The Writing Process Part 1

Continuing on from Starting to Write we will now look at a few of the elements you need to consider whilst writing; 

Who are you writing for? - It is important to at least consider who this script is going to. The chances are if you're writing a short film then it is for yourself to direct or a filmmaking friend. That's fine. However, if you're writing a feature, the script you write could differ tremendously if you're writing it with the hope that you can sell it to Hollywood rather than for yourself or your friend. If you're going to direct your own work you will almost certainly be considering your potential budget. My advice is write what you know and write what the story needs. If it would cost too much to shoot the finished script then find a way round it. If you write a cheap film you will probably make a cheap film. With that in mind though it is also important that you don't overdo it because you're worried that it's cheap. Remember, your first draft is just that, it's your first chance to get your ideas onto paper, once they're on paper you can use your later drafts to shape them. You could write a brilliant script using one location and a handful of actors. Use your limitations to your advantage. Which brings us onto...

Contain yourself - it takes time, money and effort to move locations so consider (in later drafts) locations which could be used more than once. If you're writing a horror film you could set the whole film in a house, or the woods. You don't need to be extravagant just for the sake of it.
This also applies to characters. I couldn't tell you how many times I've read that a character in a film was originally written as three separate characters but then condensed into one, more rounded, character. With this is mind, the fewer characters you have, the more chance there is that you'll spend time forming them into people who are interesting and genuine.

Day is better than Night - Now there are times when your film will absolutely, 100%, have to have a night scene. But remember, if you're shooting outside it will be cold and dark (obviously), which means cast and crew will probably be fairly unhappy to start with. You'll have no choice but to light the scene which will take time, even longer if people can't really see what they're doing.

Story is the most important thing - Some new writers have a tendency to be too kind to their characters. It's understandable, you've created these people who, to you, are living and breathing, so why would you want to cause trouble for them? Because it's interesting, that's why! If, once you have completed your first draft, you read through your script and you feel like the characters have it easy then you are the one that needs to change that. Whilst the idea might be strong it is only by connecting the audience to the characters emotionally, so they go on the journey together, that you will start to achieve what you set out to do. Engage people in your story. Remember, you can tell anyone a story, it's getting them to listen that's the challenge.

Engaging the audience - Despite what I've just said you don't have to write some kind of emotional roller coaster that leaves an audience drained at the end. There are many ways to engage an audience; You're onto a winner if you have a good twist - The Sixth Sense is a good starting point if you want to see (and read) how to execute a perfect twist. Yes okay, some people saw it coming. Well done! Whilst watching a film which could go any number of ways you had a thought which turned out to be the twist. You will always have people who say "they saw it coming" as though it's either an achievement on their part or you, as a screenwriter or filmmaker, haven't done your job well enough. Well I'll tell you now, if you have even a half decent twist more people will be surprised than see it coming. If you have plenty of depth to a story there are usually points at which 'clues' appear to the imminent twist. When you're writing just remember; some people will see it coming, some won't and some will expect something completely different. If you manage to achieve that then you're onto a good thing. 

Of course twists don't always fit your structure or narrative. Sometimes simple, light-hearted moments can engage an audience just as much. If you can make an audience laugh or smile at a characters dialogue or action during the heaviest, most emotional piece of drama in a film then you not only give the audience a bit of a breather (remember, they're going on this journey with the characters) but you give the audience a chance to form an emotional bond with the character. If you have a character at breaking point then you hopefully have the audience on their side, willing them through. If you bring the character back from the brink, the audience can feel, with good writing, that they have supported the character and helped them though.