2014 Scene-Writing Challenge: Final Thoughts

I’m on the road, so I haven’t finalized the numbers yet, but at this point I know that over 60 writers hit the 10 scene threshold and contacted me to receive their free Core class. I’m guessing there are more to come, plus other writers who posted at least one scene. Who knows? Maybe some folks wrote scenes and kept their pages to themselves.

Thus purely from a numeric standpoint, it would appear the Challenge was a success. But I’m more interested in the creative bottom line and that seems to have hit the mark as well. Lots of emails like these:

I finished all 20 scenes. This was so much fun. I was so excited to let my mind run wild trying to find unique ways to interpret the prompts. It focused me to think creatively and push my imagination to look passed the obvious. I have to say this has really gotten me over a writing hump I’ve struggling with. It’s got me excited about writing again. — Nikki Syreeta

I really enjoyed this challenge and wrote scenes I probably never would have attempted given the genres I focus on. Getting out of one’s creative comfort zone is always very useful. — Nick Dykal

Thank you for holding this challenge on your blog! I loved it, and am grateful for the opportunity to take two of your classes. — Shea Depmore

These challenges were a BLAST! — Rudy Mangual

Many of you commented about my generosity in giving away so many free classes. And you know what? I am generous! In part, that’s just an aspect of my nature, but it’s also about this: When I recall that persistent refrain on the blog that I want to see more and different voices at work in the film and TV writing community, I mean it. This subject is one of the most important points Franklin Leonard and I discussed in our initial conversations about partnering Go Into The Story with the Black List. The Black List promotes great scripts and talented screenwriters, a snapshot of the best unproduced screenplays in any given year. A major part of my vision for Go Into The Story is to provide aspiring writers information, inspiration and knowledge about the craft to facilitate their development as writers, hopefully so that one day, they may find their own script on the Black List. Initiatives like the Scene-Writing Challenge arise from that philosophy.

Let me add one last point. I believe in the Core curriculum of courses: Plot, Concept, Character, Style, Dialogue, Scene, Theme, Time. Individually they cover essential aspects of screenwriting theory. Collectively they provide the foundation for what I call Character Based Screenwriting. We start with character. We end with character. The story’s structure and everything else derives from immersing ourselves in the lives of our characters and working with them. That’s why each Core class echoes that perspective. In my view, this is the best way to respect the organic nature of story and avoid formulaic writing.

So I am excited to share these Core classes with writers.

I’d like to hear from GITS readers, especially those who participated if you have any suggestions about the Challenge. As it stands, I’m thinking about doing this on an annual basis. Would you like to do it again next year?

It also occurred to me to do a similar series in the fall focusing on dialogue. Any thoughts you might have on that idea, please feel free to share them in comments or via email.

Congratulations to each of you who achieved success in the 2014 Scene-Writing Challenge!

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