![]() ![]() The best twists don’t come out of nowhere and should work with everything that’s been established in the narrative, while simultaneously not tipping off the reader. OUTLINING TWISTS AND TURNS - Thrillers and horrors-both popular genres-especially benefit from an outline, whether you’re outlin- ing for your own script or as a paid gig, because they often involve a mystery or twist. ![]() To know these essential elements, a screenwriter must create an outline. They are also likely to ask the writer what the “emotional through-line” of the story is and what are the goals of the primary characters. Producers and studio execs will need to know how your story begins and ends, as well as what some of the more important Sequences and Beats that string the story together are. These related scenes are called Sequences, and within a sequence you will find a series of events driving your story forward, also known as Beats. This is further broken down into several related scenes within each act to tell the story. Most scripts utilize the classic Hollywood three-act structure, and thus, your treatment will likely be divided into three acts as well.At its core, the three acts represent a beginning, a middle, and an end. This process can go on for weeks and it usually ends with you writing a treatment. They may request a take or a few pages first, but in most cases, that will lead to the producers wanting you to “flesh out” your take. If a company is going to pay you to write, chances are very good they’ll ask you to map out the story first. The language and terminology vary, but whether producers request “a treatment”, “a take”, or “just a few pages”, screenwriters breaking into the industry can’t simply talk their way into a writing job. FILM INDUSTRY EXPECTATIONS - A little-known truth of the film industry is that working screenwriters are required to create outlines for different stages of development. But having a roadmap means you can enjoy the scenery along the way - in this case, your character development and devising cool set pieces - safe in the knowledge that if you take a detour, you can always find your way back to the main road or goal of your story. Keep in mind that having an outline doesn’t mean your story is set in stone, however! Most screenplays undergo multiple drafts from conception through the production stage. Having your story beats mapped out means that once you dive into writing your first draft, you have the freedom to focus on character, dialogue and action, rather than worrying about where the story is headed. Most professional screenwriters will tell you the key to a successful writing process is creating an outline. ![]()
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