachievinghisgoal.
Ifhehasatragicflaw,intheclimax,hedemonstratesthathehasovercomeit.Allthelessonshelearnedduringthesecondactwillpayoffintheclimax.

YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#8:theResolution
Ah,werealmostdone!
Ifyourscreenplayhasahappyending,theresolutionisthebestpartforyourhero.Hegetstoenjoythefruitsofhislabor.Hisworldisinbalanceagain.

Mykindofscreenplayresolution
Ifyourscreenplayhas,shallwesayamoreEuropeanending,theresolutionisbittersweetforyourhero.Hemightnothaveaccomplishedhisgoal,but
somehowhesstillinabetterplacethanwhenhebeganhisjourney.

Finalthoughtsonyourscriptoutline
Ifyouneedhelptocreateascriptoutlineofyourown,tryoneoftheactionstepsbelow:
DownloadTheUltimateStructureWorksheet.Itcontainsquestionsandchecklistsdesignedtohelpyoueasilyconstructascriptoutline.Bestofall,
itsabsolutelyfree!
Seethe8essentialplotpointsinaction.Readthisarticletoseeexamplesofthe8essentialplotpointsfromLordoftheRings:TheFellowshipof
theRing.
ReadChapter11ofWriteScreenplaysThatSellbyHalAckerman.Asawhole,thisscreenwritingguideisfilledwithsolidadvice.Chapter11,
whichrevealsAckermanssnowplowingplottingtechnique,isespeciallyhelpful.
andforalongtermsolution
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Breakouttheindexcards.Watchagreatmovieandwritedownitsplotpoints,onebyone.Ifyourepressedfortime,usealistofplotpointsfrom
myarchives.Writeeachplotpointontoanindexcard.Dividetheseindexcardsintocolumns,sothatthelastcardineverycolumniseitheramajor
turningpointoranactbreak.Ifyoudothisregularly,youshoulddevelopanintuitionforscreenplaystructurethatwillmakeplottingyourown
screenplaysandwritingascriptoutlinetentimeseasier.
***
Whatdoyouthink?IfyouwerewritingaTVmoviebasedonCharlieSheen,whatwouldyourscriptoutlinelooklike?
WhiteboardOutlinebyJoGuldi
LushIsland(ofSriLanka)byTallisKeeton

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ScreenplayvsFilm:12RomComScreenwritingTipsfromHitch

ScreenplayvsFilm:10ScreenwritingTipsfrom10ThingsIHateAboutYou

IntroducingYourHero:LessonsfromTaken

ScreenplayvsFilm:10ScreenwritingTipsfromRED
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DaveJune2,2011,9:56am
Whatnonsense!!Howwouldyouapplytheserulestosuchlandmarkfilmsas2001,SOLARIS(tarkovski)orDavidLynchsLOSTHIGHWAY,,,
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldJune2,2011,10:48pm
Dave,
Icanunderstandyourindignation.ItseemslikeImtryingtostuffthemagicofastoryintoasegmentedlittlebox.Butthatsnotmyintention
atall.
Firstletmesaythattheseareguidelines,notrulesofthethoushaltnotkillcategory.
Secondly,knowingtheseplotpointsinyourscreenplaymakesitaloteasiertonavigate100120blankpagesbecauseyouvegotgoalstowrite
towards.Theyalsopreventyourscreenplayfromhavinganaimlessplot,whichdrivesmostreaderscrazy.
ThepointofScribeMeetsWorldistohelpaspiringscreenwritersselltheirscreenplays(withoutsacrificingtheirartisticintegrity).Sincemost
producedmoviesandscreenplaysthathavesoldrecentlyhavethese8plotpoints,itmakessensethataspecyourehopingtosellwouldhave
themtoo.Attheveryleast,youshouldbeableidentifythesepointstostudioexecutivesbecausetheyLOVEthem.
NowIhaventseen2001:ASpaceOdysseyorSolaris(toborrowfromJosephConrad,thehorror,thehorror,)butIfinditdifficulttobelieve
thatmovieswhicharesuchclassicslackaclimaxoraresolution
ReplyLink

JamesFebruary18,2012,7:10pm
Bothfilms,2001:ASpaceOdysseyANDSolaris,astheyarebothbrilliantlyandsuccessfullyplottednontraditionallyandmore
unlikeyour8plotpoints,theybothdohaveaclimaxandaresolution.In2001:ASpaceOdyssey,theclimaxiswhentheprotagonist
realizesheissuddenlylockedoutinspaceoutofthemothership,whentheartificialintelligentrobotmachinethatverballycontrolsthe
shipthroughvoicecommandswillnotlethimreentertheship,electronically,sohisresolutionistoenterthemothershipthroughthe
onlyreliablemeans,hisbackupmanualentrance,againsttherobotsverbalcommands,whichupsetstherobot,andthenhedecidesto
shutdownthecomputerrobotsystemaltogether,permanently,ultimatelydeliveringthemessagethathumanscanneverputcomplete
trustintoanycomputermachinetobeinchargeoftheirresourcesforsurvival,thatonlyhumanscanbeinchargeofthatmanually.In
Solaris,theclimaxoccurswheneveryoneonthespaceship,exceptforone,isplaguedandhaddiesbythecosmicdiseasewhile
stationedoutinspaceoverabillionmilesawayfromEarth.Theprotagonistisoneoftheplagued,butheisstillalive.Thelonesurvivor
decidestoreturntoEarthandescapethecosmicdisease.Buttheprotagonistsresolutionisthatinsteadoftakingtheoptiontogobackto
Earthwiththelonesurvivor,heacceptstoremainbehind,ashehasfalleninlovewiththephysicalmanifestationofabeautifulhuman
femalethatthecosmicairbornediseasehascreatedforhim,whichhasremovedhimcompletelyfromhisrealityintoaphysicallyaltered
dimensionalstateofmindtolivewithherforeverwhiletrappedinouterspaceoverabillionmilesawayfromEarth,andthatiswherethe
filmends.
ReplyLink

JamesFebruary18,2012,5:37pm
Thesebrilliant8plotpointsareNOTnonsenseATALL,Dave,youstupidignoranthalfbrainedmoron!Youdontevenknowcrapabouthow
toevenbegintowriteasuccessfulmoviescript,soSHUTTHEHELLUP!!!OnlyacompletejackassmindlessidiotlikeYOUwouldcome
outandmakesuchanirrationallypreposterousandbrainlessjuvenilecommentlikeWhatnonsensetoanobviouslywellstructuredlayout
descriptionof8plotpointsforamoviescript!!!Youareobviouslyacompletepatheticignorantwithnottheslightestrationalsenseof
comprehension!Yourbraincellscannotevenprocesslogicalandrationalinformationevenclearlyspelledoutforyourightinyourfacethat
youinsteadresorttoreactlikemindlessAfricansavagebaboon!Thescreenplayexpertwhopostedthesewellconstructed8plotpointsNEVEr
saidanythingaboutapplyingtheseplotpointstoeverysinglefilmthereisandhaseverbeenmadeoutthereinworld!The8plotpointsarea
generalstructureofplotsthatiscommonlyappliedtoMOSTfilms,notanexactblueprinttoeverysinglefilmever,youidiot!Youdonteven
havetocopyexactlyevery8plotsastheyare,asyoucanminusoneoraddanextraplotandmakescertainchangesineachplotstructure,as
well,whichishowyougettowriteandcreatesuchamazingnontraditionalfilmslikeSolarisandTheLostHighway!Useyourhead,at
leastwhatsleftofit,beforeyoudecidetosayorpostsomethingsostupidandsoignorantlike,Whatnonsense!!YOUaretheonewhois
completeandutternonsenseandtheloadofabsoluteridiculousbrainlesscrapthatcomesoutofyourstupidignorantmouthiswhatistotal
NONSENSE!!!
ReplyLink
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jasonstongDecember20,2012,12:08am
Tothepersonwhopostedtheoriginal8points..itreallyopenedmyeyes.Ivebeenwritingforyears,mostlyjibberishifuaskme,songs,
comedy,latelythebeginningofascriptthatIthoughtmightmakeamericalaughlikeweallneedtosomedays..butIdidntknowhiwtoputit
together.Thankyou.Imclearernow.Andnomatterwereitgoes.Yourknowledgewashelpfulandguiding.Neverletsomeonelikethe
negstivepeoplewhowriteonthebathroomwallseverchamgewhatsinsideofyou..theygetwhattheyneedinyourreply..thanksagain
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldDecember20,2012,1:52pm
HiJason,
Thanksforyourcomment.Thisisthekindoffeedbackwhichkeepsmemotivated!Iwishyouthebestofluckwithyourcomedyscript!
PS:Youmightfindthesepoststobehelpful:
ComedyWritingTipsfromtheHangover
RaunchFreeScriptTipsfromBridesmaids
ReplyLink

