How to Write a Script Outline _ the 8 Essential Plot Points
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 1/22
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HowtoWriteaScriptOutline:the8MajorPlotPoints
PlotisTHEdrivingforceofyourscreenplay,soitsessentialthatyouspendtimeonyourplottingskillswhenyourewritingascriptoutline.
Youcancreatethemostinterestingcharacterintheworld,butwithoutanequallyinterestingplot,theaudiencewillnotwanttospend90120minuteswiththatperson.
Forexample,manypeoplefindCharlieSheenscurrent2011selfdestructivespiralinterestingtoreadandgossipabout.Butwouldtheywanttospendanhourandahalfoftheirliveswatchinghimswillalcohol,dodrugs,andooglewomen?
Ithinknot.
ButgiveCharlieboyagoalperhapstorejoinTwo&aHalfMen,thesuccessfulsitcomhewaskickedoffofwhileheovercomeshisaddictiontoalcohol,drugs,&women
andthat,peoplemightwatchbecausetheyllwanttoknowifhecanpullitoff.Maybenotsomethingtheyllpay$10tosee,butasamovieoftheweekonTVwhynot?(AlthoughIsuspecttherearesomefilmexecutiveswhothinkCharlie:3Dwouldbequitetheblockbuster)
Sinceyouwanttoknowhowtowriteascriptoutline,letmeclueyouintothedirtylittlesecretaboutplot:
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 2/22
Withrareexception,allmovieshavetheSAMEstructure.
Yes,youheardmecorrectly.AthrillerliketheBourneIdentityhasthesamestructureasafamilycomedylikeToyStory.
Nomatterthestoryoritsgenre,eachonehas8plotpointsthatyouhavetohit.Andonceyouknowthese8plotpoints,writingascriptoutlineandafullscreenplaybecomesinfinitelyeasierbecauseitsnolongeryouvs120blankpages.
Yourewritingtowardsagoalinsteadofblindly.
Istronglyrecommendthatbeforeyouwriteonewordofyourscreenplay,youspendtimereflectingonthese8majorplotpoints.Theywillformthebackboneofyourscriptoutline.Plus,itllsaveyoutimeandheartacheinthelongrun.
Sowithoutfurtherado,heretheyare:
YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#1:Opening&ClosingImages
Thefirstimageintroducesyourstorytoyouraudience,somakeitagoodone!Ideally,thefirstimageisavisualrepresentationofyourentirestory,especiallyitstheme.
Yourclosingimageisyourlastcontactwithyouraudience,somakeitstrong.Agoodclosingimage,likethespinningtopinInception,canevenchangeourinterpretationoftheentireending.
TheclosingimagefromINCEPTIONisofthisdreamtotem
Itsprobablybesttodecidewhatyouropeningandclosingimagesaregoingtobeafteryouvegotasoliddraftunderyourbeltandhaveaclearunderstandingofthethemeyouretryingtoconvey.
Imustgivecreditwherecreditisdue:IdidntspendtoomuchtimethinkingaboutopeningandclosingimagesuntilBlakeSnydermentionedtheminhisscreenwritingbookSavetheCat(whichIhighlyrecommend).
YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#2:IncitingIncident
Theincitingincidentisthateventthatchangesthecourseofyourmaincharacterslife.Iftheincitingincidentdidntoccur,yourmaincharacterwouldvetakenanotherpathandyoudhaveanentirelydifferentscreenplay.
Forapostdedicatedtothisspecialplotpoint,checkoutTheIncitingIncident:Definition&Examples.Andifyouwanttoreadacomprehensive,flufffreeguidededicatedexclusivelytotheincitingincident,clickhere!
YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#3:FirstActBreakThefirstactbreakmarkstheendofyoursetup:youveintroducedmost,ifnotall,ofthekeycharacters.
Weknowaboutyourmaincharacter,hisgoalandtheobstacleshefaces.Hesdonehisprepwork,andnowhesreadytogo.
Inalotofmovieplots,themaincharacterhastogoonajourneyinordertoachievehisgoal.Becauseofthat,oftentimes,thefirstactbreakinvolvesaphysicallocationchange.Foranexample,readscreenwritingtip#2inWritingaComedyScript:TipsfromTheHangover.
Amateurscreenplaysarenotoriousforelaboratefirstactsthataresimplytoolong.Althoughtherearenohardandfastrules,thisbreakusuallyoccursbetweenpages2530inyourscreenplay.Keepthatinmindwhenyourefleshingoutyourscriptoutline.
YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#4:theMidpoint
Themidpoint,asitsnameimplies,istheatthemiddleofyourscreenplayssecondact.Itchangestheentiredirectionofyourstory.
Forexample,inagoodvseviltypestory,thegoodforceshaveexperiencedsetbackaftersetback.Butatthemidpoint,somethinghappensthatchanges
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 3/22
theirfortunesforthebetter.Forthefirsttime,successseemslikeapossibility.
Inacomedyordramawherepeopleofdifferentpersonalitiesarethrowntogether,themidpointmarksthemomentwheretheystopseeingeachotherasenemies,usuallybyaccomplishingaminor,butimportant,goaltogether.
YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#5:thePointofCommitment
Thepointofcommitmentiswhereyourmaincharacterreaffirmshiscommitmenttohisgoal.ItsanotherplotpointthatIdidntthinkmuchaboutuntilIreadVikiKingsscreenwritingbook,HowtoWriteaMoviein21Days.
AccordingtoViki,thepointofcommitmenthappensaroundpage60ofyourscreenplay.AtfirstIwasskeptical,butthenIstartedlookingforitandloandbehold!itwasthere,justasshesaidusuallyclockingin60minutesintothemovie.
Iwouldntspendtoomuchtimeonthisplotpointwhenwritingyourscriptoutline,butbecauseImpersonallyinterestedinpsychologyandhumanmotivation,Ithinkitsaninterestingpointtoinclude.Youlloftendiscoveryoualreadywroteinapointofacommitmentinyourscreenplay,evenifyoudidntconsciouslyintendtodoso.
YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#6:AllIsLost
Atthismoment,yourmaincharacterhasexperiencedanextremesetback.Hesthefarthesthecanpossiblybefromhisgoal,anditseemsimpossibleforhimtoaccomplishit.ThismomentusuallymarkstheendofActII.
Tolearnaboutthethreeessentialstocraftingtheperfectallislostmoment,readthisarticle,or,foramoredetailedwritingguide,readTroughofHell:HowtoWrapUptheMiddleofYourStorywithMaximumImpact.
YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#7:theClimaxIntheclimax,yourmaincharacterhasgatheredhisresources(bothinternalandexternal).Inthisfinalshowdown,hewilltesthismettleagainsttheantagonisticforcesthathavethwartedhimfromachievinghisgoal.
Ifhehasatragicflaw,intheclimax,hedemonstratesthathehasovercomeit.Allthelessonshelearnedduringthesecondactwillpayoffintheclimax.
YourScriptOutlinePlotPoint#8:theResolution
Ah,werealmostdone!
Ifyourscreenplayhasahappyending,theresolutionisthebestpartforyourhero.Hegetstoenjoythefruitsofhislabor.Hisworldisinbalanceagain.
Mykindofscreenplayresolution
Ifyourscreenplayhas,shallwesayamoreEuropeanending,theresolutionisbittersweetforyourhero.Hemightnothaveaccomplishedhisgoal,butsomehowhesstillinabetterplacethanwhenhebeganhisjourney.
Finalthoughtsonyourscriptoutline
Ifyouneedhelptocreateascriptoutlineofyourown,tryoneoftheactionstepsbelow:
DownloadTheUltimateStructureWorksheet.Itcontainsquestionsandchecklistsdesignedtohelpyoueasilyconstructascriptoutline.Bestofall,itsabsolutelyfree!Seethe8essentialplotpointsinaction.Readthisarticletoseeexamplesofthe8essentialplotpointsfromLordoftheRings:TheFellowshipoftheRing.ReadChapter11ofWriteScreenplaysThatSellbyHalAckerman.Asawhole,thisscreenwritingguideisfilledwithsolidadvice.Chapter11,whichrevealsAckermanssnowplowingplottingtechnique,isespeciallyhelpful.
andforalongtermsolution
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 4/22
Breakouttheindexcards.Watchagreatmovieandwritedownitsplotpoints,onebyone.Ifyourepressedfortime,usealistofplotpointsfrommyarchives.Writeeachplotpointontoanindexcard.Dividetheseindexcardsintocolumns,sothatthelastcardineverycolumniseitheramajorturningpointoranactbreak.Ifyoudothisregularly,youshoulddevelopanintuitionforscreenplaystructurethatwillmakeplottingyourownscreenplaysandwritingascriptoutlinetentimeseasier.
***
Whatdoyouthink?IfyouwerewritingaTVmoviebasedonCharlieSheen,whatwouldyourscriptoutlinelooklike?
