SCRIPTLAND #2 -THINKING TIME 2

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So what’s great about a blog is getting down your thoughts…things that have been bubbling away in your head that you’ve been wanting to share for ages.

So I was thinking about theme and I also realised that sometimes theme can come after plot. I’m working on something at the moment where literally I’ve had no idea what it was about until yesterday when suddenly the theme just revealed itself to me like a cheeky meerkat. (Gotta love the Russian speaking ones on telly.) I just think it trulyhelps when you do have a theme before you put pen to paper as I think it can help you make story choices…as does a clear understanding of character (but more on that later.)

Okay so what do I mean? Okay Jack has to get the beans to Jill. In your head you can work out a number of ways this can play. By boat. By air. By sea. By car. But if your theme is say being TRAPPED (as was one of the themes in AMERICAN BEAUTY…watch the beginning. Lester wanks in a cubicle. Works in a cubicle. All contained places.) then you might choose a car because it could be like a moving prison cell? Okay not a great example as boats and planes can both be contained spaces but you get my point?

I always wonder about theme. Character and plot. Which one comes first…its a bit like the tree falls in a wood question…I don’t know…I think its like a jigsaw though they all work in accordance with the other. Plot feeds into theme and back again. I dunno. I think maybe the answer is every project is different. For one you might have exactly what you want to say but no plot or characters. For others the opposite…anyway…whatever way you do…give yourself a break and spend ages thinking. It is work no matter what that little voice in your head says!

 

SCRIPTLAND #1 THINKING TIME

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I talk about this a lot…making a film is only part of the struggle, the most crucial aspect is getting it SEEN. So this first script writing note is gonna be about THINKING TIME.

Before you put anything down on paper… …see more »