working on screenplays

I keep seeking resources online to help develop screenplay idea however a lot of them are very standard and corporative that evolve around the industry. its annoying to have to filter out these things as what I want is things that will help me develop ideas and show other film examples, etc

decided to watch interviews on other writers speaking. Started off with Greta Gerwig as she is a recent writer that most likely has interviews available online. also tried james ivory but there isn't any of him on writing specifically. might watch some videos of him later off topic and see where that goes.

NOTES:

- tries to let characters talk to her. Writing is about listening to your characters as they can tell you things you didn't even know they had in them.

- takes a long time to write a script & by the end spent a lot of time with characters, like she has hung out with them.

- film is collaborative art form and she gives character/story to other people - actors.

NOTES:

- Kenneth Lonergan's writing does not sound like writing, but it is. Read Lobby Hero & This Is Our Youth in college.

- Mike Leigh - uses the impulse of improv to make the thing. (Ecstasy).

NOTES:

- would see a lot of theatre.

- liked watching pre-dancing classes - shows the 'milling around'.

- stripped down, but highly controlled & choreographed. EG: scene in Frances Ha where putting record back in place, talks to her, etc. Did take about 35 times. Noah loves takes, wanted it to feel light & perfect as possible, makes it effortless & natural. 10 takes looks laboured, 15 is settling in.

- get over love of first final product/attempt at the idea & hone it.

NOTES:
- began by writing out somebody else's words to see how it looks, starts to find pieces of characters.

NOTES:

- tries to avoid sitting down and staring at a blank piece of paper ever.

- couple of times gone to coffee maker and wrote down what he'd like to make next. However vague or bizarre. some how dialogue starts coming.

- energy collapses from previous film finishing/wrapped up.

- during editing was daydreaming about what this movie would be & trying to write things down but not too much - as to not get into another mess of having 600 pages.

- think about it & turn it over in your head & figure things out til you really jump in.

I feel TORN between two different contrasting ideas of taking your time with art and really honing in on it and sitting down and writing to get movement going. also theres the whole pressure to create like a machine with the internet/the more you create the more practice etc you get.

In conclusion i think it's a mixture. for example, i feel like at the minute i cant really develop my story because I need to learn more and think more and solidify in my brain however how do i know im not just saying this to put off writing? honestly, at the minute i dont think that is the case as i am doing research and seeking sources etc. im not just sat moping around (like i have previously & i think we all have). im also working on other things too.

NOTES:

- On growing an idea: tells self story lying in bed. Probably 9 months after this, begins as little piece of grit and makes a pearl after a while, just have to give it time.

- Good stuff stays & sticks around. Notebooks can immortalise bad ideas. 

I think i personally disagree with the notebook thing as I think a notebook works really well for me. firstly as an attempt to keep all my thought etc together (even though I still end up with notes everywhere) and i have so many thoughts i think i would forget them as i have a terrible memory so even if it's good i may forget. Also notebooks can be useful to review previous ideas/notes & develop/reuse them.

'an Epic' - reminds me of poetry which is an interesting perspective

Didnt get a lot of notes, but its interesting to listen to.



NOTES:

- doesn't use improv. script gave permission to be inarticulate, but they are giving a very technical performance. Not 'be you & ill capture it'. it was very written.