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 5/22
DaveJune2,2011,9:56am
Whatnonsense!!Howwouldyouapplytheserulestosuchlandmarkfilmsas2001,SOLARIS(tarkovski)orDavidLynchsLOSTHIGHWAY,,,
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scribemeetsworldJune2,2011,10:48pm
Dave,
Icanunderstandyourindignation.ItseemslikeImtryingtostuffthemagicofastoryintoasegmentedlittlebox.Butthatsnotmyintentionatall.
Firstletmesaythattheseareguidelines,notrulesofthethoushaltnotkillcategory.
Secondly,knowingtheseplotpointsinyourscreenplaymakesitaloteasiertonavigate100120blankpagesbecauseyouvegotgoalstowritetowards.Theyalsopreventyourscreenplayfromhavinganaimlessplot,whichdrivesmostreaderscrazy.
ThepointofScribeMeetsWorldistohelpaspiringscreenwritersselltheirscreenplays(withoutsacrificingtheirartisticintegrity).Sincemostproducedmoviesandscreenplaysthathavesoldrecentlyhavethese8plotpoints,itmakessensethataspecyourehopingtosellwouldhavethemtoo.Attheveryleast,youshouldbeableidentifythesepointstostudioexecutivesbecausetheyLOVEthem.
NowIhaventseen2001:ASpaceOdysseyorSolaris(toborrowfromJosephConrad,thehorror,thehorror,)butIfinditdifficulttobelievethatmovieswhicharesuchclassicslackaclimaxoraresolution
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JamesFebruary18,2012,7:10pm
Bothfilms,2001:ASpaceOdysseyANDSolaris,astheyarebothbrilliantlyandsuccessfullyplottednontraditionallyandmoreunlikeyour8plotpoints,theybothdohaveaclimaxandaresolution.In2001:ASpaceOdyssey,theclimaxiswhentheprotagonistrealizesheissuddenlylockedoutinspaceoutofthemothership,whentheartificialintelligentrobotmachinethatverballycontrolstheshipthroughvoicecommandswillnotlethimreentertheship,electronically,sohisresolutionistoenterthemothershipthroughtheonlyreliablemeans,hisbackupmanualentrance,againsttherobotsverbalcommands,whichupsetstherobot,andthenhedecidestoshutdownthecomputerrobotsystemaltogether,permanently,ultimatelydeliveringthemessagethathumanscanneverputcompletetrustintoanycomputermachinetobeinchargeoftheirresourcesforsurvival,thatonlyhumanscanbeinchargeofthatmanually.InSolaris,theclimaxoccurswheneveryoneonthespaceship,exceptforone,isplaguedandhaddiesbythecosmicdiseasewhilestationedoutinspaceoverabillionmilesawayfromEarth.Theprotagonistisoneoftheplagued,butheisstillalive.ThelonesurvivordecidestoreturntoEarthandescapethecosmicdisease.ButtheprotagonistsresolutionisthatinsteadoftakingtheoptiontogobacktoEarthwiththelonesurvivor,heacceptstoremainbehind,ashehasfalleninlovewiththephysicalmanifestationofabeautifulhumanfemalethatthecosmicairbornediseasehascreatedforhim,whichhasremovedhimcompletelyfromhisrealityintoaphysicallyaltereddimensionalstateofmindtolivewithherforeverwhiletrappedinouterspaceoverabillionmilesawayfromEarth,andthatiswherethefilmends.
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JamesFebruary18,2012,5:37pm
Thesebrilliant8plotpointsareNOTnonsenseATALL,Dave,youstupidignoranthalfbrainedmoron!Youdontevenknowcrapabouthowtoevenbegintowriteasuccessfulmoviescript,soSHUTTHEHELLUP!!!OnlyacompletejackassmindlessidiotlikeYOUwouldcomeoutandmakesuchanirrationallypreposterousandbrainlessjuvenilecommentlikeWhatnonsensetoanobviouslywellstructuredlayoutdescriptionof8plotpointsforamoviescript!!!Youareobviouslyacompletepatheticignorantwithnottheslightestrationalsenseofcomprehension!YourbraincellscannotevenprocesslogicalandrationalinformationevenclearlyspelledoutforyourightinyourfacethatyouinsteadresorttoreactlikemindlessAfricansavagebaboon!Thescreenplayexpertwhopostedthesewellconstructed8plotpointsNEVErsaidanythingaboutapplyingtheseplotpointstoeverysinglefilmthereisandhaseverbeenmadeoutthereinworld!The8plotpointsareageneralstructureofplotsthatiscommonlyappliedtoMOSTfilms,notanexactblueprinttoeverysinglefilmever,youidiot!Youdontevenhavetocopyexactlyevery8plotsastheyare,asyoucanminusoneoraddanextraplotandmakescertainchangesineachplotstructure,aswell,whichishowyougettowriteandcreatesuchamazingnontraditionalfilmslikeSolarisandTheLostHighway!Useyourhead,atleastwhatsleftofit,beforeyoudecidetosayorpostsomethingsostupidandsoignorantlike,Whatnonsense!!YOUaretheonewhoiscompleteandutternonsenseandtheloadofabsoluteridiculousbrainlesscrapthatcomesoutofyourstupidignorantmouthiswhatistotalNONSENSE!!!
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 6/22
jasonstongDecember20,2012,12:08am
Tothepersonwhopostedtheoriginal8points..itreallyopenedmyeyes.Ivebeenwritingforyears,mostlyjibberishifuaskme,songs,comedy,latelythebeginningofascriptthatIthoughtmightmakeamericalaughlikeweallneedtosomedays..butIdidntknowhiwtoputittogether.Thankyou.Imclearernow.Andnomatterwereitgoes.Yourknowledgewashelpfulandguiding.Neverletsomeonelikethenegstivepeoplewhowriteonthebathroomwallseverchamgewhatsinsideofyou..theygetwhattheyneedinyourreply..thanksagain
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scribemeetsworldDecember20,2012,1:52pm
HiJason,
Thanksforyourcomment.Thisisthekindoffeedbackwhichkeepsmemotivated!Iwishyouthebestofluckwithyourcomedyscript!
PS:Youmightfindthesepoststobehelpful:ComedyWritingTipsfromtheHangoverRaunchFreeScriptTipsfromBridesmaids
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BruceTrittonJune26,2011,11:38pm
Iabsolutelylovethisblog.ItisallIhavebeenreadingsinceIfounditacoupleofdaysago.
IgnoreDave.Heisoneofthoseartistictypeswhovaluestyleoversubstance.
Ireadonequotefromthistypethatabsolutelyflawedme,
StevenSpielbergistooaudiencedriventobeagreatdirector.
Itslikesaying,
Thishospitalistoopatientdriventobeagreathospital.
Iamanewbiebutitwouldseemtomethattheaudienceshouldbeyounumberoneconcern.Artistictypesdontseemintelligentenoughtograspthatyourblogisaboutgreatguidance,notsetinstonerules.
IhavereadmanyofyourpostsandhavethenanalyzedthescreenplaysIamcurrentlyworkingon.IamseeingalotofmistakesthatIdidntnoticebefore,thankstoyourgreatblog.
ManymanythanksScribe
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scribemeetsworldJune27,2011,11:50pm
HiBruce!
ImsogladthatScribeMeetsWorldhashelpedyouwithyourownscreenplays!Thatswhatthiswebsiteisallabout.
Yourobservation,audienceshouldbeyournumberoneconcernisspoton.Ifyouwritewiththisasyourguidingprincipleandfamiliarizeyourselfwithscreenwritingbasics,yourspecscriptswillbewayaheadofthepack.
Yoursupportisverymuchappreciated,andifthereisaparticularscreenwritingissueyoudliketoseeaddressedinapost,pleaseletmeknowthroughthecontactpageorinthecomments.
Goodluck!
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 7/22
AmySutoDecember1,2011,2:46am
Thisarticlechangedmywholeoutlookonscreenwriting.StructureisexactlywhatIneedtofocuson!Asanaspiringscreenwriter,thiswebsitehashelpedmebeyondbelief.
Justwondering,haveyoueverheardofScriptFrenzy?Itsa30daycompetitioninAprilforscreenwriterstowritean100dayscript,anditisincrediblymotivating.Ididitfouryearsago,andIvebeenhookedeversince.
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scribemeetsworldDecember2,2011,12:13am
HiAmy,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorldIappreciatethekindfeedback!
IhaveheardonlypositivethingsaboutScriptFrenzy,althoughIhaveneverparticipated.Ifyoucandashoutascriptin30days,youhaveagreatroughdrafttoworkoninthefollowingmonths.Thatsoftenthehardestpart,towritepagesthatyoucanworkwithandmoldintosomethingreallygreat.Imgladitshelpedyoustaymotivated!
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claraspeakJanuary11,2012,5:17pm
IagreewithBruce.Filmsshouldbeallaboutemotion.Atleastinmyopinion.Iputtheseplotpointstothetestandsureenough,theyreallintheblockbustermovies!