BruceTrittonJune26,2011,11:38pm
Iabsolutelylovethisblog.ItisallIhavebeenreadingsinceIfounditacoupleofdaysago.
IgnoreDave.Heisoneofthoseartistictypeswhovaluestyleoversubstance.
Ireadonequotefromthistypethatabsolutelyflawedme,
StevenSpielbergistooaudiencedriventobeagreatdirector.
Itslikesaying,
Thishospitalistoopatientdriventobeagreathospital.
Iamanewbiebutitwouldseemtomethattheaudienceshouldbeyounumberoneconcern.Artistictypesdontseemintelligentenoughtograspthat
yourblogisaboutgreatguidance,notsetinstonerules.
IhavereadmanyofyourpostsandhavethenanalyzedthescreenplaysIamcurrentlyworkingon.IamseeingalotofmistakesthatIdidntnotice
before,thankstoyourgreatblog.
ManymanythanksScribe
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldJune27,2011,11:50pm
HiBruce!
ImsogladthatScribeMeetsWorldhashelpedyouwithyourownscreenplays!Thatswhatthiswebsiteisallabout.
Yourobservation,audienceshouldbeyournumberoneconcernisspoton.Ifyouwritewiththisasyourguidingprincipleandfamiliarize
yourselfwithscreenwritingbasics,yourspecscriptswillbewayaheadofthepack.
Yoursupportisverymuchappreciated,andifthereisaparticularscreenwritingissueyoudliketoseeaddressedinapost,pleaseletmeknow
throughthecontactpageorinthecomments.
Goodluck!
ReplyLink

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AmySutoDecember1,2011,2:46am
Thisarticlechangedmywholeoutlookonscreenwriting.StructureisexactlywhatIneedtofocuson!Asanaspiringscreenwriter,thiswebsitehas
helpedmebeyondbelief.
Justwondering,haveyoueverheardofScriptFrenzy?Itsa30daycompetitioninAprilforscreenwriterstowritean100dayscript,anditis
incrediblymotivating.Ididitfouryearsago,andIvebeenhookedeversince.
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldDecember2,2011,12:13am
HiAmy,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorldIappreciatethekindfeedback!
IhaveheardonlypositivethingsaboutScriptFrenzy,althoughIhaveneverparticipated.Ifyoucandashoutascriptin30days,youhavea
greatroughdrafttoworkoninthefollowingmonths.Thatsoftenthehardestpart,towritepagesthatyoucanworkwithandmoldinto
somethingreallygreat.Imgladitshelpedyoustaymotivated!
ReplyLink

claraspeakJanuary11,2012,5:17pm
IagreewithBruce.Filmsshouldbeallaboutemotion.Atleastinmyopinion.Iputtheseplotpointstothetestandsureenough,theyreallinthe
blockbustermovies!
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldJanuary11,2012,10:34pm
HiClaraspeak,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!Imgladyouputtheseplotpointstothetest.WhileIliketothinkallthepostsherearehelpful,they
aremuchmoresowhenyouactivelyengagewiththemandusetothemtoanalyzemoviesand/oryourscriptinprogress.
Oneofthedrawbacksofbeingascreenwriteristhatyouworksohardtocultivateananalyticaleyesothatyoucanassessyourscreenplayand
fixitserrorsthatyouoftencantjustsitback,relax,andenjoyamovie.DependingonamovieandhoweagerIamtoseeit,Illmakea
consciouschoicetoturnmyanalyticalmindoffandtrytojustenjoythemovieforitsownsake,attheleastthefirsttimearound.IfIthinkIcan
learnfromit,Itrytowatchitasecondtimeandlookforcluestoitssuccess(orlackthereof).
Ofcourse,thisisntveryefficient,butthiswayIgettobeasatisfiedmoviewatcherandscreenwriterallatthesametime!
ReplyLink

JamesFebruary21,2012,5:11pm
Thatdoesnotmakethoseblockbustermoviesgreatjustbecausetheycontainthe8plotpoints.Limitingyourscreenplaystorytojustthese8
plotpointsmakesyourstorybecometoopredictableandreducesmanypossibilitiesofitbecomingpotentiallyinnovative,unique,andoriginal,
whichisoneofthemaingoalstowritingagoodscript.Toomanyoftheseblockbustermoviesaretoopredictableandlackagreatcompelling
story,becausetheydependtoomuchonthe8plotpointsbyrevolvingthestoryaroundtheplotpoints,insteadoftheotherwayaround,making
thestorybecomebland,typical,weak,andboring.Attheendofthemovie,yougohomefeelinguncompelled,unemotional,unmoved,and
unsatisfied,allbecausethescreenplaypaidmoreattentiontomechanicalstructurethanacompellingandartisticallycreativestory,wheremost
ofitsattentionshouldhavebeen.
ReplyLink

