My phases of writing

When I write a script, I usually classify it in three phases.

Phase 1, is the first draft. For me, this is a glorified plot outline with dialog. Loose, sloppy, and for my eyes only. But, as basic as it is, this phase also takes the longest. This is the phase that usually defeats me. It's where most of my projects fall apart, sometimes as soon as two pages in. Therefor, only a few people know what I'm working on during this time. All of Jack's ideas in Aspiring come from actual phase 1 scripts I had attempted to write.

Phase 1 is designing the house.

Phase 2, is every full draft after the first. This is where I make sure everything makes sense, really discover the characters, and so one. I'll also go more public with a script at this point, as I feel more confident that it'll get finished. This phase makes the script an incomplete whole in my eyes. It's there, but needs some tightening. When this phase is finished, that's when I'll give the script to people to read. And, in case of emergency, I could shoot this script. But I would prefer not to.

Phase 2 is building the house and making it livable.

And then there's phase 3. No more complete rewrites, just constant additions and subtractions to the last draft. Hour here, hour there of work. Adding one line of dialog, then making sure that line doesn't contradict anything previously said. Or, adding something earlier to compliment the new line. This phase is where I'll more carefully apply foreshadowing. I can also throw in little quirks, to fully flesh out a character. Basically, a tidying up of the whole thing. This phase happens during pre-production, and doesn't end till the last day of shooting. Aspiring is in phase 3. Specifically, anything relating to Mara, as she wasn't cast when I finished phase 2.

Phase 3 is picking out the furniture and wallpaper. It's when the house becomes a home.


- Chris