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scribemeetsworldJanuary11,2012,10:34pm
HiClaraspeak,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!Imgladyouputtheseplotpointstothetest.WhileIliketothinkallthepostsherearehelpful,theyaremuchmoresowhenyouactivelyengagewiththemandusetothemtoanalyzemoviesand/oryourscriptinprogress.
Oneofthedrawbacksofbeingascreenwriteristhatyouworksohardtocultivateananalyticaleyesothatyoucanassessyourscreenplayandfixitserrorsthatyouoftencantjustsitback,relax,andenjoyamovie.DependingonamovieandhoweagerIamtoseeit,Illmakeaconsciouschoicetoturnmyanalyticalmindoffandtrytojustenjoythemovieforitsownsake,attheleastthefirsttimearound.IfIthinkIcanlearnfromit,Itrytowatchitasecondtimeandlookforcluestoitssuccess(orlackthereof).
Ofcourse,thisisntveryefficient,butthiswayIgettobeasatisfiedmoviewatcherandscreenwriterallatthesametime!
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JamesFebruary21,2012,5:11pm
Thatdoesnotmakethoseblockbustermoviesgreatjustbecausetheycontainthe8plotpoints.Limitingyourscreenplaystorytojustthese8plotpointsmakesyourstorybecometoopredictableandreducesmanypossibilitiesofitbecomingpotentiallyinnovative,unique,andoriginal,whichisoneofthemaingoalstowritingagoodscript.Toomanyoftheseblockbustermoviesaretoopredictableandlackagreatcompellingstory,becausetheydependtoomuchonthe8plotpointsbyrevolvingthestoryaroundtheplotpoints,insteadoftheotherwayaround,makingthestorybecomebland,typical,weak,andboring.Attheendofthemovie,yougohomefeelinguncompelled,unemotional,unmoved,andunsatisfied,allbecausethescreenplaypaidmoreattentiontomechanicalstructurethanacompellingandartisticallycreativestory,wheremostofitsattentionshouldhavebeen.
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 8/22
JamesFebruary20,2012,6:20pm
ButwouldtheywanttospendanhourandahalfoftheirliveswatchinghimSWILLalcohol,dodrugs,andOOGLEwomen?Oh,ITHINKYES!!!Asamatteroffact,DEFINITELYYES!!!AndyouhavetobequiteamoronofahumanbeingtoactuallythinkNOT!!Ooglewomen!?Oogle!?!?Hahaha!!!LMFAO!!!Yeah,interestingchoiceandinterestingUSEofasmarmyjuvenilepseudoterminologythatyouplacesuchoutofcontexthereandonethatdoesNOTexistintheEnglishlanguage.
Firstofall,whoeverthemindlessidiotwhocookedupthispreposterouslyirrationalstatementaboutCharlieSheen,CharlieSheendoesNOTooglewomen,youmoron.Thatisyourridiculouslyidioticanddespicablesexnegativemediabrainwashedjuvenilefaketermforpretentiouslyromancingandseducingwomen!CharlieSheendoesNOTpretentiouslyromanceandseducewomen!Herealistically,honestly,andmaturely,ANDsuccessfullyromancesandseduceswomenlikeatrueintelligenteducatedrightmindedandmatureREALmandoesinREALlife,socutthecrapwithportrayingtheideaofromancingandseducingwomenintosexassometypeofbadthingorsomething,becauseyousoundlikeacompletebrainlessidiot,andnothingcouldEVERbefurtherfromthetruth!
ThatswhatdifferentiatesCharlieSheenfromothermen.CharlieSheenisarealman,unliketoomanypatheticchildishfeeblemindedwimpyidiotguysoutthere,whoareNOTrealmen,who,insteadofproperlyseducingandromancingwomenthewaytheySHOULDbedoing,biologically,instinctively,andintellectually,byNature,thewayalloutsuccessCharlieSheendoes,resorttosurrendertothepatheticideologicalperversionsofabstinence,marriage,monogamy,commitment,exclusiveonononemissionarypositionsex,andstomachturningpseudomoralcrap,likethepushoverpansiesandcowardstheyare,rightbeforetheirmentallysickanddegenerateradicalfeministsexphobicdelusionalmonogamistcrazedskankwomenwhocontrolthem,which8outof10timesalwaysresultsinabsolutemisery,torment,suffering,andregret.
ThatiswhyCharlieSheenisbetterthanthosepushoverpansycowardloserguysandwhyheisatotalsuccessinhiscareerANDinpersonallife,despitethatwholemediafabricatedcharadeofnonsensethatbulliedaroundhiminthenewsearlylastyear,andYOUaresofeeblemindedenoughtogetsuckedinbytheliesandthebullcrapcookedupbytheignorantsexnegativemediaaroundCharlieSheen,tohavethenervetowriteupthatincrediblyidioticandveryfalsestatementyouwroteuphereagainstSheen.But,youjustkeepsuckinguptothebulls**t,right!?
Swill!?!?Hahaha!!!LMFAOagain!Wow,youreallyareeasilysuckedinbythemediafabricatedbulls**t!Itsincredibletoseehowsomepeoplearejustsoeasilymanipulatedbypublicizedliesandexaggeratedfacts.Foryourinformation,justlikecharlieSheendoesNOTooglewomen,HealsodoesNOTswillalcohol!HeDRINKSalcohol,justlikeanyothernormalsanerightmindedpersonwhodrinksalcohol,andasfarasdoingdrugs,sowhat!?HemaydoaremayhavedonedrugsjustlikeanyotherpersonwhohasdonewhodidNOTbecomeaddictedNORsickfromit.
Contrarytoyourirrationalopinion,iftherealCharlieSheenwereturnedintoamovie,realistically,peoplewouldWANTtoseeagoodamountofCharlieseducingandromancingseveralwomen,manyofthemsimultaneously,astheromancingandseductionofwomenbybothmenANDbyotherwomenarealwaysoneofthehighestandgreatestfailproofnaturalsellingideasformovieplotsthatalwayssucceed,andthatisafact,aswellastheywouldwanttoseehowhedealswiththesituationanddilemmaofhiscareeratthatmoment,butshouldtheromancingandseductionofwomenendatsomepointinthefilm,thewholeplotandstorywouldberuinedandcrumpledtopieces!Therestofthestorywouldntmattermuchanymore,becausehemostcompellingaspectofthecharacterspersonawouldbegone.Thestorywouldcollapse,andthefilmwouldsurelyturnoutintoatotalfinancialflopattheboxoffice.
WhoCharlieSheenisasacharacterandasarealperson,asacharmingalphaladiesmanwhoalwaysromancesandseducesmanydifferentwomenwithpower,charm,intelligence,andwit,almostalwayssuccessfullyleadingtogreatpassionateuncommittedandunrestrainedmeaningfulsex,andwhoisfinanciallywealthyandindependentwithagoodsolidcareer,isEXACTLYthecharacterthatpeopleDOWANTtoseeinCharlie!Otherwise,hischaracterandthestorybecomesuninteresting,unrealistic,andveryboring,anditsnotCharlie!So,YOUgotitALLwrongtohavethesicknervetoactuallyresorttothemindlessthoughtthatsomehowpeoplewouldactuallyNOTwanttoseeCharlieSheenbeinghimself,beingarealman.AndasfarasseeingCharlieswillalcohol,thatsanotheroneofyourmediafabricatedoutofcontextmindlesslystupidandignorantterminologiesofpointlessnegativejudgmentyouareattemptingtoutilizeagainfornogoodreason.
TheinterestingpartofthejourneyaspectoftheplotwouldNOTbeCharlieSheentryingtomakehiswaybacktoTwoAndAHalfMen,becausethatmaynotbewhathewanted.MaybehedidnotwanttogobacktoTwoAndAHalfMen,andevenifhedid,hisnormalsanerationalhumanbehaviorofdrinkingandseducingwomen,thewayMOSTpeopleintheworlddoandthewayALLpeopleshoulddo,bynaturallyintelligenthumanbiologicalfact,hasabsolutelynothingtodowithhislossorhislosingoutfromreturningtotheshow.
Asamatteroffact,itsCharliesoccasionalexcessivedrinkingandhisdedicatedpassionatecommitmenttoseducingandromancingwomenintopassionatemeaningfulsexthatmadehimthegreatcelebratedandlovedcharacterthateverybodywantedtosee,hisseductivepassionatesexwithseveraldifferentwomenherecentlymetbeingfarmoremeaningfulthantheeversotragicmeaninglesscommittedmonogamouslovebasedsexhisbrotherAllenhad,thelittleheevergotthroughoutseveralyears,withhisthenpsychologicallyneuroticsexnegativecrazyfeministbitchexwife,Judith,andallthatiswhichmadealargepartofkeepingtheshowtogetherforalmost10years.