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JamesFebruary20,2012,6:20pm
ButwouldtheywanttospendanhourandahalfoftheirliveswatchinghimSWILLalcohol,dodrugs,andOOGLEwomen?Oh,ITHINK
YES!!!Asamatteroffact,DEFINITELYYES!!!AndyouhavetobequiteamoronofahumanbeingtoactuallythinkNOT!!Ooglewomen!?
Oogle!?!?Hahaha!!!LMFAO!!!Yeah,interestingchoiceandinterestingUSEofasmarmyjuvenilepseudoterminologythatyouplacesuchout
ofcontexthereandonethatdoesNOTexistintheEnglishlanguage.
Firstofall,whoeverthemindlessidiotwhocookedupthispreposterouslyirrationalstatementaboutCharlieSheen,CharlieSheendoesNOToogle
women,youmoron.Thatisyourridiculouslyidioticanddespicablesexnegativemediabrainwashedjuvenilefaketermforpretentiouslyromancing
andseducingwomen!CharlieSheendoesNOTpretentiouslyromanceandseducewomen!Herealistically,honestly,andmaturely,AND
successfullyromancesandseduceswomenlikeatrueintelligenteducatedrightmindedandmatureREALmandoesinREALlife,socutthecrap
withportrayingtheideaofromancingandseducingwomenintosexassometypeofbadthingorsomething,becauseyousoundlikeacomplete
brainlessidiot,andnothingcouldEVERbefurtherfromthetruth!
ThatswhatdifferentiatesCharlieSheenfromothermen.CharlieSheenisarealman,unliketoomanypatheticchildishfeeblemindedwimpyidiot
guysoutthere,whoareNOTrealmen,who,insteadofproperlyseducingandromancingwomenthewaytheySHOULDbedoing,biologically,
instinctively,andintellectually,byNature,thewayalloutsuccessCharlieSheendoes,resorttosurrendertothepatheticideologicalperversionsof
abstinence,marriage,monogamy,commitment,exclusiveonononemissionarypositionsex,andstomachturningpseudomoralcrap,likethe
pushoverpansiesandcowardstheyare,rightbeforetheirmentallysickanddegenerateradicalfeministsexphobicdelusionalmonogamistcrazed
skankwomenwhocontrolthem,which8outof10timesalwaysresultsinabsolutemisery,torment,suffering,andregret.
ThatiswhyCharlieSheenisbetterthanthosepushoverpansycowardloserguysandwhyheisatotalsuccessinhiscareerANDinpersonallife,
despitethatwholemediafabricatedcharadeofnonsensethatbulliedaroundhiminthenewsearlylastyear,andYOUaresofeeblemindedenoughto
getsuckedinbytheliesandthebullcrapcookedupbytheignorantsexnegativemediaaroundCharlieSheen,tohavethenervetowriteupthat
incrediblyidioticandveryfalsestatementyouwroteuphereagainstSheen.But,youjustkeepsuckinguptothebulls**t,right!?
Swill!?!?Hahaha!!!LMFAOagain!Wow,youreallyareeasilysuckedinbythemediafabricatedbulls**t!Itsincredibletoseehowsomepeople
arejustsoeasilymanipulatedbypublicizedliesandexaggeratedfacts.Foryourinformation,justlikecharlieSheendoesNOTooglewomen,He
alsodoesNOTswillalcohol!HeDRINKSalcohol,justlikeanyothernormalsanerightmindedpersonwhodrinksalcohol,andasfarasdoing
drugs,sowhat!?HemaydoaremayhavedonedrugsjustlikeanyotherpersonwhohasdonewhodidNOTbecomeaddictedNORsickfromit.
Contrarytoyourirrationalopinion,iftherealCharlieSheenwereturnedintoamovie,realistically,peoplewouldWANTtoseeagoodamountof
Charlieseducingandromancingseveralwomen,manyofthemsimultaneously,astheromancingandseductionofwomenbybothmenANDbyother
womenarealwaysoneofthehighestandgreatestfailproofnaturalsellingideasformovieplotsthatalwayssucceed,andthatisafact,aswellasthey
wouldwanttoseehowhedealswiththesituationanddilemmaofhiscareeratthatmoment,butshouldtheromancingandseductionofwomenendat
somepointinthefilm,thewholeplotandstorywouldberuinedandcrumpledtopieces!Therestofthestorywouldntmattermuchanymore,
becausehemostcompellingaspectofthecharacterspersonawouldbegone.Thestorywouldcollapse,andthefilmwouldsurelyturnoutintoatotal
financialflopattheboxoffice.
WhoCharlieSheenisasacharacterandasarealperson,asacharmingalphaladiesmanwhoalwaysromancesandseducesmanydifferentwomen
withpower,charm,intelligence,andwit,almostalwayssuccessfullyleadingtogreatpassionateuncommittedandunrestrainedmeaningfulsex,and
whoisfinanciallywealthyandindependentwithagoodsolidcareer,isEXACTLYthecharacterthatpeopleDOWANTtoseeinCharlie!Otherwise,
hischaracterandthestorybecomesuninteresting,unrealistic,andveryboring,anditsnotCharlie!So,YOUgotitALLwrongtohavethesicknerve
toactuallyresorttothemindlessthoughtthatsomehowpeoplewouldactuallyNOTwanttoseeCharlieSheenbeinghimself,beingarealman.And
asfarasseeingCharlieswillalcohol,thatsanotheroneofyourmediafabricatedoutofcontextmindlesslystupidandignorantterminologiesof
pointlessnegativejudgmentyouareattemptingtoutilizeagainfornogoodreason.
TheinterestingpartofthejourneyaspectoftheplotwouldNOTbeCharlieSheentryingtomakehiswaybacktoTwoAndAHalfMen,because
thatmaynotbewhathewanted.MaybehedidnotwanttogobacktoTwoAndAHalfMen,andevenifhedid,hisnormalsanerationalhuman
behaviorofdrinkingandseducingwomen,thewayMOSTpeopleintheworlddoandthewayALLpeopleshoulddo,bynaturallyintelligenthuman
biologicalfact,hasabsolutelynothingtodowithhislossorhislosingoutfromreturningtotheshow.
Asamatteroffact,itsCharliesoccasionalexcessivedrinkingandhisdedicatedpassionatecommitmenttoseducingandromancingwomeninto
passionatemeaningfulsexthatmadehimthegreatcelebratedandlovedcharacterthateverybodywantedtosee,hisseductivepassionatesexwith
severaldifferentwomenherecentlymetbeingfarmoremeaningfulthantheeversotragicmeaninglesscommittedmonogamouslovebasedsexhis
brotherAllenhad,thelittleheevergotthroughoutseveralyears,withhisthenpsychologicallyneuroticsexnegativecrazyfeministbitchexwife,
Judith,andallthatiswhichmadealargepartofkeepingtheshowtogetherforalmost10years.
Actually,abetterplottothelifeoftherealCharlieSheenwouldbeifatsomepointhegivesuppursuinghisreturntoTwoAndAHalfMen,
becauseherealizesitsnotworthitanymore,butthedrinking,thedoingoccasionaldrugs,andespeciallytheromancingofwomenpartofhis
characteralwaysstaysintact,becauseTHATiswhatpeopleWANTtosee,notjustinCharlieSheenbutinmanymaleANDfemaleleadprotagonist
characters,socuttheridiculouschildishnonsensewithmakingthebeautyofdrinkingandseducingwomenouttobeabadthing,insomestrange
bizarrewayifevenpossible,byusingstupidsmarmypretentioustermsthatarecompletelyoutofcontextandjuvenilesuchasswillandoogle,
becauseyousoundlikesomesickreligiouslypervertedsexnegativesycophanticfeministsupportingpseudomoralcrazeddegenerate.Drinking
alcohol,gettingdrunk,andromancingandseducingwomenintosexareALWAYSagoodthing,andTHATisanunequivocalandaninarguablefact!
ReplyLink

