How to Write Your Screenplay Backwards© 2009-2010 Ugur Akinci Write your screenplay backwards. Did you know that David Chase, the genius behind The Sopranos series, has reportedly visualized that shocking very last scene [the screen going black for 10 seconds] a full three years ago? He carried that ending with him for three years. He must have realized the power of configuring his ending well in advance to settle the issue three years in advance. Many successful movies would not add up to anything without their strong endings. Every scene is shaded and nuanced by the ending in one way or the other. As an art form with its own limitations, screenplays really are anchored by their last scenes. Imagine, for example, the “Sixth Sense.” And think about its unexpected ending. Could any of the earlier scenes make any sense if the ending was different? Of course not. Here is the "Akinci Method" of writing a screenplay without getting lost during the process: 1. First figure out what your ENDING will be. 2. Think your way backwards, all the way to the beginning of your script. Try to see the whole movie playing from beginning to the end on that little movie screen inside your forehead. 3. Chop your story into 18 to 25 sequences. 4. Divide each sequence into 3 to 5 scenes. 5. Sit down and write the whole thing as quickly as possible from start to finish, without stopping for any reflection or self-criticism. The minute you stop and start "thinking" about it, the chances are you will freeze and never get done. 6. Once you finish your 100 to 120 pages, you can re-write, edit and polish to your heart's content. Yes, writing is rewriting. But "writing" -- and not the "rewriting" -- comes first. How to Write Your Screenplay Backwards How to Write Your Plot and Characters with the Question-Answer Metaphor How to Create Fresh and Original Characters for Your Screenplay How to Generate New Screenplay Ideas from Existing Movies How to Write a Screenplay Plot with "Tennis Paradigm" Have a Great Tip, Photo or Comment About This Topic?Do you have a great tip or photo about this? Something that you believe we should read or see? Contribute and share it today! |