Actually,abetterplottothelifeoftherealCharlieSheenwouldbeifatsomepointhegivesuppursuinghisreturntoTwoAndAHalfMen,becauseherealizesitsnotworthitanymore,butthedrinking,thedoingoccasionaldrugs,andespeciallytheromancingofwomenpartofhischaracteralwaysstaysintact,becauseTHATiswhatpeopleWANTtosee,notjustinCharlieSheenbutinmanymaleANDfemaleleadprotagonistcharacters,socuttheridiculouschildishnonsensewithmakingthebeautyofdrinkingandseducingwomenouttobeabadthing,insomestrangebizarrewayifevenpossible,byusingstupidsmarmypretentioustermsthatarecompletelyoutofcontextandjuvenilesuchasswillandoogle,becauseyousoundlikesomesickreligiouslypervertedsexnegativesycophanticfeministsupportingpseudomoralcrazeddegenerate.Drinkingalcohol,gettingdrunk,andromancingandseducingwomenintosexareALWAYSagoodthing,andTHATisanunequivocalandaninarguablefact!
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JamesFebruary20,2012,9:54pm
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 9/22
AndBTW,romancingandseducinglotsofdifferentwomenonaregularbasiseveryweeknonstoporasoftenasoneneedsanddesiresisNOTanaddiction,notbyanymeans,whatsoever,andneverdoesitEVERbecomeanaddiction!So,doNOTeverplacetheconstantglorioussexualpursuitofmanydifferentwomenintothesamecategoryastheconstantpursuitofdrugsandalcohol,likesomedespicablesexnegativejerk,becausesexuallypursuingafterwomenconstantlyisclearlyNOTthesameasconstantlypursuingafterdrugsoralcohol!Whatareyousomekindofsickdisgustingsexphobicmisogynistreligiouslypervertedcreep!?Apparently,youthinkyoucancomeouthereonpublicinternetandselfappointyourselfassometypeofelectwhogetstodictatehowmuchsexandhowmanywomenpeoplecanhavesexwith,includingwhenistoomanywomenandtoomuchsex!?!?Yourekidding,right!?
TheconstantsexualpursuitofwomenisNEVERanaddiction,becausetheconstantsexualpursuitofwomenishowhumanssurvive,notjustbiologically,buthowwesurvive,emotionallyandpsychologically,asthenormalhealthyfunctionalandveryrationalbehaviorofsexuallypursuingwomenconstantlyisabiologicalhumannecessitythatcomesdirectlyfromNature,NOTtoprocreate,buttoachievetheconstantsexualgratificationthatthehumanbodyneedsonaregularbasisinordertoalleviatethetestosteroneandestrogenlevelsthathelppeoplebecomephysicallyandpsychologicallystableenoughsotheycanactuallycarryonwiththeworld,andthatbalancecanonlybeachievedwithtrueequilibriumbyhavinglotsofsexwithlotsofdifferentandnewpartnersonaregularbasis,alwaysconstantlysearchingfornewpartnerswhennecessary!
ThereisNEVERalimittohowmanydifferentwomenonecanhavesexwith,andhowevermanydifferentwomenyouhavesexwithneverbecomesanaddiction!Thattypeofdespicablewayofthinking,wheretheconstantsexualpursuitofmanydifferentwomenissomehowanaddiction,isanideologicalperversionandanimposedmentalcorruption.YoudoNOTputwomenintothesamecategoryasdrugsandalcohol!WomenareNOTabunchofthingslabeledlikeshelfitemsNORaretheythingsthatcarythesamekindofpotentialrisksandhazardsasmanmadeproductsdo,likeyousodisgustinglyimpliedwithyourperverselystatedcorruptideologythatCharlieSheenshouldovercomehisaddictiontodrugs,alcohol,andtowomen!
WomenareNOTsomethingyougrowanaddictionfor!Theyarebeautifulsexuallyenticingintellectualactualhumanbeingswhogivebirthtootherhumansofbothsexes,whoaretheonlyreasonyouevenexist,andwhomweall,bothmenandotherwomen,becomeemotionallyandsexuallyarousedandpassionatefortoendlesslevelsofneedsanddesireswithoutlimit!ThereisNObecomingaddictedandthereisNOtoomuchwhenitcomestothesexualpassionforwomen,andyoudoNOTgettodictateanyconditionsNORtermsonwomen,onoursexualdesiresandpursuitsforwomen,andhowwegoaboutthem,EVER,youdespicablesexnegativecreep,sogetthatignorantreligiouslypervertedanddestructivelycorruptideologyoftoomanywomenequalsaddictionmisogynistjudgmentalbigotedstupidityandsackofbulls**tliesoutofyoursickhead!
Toomuchdrugscanleadtosicknessanddeath.Toomuchalcoholdrinkingcanleadtopoisoninganddeath.HavingsexwithlotsofdifferentwomendoesNOTleadtophysicalsicknessNORdeath,sohavingsexwithlotsofdifferentwomenonaregularbasisinconstantpursuitisNEVERaproblemNORdoesiteverbecomeanaddiction,andneitheryouNORanyoneEVERgetstodictatehowmuchsexandhowmanywomenonecanhavesexwith!
Asamatteroffact,peoplebecomephysicallysickandverymentallyunstablewhentheyareNOThavingmuchsexornothavingANYsexatall!Peoplealsobecomephysicallysickandverymentallyunstablewhentheyarehavingverynongratifyingandmiserablesex,usuallyoneonaverysteadydecline,usuallywithinamarriage,withonesinglepartnerandbeingpsychologicallytrappedwithandbecominglesssexuallyattractedtoastheyearsgoby.
ThereisabsolutelyNONEEDforCharlieSheentostopsexuallypursuingmanydifferentwomen,justasthereisnoneedforANYONEintheworldtostopsexuallypursuingmanydifferentwomenonaregularbasis,whetheryouareamanoranotherwoman,becausealwayshavingsexwithmanydifferentwomenonaregularbasisisNOTaproblem!Itisthenecessarybiologicalmannerinwhichwesurviveandlivefunctionally,anditisalwaysagoodthing!Youhavetobereligiouslypervertedandsickintheheadbrainwashedwithsuchdespicablemoralcraptohavethenervetoideologicallyportraythenaturalsexualpursuitofmanydifferentwomenasiftobeanaddictionorsometypeofunhealthybehavior,whennothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth.
Thatbeingrightfullyandfactuallystated,hereistherealtruerationalquestion.WouldmovieviewerswanttospendanhourandahalfoftheirliveswatchingCharlieSheenswill12stepbrainwashingideologicalliesandbulls**tbarfedoutbysocalledexpertsduringsupposeddetoxicationprograms,watchhimswillthesameirrationalandbrainwashingdespicableliesandbulls**t,suchasthecookedupfabricatedconceptofloveoversexandotherridiculouslyperverseliesandnonsensebythesamedegeneratemanipulatorswhowilltrytoconvincehimofthebiggerliethatheissomehowsometypeofsexaddict,thenhavetheviewerslaterwatchCharlieooglesomereligiouslycorruptsexuallyrepressedpietistgirl,onesinglegirl,intothepervertedbowelsofabstinence,commitment,marriage,monogamy,andexclusiveheterosexualoneononemissionarypositionsex,untiltheybothdrownintothepriggishguttersoftheirownmisery!?
Doyouactuallythinkviewersaregoingtowanttospendanhourandahalfoftheirliveswatchingthis!?!?Oh,IthinkDEFINITELYNOT!!!
Andallfortherandomsaketojustseeifhecanpullitoff!?PullWHAToff!?!?Astoptohisdrinkingandhisrationalbehavioranddevotedpursuitofsexualpassionafterwomen,justsohecantransformintoasexuallydeprivedandpsychiatricallymiserablewreck!?MOSTDEFINITELYNOT!!!ThatissomethingthatisNOTEVERnecessaryforANYONEtohavetopulloff!
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scribemeetsworldMarch19,2012,11:32pm
James,
Inresponsetoyourcomments:
Oogleandswillaredescriptiveverbswithpunch.ThatswhyIusedthem.
Iagree,youdontwanttowriteamoviewhoseplotrevolvesaroundthe8essentialplotpoints.Yourscriptshouldntbemechanicaldrivelbutyoudontwanttowriteanunorganizedmesseither.Ifyouutilizetheplotpointscorrectly,eachscenewillfloworganicallyintothenextoneso
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 10/22
thatnothingcomesacrossasforced.
Heartisalsoascriptessential.Iftheaudiencedoesntcareaboutthecharactersinyourscript,thentheywontgivetwofigsthatyourscreenplayisperfectlystructured.
IthinkthatamoviefocusedonCharlieSheensexploits(withalcoholandwithwomen)wouldbeonenote.Peoplewouldquicklytireofwatchingsuchrepetition(Imreferringtofulllengthscripts,nottoa20minutesitcom).Ithinkaudiencesprefertoseeprogress,toseecharacterschangingintosomeonebetter(orworse)thantheywereatthebeginningofafilm.
