ScriptFrenzy Prep Work

Well, although no one's agreed to go along for the script-writing ride with me, I'm still going to do my best to stick it out. I have a couple--technically three--decent movie ideas, each in an entirely separate genre. But I think the sci-fi one will be the easiest to write at this stage, as it's the most fully developed (plot wise) in my mind.

My next step, which I need to get a good head start on before April rolls around (rather soon, if my calendar is right), is completing a beat sheet.

For those of you unfamiliar with the terminology, a beat sheet is, essentially, the screenwriting equivalent of an outline. It details what will be happening scene by scene. I don't usually do outlines, but when writing for movies the outlining becomes far more important than it is for silly trinkets like essays. The reason? Time constraints. Movies (feature length movies, that is) are expected to be a certain length. If the thing is too long or too short (i.e. over 130 pages/under 80 pages), it's not likely to even be looked at seriously if at all, unless you're already established in the industry.

Anyhow, my task--you know, apart from the extensive grading I should be working on instead of writing this post--for the next day or two will be to put together a rough beat sheet that will serve as my guideline for what to write where throughout the month of April.

I'm still all for anyone joining in. Let me know if you decide to.

JF