Nifty Robot Filmmaking and Screenwriting Podcast

Putting Together Your Treatment and Outline

// April 30th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // podcast, screenwriting

In today’s podcast episode we’ll be talking about putting together your treatment and outline. Andy and I have similar methods when it comes to putting these things together. But it turns out we also have differences when it comes to actually executing these documents. In this episode we’ll discuss our tactics and strategies when it comes to writing a treatment and outline for your script.

Importance of note cards

• allows you to visually see your story in front of you
• allows you to easily rearrange, add, and delete scenes, characters, and sub plots without doing too much damage
• complete freedom in regards to creative story development

What should be in your screenplay treatment or “brain dump”

• producers want to know what happens next after your initial “idea”
• helps you pitch a story and not just a story idea
• makes writing your script less stressful and allows creativity to focus on action and character
• allows major story changes to not set you back or require massive rework
• treatments should exist on many levels, free form brain dump, short story structure and flow, story and character short summary

Leave us your pre-writing methods in the comments section below. I always enjoy learning about other writers methods.

  [35:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Dealing With Writer’s Block

// April 29th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // podcast, screenwriting

Writer’s block is an issue I think eventually effects every young screenwriter. We all know there is nothing worse than sitting there staring at that blank page without an idea in your head how to finish that script.

In this episode Andy and I talk about some of the ways we try avoid writer’s block and methods we use to work through it when it does strike. Below are some show notes and topics.

How to work past writers block while continue working forward

• go back to your note cards
• get yourself re-inspired about your story
• watch your movie in your head
• write character back stories
• do whatever you can to get the creative juices flowing again
• take an entire week off
• write in small chunks, 30 min
• write a side story about one of your characters to find that joyful writing place again
• feel free to skip around your story, you don’t have to write from page 1 to 110
• write where in your story you are inspired to write

How to avoid writers block altogether

• be prepared, plan, plot, scheme
• KNOW YOUR STORY BEFORE YOU WRITE
• write a treatment/outline
• have confidence in yourself and ability to write a good story, wait till after to hate your work
• be a complete egotistical maniac asshole

  [37:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Establishing A Strong Protagonist

// April 29th, 2009 // No Comments » // podcast, screenwriting

Hi everyone! We made it back again with another show. This time we spend some time discussing protagonists. It’s crucial for every story to have a strong protagonist and in this podcast episode we share some of our thoughts and methods to establish a strong protagonist in your story. Below are some of my quick notes from the episode.

• Character has to have understandable wants and needs
• Story needs to reveal a clear and consistent goal for the protagonist
• Needs to be able to realisticly overcome obstacles
• Let the character show the audience who is not tell us through dialogue
• Audience needs to care about the protagonist
• Don’t wait too long to introduce your protagonist, they might fall for someone else
• Needs to have a clear antagonist

  [43:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Make a Commitment to Screenwriting as a Craft

// April 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // filmmaking, screenwriting

I’ve recently been thinking about what it means to commit yourself to the craft of filmmaking and screenwriting. Screenwriting and filmmaking are like any other learned skill, it takes time and practice to produce quality work. This fact alone is why so many young filmmakers and screenwriters never make the transition to professional.

They are in such a hurry to finish their first screenplay, win a screenwriting competition, get an agent, sell their script, and make their film they never stop to think if their screenplay is any good. Let’s be honest, it probably sucks! It probably sucks really bad!

Is it because they are a terrible writer? Yes.

Is it because the screenplay lacks depth, creativity, and interesting characters? Yes.

Does this mean there is no chance in hell they could ever make it as a professional screenwriter or filmmaker? Not in the slightest.

Like any other job, you are NOT a superstar on day one. I relate it to that feeling you have the first week at a brand new job. No matter what qualifications and skills you bring with you that first week you still feel like an idiot and completely out of your element. It takes time to get the feel for something new, it takes time to learn some new shit!

Screenwriting and filmmaking aren’t any different. To become a truly efficient story teller it takes practice, usually lots of it. I’m no different from anyone else in regards to this topic. I want to have my breakthrough moment now! Right now damn it! But what I want even more than that is to be great at what I do. I know my skills as a writer and filmmaker are not at the level they need to be yet. I know if I tried “going for it” it would probably end with mass rejection and disappointment. Common sense tells me to just relax, don’t be so eager, and just learn how to write.

With this in mind this is exactly what I’m doing. I set goals for myself that I think will allow me to hone my skills as a screenwriter and filmmaker. Pushing myself to reach these self improvement goals will give me the confidence I need when it is finally time to go after the dream.

In my next post I’ll go through each of the goal oriented tasks I’ve set for myself to improve my confidence and skill as a filmmaker and screenwriter.

Pre-Production Tips Part 2 of 2

// April 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // filmmaking, podcast

Here is the second of a two part podcast on the topic of pre-production. This is basically some notes and tips we’ve gathered from our own production experiences. Below is a few of the topics we’ll cover over the two episodes.

Get organized as soon as possible.

• Keep a calendar and develop a production schedule (OmniPlan)
• Invest in a rolodex or group contacts together. Schedule meetings with your principal crew (Google Groups)
• Keep a running to-do list (Evernote)

Delegate!

• Assemble a good core of principal production people (i.e. DP, assistant director, PA’s)
• Trust the people you delegate responsibility to. They’ll do your job if you let them.
• Collaborate BEFORE production. Nothing halts production more than a director and DP who can’t decide on the best way to do a certain shot. Plan out things like shot sheets before hand. Again, be flexible and leave something’s for the set

Casting is key

• Find actors that are above all easy to work with. At this level of film making a difficult actor (or director, for that matter) can implode a production
• Uses asides from your script. Actors auditioning will have a better idea of the tone of the film and there will be less surprises. (Skype)
• Rehearse your actors but let them find their characters. Again at this level, the more you can delegate the better. Everyone learns from everyone else and many times a talented actor will bring (and should bring) something to the character you never would have thought of.

Be courteous and professional with everyone you deal with.

• Be prompt in responses
• Be assertive of your needs up front
• Be ready to adjust if need be
• Know when to direct and when to watch.

Leave your pre-production tips, tricks, and strategies in the comments section below. We’d love to hear your experience with some of these topics.

  [36:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download