Butthatsmyopinionandassessmentofaudiencetastes.Yourecertainlyentitledtoyourown.Youclearlyhavealotofpassionandaloveformovies.UsethispassionandwriteascreenplaymaybeaboutacharacterlikeSheenorareligiousdegenerateandseeifanyoftheadvicehereishelpful,CharlieSheencommentaryaside.
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SeanAugust31,2012,3:50am
SurprisedyourespondedtoJamesatall.
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tsilverJuly2,2013,3:10am
SoamI.RunonsentencesandBSIcouldntevenreadhiswholediatribe.
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austinApril2,2013,4:31am
Youseemlikeasupercooldude.ordudette.eitherway,propstohowyouhandledthisjamesdouchebag.
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scribemeetsworldApril2,2013,11:25pm
HiAustin,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!JamesscommentshavegeneratedalotofcommentarywhichIdefinitelylike.Freespeechisusuallyawinwinallaround.Fortherecord,Imadudette
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HaakonDahlFebruary25,2012,6:13am
Thankyoufortheexcellenttips.Igotherefromstorycharts.ca,whereIwasmotivatedtogoGooglingforIncitingIncident.ImveryhappythatGoogleputmehere.
Forwhatitsworth,Ifindthatacertainamountofpruningincommentscangreatlyimprovethehealthofawebsite.
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scribemeetsworldMarch19,2012,10:46pm
HiHaakon,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!Imgladyouvefoundthesitetobeuseful.Ivecheckedouthttp://www.storycharts.cathanksforbringingittomyattention.
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 11/22
Tofurtheryourstudyofscreenwriting,IalsohighlyrecommendScriptshadow(tolearnmoreaboutthecraftbyanalyzingrealscreenplays)andDeadlineHollywood(tolearnmoreabouttheindustry).AlexEpsteinsCraftyScreenwritingisalsoarealgem!
Pruningcommentsiscertainlysomethingtoconsider,especiallyasthesitegrows,butfornowImlettingtheFirstAmendmentreign!
Aftervisitingyourownwebsitewhichdefinitelyhasapoliticalslant,Iwonder,haveyouseentheIdesofMarch?Ifso,whatwasyourtake?
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HannahApril25,2012,7:38pm
No!Dontprunethewebsitecomments!ThatmightmeanIwouldneverhavegottoreadJamesepicresponse!
Although,atfirst,Ithoughttheguysoundedlikeacompleteidiot(itneverdoesanyoneanyfavourstolaunchintoaneedlesspersonalattackonsomeonetheyhavenevermet)asIread,Iwassurprisedtofindhehadsomeveryintelligentpointstomake.IhadneverreallythoughtofholdingthelikesofCharlieSheenupasanAlphaMalehero,whogoesagainstourlearnedsocialconstraintsand,farfrombeingimmatureinhispursuitofsexwithmanydifferentwomen,isactuallybeingtruetohisbiologicalnature.Ihadneverthoughtofmarriedmenasactuallyweakforturningtheirbackagainsttheirs.OnceIhaddecipheredhisspecialstyleofwriting,IhavetosayIagreewithmuchofwhathewroteexceptthemannerinwhichhedeliveredit.
Ithinkinaperverseway,itkindofhighlightsthekeymessageofthesiteabouttheneedforstructure,leanwritingandstickingtothekeypoints.Greatideas,greatcontent,canbelostwhenpresentedinapoorform.Goodformiscrucial.
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scribemeetsworldMay1,2012,9:22pm
HiHannah,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!ImgladyouenjoyedreadingJamesscommentsyoureright.Whenyouviewthemfromanevolutionarybiologyperspective,theydomakesense.Oratleastmoresense.
Goodformisabsolutelycritical.Theorganizationofyourscreenplayisasimportantasitscontents.Ifyouhaveanymoviesthatyoudliketoseeanalyzedonthesite,pleasesayso!
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BrookeJune2,2012,7:46pm
Hi,
Thankyousomuchforthissite!IvegottenalotoutofreadingitasItackleimprovingmyfeaturecomedyscript.AsIvebeentryingtoseethe8plotpointsinmyownfilmIkeepcomingupwithafewquestions:1.Youwrotethatat#6thecharacterhasarecommitmenttohisgoal.AndIwaswonderingwhyhere?Whywouldsomeonerightafterthemidpointsuddenlyreaffirmthemselves?2.Attheact2breakAllislostandthenthenextmomentafterthebreakistheClimax:Ikeepwondering,doesntthereneedtobeanadditionalplotpointthatisveryimportantinbetween?Howcansomeonegofromlosingeverythingtosuddenlyhavingwhatheneedstosucceedduringthecrisis/climax.
Iwouldbesogratefulifyoucouldhelp!Thisscriptmightkillme.Thanks,Brooke
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scribemeetsworldJune3,2012,11:11am
HiBrooke,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!Imgladitsbeenhelpingyouasyourcompleteyourcomedyscript.
PlotPoint#6,thepointofcommitment,issomethingthatIfirstcameacrosswhenreadingVickiKingsHowtoWriteaMoviein21Days.Andafterreadingaboutit,Istartednoticingitinmoreandmoremoviesbutitsbynomeanssomethingessentiallikeastrongmidpointorclimax.Soifitscausingyousleeplessnights,Iwouldntworryaboutit.
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 12/22
Astowhyitwouldcomeafterthemidpointalotoftimes,themidpointofascripttakesthesecondactintoawholenewdirection.Soitactuallymakessenseforthecharactertoreaffirmhiscommitmenttoachievinghisgoalafterthemidpointhasshakeneverythingup.Also,itsnotlikethecharactersaysrightout,Imgoingtodothis,andcomehellorhighwater,nothingsgoingtostopme.ButheSHOWSit.
Thepointofcommitmentmightbeatesttodeterminewhetherornotthecharacterwillcontinueonhisjourneymaybeitsatemptationofsorts.Atthispoint,itslikethecharacterhasaneasywayout,andusually,hellchoosetostayin.Youcanseewhythepointofcommitmentisusuallybuiltintoalotofscreenplays,becauseitsanaturalextensionoftheobstacle/goal/obstacle/goalsequencewhichisthebackboneofplot.Itsjustoneinaseriesofobstacles,andbyovercomingit,theheroshowshiscommitmenttoachievinghisgoal.
RE:theclimaxyes,thereareadditionalscenesbetweentheallislostmomentandtheclimax.Theessentialplotpointsarelikeachecklisttofollowtomakesurethatyourscreenplayhasasolidstructure.Youllfillinthescenesbetweeneachone.Theplotpointsmakeiteasiertodoso,becauseitmakesyourgoalmoremanageablei.e.,okay,Ijusthavetofigureoutwhathappensbetweenthefirstactbreakandthemidpointinsteadof,ohmigod,IhaveanentireActTwotowriteandIhavenoideahowtofillallthosepages!
Betweentheallislostmomentandtheclimax,somethinghappenstomaketheherorallyandnotgiveuponhisgoal.Alotoftimes,oneofthesupportingcharactershelpstheheroexperiencearealizationthatheshouldntgiveup(likeinBridesmaids,MeganslapsAnnieandtellsherthatAnniecantgiveupwhenlifehasknockedAnniedown).Thenthecharacterpreparesforthefinalclimax.
GoingbacktoBridesmaids,Anniepreparesbygettinghertaillightsfixed,bakingacakeforOfficerRhodes,andbyresolvingthingswithHelen.Bridesmaidsisaboutinternalcharactertransformation,sotheclimaxisntafaceoffbetweengoodandevil(likeatypicalactionmovieorthriller),butaboutAnniecomingtotermswithherpoorselfesteem.ByseekingoutOfficerRhodesandmakingupwithLillian,Anniedemonstratesshesovercomeherinternaldemons.
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!
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GibsAugust15,2012,10:33pm
haha,James,umadbro?CharlieSheens#1fan
Greatsite,justfoundit!
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scribemeetsworldAugust21,2012,1:46pm
HiGibs,
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 13/22
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld.ImgladtohaveCharlieSheens#1fanasareader.Winning!
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JuergenHeinemannSeptember2,2012,9:11pm
Hi,Imrelativelynewtothissite.ButsincefindingitIhavebeenonitnonstop!Sothankyouforallthehelpfulinformation.NowtowhyImhereandmyquestion.Iamawriterslashfilmmaker.RecentlyIwasapproachedbyamajorhollywoodproduceraboutmywork.Sohenowhasoneofmyscripts.Helikesitbutsaiditwastoodense.Thiseludestowhatyouhavebeensayingaboutamateurscriptsbeingtoocomplicatedandconvolutedinthefirstact.Ihavereadovertheeightplotpointswhichwasabigonewithhim.AsagainyoustatedthattheyarewithMajorStudiotypes.AndImnotreallythatfaroff.IfeelwithabitofsloughingandaminorrevampIshouldbewelltogood.Butmyquestionis.dotheseeightplotpointshavetostayinthisorder?Immostlyreferringto#6AllisLostCantheybeshuffledabit?Imnotopposedtorevampingthisscript.IveneverbeenaItsmyworkandmybabytypeofwriter.