JamesFebruary20,2012,9:54pm
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AndBTW,romancingandseducinglotsofdifferentwomenonaregularbasiseveryweeknonstoporasoftenasoneneedsanddesiresisNOTan
addiction,notbyanymeans,whatsoever,andneverdoesitEVERbecomeanaddiction!So,doNOTeverplacetheconstantglorioussexualpursuit
ofmanydifferentwomenintothesamecategoryastheconstantpursuitofdrugsandalcohol,likesomedespicablesexnegativejerk,because
sexuallypursuingafterwomenconstantlyisclearlyNOTthesameasconstantlypursuingafterdrugsoralcohol!Whatareyousomekindofsick
disgustingsexphobicmisogynistreligiouslypervertedcreep!?Apparently,youthinkyoucancomeouthereonpublicinternetandselfappoint
yourselfassometypeofelectwhogetstodictatehowmuchsexandhowmanywomenpeoplecanhavesexwith,includingwhenistoomanywomen
andtoomuchsex!?!?Yourekidding,right!?
TheconstantsexualpursuitofwomenisNEVERanaddiction,becausetheconstantsexualpursuitofwomenishowhumanssurvive,notjust
biologically,buthowwesurvive,emotionallyandpsychologically,asthenormalhealthyfunctionalandveryrationalbehaviorofsexuallypursuing
womenconstantlyisabiologicalhumannecessitythatcomesdirectlyfromNature,NOTtoprocreate,buttoachievetheconstantsexualgratification
thatthehumanbodyneedsonaregularbasisinordertoalleviatethetestosteroneandestrogenlevelsthathelppeoplebecomephysicallyand
psychologicallystableenoughsotheycanactuallycarryonwiththeworld,andthatbalancecanonlybeachievedwithtrueequilibriumbyhavinglots
ofsexwithlotsofdifferentandnewpartnersonaregularbasis,alwaysconstantlysearchingfornewpartnerswhennecessary!
ThereisNEVERalimittohowmanydifferentwomenonecanhavesexwith,andhowevermanydifferentwomenyouhavesexwithneverbecomes
anaddiction!Thattypeofdespicablewayofthinking,wheretheconstantsexualpursuitofmanydifferentwomenissomehowanaddiction,isan
ideologicalperversionandanimposedmentalcorruption.YoudoNOTputwomenintothesamecategoryasdrugsandalcohol!WomenareNOTa
bunchofthingslabeledlikeshelfitemsNORaretheythingsthatcarythesamekindofpotentialrisksandhazardsasmanmadeproductsdo,likeyou
sodisgustinglyimpliedwithyourperverselystatedcorruptideologythatCharlieSheenshouldovercomehisaddictiontodrugs,alcohol,andto
women!
WomenareNOTsomethingyougrowanaddictionfor!Theyarebeautifulsexuallyenticingintellectualactualhumanbeingswhogivebirthtoother
humansofbothsexes,whoaretheonlyreasonyouevenexist,andwhomweall,bothmenandotherwomen,becomeemotionallyandsexually
arousedandpassionatefortoendlesslevelsofneedsanddesireswithoutlimit!ThereisNObecomingaddictedandthereisNOtoomuchwhenit
comestothesexualpassionforwomen,andyoudoNOTgettodictateanyconditionsNORtermsonwomen,onoursexualdesiresandpursuitsfor
women,andhowwegoaboutthem,EVER,youdespicablesexnegativecreep,sogetthatignorantreligiouslypervertedanddestructivelycorrupt
ideologyoftoomanywomenequalsaddictionmisogynistjudgmentalbigotedstupidityandsackofbulls**tliesoutofyoursickhead!
Toomuchdrugscanleadtosicknessanddeath.Toomuchalcoholdrinkingcanleadtopoisoninganddeath.Havingsexwithlotsofdifferentwomen
doesNOTleadtophysicalsicknessNORdeath,sohavingsexwithlotsofdifferentwomenonaregularbasisinconstantpursuitisNEVERa
problemNORdoesiteverbecomeanaddiction,andneitheryouNORanyoneEVERgetstodictatehowmuchsexandhowmanywomenonecan
havesexwith!
Asamatteroffact,peoplebecomephysicallysickandverymentallyunstablewhentheyareNOThavingmuchsexornothavingANYsexatall!
Peoplealsobecomephysicallysickandverymentallyunstablewhentheyarehavingverynongratifyingandmiserablesex,usuallyoneonavery
steadydecline,usuallywithinamarriage,withonesinglepartnerandbeingpsychologicallytrappedwithandbecominglesssexuallyattractedtoas
theyearsgoby.
ThereisabsolutelyNONEEDforCharlieSheentostopsexuallypursuingmanydifferentwomen,justasthereisnoneedforANYONEintheworld
tostopsexuallypursuingmanydifferentwomenonaregularbasis,whetheryouareamanoranotherwoman,becausealwayshavingsexwithmany
differentwomenonaregularbasisisNOTaproblem!Itisthenecessarybiologicalmannerinwhichwesurviveandlivefunctionally,anditisalways
agoodthing!Youhavetobereligiouslypervertedandsickintheheadbrainwashedwithsuchdespicablemoralcraptohavethenerveto
ideologicallyportraythenaturalsexualpursuitofmanydifferentwomenasiftobeanaddictionorsometypeofunhealthybehavior,whennothing
couldbefurtherfromthetruth.
Thatbeingrightfullyandfactuallystated,hereistherealtruerationalquestion.Wouldmovieviewerswanttospendanhourandahalfoftheirlives
watchingCharlieSheenswill12stepbrainwashingideologicalliesandbulls**tbarfedoutbysocalledexpertsduringsupposeddetoxication
programs,watchhimswillthesameirrationalandbrainwashingdespicableliesandbulls**t,suchasthecookedupfabricatedconceptofloveover
sexandotherridiculouslyperverseliesandnonsensebythesamedegeneratemanipulatorswhowilltrytoconvincehimofthebiggerliethatheis
somehowsometypeofsexaddict,thenhavetheviewerslaterwatchCharlieooglesomereligiouslycorruptsexuallyrepressedpietistgirl,one
singlegirl,intothepervertedbowelsofabstinence,commitment,marriage,monogamy,andexclusiveheterosexualoneononemissionaryposition
sex,untiltheybothdrownintothepriggishguttersoftheirownmisery!?
Doyouactuallythinkviewersaregoingtowanttospendanhourandahalfoftheirliveswatchingthis!?!?Oh,IthinkDEFINITELYNOT!!!
Andallfortherandomsaketojustseeifhecanpullitoff!?PullWHAToff!?!?Astoptohisdrinkingandhisrationalbehavioranddevotedpursuit
ofsexualpassionafterwomen,justsohecantransformintoasexuallydeprivedandpsychiatricallymiserablewreck!?MOSTDEFINITELYNOT!!!
ThatissomethingthatisNOTEVERnecessaryforANYONEtohavetopulloff!
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scribemeetsworldMarch19,2012,11:32pm
James,
Inresponsetoyourcomments:
Oogleandswillaredescriptiveverbswithpunch.ThatswhyIusedthem.
Iagree,youdontwanttowriteamoviewhoseplotrevolvesaroundthe8essentialplotpoints.Yourscriptshouldntbemechanicaldrivelbut
youdontwanttowriteanunorganizedmesseither.Ifyouutilizetheplotpointscorrectly,eachscenewillfloworganicallyintothenextoneso
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thatnothingcomesacrossasforced.
Heartisalsoascriptessential.Iftheaudiencedoesntcareaboutthecharactersinyourscript,thentheywontgivetwofigsthatyour
screenplayisperfectlystructured.
IthinkthatamoviefocusedonCharlieSheensexploits(withalcoholandwithwomen)wouldbeonenote.Peoplewouldquicklytireof
watchingsuchrepetition(Imreferringtofulllengthscripts,nottoa20minutesitcom).Ithinkaudiencesprefertoseeprogress,tosee
characterschangingintosomeonebetter(orworse)thantheywereatthebeginningofafilm.
Butthatsmyopinionandassessmentofaudiencetastes.Yourecertainlyentitledtoyourown.Youclearlyhavealotofpassionandalovefor
movies.UsethispassionandwriteascreenplaymaybeaboutacharacterlikeSheenorareligiousdegenerateandseeifanyoftheadvice
hereishelpful,CharlieSheencommentaryaside.
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SeanAugust31,2012,3:50am
SurprisedyourespondedtoJamesatall.
ReplyLink

tsilverJuly2,2013,3:10am
SoamI.RunonsentencesandBSIcouldntevenreadhiswholediatribe.
ReplyLink

austinApril2,2013,4:31am
Youseemlikeasupercooldude.ordudette.eitherway,propstohowyouhandledthisjamesdouchebag.
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldApril2,2013,11:25pm
HiAustin,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!JamesscommentshavegeneratedalotofcommentarywhichIdefinitelylike.Free
speechisusuallyawinwinallaround.Fortherecord,Imadudette
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HaakonDahlFebruary25,2012,6:13am
Thankyoufortheexcellenttips.Igotherefromstorycharts.ca,whereIwasmotivatedtogoGooglingforIncitingIncident.Imveryhappythat
Googleputmehere.
Forwhatitsworth,Ifindthatacertainamountofpruningincommentscangreatlyimprovethehealthofawebsite.
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldMarch19,2012,10:46pm
HiHaakon,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!Imgladyouvefoundthesitetobeuseful.Ivecheckedouthttp://www.storycharts.cathanksfor
bringingittomyattention.
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Tofurtheryourstudyofscreenwriting,IalsohighlyrecommendScriptshadow(tolearnmoreaboutthecraftbyanalyzingrealscreenplays)and
DeadlineHollywood(tolearnmoreabouttheindustry).AlexEpsteinsCraftyScreenwritingisalsoarealgem!
Pruningcommentsiscertainlysomethingtoconsider,especiallyasthesitegrows,butfornowImlettingtheFirstAmendmentreign!
Aftervisitingyourownwebsitewhichdefinitelyhasapoliticalslant,Iwonder,haveyouseentheIdesofMarch?Ifso,whatwasyourtake?
ReplyLink

