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This is my first post here but I've spent the last couple of days looking through the unproduced scripts and comments, and I've found it really useful to look at other peoples work and compare it with my own. So far I've written three shorts (and some bits and pieces), and recently I've decided to attempt my first feature. (I'm a 20 year old film student btw)
I've been developing ideas over the last couple of months, and I've come up with what I thinks pretty solid plot, however I'm worried that its too complex for my own good (interweaving plots, 'epic' story, lots of characters etc). I start writing, spend a good few hours on it, and I only progress by a page or so. It's almost like I'm putting too much effort into trying to make it perfect, and its definitely not easy to write. Its just not flowing like some of the shorts I've written in the past and I'm finding it really draining. Its a story that I really want to pursue, but I'm thinking of putting it on hold until I become more skilled as a writer.
My question really is what would be a good start for me? Should I look at writing something more simple in terms of plot, and build myself up to more heavy stuff? I'm thinking that a simple plot, but focusing on the characters and dialogue is the direction I should go in.
Any comments, tips or anything will be appreciated!
Cheers
1. Writing a feature is harder than writing a short. It's because what you are doing in each page ties in with stuff you are doing 60 pages down the line, so you'll find it harder to write a page of a feature than a page of a short. Usually, anyway.
2. Most stories are usually fairly simple at their heart, no matter how complicated. You could try writing out the story in a linear and simple fashion first as a reference and then gradually start to fit it into the structure of your screenplay.
3. I echo other people's sentiments. A script is only finished when you say so. The first draft can be terrible, but the end product can be fantatsic. Writing is re-writing as they say.
Either way, keep writing. If you finish the difficult script, you'll have the strength of charcater to write other ones in the future.
Again, thanks for all your replies. I'm taking any advice on board and I've also been cracking on with the script. I've found that when I get a 'mental block', the best thing to do is have a break then go back to it with a clear head. I have simplified some elements of the story too.
I'm going away for 3 months soon so I won't have much chance to work on it until I get back, but I'm definitely going to continue it after. I've decided to just write what I want to write, get it all down then see what I've got and change, edit, add, do whatever to improve it.
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Hi everyone! (also a question)
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