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scribemeetsworldSeptember4,2012,7:41pm
HiJeurgen,
Congratulationsongettingaproducerinterestedinyourwork!ThatsahugestepIhopeyoucelebratedinstyle
Intraditionalthreeactstructure,theallislostmomenthastooccurbeforetheclimaxandtheresolution.Itcantoccuranysoonereitherbecausetheprotagonisthasspenttheentiresecondactpreparingforthatmoment,butinsteadofclaimingvictory,hesuffersdefeat.
Hestheabsolutelyfarthestfromhisgoal,despiteeverythinghesdoneinthesecondact.Onlybygainingnewinsightcanherallyhisstrengthforonelastattemptintheclimax.Ifyourscripthasahappyending,thenhellalsogainprettymuchcompletevictoryattheresolution.
SoIguesstheshortanswerisnoyoucantreallyshuffleitaround.Iveneverbeenabelieverinfixedpagenumbers,soitsnotlikeyouhavetohavetheallislostmomentonaspecificpage,butchronologically,ithastocomebeforeyourclimaxandresolution.
Firstactsarehardtotrim,usuallybecausethewriterissofocusedongivingtheaudiencebackgroundinformation.Ifthecharactersareinterestingandtheprotagonisthasacompellinggoal,theaudiencewillstillfollowalongeveniftheydonthaveallthebackgroundinfo.Givethemsomecreditiftheyrehooked,theycanwaittillacttwoformoredetails/explanations.IsthereacharacterintroductionyoucandelaytillActTwoinsteadofincludingitinthefirstact?Thatmightbeonewaytotrimitdown.
Densitycanalsorefertohowleanyourwritingis.Usingfragmentsandfewerwordswillmakeyourscriptfeellighter.Makesurenoneofyourparagraphsarelongerthanfourlinesandminimizeoverlylongdialogues.Buttakethisadvicewithagrainofsalt.Youdontwanttoruinthevoicewhichhookedtheproducerinthefirstplace!
Goodluck!
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JuergenHeinemannSeptember5,2012,12:11am
ThankyouSOmuch!Nowthatmuthoughtshavehadmoretimetocongelesotospeak.ImprettysureIvegotitdown. thanksagain.Andyoursightisawsomebytheway.
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NageshiraleNovember25,2012,6:04am
Dearsir,Iwanttoprepareastoryoutlineforasuspensefilmbasedoncollegestudentslife.Wouldukindlyhelpmeinthismatter.Iwillbehighlyoblisedifitcouldbepossoble
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 14/22
scribemeetsworldNovember27,2012,6:12pm
HiNagesh,
Icantgiveyouspecifichelpregardingyourproject,butIamplanningtowriteapostwhichdescribeshowtoplotyourmoviefrombeginningtoend.Ithinkthiswillbehelpfulforyou,andIllletyouknowassoonasitscompleted.
Inthemeantime,youmightwanttoreadAlexEpsteinsCraftyScreenwritingorBlakeSnydersSaveTheCat,astheybothgivehelpfuladviceonthistopic.Also,studytheplotpointsforasmanysuspensemoviesasyoucanfind.Takenisntabadplacetostart!
CarsonReevesoveratScriptshadowhasdoneseveralreviewsofthrillerscripts.Ifyougothroughthese,youcanlearnalot,notjustfromthepostitselfbutalsofromthecomments.Goodluck!
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EADecember5,2012,8:52pm
HavingjustbeengettingmyfirstinvitationfromafamousHollywooddirectortowriteanoutlineforastoryIsuggestedtohim,Ifoundthisinformationveryusefulanditwillcomequiteinhandywhengettingontomyfirsteverscreenplay.Thanksforsharinggreattips,lookingforwardtosteppingintothemoviemakingworld!
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scribemeetsworldDecember6,2012,12:37am
EA,
Whatexcitingnews!Imsohappyforyouandgladthatthispostgaveyousomehelpfulguidelines.Keepinmindthisarticleonlydescribestheessentialplotpointsyoullprobablyneedmoretofleshoutyourstoryoutline.HalAckermansWriteScreenplaysThatSellwillcomeinhandyatthisstage.
Goodluck!
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LovePearlsDecember12,2012,3:43am
Thankyou,thankyou,forthis.Plotpointshavesetmestraight.IhavewrittenthemdownandthejourneybeginsIdohaveaEuropeanEnding,butIhopeitisstrongenoughtotouchtheaudienceasIttouchesme.Arethereanyexamplesofdeathbeingabetterplace?Itisnotmorbidbyanymeans,butitissymbolictotheresolution.Mycharacterishappytomeethislostloveonceagain.Anythoughts?
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scribemeetsworldDecember12,2012,8:52pm
HiLovePearls,
Imgladthisarticlehelpedyou!Offthetopofmyhead,Gladiator(whichseemsespeciallypertinentforyourproject)andBraveheartarebothmovieswherethedeathoftheprotagonistmadeforanextremelystrongending.Idontthinkanyoneintheaudiencewascomplaining!IfIthinkofothers,Iwillpostthemhere.
Goodluckwithyourscript!
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GregMarch25,2013,5:17pm
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 15/22
Smokemethmuchjames?
Anyways,soIseehowthesemainpointsrelatearoundastorywheretheheroisputintoapredicament,hasaseriesofsetbacks,onesetbackisaboveallelse,theworst.Atthispointsomethingchanges(Ithinkwecanallagreethisisveryresonating.)Andintheendtheherotriumphs.
Somyquestiontoyouiswhathappensifinourstorythereisasenseofhopelessnessandtheheroneversuceedsandthelightattheendofthetunnelnevergetslarger?Couldthestorybeappealingifthereisaclimaxbutnotasummitbythehero?
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scribemeetsworldMarch28,2013,6:12pm
HiGreg,
YoualwayshavetodowhatsrightforYOURstory.Thatbeingsaid,herearethreethoughtstoconsider:
1)Reallifecanbehopelessenough.Peoplegotothemoviesinparttoescapethatfeeling.Youmightwanttoreconsideracompletelybleakendingjustformarketabilityssake.Ifyourherofails,thepossibilityofahopefulendingshouldexistforanothercharacter(howeverminor).
ToquoteSydFieldfromhisbookScreenplay,IoncetaughtaworkshopinGermanyforsome50writers,andoutof50stories,46ofthemendedindeath,suicide,mayhem,anddestruction.Itoldthestudentsthattherearebetterwaystoendascreenplaythantohaveyourcharactercaught,shot,captured,die,commitsuicide,orbekilled.
2)Ofcourse,ableakendingmaybeexactlyyourpoint.TheendingofChinatownsureisnegativebutthatsthewholepointofthemovie.Therichcananddogetawaywithmurder.IfyoucanconveyyourpointofviewaswellasChinatowndid,yourscriptcanbeacallingcardwhichcangetyouanagentandpossiblyassignmentworkevenifitsnotmarketableenoughtobeproduced.
3)Peoplebecomeimmunetothingsthemoretheyareexposedtothem.Forexample,afterawhile,ifanactionmoviedoesntpaceitsactionscenes,audienceswillstopfeelinganadrenalinerushwhilewatchingthemonscreenbecausetheyvebecomehabituatedtothem.Thesameprincipleappliestoamoviewhichleanstowardsthebleakside.Ifthehopelessnessisntpunctuatedbyhappier,morehopefulmoments,thebleaknesswillloseitseffectandyouraudiencewillbenumbtoit.
Inotherwords,thereshouldbesomesuccessachievedatsomepoint,otherwisetheseriesoffailureslosesitsimpact.Twoidealpointsforcreatingafalsesenseofhopearea)attheendofActTwoandb)inthemiddleofyourclimax.
Ihopethishelps.Goodluck!
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JuliaMay21,2013,12:07pm
Ireallyhavetothankyouforthisamazingsite!Icomefromgermanysoitskindofdepressingsearchingforreallygoodgermansitesthatmighthelpyouwithyourscreenwritingprocess.Imgladifoundsiteslikeyourswhichhavebeenveryhelpful!
Thisarticlereallyinspiredmeandalsohelpedmealot.ButIstillgotafewquestionsandhopeyoucanhelpme!Imstillinkindofalearningprocesswhenitcomestoscreenwriting,butImworkingpassionatelyonascreenplayatthemomentandIvealreadyoutlinedeverymajorplotpointsoIknowwhatthestoryisaboutandwhatmyleadcharacterreallywantsetc.Ialsooutlinedtheeightsequencesofthescreenplay.Somynextstepistostartwritingatreatment.IvealreadydonethisbeforeandIthinkitisquitehelpfulsoItotallyagreedwithyourarticleabouttreatmentsIvereadearlier.ButIwaswonderinghowmuchoutliningistoomuch.