HannahApril25,2012,7:38pm
No!Dontprunethewebsitecomments!ThatmightmeanIwouldneverhavegottoreadJamesepicresponse!
Although,atfirst,Ithoughttheguysoundedlikeacompleteidiot(itneverdoesanyoneanyfavourstolaunchintoaneedlesspersonalattackon
someonetheyhavenevermet)asIread,Iwassurprisedtofindhehadsomeveryintelligentpointstomake.Ihadneverreallythoughtofholdingthe
likesofCharlieSheenupasanAlphaMalehero,whogoesagainstourlearnedsocialconstraintsand,farfrombeingimmatureinhispursuitofsex
withmanydifferentwomen,isactuallybeingtruetohisbiologicalnature.Ihadneverthoughtofmarriedmenasactuallyweakforturningtheirback
againsttheirs.OnceIhaddecipheredhisspecialstyleofwriting,IhavetosayIagreewithmuchofwhathewroteexceptthemannerinwhichhe
deliveredit.
Ithinkinaperverseway,itkindofhighlightsthekeymessageofthesiteabouttheneedforstructure,leanwritingandstickingtothekeypoints.
Greatideas,greatcontent,canbelostwhenpresentedinapoorform.Goodformiscrucial.
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scribemeetsworldMay1,2012,9:22pm
HiHannah,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!ImgladyouenjoyedreadingJamesscommentsyoureright.Whenyouviewthemfroman
evolutionarybiologyperspective,theydomakesense.Oratleastmoresense.
Goodformisabsolutelycritical.Theorganizationofyourscreenplayisasimportantasitscontents.Ifyouhaveanymoviesthatyoudliketo
seeanalyzedonthesite,pleasesayso!
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BrookeJune2,2012,7:46pm
Hi,
Thankyousomuchforthissite!IvegottenalotoutofreadingitasItackleimprovingmyfeaturecomedyscript.AsIvebeentryingtoseethe8
plotpointsinmyownfilmIkeepcomingupwithafewquestions:
1.Youwrotethatat#6thecharacterhasarecommitmenttohisgoal.AndIwaswonderingwhyhere?Whywouldsomeonerightafterthemidpoint
suddenlyreaffirmthemselves?
2.Attheact2breakAllislostandthenthenextmomentafterthebreakistheClimax:Ikeepwondering,doesntthereneedtobeanadditionalplot
pointthatisveryimportantinbetween?Howcansomeonegofromlosingeverythingtosuddenlyhavingwhatheneedstosucceedduringthe
crisis/climax.
Iwouldbesogratefulifyoucouldhelp!Thisscriptmightkillme.
Thanks,
Brooke
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldJune3,2012,11:11am
HiBrooke,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!Imgladitsbeenhelpingyouasyourcompleteyourcomedyscript.
PlotPoint#6,thepointofcommitment,issomethingthatIfirstcameacrosswhenreadingVickiKingsHowtoWriteaMoviein21Days.And
afterreadingaboutit,Istartednoticingitinmoreandmoremoviesbutitsbynomeanssomethingessentiallikeastrongmidpointorclimax.
Soifitscausingyousleeplessnights,Iwouldntworryaboutit.
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Astowhyitwouldcomeafterthemidpointalotoftimes,themidpointofascripttakesthesecondactintoawholenewdirection.Soit
actuallymakessenseforthecharactertoreaffirmhiscommitmenttoachievinghisgoalafterthemidpointhasshakeneverythingup.Also,its
notlikethecharactersaysrightout,Imgoingtodothis,andcomehellorhighwater,nothingsgoingtostopme.ButheSHOWSit.
Thepointofcommitmentmightbeatesttodeterminewhetherornotthecharacterwillcontinueonhisjourneymaybeitsatemptationof
sorts.Atthispoint,itslikethecharacterhasaneasywayout,andusually,hellchoosetostayin.Youcanseewhythepointof
commitmentisusuallybuiltintoalotofscreenplays,becauseitsanaturalextensionoftheobstacle/goal/obstacle/goalsequencewhichisthe
backboneofplot.Itsjustoneinaseriesofobstacles,andbyovercomingit,theheroshowshiscommitmenttoachievinghisgoal.
RE:theclimaxyes,thereareadditionalscenesbetweentheallislostmomentandtheclimax.Theessentialplotpointsarelikeachecklistto
followtomakesurethatyourscreenplayhasasolidstructure.Youllfillinthescenesbetweeneachone.Theplotpointsmakeiteasiertodo
so,becauseitmakesyourgoalmoremanageablei.e.,okay,Ijusthavetofigureoutwhathappensbetweenthefirstactbreakandthe
midpointinsteadof,ohmigod,IhaveanentireActTwotowriteandIhavenoideahowtofillallthosepages!
Betweentheallislostmomentandtheclimax,somethinghappenstomaketheherorallyandnotgiveuponhisgoal.Alotoftimes,oneofthe
supportingcharactershelpstheheroexperiencearealizationthatheshouldntgiveup(likeinBridesmaids,MeganslapsAnnieandtellsher
thatAnniecantgiveupwhenlifehasknockedAnniedown).Thenthecharacterpreparesforthefinalclimax.
GoingbacktoBridesmaids,Anniepreparesbygettinghertaillightsfixed,bakingacakeforOfficerRhodes,andbyresolvingthingswith
Helen.Bridesmaidsisaboutinternalcharactertransformation,sotheclimaxisntafaceoffbetweengoodandevil(likeatypicalactionmovie
orthriller),butaboutAnniecomingtotermswithherpoorselfesteem.ByseekingoutOfficerRhodesandmakingupwithLillian,Annie
demonstratesshesovercomeherinternaldemons.
Ihopethishelpsgoodluckwithyourcomedyscript!
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mazhughesJune19,2012,4:08am
Sorryforspambutjustreadingthroughthesitethankyouscribe.Goodwords.
AndCharlieSheen3D?Uber.
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DianaJuly21,2012,12:16pm
JamesiseitherCharlieSheenoroneofhispersonalfriends.
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scribemeetsworldJuly21,2012,2:20pm
LOL,Diana!
IthinkIshouldsetupaseparatesectionjustforcommentsonJamessramblings!
ReplyLink

GibsAugust15,2012,10:33pm
haha,James,umadbro?CharlieSheens#1fan
Greatsite,justfoundit!
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldAugust21,2012,1:46pm
HiGibs,
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/

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ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld.ImgladtohaveCharlieSheens#1fanasareader.Winning!
ReplyLink

JuergenHeinemannSeptember2,2012,9:11pm
Hi,
Imrelativelynewtothissite.ButsincefindingitIhavebeenonitnonstop!Sothankyouforallthehelpfulinformation.NowtowhyImhereand
myquestion.Iamawriterslashfilmmaker.RecentlyIwasapproachedbyamajorhollywoodproduceraboutmywork.Sohenowhasoneofmy
scripts.Helikesitbutsaiditwastoodense.Thiseludestowhatyouhavebeensayingaboutamateurscriptsbeingtoocomplicatedandconvoluted
inthefirstact.Ihavereadovertheeightplotpointswhichwasabigonewithhim.AsagainyoustatedthattheyarewithMajorStudiotypes.And
Imnotreallythatfaroff.IfeelwithabitofsloughingandaminorrevampIshouldbewelltogood.Butmyquestionis.dotheseeightplotpoints
havetostayinthisorder?Immostlyreferringto#6AllisLostCantheybeshuffledabit?Imnotopposedtorevampingthisscript.Ivenever
beenaItsmyworkandmybabytypeofwriter.
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scribemeetsworldSeptember4,2012,7:41pm
HiJeurgen,
Congratulationsongettingaproducerinterestedinyourwork!ThatsahugestepIhopeyoucelebratedinstyle
Intraditionalthreeactstructure,theallislostmomenthastooccurbeforetheclimaxandtheresolution.Itcantoccuranysoonereither
becausetheprotagonisthasspenttheentiresecondactpreparingforthatmoment,butinsteadofclaimingvictory,hesuffersdefeat.
Hestheabsolutelyfarthestfromhisgoal,despiteeverythinghesdoneinthesecondact.Onlybygainingnewinsightcanherallyhisstrength
foronelastattemptintheclimax.Ifyourscripthasahappyending,thenhellalsogainprettymuchcompletevictoryattheresolution.
SoIguesstheshortanswerisnoyoucantreallyshuffleitaround.Iveneverbeenabelieverinfixedpagenumbers,soitsnotlikeyouhave
tohavetheallislostmomentonaspecificpage,butchronologically,ithastocomebeforeyourclimaxandresolution.
Firstactsarehardtotrim,usuallybecausethewriterissofocusedongivingtheaudiencebackgroundinformation.Ifthecharactersare
interestingandtheprotagonisthasacompellinggoal,theaudiencewillstillfollowalongeveniftheydonthaveallthebackgroundinfo.
Givethemsomecreditiftheyrehooked,theycanwaittillacttwoformoredetails/explanations.Isthereacharacterintroductionyoucan
delaytillActTwoinsteadofincludingitinthefirstact?Thatmightbeonewaytotrimitdown.
Densitycanalsorefertohowleanyourwritingis.Usingfragmentsandfewerwordswillmakeyourscriptfeellighter.Makesurenoneof
yourparagraphsarelongerthanfourlinesandminimizeoverlylongdialogues.Buttakethisadvicewithagrainofsalt.Youdontwanttoruin
thevoicewhichhookedtheproducerinthefirstplace!
Goodluck!
ReplyLink

