ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

4 years, 7 months ago - Johnny Maya

My experience is very similar to the one you described.
It´s just very dependent on the project.

4 years, 7 months ago - Anthony Hett

I normally try to write a detailed treatment first before starting the script. I like to do a lot of work on the characters, story and plot before I sit down to write the script. I don’t really enjoy the process of writing a treatment and character breakdowns etc but I find that it helps to keep me on track and tell the story I want to tell.

That said, I have on occasion written a script first and then written the treatment afterwards. While at other times I have written a treatment first and then strayed away from it significantly while writing the script and have had to go back and completely rewrite the treatment afterwards.

So I guess my process varies but I do try to write treatments for all of my ideas first. I find that it helps me to work out the story and I like to have that worked out fairly well before I commit to writing the script. So when people ask me for advice on process I suggest that they try to write a detailed treatment before writing the script. But of course each person has their own process, so it could be a detailed treatment, a vague outline or they might even go into the script fairly blind to the story. I know what works for me but it’s not going to work for everyone, I hope you find what works best for you.

4 years, 7 months ago - Nick Cheel

From the first-person (writer/director) perspective, I find the key question is 'what's the point ?' Invariably, precious little, if the concept/ideas are clear enough to be already convinced to write a film about the subject.
From the production perspective - even less, since the script will be the operative blueprint.
From the funding perspective - that's probably where the need arises for such a thing, to convince others of the business case. Which tends to suggest a treatment is an independent piece of text with different persuasive parameters.
It's a good idea, imv, not to overburden the essential writing process with extra revision - there'll be plenty of that involved already (!).

4 years, 6 months ago - Marlom Tander

Each to their own.

To me, the ideas of planning out a script is just bonkers. Have an idea, start writing, and in the writing, comes clarity.

At which point you tear up what you have written and start again :-)

Other people plan it all out. Whatever works for you.