WhilesearchingforoutlineexamplesIfoundadevelopmentforascreenplayofaTVshow.Itwasjustforoneepisodesoitwasntthewholestoryofthewholeseasonofthisshow.Butwhatreallyconfusedmewasthateverysinglescenewasoutlinedandwrittenaskindofatreatment.ButtheresothersiteswhereIvereadthingslikeWhenitcomestoscreenwriting,justoutlineatleastyourmajorplotpointsandthengetitdone.Well,Ithoughtmaybeitisagoodwaytooutlinethewholescriptsoyoullknowwhatyouactuallywanttowriteabout.ButthenIthoughtifIoutlineeverysinglesceneIwanttowriteintheactualscript,Iwillspendmoretimeoutliningthanactuallywritingthescript.SoitkindofconfusedmeabitandIwantedtoknowhowyouyourselfhandlethoseoutliningprocess.Because,Ithinkitsgoodknowingwhereyourstorygoesandhavingthewholeplotstructuredinthoseplotpoints,butlikeyousaidinanotherarticleaboutthe8020rule,themoreyouresearchthelessyouwrite,Ithoughtmaybeitsthesamethingwithoutlining.MaybeIwontgetthescriptdoneifIspendtoomuchtimeoutlining.
HopeyouatleastknowwhatmyproblemisandcanhelpmeabitsoIwontbeasconfusedasIamrightnow!
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scribemeetsworldMay21,2013,9:04pm
HiJulia,
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 16/22
Imsogladthatmysitehasbeenhelpfulforyou!Inregardstooutlining,Ithinkitisanessentialpartoftheprocess.IliketooutlineasmuchaspossiblebecauseIfindthatthisreducestheamountofextensiverewritingIhavetodolater.Youdoraiseagoodpointthoughyoucanoutlinetoomuchandneverstartwritingyourscreenplayinthefirstplace.Thisdefeatsthewholepurposeofoutlining!
ThisishowIapproachoutlining:first,Ifocusoncrackingthe8essentialplotpoints.Then,Ifigureoutwhatneedstohappeninorderforthoseplotpointstooccur.Iaddinscenestoheightentheemotionortoimprovethelogic,etc.Thisusuallyyieldsalistofabout40plotpointsorso.IputeachplotpointonanindexcardandshufflethemarounduntilIthinkIhavethemorganizedintoasolidstructure.ThenIthinkabouteachplotpointhowitshouldbegin,whatshouldhappeninthemiddle,andhowitshouldend.Ifanyfunnyideasorlinesofdialoguecometome,Iwritethesedownaswell.Idontwritemuchmaybeonesideofanindexcard,sometimesbothsides.ItdependsonhowextensiveIthinkthescenewillbe.IdothisuntilIhavefilledouteachindexcardandthenIrepeattheprocessacoupleoftimes.
Bythispoint,Imitchingtobeginwriting!Ithinkthatsagoodindicatorofwhenyoushouldswitchfromoutliningtowriting.Youdonthavetoadddetailstotheindexcards,butIwouldntstartwritingbeforeIhadalistofalltheplotpointsorganizedinawaywhichbesttellsmystory.
Thisis,ofcourse,themethodwhichworksforme.Somepeoplehateoutliningandwritebytheseatoftheirpants.Itsoundsthoughlikeyouareanoutlinerlikeme!
Toclarify,inthearticleaboutthe8020rule,Iconcluded20%ofyourresearchwillyieldabout80%ofthedetailsyouactuallyuseorneed.SoIresolvedtoresearchless.Byresearch,Imeanttimespentlookingupfactualdetails,notoutlining.Infact,inthesamearticle,Iconcludedyoushouldspendmoretimeoutliningratherthanless!(Butnottothepointwhereoutlinebecomesaprocrastinationdevice.)
Ihopethishelps.Letmeknowifyouhavemorequestions!
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GBlivinsJune23,2013,10:46pm
Imnewtothissite,buttheideasyoupostaretimeless.Thankyouforsharingyourthoughtswiththeworld.IespeciallyfoundyourBacktotheFuturenotesveryhelpful.AsforJamesearlierinthisthread,Ivefoundtherearetwotypesofscreenwriters:1)thosewhorecognizethatthereindeedisstructuretoallgreatfilmsand2)thosewhothinkeverythingtheywriteisflawlessandifpeopledontunderstanditorlikeit,theybecomepissedoffandblametheworldfortheirshortcomings.(Andbytheway,using2001andSolarisasexamplesonlymadeyourpointstronger.ThosemoviesneverseethelightofdaywithoutKubrickorClooney.WhowasJameskidding?)
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scribemeetsworldJune24,2013,5:26pm
HiGBlivins,
Thanksforthekindwords!Ithinkonceyourealizehowmuchtimeasolidstructureandanoutlinewillsaveyouduringtherewritingstage,youfindthesetoolstoberatherliberatingthanrestrictive.
CanyouimaginewritingafilmlikeBacktotheFuturewithoutanykindofstructuralaid?Nightmare!
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IsaJoyAugust11,2013,2:46pm
IlladmitIprettymuchhateoutlining,butitmakesthetaskofcompletingascreenplaymuchlessdauntingandsomethingthatsactuallydoable.
IfindyourwebsiteveryhelpfulasIdailypursuemydreamsofbecomingaHollywoodfilmmakersothankyou!!
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JillDecember16,2013,8:47am
IjustwantedtodropanotetosayhowmuchIamlovingyouradvice!Youofferupsomegreat,concisetipsforaspiringscreenwriters.Iambookmarkingyoursiterightnow.Thanks!
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 17/22
scribemeetsworldDecember18,2013,10:52am
HiJill,
Thanksfortakingthetimetowriteacomment!Yourkindwordsmeanalottome.Goodluckwithallofyourwritingendeavors.
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RobertMarch21,2014,2:37am
Hello,
Imalsoanaspiringscreenwriter,andIjuststartedataboutthistimelastyear.Sofar,Ivecompletedfourmoviespecscripts,oneTVpilotscript(anhourlongdrama)andImcurrentlyworkingonasitcom.
IthinkthislistisaGREAThelp.AnyonewhohasdoneanythingknowsthatyouALWAYSwanttostartoffwithdirection,especiallyifyourenewtoit.Tojustwingitisalmostneveragoodidea.Justlikemanyothers,Iunderstandthatthesearejustsomegoodguidelinestobeginwithandofcourse,thebetterweget,themorewemaybeabletodeviateappropriately.SomefolksturnsomethinglikethisintoanEnglishprojectandthatswhyitdrivesthemcrazy,butwhattheyneedtounderstandisthatthisisjustsoyoucanhavesomestructureandknowwheretobegin.Thisalsoallowsyoutobreakthescriptdownandfocusmoreondoingmaybe30pagesatatimeratherthantryingtofigureall120outinonesittingorgettoonespotandjustbestuckbecauseyouhavenoideawheretogonext.
Obviously,withmoreexperience,again,yourebetterequippedtodeviate,andthatsanotherthingalotoffolksmisunderstand.Weasamateursarenotinagoodpositiontodeviatejustyet.Weoftenwanttocompareourselvestoseasonedscreenwritersandthatsnotagoodidea.Allweseeisthefinishedproductandifitdoesntmatchcloselywiththisformatorsimilar,thenwewronglythinkthatnostructurewasusedatall.
WhileIlladmitthatitISfrustratingtosometimesseeworkouttherethatlookslikeitstayedFARawayfromthisandissometimesjustplainbad,thethingforustorememberisthatweDONTwanttoberememberedforthat.Inotherwords,itseasytoseethatitlookslikesomeonewasabletoputahalfheartedeffortintosomething,succeedandthenfigurethatthatsallweneedtodoaswell.WewanttomakeOUROWNnames.
Sorrytogetintoallthat,butIjustwantedtothankyouforcreatingthislist.AsIsaidabove,ImworkingonasitcompilotnowandIcameonlinetolookupgoodwaystooutlinethat.Icameacrossthis,andImgladIdid!
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scribemeetsworldMarch24,2014,9:46pm
HiRobert,
Thanksfortakingthetimetoshareyourobservations.Youvesummarizedthebenefitsofoutliningquitenicely.Outlinesdefinitelymakewritingalongerworkmoremanageableandsaveyoualotofgriefinthelongrun.
Itsinterestingtoreadarticlebyauthorswhodontlikeoutlining,buttriedtoembraceit(forwhateverreason).Forthemostpart,theyendupconcludingthatoutlininginadvancesavedthemalotoftimeduringtherewriteprocess
Youvebeenenormouslyproductiveinthelastyear.Itsoundslikeyoudbeagreatassettoashowswritingstaff.
FromwhatIveread,thestructureofaTVshowsharessimilarprinciplestothestructureforafulllengthfeaturescreenplay,butitdoeshaveitsownnuances.(Soyoudhavetoadapttheoutlinepresentedinthisarticle.)
Formorespecifics,readSuccessfulTelevisionWritingbyLeeGoldberg&WilliamRabkinandWritingtheTVPilotbyWilliamRabkin(ifyouhaventalready!).
