Latino Writers Lab Progress Report #1
A week ago today, I set myself the goal of writing the first draft of my Traps screenplay in two weeks. Today, I've used up half my time, but then again half the script is written.
Before embarking on this madness, I projected an approximately 100-page screenplay, with the first act, midpoint, and second act turning points occurring at around the 25-, 50-, and 75-page marks, respectively.
As of today, I'm 51 pages into the script, with the first act turning point occurring on pages 24-26 and the midpoint occurring on pages 47-51.
If I can keep up this pace, I'll have the first draft done by next Saturday, which means I'll be able to submit a completed script to the Latino Writers Lab by the deadline for feedback, albeit in rough form, instead of a far less fully developed 2-3 page treatment, which means, in turn, the feedback I'll receive should be more specific and, consequently, more valuable.
It's been a good experience, forcing myself to write to a tight deadline like this. First, I'm on the way to proving to myself that, if I set my mind to it, I actually can write the first draft of a feature-length screenplay in only two weeks. Second, I'm learning how to handle the process of writing at this pace, particularly the part that involves not panicking each time I finish a scene and suddenly discover I have absolutely no idea what should come next, but rather allowing myself to relax and take the time to work things through until I hit that "Aha!" moment again.
So while the going hasn't been easy, whenever I've finally started cooking, it's been fun.
Before embarking on this madness, I projected an approximately 100-page screenplay, with the first act, midpoint, and second act turning points occurring at around the 25-, 50-, and 75-page marks, respectively.
As of today, I'm 51 pages into the script, with the first act turning point occurring on pages 24-26 and the midpoint occurring on pages 47-51.
If I can keep up this pace, I'll have the first draft done by next Saturday, which means I'll be able to submit a completed script to the Latino Writers Lab by the deadline for feedback, albeit in rough form, instead of a far less fully developed 2-3 page treatment, which means, in turn, the feedback I'll receive should be more specific and, consequently, more valuable.
It's been a good experience, forcing myself to write to a tight deadline like this. First, I'm on the way to proving to myself that, if I set my mind to it, I actually can write the first draft of a feature-length screenplay in only two weeks. Second, I'm learning how to handle the process of writing at this pace, particularly the part that involves not panicking each time I finish a scene and suddenly discover I have absolutely no idea what should come next, but rather allowing myself to relax and take the time to work things through until I hit that "Aha!" moment again.
So while the going hasn't been easy, whenever I've finally started cooking, it's been fun.