From treatment to script

[Bleen]

Hi.
So I've taken this great screenwriting class a couple of months ago at UCLA Extension and we were taught how to make an outline and finally, a treatment.
But even when I took three screenwriting classes before, I'm still having trouble with this big, big step: How to turn my treatment into a script.
You see, the few short scripts I've written before were fairly simple, not too long, not a lot of characters, not many arcs, etc. I just sat down and started writing from page 1, ended on the last page. Se fini.

But this story I have in my hands now is turning out to be a monster compared to those. It's pretty lengthy and complex and has a nice core of characters who all have their arcs (or at least I believe so).
Having written an outline and a treatment before starting to write the script has vastly helped me in shaping the story, but now I'm facing the problem of HOW, WHERE to begin writing the actual script.
Should I make a scene-by-scene outline?
Where in the story should I start? The parts that I like more? or from the beginning?
Should I avoid dialogue on the first write or write everything from the start?
(FYI, my native language is not English, so I have this feeling I will utterly suck at dialogue writing!)

Any advice is more than welcome, I'm also open to hear book recommendations.

Thanks a lot for your time, I really appreciate it.

[icerose]

I write the script first, so I couldn't tell you.

[seunosewa]

Scene by scene outline, definitely. it's great that you started with a treatment.

[small axe]

I'd say scene by scene too (that's just my process, personally), maybe write the one or two scenes you have big passion or excitement for first, then just sort of fill it in as it comes to you. The cool thing with having a scene-by-scene lay out is, it's just sort of like "connect the dots" ... You're just fleshing out the skeleton you already have ... Don't try to nail things down the first draft, just keep it loose and easy, allowing for new ideas and scenes to evolve if needed. Writing is re-writing, is the classic observation.

You say English isn't your first language? Could have fooled me. I could see how writing Comedy might be harder in a second language, but I'd bet your English is up to anything. Even "native" speakers can benefit from running their scripts past other folks ... but it's pretty minor to just have a few folks read it through and point out any possible stiff or awkward word choices (heck, Brits have to do it to pass for American-speakers, Americans for Brits, etc)

[dpaterso]

Welcome to the forum, Bleen.

Whether you're writing script or prose, a good rule of thumb is to start the story at the point when something changes, when circumstances or events move characters in a different direction and force them to deal with that change. And/or, open with a location or event that offers an interesting main character introduction. If it's a genre script, say a heist movie, perhaps kick off with a fast-moving sequence that shows a crime being carried out by the gang, kind of like a teaser for the bigger crime that will form the heart of the movie. Are they cool and efficient, or bumbling and incompetent? Is the protagonist a meticulous planner who never makes a mistake, or does he wing it and rely too much upon luck? Something that shows the audience what your characters are and how they think. Exploring such thoughts might suggest how and where to begin your script. Think visually and avoid voice over if possible (boring!).

-Derek

[Bleen]

Whoa. Awesome advice guys, really appreciate it!
I decided I'm gonna write down some character traits first, just revised my treatment and I feel they need more personality.
After, though, I'm taking your advise and writing a scene-by-scene outline.

small axe, actually I've written (and directed) a short 5' comedy, it's on THIS (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2000788#post2000788) thread. That one was actually my first English script (as well as my first live action short).

Derek, very good suggestions! I won't get into the specifics in this post not to deviate from the topic, but basically, it's a sci-fi medieval adventure with lots of action (but the characters won't be bi-dimensional).

I just posted my pitch here:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2001191#post2001191
Feel free to drop by and leave your critique.

Thanks again!

[preyer]

hey, bleen, guess what? i read a book! thus and therefore i am an expert on every facet of screenwriting.

you believe me, right?

good. that said, i read 'save the cat,' (blake snyder) which came recommended. in it he's got a piece of advice that sounds pretty reasonable to me. *pause for drumroll*

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

thank you, thank you very much. that advice is to write all of your scenes on index cards. that way you've got an outline (of a kind) that you can literally shuffle around until it's right. plus, it's portable, so you can play around with it on the bus, stuck in an elevator, sitting on the toilet, crumpled in the corner of a tijuana jail cell while waiting for your friends to sober up enough to come bail you out (man, have i been there!), wherever. blake goes a bit farther and insists you add to each card the emotional impact and conflict to help you determine exactly the best placement. bearing in mind his advice revolves around 'high concept' ideas, you should, according to him, have no more than forty cards/scenes. (really, nine cards each for act one, first half of act two, second half of act two, and act three. the leftover cards are used for scenes that goes towards feeding your ego/eccentricities.)

btw, thanks for the inspiration, d. i'm now thinking about a thief with all the cool of james bond and all the competence of barney fife.

[squalid]

Add dialog to your completed treatment and. voila. a completed script.