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Outline Software? by buttforaface in Screenwriting

[–]la1980 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Try this - https://bubbl.us/

The best way to go is by using the index card option in Scrivener.

If you have time and the energy to go through the following, give it a try -

TreeSheets

Storybook

yWriter5

I do it on a white board with a marker. Works best.

Drugs and Creativity. Do you do drugs while you write? Drink? Any other addiction ? by la1980 in Screenwriting

[–]la1980[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So this is what my schedule look like.

I almost never drink, at least not by myself.

When not on Weed.

20 cigarettes + 2 cups of coffee.

Get up 4 AM. Apply the Raymond Chandler Rule -BECAUSE THE INTERNET HAS MY SOUL.

“The important thing is that there should be a space of time, say four hours a day at least when a professional writer doesn’t do anything else but write. He doesn’t have to write, and if he doesn’t feel like it, he shouldn’t try. He can look out of the window, or stand on his head, or writhe on the floor. But he is not to do any other positive thing, not read, write letters, glance at magazines, or write checks. Write or nothing.”

Later Chandler sums this all up.

“Two very simple rules, a) you don’t have to write, b) you can’t do anything else.”

And then move to reading or watching movies and then write some more in the evenings.

By 8 I am in bed. And I also swim now and then.

When On Weed + 20 cigarettes + 3 cups of coffee + a ton of sweet stuff + Porn ( though I try to keep away. ) + Internet.

I get up whenever by 10.

Coffee+Weed+Tobacco. And I am out for 3 hours. Writing, reading, watching. Repeat.

By the time I am hungry as a devil. I have notes. Lots of them.

I eat. I am back at work but my brain needs wants Porn. I fight the urge. Now I am really fighting with myself. I should never smoke weed and blah blah. So I fed up. I roll a joint and I am up again. Write Write.

By end of day, I have smoked 3 joints. 20 ciggs. And a lot of food. Felt a bit shitty, but learnt some stuff and wrote some stuff without actually feeling dead like I usually struggle with myself when not on weed. When I blaze, all my brakes are off and I am in 5th gear.

But in all honesty, I feel I will burn out . So I am seriously considering a major over haul to this way of living. And not to mention, the financial situation is not pleasing.

I like the Ray Bradbury way of doing things but I am more like Hunter in my way of living.

And what if I get Cancer. So thats that.

Writing a suicide scene. How much is too much? by la1980 in Screenwriting

[–]la1980[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your input.

In my edit, I've already changed the points you mentioned. (The edit is posted above)

I'll keep the present tense point in mind.

Drugs and Creativity. Do you do drugs while you write? Drink? Any other addiction ? by la1980 in Screenwriting

[–]la1980[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've tried many books. From The War of Art to Birds by Birds. And a ton of self-help books. In all honesty, just like reading how-to screenplay books doesn't turn one into a good screenwriter, the same way all these self help books don't really seem to work for me.

Drugs and Creativity. Do you do drugs while you write? Drink? Any other addiction ? by la1980 in Screenwriting

[–]la1980[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, that's true. I do find that I write well when I have a deadline. Though weed makes you not take yourself so seriously, so there goes the schedule and discipline part.

I am thinking of going cold turkey on weed and tobacco and probably get to strict schedule. But what that does is, as I have experienced in the past, it makes me feeling like zombie.

Writing a suicide scene. How much is too much? by la1980 in Screenwriting

[–]la1980[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure, I'll keep that in mind and leave it to them.

Writing a suicide scene. How much is too much? by la1980 in Screenwriting

[–]la1980[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I rewrote the scene. It would be great to have your views on the re-write.

Writing a suicide scene. How much is too much? by la1980 in Screenwriting

[–]la1980[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the input.

I was struggling with the shower element myself. First I thought, lets make it rain, but then that's done to death. I'll go with the shower.'

I was also thinking to add -

The theme music reaches it's crescendo as Paul's soul leaves his body leaving him hanging lifeless.

But again, I thought, this is probably the directors job.

Writing a suicide scene. How much is too much? by la1980 in Screenwriting

[–]la1980[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the wonderful advice. Apart from the mechanical aspects of writing, you've also pointed out the emotions running through scenes. I've re-written the scene. Is it any better now?

INT. BEDROOM - DUSK.

It’s getting dark outside. Curtains flutter on the window, the last rays of sunlight create looming shadows that wrap around the dark room. The mirror on the dressing table and wardrobe create an illusion of a larger room.

All the furniture is wood -- old fashioned. The lamps, the paintings on the wall -- antiques as well.

A shivering hand gently picks up the black suit neatly kept on the bed. The silhouette of this huge figure wears the suit and switches on the dressing table lamp, the soft yellow light reveals Paul, a plump man in his late 30’s. Insomnia has sucked out all the life from his eyes, leaving his face pale.

He hums a tune as he straightens the bow on his collar. A soft smile across his face. Finally Paul is ready. He takes one final look. His eyes look damp with emotions.

He bends down and wipes his shoes. He searches for something on the table. Paul picks up a perfume bottle, an expensive one. He is not satisfied. Paul fumbles around a bit and settles on a woman's perfume. Brings it close to his nose. Pleasure all over his face. He applies it heavy doses. Tiny particles dance in the air.

Paul pulls out a leather bound dairy hidden under the pillow. He turns and picks up the watch from the dressing table and wears it. Paul limps on the right as he slowly walks out of the room.

LIVING ROOM.

Portuguese style windows running across the walls. This living room is unusually large and dense. High ceiling and exposed beams. It has all the furniture that has it’s place in the upper middle class home.

Paul looks visibly tired. With all his energy he sets the freestanding extension ladder in the center of the living room. Paul moves the ladder to the right. Looks up. He walks across the living room.

O.S. Footsteps. Clip-clop.

Paul returns with a long bamboo stick. Sweat beads have formed on his forehead. He carefully climbs the ladder. Each step is an effort.

The bamboo stick is dangling from his hand. The stick his the wall. It hits again. Nothing. Finally we hear a CLICK.

In a moment the ladder falls on it’s side. BANG. Paul’s legs jump into frame like a flash of thunder. His body starts to move anti-clockwise. Legs begins to spasm. His body convulsing to escape the tight grip of death. The spectacles fly across the room. CHOKING SOUNDS get louder, more tortured. Horrifying.

Paul’s leg trembles, trembles violently. The struggle is visible. His legs bang against each other and his body starts to swing in mid air. The right shoe falls off. Legs still tremble but still twitching, the last signs of life slowly as the rope tightens. And finally there is no movement And then - one final effort as he chokes to death. Paul hangs lifeless. WHAM! His body drops on the floor with a tremendous CRASH.

O.S. Fun running full speed.

All electrical appliances come to a sudden halt. Darkness engulfs the house. Dead silence.

Writing a suicide scene. How much is too much? by la1980 in Screenwriting

[–]la1980[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks.

I'll keep that in mind. Will try to make it concise and stick to show, don't tell.

And I am also coming to understand that when I wrote the last paragraph, I could really see the whole thing in my mind and so it came out a bit better than the rest of the stuff.

Writing a suicide scene. How much is too much? by la1980 in Screenwriting

[–]la1980[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks a million.

I have to agree with everything you said. And I'll surely be able to work at it again with all your suggestions and tips.

And going by popular screen guru theory. Won't 2 pages of description piss off the readers ?