Outline Help

[Hollow]

Ok. So I've decided that my screenplay NEEDS an outline. I have the beginning and the end down pat but only have a small piece of the middle. That's all screwed up, I know. I've never really done one. Don't ask me how all these years of school I tip-toed around doing an outline, but I did. I know the basic format (I. A. i. a., all that). Just not sure how to get started.

I looked in the Screenwriting Tips thread under Outlines but it only gives links for treatments and query letters. Is there a guide? Or an outline for an outline? 0_o

Should I do a treatment first?

[RainbowDragon]

If it's just for you and not to show anyone, it can be as informal as you like, for instance:

MC gets a job
MC loses job
MC gets a new job
The end

I know it's not that simple, but if you have an idea of what you want to happen approximately when, the outline doesn't need to even be written down. You can fill in the gaps between significant events as you write.
And no matter how detailed the outline is, when you sit down to write there are likely to be surprises.

[Rainy Night]

If you have the beginning and the end at least you know where you are starting from and where you are going. Think about your characters and the decisions that they would make and possible roadblocks, how they overcome them and the challenges that follow - that'll help you fill in the middle.

When I outline I usually use note cards, one per scene - about 60 note cards for each script (I try to make scenes average 2 pages, some are more some are less) this gives me a rough outline for 120 pages.

It's my method and by far not the only one - you have to find out what works for you.

[Hollow]

That's a good idea Rainy Night. I think having a physical outline is better than a digital one (typed). I just might try that. :)

[Rainy Night]

I like using the cards as I can lay them out, rearrange them, add or remove etc... and don't feel that you have to limit yourself to 60 that's just where I start, a recent script I finished had 78 scenes.

[dpaterso]

Just to confuse you further: I prefer to break the story down into 8-10 sequences, and write the equivalent of a logline for each sequence.

With key events and actions defined it's easy to see how the story takes form and progresses.

In theory it's also easy to break the story down into acts simply by joining sequences together.

Definitely one of those "each to their own" things. Whatever works for you is the right method.

-Derek

[NikeeGoddess]

and because screenwriting is the most confusing in the writing medium...

I know the basic format (I. A. i. a., all that)

there is no need for this type of outlining in actual practice. however, it makes sense to do it like this:

SCENE - BEDROOM
this is where Joe finds Suzy's porno collection

SCENE - KITCHEN
this is where Joe confronts Suzy

SCENE - CAFE
this is where Suzy spills the beans to twin sister Sara about blah, blah, blah

and so on, and so on, etc....
you can do this from the first scene until the end and just fill it in with action and dialogue

[Hollow]

Ah, gotcha! Thanks for the advice NikeeGoddess ;) Yes the "Research Paper Outline" format does seem a bit impractical for this type of writing. Stupid me. In the immortal words of Homer Simpson: "Doh!"

[nielsty]

I'd like to see how some of you outline. Could you post two scenes or something like that in outline format? I have to hand in a full outline for a manuscript on monday - supposed to use it for an examination...

[Rainy Night]

I'd like to see how some of you outline. Could you post two scenes or something like that in outline format? I have to hand in a full outline for a manuscript on monday - supposed to use it for an examination...

Pretty much like Nike did it except I use 1 note card for each scene.

[The ImagiNation]

I usually do something very simple. I open of Word, set it to bullets, and put one scene per bullet. (this is kinda like the notecard deal, just on paper instead)

Some scenes/bullets are very simple and may include one sentance to explain what happens.

Other scenes/bullets are very detailed, even giving some of the dialogue.

It all really depends on what comes to me as I write.

[dgl]

Here's what I'm using right now (The Blank Template near the bottom) as a rough guide:

http://www.scriptcafe.org/Scriptcafe/The%20Craft/13BE2DB5-1C91-4E9D-B2D6-D346BECFA730.html

D.

[squalid]

Many hours have passed since this question about outlining was first posted. But just for the sake of adding my free advice which should be ignored like all my advice, and because I prefer work avoidance over lining my ever threadbare and hole-riddled pockets I shall now type my useless thoughts on said subject and post parts of two outlines one for a fiction written in motion picture script format and the other for a fiction written in novel format.

Sir, Madam or Miss:

If I may, it is ill advised to think of an outline for a screenplay as any different than an outline for a non-fiction work or a novel or a short story or a stage play or a magazine article or an epic poem or a business plan or an Initial Public Offering prospectus or a hedge fund prospectus or an annual report or any and all forms of written endeavor except the weblog which by it's very nature would be hampered by an outline or an edit as it is the antithesis of all creative endeavor. (sorry, had to editorialize)

In essence the outline is the means of writing your fiction or non-fiction and as you build your outline your story evolves so that when you've finished your outline all you essentially need to do is add the dialog because your story is complete and hopefully contains all the writing buzzwords that make a good story with a beginning middle and end.

Below are two examples of my outlines one for a fiction intended to be a novel and one for a fiction intended for a movie format:

Novel:
Chapter Seven - Buster Beans
1. Gilroy regains consciousness.
2. Friends happy. The search for Constance - key to return home.
3. They come to three stone pillars where they wait out a storm.
4. The top of a very high cliff. Leo slips at the edge.

Chapter Eight - A Let Down
1. Leo falls over cliff. Lands on outcrop ten feet below.
2. Gilroy climbs down. Precarious descent and just makes it.
3. He and Leo discover elevator in cave in cliff face.
4. Rwelconch only speaks rhymes.
5. Elevator to the bottom of the cliff.
6. Recognizes place from dream. Believes door leads back to Home.

Movie:
1. Veronica and her subordinate, Betty, plot the demise of Veronica’s boss, the CTO of Corporation. Veronica invites Betty up to her horse farm over the weekend.

2. Justin picks up a woman at Dean and Deluca. He’s attracted by her diamond studded crucifix. He and Betty admire each other as she gets into a taxi - its pouring cats and dogs. Justin takes a photo of her with his cell phone and steers the woman toward the subway.

3. Betty protects her back and flanks, just in case. She knows how ruthless Veronica is. She is also ruthless and covets Veronica’s position.

If you find some of this confusing as to which character is which. That's not the point. The point is that the writer knows, and from this and the rest of the outline, the script was written in two weeks.

So, if you find this helpful, whoopie doo and if you don't thanks for giving me the opportunity to practice yet again work avoidance.

heigh ho.