JuergenHeinemannSeptember5,2012,12:11am
ThankyouSOmuch!Nowthatmuthoughtshavehadmoretimetocongelesotospeak.ImprettysureIvegotitdown. thanks
again.Andyoursightisawsomebytheway.
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NageshiraleNovember25,2012,6:04am
Dearsir,
Iwanttoprepareastoryoutlineforasuspensefilmbasedoncollegestudentslife.
Wouldukindlyhelpmeinthismatter.
Iwillbehighlyoblisedifitcouldbepossoble
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scribemeetsworldNovember27,2012,6:12pm
HiNagesh,
Icantgiveyouspecifichelpregardingyourproject,butIamplanningtowriteapostwhichdescribeshowtoplotyourmoviefrombeginning
toend.Ithinkthiswillbehelpfulforyou,andIllletyouknowassoonasitscompleted.
Inthemeantime,youmightwanttoreadAlexEpsteinsCraftyScreenwritingorBlakeSnydersSaveTheCat,astheybothgivehelpfuladvice
onthistopic.Also,studytheplotpointsforasmanysuspensemoviesasyoucanfind.Takenisntabadplacetostart!
CarsonReevesoveratScriptshadowhasdoneseveralreviewsofthrillerscripts.Ifyougothroughthese,youcanlearnalot,notjustfromthe
postitselfbutalsofromthecomments.Goodluck!
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EADecember5,2012,8:52pm
HavingjustbeengettingmyfirstinvitationfromafamousHollywooddirectortowriteanoutlineforastoryIsuggestedtohim,Ifoundthis
informationveryusefulanditwillcomequiteinhandywhengettingontomyfirsteverscreenplay.Thanksforsharinggreattips,lookingforwardto
steppingintothemoviemakingworld!
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scribemeetsworldDecember6,2012,12:37am
EA,
Whatexcitingnews!Imsohappyforyouandgladthatthispostgaveyousomehelpfulguidelines.Keepinmindthisarticleonlydescribesthe
essentialplotpointsyoullprobablyneedmoretofleshoutyourstoryoutline.HalAckermansWriteScreenplaysThatSellwillcomeinhandy
atthisstage.
Goodluck!
ReplyLink

LovePearlsDecember12,2012,3:43am
Thankyou,thankyou,forthis.Plotpointshavesetmestraight.IhavewrittenthemdownandthejourneybeginsIdohaveaEuropeanEnding,butI
hopeitisstrongenoughtotouchtheaudienceasIttouchesme.Arethereanyexamplesofdeathbeingabetterplace?Itisnotmorbidbyanymeans,
butitissymbolictotheresolution.Mycharacterishappytomeethislostloveonceagain.Anythoughts?
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scribemeetsworldDecember12,2012,8:52pm
HiLovePearls,
Imgladthisarticlehelpedyou!Offthetopofmyhead,Gladiator(whichseemsespeciallypertinentforyourproject)andBraveheartareboth
movieswherethedeathoftheprotagonistmadeforanextremelystrongending.Idontthinkanyoneintheaudiencewascomplaining!IfI
thinkofothers,Iwillpostthemhere.
Goodluckwithyourscript!
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GregMarch25,2013,5:17pm
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Smokemethmuchjames?
Anyways,soIseehowthesemainpointsrelatearoundastorywheretheheroisputintoapredicament,hasaseriesofsetbacks,onesetbackisabove
allelse,theworst.Atthispointsomethingchanges(Ithinkwecanallagreethisisveryresonating.)Andintheendtheherotriumphs.
Somyquestiontoyouiswhathappensifinourstorythereisasenseofhopelessnessandtheheroneversuceedsandthelightattheendofthe
tunnelnevergetslarger?Couldthestorybeappealingifthereisaclimaxbutnotasummitbythehero?
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scribemeetsworldMarch28,2013,6:12pm
HiGreg,
YoualwayshavetodowhatsrightforYOURstory.Thatbeingsaid,herearethreethoughtstoconsider:
1)Reallifecanbehopelessenough.Peoplegotothemoviesinparttoescapethatfeeling.Youmightwanttoreconsideracompletelybleak
endingjustformarketabilityssake.Ifyourherofails,thepossibilityofahopefulendingshouldexistforanothercharacter(howeverminor).
ToquoteSydFieldfromhisbookScreenplay,IoncetaughtaworkshopinGermanyforsome50writers,andoutof50stories,46ofthem
endedindeath,suicide,mayhem,anddestruction.Itoldthestudentsthattherearebetterwaystoendascreenplaythantohaveyourcharacter
caught,shot,captured,die,commitsuicide,orbekilled.
2)Ofcourse,ableakendingmaybeexactlyyourpoint.TheendingofChinatownsureisnegativebutthatsthewholepointofthemovie.The
richcananddogetawaywithmurder.IfyoucanconveyyourpointofviewaswellasChinatowndid,yourscriptcanbeacallingcardwhich
cangetyouanagentandpossiblyassignmentworkevenifitsnotmarketableenoughtobeproduced.
3)Peoplebecomeimmunetothingsthemoretheyareexposedtothem.Forexample,afterawhile,ifanactionmoviedoesntpaceitsaction
scenes,audienceswillstopfeelinganadrenalinerushwhilewatchingthemonscreenbecausetheyvebecomehabituatedtothem.Thesame
principleappliestoamoviewhichleanstowardsthebleakside.Ifthehopelessnessisntpunctuatedbyhappier,morehopefulmoments,the
bleaknesswillloseitseffectandyouraudiencewillbenumbtoit.
Inotherwords,thereshouldbesomesuccessachievedatsomepoint,otherwisetheseriesoffailureslosesitsimpact.Twoidealpointsfor
creatingafalsesenseofhopearea)attheendofActTwoandb)inthemiddleofyourclimax.
Ihopethishelps.Goodluck!
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JuliaMay21,2013,12:07pm
Ireallyhavetothankyouforthisamazingsite!Icomefromgermanysoitskindofdepressingsearchingforreallygoodgermansitesthatmighthelp
youwithyourscreenwritingprocess.Imgladifoundsiteslikeyourswhichhavebeenveryhelpful!
Thisarticlereallyinspiredmeandalsohelpedmealot.ButIstillgotafewquestionsandhopeyoucanhelpme!
Imstillinkindofalearningprocesswhenitcomestoscreenwriting,butImworkingpassionatelyonascreenplayatthemomentandIvealready
outlinedeverymajorplotpointsoIknowwhatthestoryisaboutandwhatmyleadcharacterreallywantsetc.Ialsooutlinedtheeightsequencesof
thescreenplay.Somynextstepistostartwritingatreatment.IvealreadydonethisbeforeandIthinkitisquitehelpfulsoItotallyagreedwithyour
articleabouttreatmentsIvereadearlier.
ButIwaswonderinghowmuchoutliningistoomuch.
WhilesearchingforoutlineexamplesIfoundadevelopmentforascreenplayofaTVshow.Itwasjustforoneepisodesoitwasntthewholestoryof
thewholeseasonofthisshow.Butwhatreallyconfusedmewasthateverysinglescenewasoutlinedandwrittenaskindofatreatment.Buttheres
othersiteswhereIvereadthingslikeWhenitcomestoscreenwriting,justoutlineatleastyourmajorplotpointsandthengetitdone.Well,I
thoughtmaybeitisagoodwaytooutlinethewholescriptsoyoullknowwhatyouactuallywanttowriteabout.ButthenIthoughtifIoutlineevery
singlesceneIwanttowriteintheactualscript,Iwillspendmoretimeoutliningthanactuallywritingthescript.
SoitkindofconfusedmeabitandIwantedtoknowhowyouyourselfhandlethoseoutliningprocess.Because,Ithinkitsgoodknowingwhereyour
storygoesandhavingthewholeplotstructuredinthoseplotpoints,butlikeyousaidinanotherarticleaboutthe8020rule,themoreyouresearchthe
lessyouwrite,Ithoughtmaybeitsthesamethingwithoutlining.MaybeIwontgetthescriptdoneifIspendtoomuchtimeoutlining.
HopeyouatleastknowwhatmyproblemisandcanhelpmeabitsoIwontbeasconfusedasIamrightnow!
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scribemeetsworldMay21,2013,9:04pm
HiJulia,
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/