Bestofluck
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AmyMarch22,2014,6:21pm
Greatstuff!
WaslookingtoprocrastinatefromcontinuingwithmyoutlinesoitsalwaysreassuringtoknowImnotlostbutontherightpath.Inspiredtogetbacktoit!
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 18/22
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scribemeetsworldMarch23,2014,11:27pm
HiAmy,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld.Imgladtohearthatthisarticleinspiredyoutogetbacktoit!
Goodluckwithyouroutline
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BiancaApril15,2014,3:59pm
Ihaveaquestion.
SoIvebeentryingtogetatleastabasicoutlinebasedontheworksheetyouguyshave,butImconfusedonwhattodoifyouhero/protagonistsmaingoalgoesagainsteverythingyourstoryisabout.
Forexample:Say,yourprotagonisthasanabilitythatcanhelppeoplebuthatesit.Sotheirmaingoalistobecomenormalandsafe.YettherearealltheseconflictsthatleadyourmaincharactertodotheoppositeontheirgoalwhichImguessingisembracingtheirsituationandability.
Ifitslikeso,doesntthatmeantherearenostakesifdontsucceedtheirmaingoal?Ordoesitmeantheirmaingoalhaschanged??
Imreallyconfused.
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scribemeetsworldApril16,2014,8:43pm
HiBianca,
Ihaventseenitinalongtime,butitseemstomethattheplotofSpiderMan2matchesthesituationyouvedescribed.PeterParkerwantstorejectbeingSpiderManandembraceanormal,safelife,but,bytheend,learnstoembracehissuperheroidentity.Studyingthatmovieshouldhelpyoualot.
Oddlyenough,studyingamovielikeAboutaBoymayhelpyoutoobecausethepushpullstruggleoftheheroissimilar,eventhoughhesnotinpossessionofsuperpowers.
Tobemorespecific,Will(HughGrantscharacter)professesanearnestdesiretolivealone,likeanisland.Thisistheequivalentofaprotagonistwhowantstobesafeandnormal.ButMarcuswontletWillaloneheforcesWilltochangeandembracelifelikeanislandchain.
Ihopethishelps.Goodluck!
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DerekAugust11,2014,5:18am
Thanksalot.Ibelieveanoutlineistoascriptwriterwhatabusinessplanistoanentrepreneur.Your8plotpointsareagreatbreakdownoftheclassical3actstructureandyouhavemademyworkveryeasy.Anyonewhovisitsthissiteisblessedwithsomeformofcreativepower,andasweallknow,powerisnothingwithoutcontrol.Thecontrolisinoutline.Ihopeyoudontmindmementioningyouinmysuccessstoryinafewyearstocome.
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scribemeetsworldAugust12,2014,8:31pm
ThanksDerekforthekindwords!
Withyourpositiveattitude,Imsuresuccesswillcometoyousoon
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 19/22
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MarquiseOctober8,2014,4:17am
Ijustfounditfunny:AsIwatchIntotheWildbySeanPenn(2007)towriteananalysispaperInoticedthatthemoviepracticallyfollowsthisplotpointoutlinealmostexactly.AfterreadingthisIammuchmoreconfidentinanalyzingthesignificanceoftheplotpointstothestory.Thanks!
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scribemeetsworldOctober8,2014,7:21pm
HiMarquise,
ThanksforvisitingScribeMeetsWorld!
ItlookslikeyourfirstvisitisanexampleofwhatJuliaCameroncallssynchronicity.
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samuelNovember18,2014,5:39am
IdontknowhowtostartwritingascreenplayIhavealotofimagesinmyminditcomesasdreamsattimethoughtattimevisionIneedhelp
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SarahFebruary11,2015,4:18pm
Wow,thispostwassohelpful!ImactuallylookingforwaystowriteaneffectiveoutlineforacomicIwanttostart,andmostofmystoriestendtolackstructure.Thislistisagreatplatformtostartbuildingmyownstoryon,andtoScribeIcanonlysaythankyou!!!:)
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scribemeetsworldFebruary14,2015,8:38pm
HiSarah,
Imsogladthisarticlemighthelpyouwithyourcomicvery,verycoolandperhapsafirstforScribeMeetsWorld!
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StacyApril7,2015,4:07pm
HeyScribe!
Greatwebsite.IamrecentDirecting/Screenwritinggraduateofaveryhandsonindustrylikefilmschool.Beingoutofschoolforawhile,mywritingskillshavebeenslowlydullingout.Planningtogotograduateschoolthisfallforfilm,IdecidedIneededtoreteachmyselfmanythingsIhaveforgotten.Imfilmschool,wetalkedaboutstory,howweneedabeginning,middleandend.Weneverwentindepthtoplotpoints,3actstructure,lowestlow,etc..whenmythesisadvisoranalyzedmythesisscripthegavebackfeedbackwithwordslike,theclimax,thingscomein3,lowestlowetc.Ididnotreallyunderstandwhathemeantuntilafterreadingthis(andmanyofyourotherlinksonyourwebsite).Iwasmoreofadirectingmajorthattooksomewritingcourses.FirstofallIwanttothankyouforpostingsooftenpleasekeepup!Youhavealotoffans.
Two,inclass,wemainlywatchedmoviesandthenwewouldanalyzethem.Wewouldtalkaboutwhyitworkedtheimages(i.e.openingandclosingimages,howthemoviemadeuscareaboutthemaincharacter,etc)Itwasmorefilm,lesstheory.ImnotsureifyouwouldconsideryourwritingtheorysinceyousaidthiswebsiteisforpeoplewhowanttoSELLtheirscript.Iwenttoamoreartdrivenschoolbutmyteachertriedtoinstillsomebusinessmentalityaswell.Iwouldliketoaskyou,doyouthinkasawriterwhowritesfromtheheart(usually)butalsovaluesamoviethathasgreatstructure(withsuspense)doyouthinkitsbettertofirstgowithwhatyoufeel,thentweakitout?OrshouldIfollowthe8plotpointstructure,makesureithitseverypoint,thentrytoartfullycraftitout?
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5/27/2015 HowtoWriteaScriptOutline|The8EssentialPlotPoints
http://scribemeetsworld.com/2011/screenplaywriting/howtowriteascriptoutlinethe8majorplotpoints/ 20/22
Anyways,thanksagainandlookingforwardtoreadingmore!Wouldlovetohearaboutsomeforeignfilmsaswell.IamworkingonastorythattakesplaceinChina,mostofthecharactersspeakChinese.ButthemainisanenglishspeakerIamalmostconfusedonwhoIshouldputthefocusonaudiencewise.IguessthatmaybeaquestionIhavetoaskmyself!
Andlastly,canyoupleasedoananalyzationonaWoodyAllenfilm?Iwouldliketoseehowhehitsthese8marks,orhowhemakesitwork.Healwayshasthemosttaboorelationships,yetitalwaysworkssowonderfully!
Thanksagain!!
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scribemeetsworldApril14,2015,7:44pm
HiStacy,
Itsalwaysbesttowritefromtheheart.
Thekey,though,istofigureoutwhatkindofprocessworksbestforyou.Somewriterscanplotinadvance,whilestillwritingfromtheheartothersfeelthatthattheyneedmorespontaneity(egpantserswhowritefromtheseatoftheirpants).
Choosetheprocessthatyouenjoymost.Thenevaluateyourrawmaterialandfigureouthowtomolditintothestrongeststorypossible.(Andmostcommerciallyviabletoo,ifthatsyourgoal.)
Ifyoureaplotter,youllbeworkingwithanoutlineifyoureapantserthenyourrawmaterialwillbeyourroughdraft.So,youalwayshavetodosomekindofanalysis.Butthepointintimewhenyoudothatanalysisdependsonwhatworksbestforyou.
Re:WoodyAllenhisnamemakeshismoviescommerciallyviable.SoananalysisofhisfilmsisunlikelytopopuponthissitebecausebasicallyonlyWoodyAllencansellaWoodyAllenesquemovie.Ifyoureinterested,BillyMernithasanexcellentanalysisofANNIEHALLinhisbook,WritingtheRomanticComedy.(Thebookisagreatresource,BTW!)
Goodluck!
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GirlFridayMay3,2015,2:42pm
IjustwanttosaythankyouforgiveusthisinformationforFREE.Inthisworldwherepeoplearejustouttogetthealmightydollar,itissorefreshingtoseesomeonewhoobviouslywantstohelpthewriter.IfIcouldshowyoumybookcaseofazillionbooksonscreenwritingyouwouldhaveaheadache.Youvemanagedtodowhatthosebookshavefailedtodoformeforyears.Comingupwithstoryideasandbigconceptswerenevertheproblemforme.Structureontheotherhandughh!NowIfinallyfeellikeIcanapproachstructuretherightway.WhenIwinmyOscarforbestscreenplay,Iwillmentionyourname.
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