Writing Madly — Then Getting Organized

Some thoughts from Tom Benedek (@TomBenedek) about an upcoming Screenwriting Master Class workshop:

I decided I wanted to write a script that I could shoot myself DIY — a very low budget piece. An idea clicked in my head. Basically, one location. Except for the sequence in India which may have to go, of course. For a week, I wrote scene ideas, character notes, images. It was great. A blast of caffeine fueled creativity. A legend in my mind, at least. I have 20 pages of stuff. Three different protagonists. Four plot structures — each one-third written. Now comes the really interesting part — weaving all this into something whole and complete — that is of a piece.

I realized the best thing to do was to use Scott’s Prep: From Concept to Outline course to get a script outline done. I’m running a six-week Prep class on Monday at Screenwritingmasterclass.com. Each week there are lectures and exercises (Yes, I reread Scott’s lectures again and again.) If I follow along with the class, I should have a decent beat sheet/script outline in June.

The Prep Class weaves plot and character, internal struggles, external conflicts through an amazingly simple system. There’s no formula. It is just a set of important questions we always ought to ask ourselves before we go to script. I always find this class a gratifying experience. I am hoping to get my own positive results from this next round as well.

Why not join Tom as he preps his original story? You will not only pull together the current story you’re working on, but also learn an approach you can adapt and use for all of your future projects.

The next session starts Monday, April 29. For more information, to here.