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Imsogladthatmysitehasbeenhelpfulforyou!Inregardstooutlining,Ithinkitisanessentialpartoftheprocess.Iliketooutlineasmuchas
possiblebecauseIfindthatthisreducestheamountofextensiverewritingIhavetodolater.Youdoraiseagoodpointthoughyoucanoutline
toomuchandneverstartwritingyourscreenplayinthefirstplace.Thisdefeatsthewholepurposeofoutlining!
ThisishowIapproachoutlining:first,Ifocusoncrackingthe8essentialplotpoints.Then,Ifigureoutwhatneedstohappeninorderforthose
plotpointstooccur.Iaddinscenestoheightentheemotionortoimprovethelogic,etc.Thisusuallyyieldsalistofabout40plotpointsorso.I
puteachplotpointonanindexcardandshufflethemarounduntilIthinkIhavethemorganizedintoasolidstructure.ThenIthinkabouteach
plotpointhowitshouldbegin,whatshouldhappeninthemiddle,andhowitshouldend.Ifanyfunnyideasorlinesofdialoguecometome,I
writethesedownaswell.Idontwritemuchmaybeonesideofanindexcard,sometimesbothsides.ItdependsonhowextensiveIthinkthe
scenewillbe.IdothisuntilIhavefilledouteachindexcardandthenIrepeattheprocessacoupleoftimes.
Bythispoint,Imitchingtobeginwriting!Ithinkthatsagoodindicatorofwhenyoushouldswitchfromoutliningtowriting.Youdonthave
toadddetailstotheindexcards,butIwouldntstartwritingbeforeIhadalistofalltheplotpointsorganizedinawaywhichbesttellsmy
story.
Thisis,ofcourse,themethodwhichworksforme.Somepeoplehateoutliningandwritebytheseatoftheirpants.Itsoundsthoughlikeyou
areanoutlinerlikeme!
Toclarify,inthearticleaboutthe8020rule,Iconcluded20%ofyourresearchwillyieldabout80%ofthedetailsyouactuallyuseorneed.So
Iresolvedtoresearchless.Byresearch,Imeanttimespentlookingupfactualdetails,notoutlining.Infact,inthesamearticle,Iconcludedyou
shouldspendmoretimeoutliningratherthanless!(Butnottothepointwhereoutlinebecomesaprocrastinationdevice.)
Ihopethishelps.Letmeknowifyouhavemorequestions!
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GBlivinsJune23,2013,10:46pm
Imnewtothissite,buttheideasyoupostaretimeless.Thankyouforsharingyourthoughtswiththeworld.IespeciallyfoundyourBacktothe
Futurenotesveryhelpful.AsforJamesearlierinthisthread,Ivefoundtherearetwotypesofscreenwriters:1)thosewhorecognizethatthere
indeedisstructuretoallgreatfilmsand2)thosewhothinkeverythingtheywriteisflawlessandifpeopledontunderstanditorlikeit,theybecome
pissedoffandblametheworldfortheirshortcomings.(Andbytheway,using2001andSolarisasexamplesonlymadeyourpointstronger.Those
moviesneverseethelightofdaywithoutKubrickorClooney.WhowasJameskidding?)
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scribemeetsworldJune24,2013,5:26pm
HiGBlivins,
Thanksforthekindwords!Ithinkonceyourealizehowmuchtimeasolidstructureandanoutlinewillsaveyouduringtherewritingstage,you
findthesetoolstoberatherliberatingthanrestrictive.
CanyouimaginewritingafilmlikeBacktotheFuturewithoutanykindofstructuralaid?Nightmare!
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IsaJoyAugust11,2013,2:46pm
IlladmitIprettymuchhateoutlining,butitmakesthetaskofcompletingascreenplaymuchlessdauntingandsomethingthatsactuallydoable.
IfindyourwebsiteveryhelpfulasIdailypursuemydreamsofbecomingaHollywoodfilmmakersothankyou!!
ReplyLink

JillDecember16,2013,8:47am
IjustwantedtodropanotetosayhowmuchIamlovingyouradvice!Youofferupsomegreat,concisetipsforaspiringscreenwriters.Iam
bookmarkingyoursiterightnow.Thanks!
ReplyLink

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scribemeetsworldDecember18,2013,10:52am
HiJill,
Thanksfortakingthetimetowriteacomment!Yourkindwordsmeanalottome.Goodluckwithallofyourwritingendeavors.
ReplyLink

RobertMarch21,2014,2:37am
Hello,
Imalsoanaspiringscreenwriter,andIjuststartedataboutthistimelastyear.Sofar,Ivecompletedfourmoviespecscripts,oneTVpilotscript(an
hourlongdrama)andImcurrentlyworkingonasitcom.
IthinkthislistisaGREAThelp.AnyonewhohasdoneanythingknowsthatyouALWAYSwanttostartoffwithdirection,especiallyifyourenew
toit.Tojustwingitisalmostneveragoodidea.Justlikemanyothers,Iunderstandthatthesearejustsomegoodguidelinestobeginwithandof
course,thebetterweget,themorewemaybeabletodeviateappropriately.SomefolksturnsomethinglikethisintoanEnglishprojectandthatswhy
itdrivesthemcrazy,butwhattheyneedtounderstandisthatthisisjustsoyoucanhavesomestructureandknowwheretobegin.Thisalsoallows
youtobreakthescriptdownandfocusmoreondoingmaybe30pagesatatimeratherthantryingtofigureall120outinonesittingorgettoonespot
andjustbestuckbecauseyouhavenoideawheretogonext.
Obviously,withmoreexperience,again,yourebetterequippedtodeviate,andthatsanotherthingalotoffolksmisunderstand.Weasamateursare
notinagoodpositiontodeviatejustyet.Weoftenwanttocompareourselvestoseasonedscreenwritersandthatsnotagoodidea.Allweseeisthe
finishedproductandifitdoesntmatchcloselywiththisformatorsimilar,thenwewronglythinkthatnostructurewasusedatall.
WhileIlladmitthatitISfrustratingtosometimesseeworkouttherethatlookslikeitstayedFARawayfromthisandissometimesjustplainbad,the
thingforustorememberisthatweDONTwanttoberememberedforthat.Inotherwords,itseasytoseethatitlookslikesomeonewasabletoput
ahalfheartedeffortintosomething,succeedandthenfigurethatthatsallweneedtodoaswell.WewanttomakeOUROWNnames.
Sorrytogetintoallthat,butIjustwantedtothankyouforcreatingthislist.AsIsaidabove,ImworkingonasitcompilotnowandIcameonlineto
lookupgoodwaystooutlinethat.Icameacrossthis,andImgladIdid!
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldMarch24,2014,9:46pm
HiRobert,
Thanksfortakingthetimetoshareyourobservations.Youvesummarizedthebenefitsofoutliningquitenicely.Outlinesdefinitelymake
writingalongerworkmoremanageableandsaveyoualotofgriefinthelongrun.
Itsinterestingtoreadarticlebyauthorswhodontlikeoutlining,buttriedtoembraceit(forwhateverreason).Forthemostpart,theyendup
concludingthatoutlininginadvancesavedthemalotoftimeduringtherewriteprocess
Youvebeenenormouslyproductiveinthelastyear.Itsoundslikeyoudbeagreatassettoashowswritingstaff.
FromwhatIveread,thestructureofaTVshowsharessimilarprinciplestothestructureforafulllengthfeaturescreenplay,butitdoeshaveits
ownnuances.(Soyoudhavetoadapttheoutlinepresentedinthisarticle.)
Formorespecifics,readSuccessfulTelevisionWritingbyLeeGoldberg&WilliamRabkinandWritingtheTVPilotbyWilliamRabkin(if
youhaventalready!).
Bestofluck
ReplyLink

AmyMarch22,2014,6:21pm
Greatstuff!
WaslookingtoprocrastinatefromcontinuingwithmyoutlinesoitsalwaysreassuringtoknowImnotlostbutontherightpath.Inspiredtogetback
toit!
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ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldMarch23,2014,11:27pm
HiAmy,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld.Imgladtohearthatthisarticleinspiredyoutogetbacktoit!
Goodluckwithyouroutline
ReplyLink

