Should I write a short story before writing a screenplay?
I have a story idea which I *think* I want to take final form as a film. Is it generally a good idea to write stories as short stories first, and then convert them–or should I dive right into the play?
I’ve written some stories, a lot of poems and essays, and 4 pages of a screenplay. I enjoyed righting the screenplay but couldn’t finish it because it was someone else’s story and I couldn’t get into it.
I’d love to know what you guys normally do in this situation.
- tahiti rain
Tags: Love, Poems, Short Stories, Short Story, Writing A Screenplay
October 15th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
i tend to write out my stories in full length but i recently started a screen play and i find it much easier to write. it doesn’t matter which you do first because its your preference. try writing it out directly as a screen play but if that doesn’t work out go back to the short story format.
October 17th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I am also writing a script right now and I am regretting that I did not right the back story before. I would suggest writing it in storyline form then changing it to a script.
October 18th, 2008 at 11:45 am
It’s not necessary to write a short story, but a full outline of the characters and plot wouldn’t hurt—or if you want to put together something a little more substantial, write a treatment: a short, multi-page synopsis of your idea as a narrative–omit dialog, unless it’s vital, leave out long descriptive passages, just tell the story so you can get a full idea of what you plan to have happen.
While you’re writing that, you can jot down ideas for specific scenes, characters, settings and visual images separately.
A treatment will help you keep track of your idea, and help keep you from getting lost as you work out how to tell your story in moving pictures.
October 20th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
well…
it’s good to get an Idea of what you want to write about, your screenplay could be a story too or your story could be a screen play here are a few steps for writing it out:
1. plan
2.sketch it out
3.Imagine
4.look for ideas all around you
5.ask for help and other ideas
6.transform your story into a screenplay
always remember to write from yourself screenplays are nice I enjoy writing them. but first it’s good to know what the screenplay will be about