BiancaApril15,2014,3:59pm
Ihaveaquestion.
SoIvebeentryingtogetatleastabasicoutlinebasedontheworksheetyouguyshave,butImconfusedonwhattodoifyouhero/protagonists
maingoalgoesagainsteverythingyourstoryisabout.
Forexample:Say,yourprotagonisthasanabilitythatcanhelppeoplebuthatesit.Sotheirmaingoalistobecomenormalandsafe.Yetthereare
alltheseconflictsthatleadyourmaincharactertodotheoppositeontheirgoalwhichImguessingisembracingtheirsituationandability.
Ifitslikeso,doesntthatmeantherearenostakesifdontsucceedtheirmaingoal?Ordoesitmeantheirmaingoalhaschanged??
Imreallyconfused.
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldApril16,2014,8:43pm
HiBianca,
Ihaventseenitinalongtime,butitseemstomethattheplotofSpiderMan2matchesthesituationyouvedescribed.PeterParkerwantsto
rejectbeingSpiderManandembraceanormal,safelife,but,bytheend,learnstoembracehissuperheroidentity.Studyingthatmovie
shouldhelpyoualot.
Oddlyenough,studyingamovielikeAboutaBoymayhelpyoutoobecausethepushpullstruggleoftheheroissimilar,eventhoughhes
notinpossessionofsuperpowers.
Tobemorespecific,Will(HughGrantscharacter)professesanearnestdesiretolivealone,likeanisland.Thisistheequivalentofa
protagonistwhowantstobesafeandnormal.ButMarcuswontletWillaloneheforcesWilltochangeandembracelifelikeanislandchain.
Ihopethishelps.Goodluck!
ReplyLink

DerekAugust11,2014,5:18am
Thanksalot.Ibelieveanoutlineistoascriptwriterwhatabusinessplanistoanentrepreneur.Your8plotpointsareagreatbreakdownofthe
classical3actstructureandyouhavemademyworkveryeasy.Anyonewhovisitsthissiteisblessedwithsomeformofcreativepower,andasweall
know,powerisnothingwithoutcontrol.Thecontrolisinoutline.Ihopeyoudontmindmementioningyouinmysuccessstoryinafewyearsto
come.
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldAugust12,2014,8:31pm
ThanksDerekforthekindwords!
Withyourpositiveattitude,Imsuresuccesswillcometoyousoon
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ReplyLink

MarquiseOctober8,2014,4:17am
Ijustfounditfunny:AsIwatchIntotheWildbySeanPenn(2007)towriteananalysispaperInoticedthatthemoviepracticallyfollowsthisplot
pointoutlinealmostexactly.AfterreadingthisIammuchmoreconfidentinanalyzingthesignificanceoftheplotpointstothestory.Thanks!
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldOctober8,2014,7:21pm
HiMarquise,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!
ItlookslikeyourfirstvisitisanexampleofwhatJuliaCameroncallssynchronicity.
ReplyLink

samuelNovember18,2014,5:39am
IdontknowhowtostartwritingascreenplayIhavealotofimagesinmyminditcomesasdreamsattimethoughtattimevisionIneedhelp
ReplyLink

SarahFebruary11,2015,4:18pm
Wow,thispostwassohelpful!ImactuallylookingforwaystowriteaneffectiveoutlineforacomicIwanttostart,andmostofmystoriestendto
lackstructure.Thislistisagreatplatformtostartbuildingmyownstoryon,andtoScribeIcanonlysaythankyou!!!:)
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldFebruary14,2015,8:38pm
HiSarah,
Imsogladthisarticlemighthelpyouwithyourcomicvery,verycoolandperhapsafirstforScribeMeetsWorld!
ReplyLink

StacyApril7,2015,4:07pm
HeyScribe!
Greatwebsite.IamrecentDirecting/Screenwritinggraduateofaveryhandsonindustrylikefilmschool.Beingoutofschoolforawhile,mywriting
skillshavebeenslowlydullingout.Planningtogotograduateschoolthisfallforfilm,IdecidedIneededtoreteachmyselfmanythingsIhave
forgotten.Imfilmschool,wetalkedaboutstory,howweneedabeginning,middleandend.Weneverwentindepthtoplotpoints,3actstructure,
lowestlow,etc..whenmythesisadvisoranalyzedmythesisscripthegavebackfeedbackwithwordslike,theclimax,thingscomein3,lowest
lowetc.Ididnotreallyunderstandwhathemeantuntilafterreadingthis(andmanyofyourotherlinksonyourwebsite).Iwasmoreofadirecting
majorthattooksomewritingcourses.FirstofallIwanttothankyouforpostingsooftenpleasekeepup!Youhavealotoffans.
Two,inclass,wemainlywatchedmoviesandthenwewouldanalyzethem.Wewouldtalkaboutwhyitworkedtheimages(i.e.openingand
closingimages,howthemoviemadeuscareaboutthemaincharacter,etc)Itwasmorefilm,lesstheory.Imnotsureifyouwouldconsideryour
writingtheorysinceyousaidthiswebsiteisforpeoplewhowanttoSELLtheirscript.Iwenttoamoreartdrivenschoolbutmyteachertriedto
instillsomebusinessmentalityaswell.Iwouldliketoaskyou,doyouthinkasawriterwhowritesfromtheheart(usually)butalsovaluesamovie
thathasgreatstructure(withsuspense)doyouthinkitsbettertofirstgowithwhatyoufeel,thentweakitout?OrshouldIfollowthe8plotpoint
structure,makesureithitseverypoint,thentrytoartfullycraftitout?
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Anyways,thanksagainandlookingforwardtoreadingmore!Wouldlovetohearaboutsomeforeignfilmsaswell.Iamworkingonastorythattakes
placeinChina,mostofthecharactersspeakChinese.ButthemainisanenglishspeakerIamalmostconfusedonwhoIshouldputthefocuson
audiencewise.IguessthatmaybeaquestionIhavetoaskmyself!
Andlastly,canyoupleasedoananalyzationonaWoodyAllenfilm?Iwouldliketoseehowhehitsthese8marks,orhowhemakesitwork.He
alwayshasthemosttaboorelationships,yetitalwaysworkssowonderfully!
Thanksagain!!
ReplyLink

scribemeetsworldApril14,2015,7:44pm
HiStacy,
Itsalwaysbesttowritefromtheheart.
Thekey,though,istofigureoutwhatkindofprocessworksbestforyou.Somewriterscanplotinadvance,whilestillwritingfromtheheart
othersfeelthatthattheyneedmorespontaneity(egpantserswhowritefromtheseatoftheirpants).
Choosetheprocessthatyouenjoymost.Thenevaluateyourrawmaterialandfigureouthowtomolditintothestrongeststorypossible.(And
mostcommerciallyviabletoo,ifthatsyourgoal.)
Ifyoureaplotter,youllbeworkingwithanoutlineifyoureapantserthenyourrawmaterialwillbeyourroughdraft.So,youalwayshaveto
dosomekindofanalysis.Butthepointintimewhenyoudothatanalysisdependsonwhatworksbestforyou.
Re:WoodyAllenhisnamemakeshismoviescommerciallyviable.Soananalysisofhisfilmsisunlikelytopopuponthissitebecause
basicallyonlyWoodyAllencansellaWoodyAllenesquemovie.Ifyoureinterested,BillyMernithasanexcellentanalysisofANNIEHALL
inhisbook,WritingtheRomanticComedy.(Thebookisagreatresource,BTW!)
Goodluck!
ReplyLink

GirlFridayMay3,2015,2:42pm
IjustwanttosaythankyouforgiveusthisinformationforFREE.Inthisworldwherepeoplearejustouttogetthealmightydollar,itissorefreshing
toseesomeonewhoobviouslywantstohelpthewriter.IfIcouldshowyoumybookcaseofazillionbooksonscreenwritingyouwouldhavea
headache.Youvemanagedtodowhatthosebookshavefailedtodoformeforyears.Comingupwithstoryideasandbigconceptswereneverthe
problemforme.Structureontheotherhandughh!NowIfinallyfeellikeIcanapproachstructuretherightway.WhenIwinmyOscarforbest
screenplay,Iwillmentionyourname.
ReplyLink
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