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BWTV-AI Module 4 – Lesson 5: Write Act 4 + 5
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BWTV Module 4 – Lesson 5
Lenore Bechtel has finished Act 4 and Act 5
What I learned writing Act 4 today was my outline for a few of the scenes was not detailed enough for me to keep writing at the pace I like. But even with stops to think things out,, I wrote 16 pages in four hours and 43 minutes. I now have 70 pages—too many. But at least I think Act 5 will be my shortest act.
Act 4 managed to get my protagonist Lilly into three complicated situations she handles beautifully, and one still to be resolved. Most of the other characters (except Joshua) are outside their comfort zones. Also, in this act, Quinten becomes the dispicable villain viewers will hate. I had fun making him that way.
The next day:
I wrote Act 5 —eight pages—in three hours and seven minutes. My script it now 79 pages long.
I realize I wrote this script without a single CUT TO. I printed out Final Draft’s “Screenplay Format” which says scene transitions should be avoided in spec scripts where possible. News to me, so I’m glad now to know.
Analyzing it all, I feel confident Lilly is now committed to Joshua to a point of no return. So are Timothy, Maudie, Sally, Bernadine, and Dr. Dan. We’re hoping Shay is, but he still has the option of getting scared and running away from getting to know Lilly, his birth mother.
Here’s my progress:
Teaser 2 hours. 30 minutes. 7 pages
Act 1. 4 hours. 10 minutes. 18 pages
Act 2. 4 hourss. 3 minutes 14 pages
Act 3. 3 hours 47 minutes. 12 pages
Act 4. 4 hours. 16 minutes 16 pages
Act 5. 3 hours. 7 minutes. 8 pages
19 hours 113 minutes
Total: 20 hours 53 minutes Total 79 pages
I averaged 3.783 pages per hour. I hope that qualifies as speed writing.
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Denice Has Finished Acts 4 and 5
What I learned doing this assignment is that even though I know I’m short on the pages for the pilot, I’m not worrying about it. I’m thinking about what I need to add, but not stressing about it. I’m ready for the next step in the process because it’s so freeing.
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Sunil Pappu Has Finished Act 4 + 5
What I learned doing this assignment is… to use the high-speed writing skills to speed through my last two acts. I was able to write 20 pages in the two sessions in a single day and complete both my acts 4 & 5. I had fun writing my pilot although it is a bit long with 67 pages, I’m confident I can trim it down and delete some scenes in the subsequent drafts. I can see that it already has a lot of what I set out to do in my outline with intrigue, setups/payoffs and mysteries. I truly enjoyed writing my first draft.”
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Finished my first draft! I sent my script to We Screenplay just to see what a professional reader thought. I got a CONSIDER and ranked in the Top 7% of all the scripts they get in the category of structure. Top 23% in dialogue. I was thrilled as it’s my first draft and I know I can still make it much much better.
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Phyllis has finished Act 4 & 5.
What I learned from this assignment is that I wrote faster but high speed writing put me way outside my comfort zone. I had to stop myself from fixing a rambling scene I came to hate, and just move on.
My lead characters are definitely out of their comfort zones in Act 4 and most of Act 5 is different lock downs for my lead characters. I end on a cliffhanger that involves one character’s dilemma and the series’ dramatic question.
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Jeffrey Alan Chase Has Finished Act 4 + 5
What I learned doing this assignment is I ALWAYS need to write a comprehensive beat sheet/outline before starting to write another script of any kind. I am amazed at how I was able to write my pilot. Just finished. 56 pages. Now for edit #1. Yay!
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Bob’s Module 4
What I learned: It took a bit of effort to get the hang of high speed writing but it worked very well. A breakthrough for sure.
I wrote non-stop for the complete script and did not pause to post to the forum after each lesson but I did read the lesson before doing the Act.
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Gayla Betts Has Finished Act 4 + 5
What I learned doing this assignment is how freeing it is to high-speed write, and how fast it really does go – again leaning into honoring the outline. I made lots of notes and am looking forward to all the FIXING in draft 2.
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KZ has finished Acts 4 and 5
What I learned is that having a solid outline makes all the difference.
- Rule 1: Use empowering self talk. Cheer yourself on. B. Some use.
- Rule 2: Understand writing in drafts. A. Consistently use.
- Rule 3: Choose speed over quality for EARLY drafts. A. Consistently use.
- Rule 4: Allow yourself to start (or continue) without all the answers. A. Consistently use.
- Rule 5: Keep moving. Don’t allow yourself to ever stall out. A. Consistently use.
- Rule 6: Even if you can’t create it now, you will be able to at some point in the future! A. Consistently use.
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Margaret has finished Act 4 +5
What I learned: It is shorter than I thought it would be at 43 pages, but then I didn’t spend much time on descriptions.
I think the following drafts will easily bring me to 50 pages at least. I’m happy to have draft one finished!
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Joan Macbeth Has Finished Acts 1 – 5 and Teaser
What I learned doing these assignments is… I can use High Speed Writing Rules fairly consistently. Sometimes I find it faster and easier to skip around, rather than write everything in order, especially if I’ve visualized scenes before actually writing them. Those scenes go much faster, and by the time I’d written those, the draft was really fleshed out. Often my drawback to using High-Speed Writing Rules is my old habit of curiosity as to details – I might tend to look up answers (such as historical information) and that of course really slows me down. I try to just put in a marker, such as “research X” and move on quickly. Sometimes I can, and sometimes not.
Happy to have a rough first draft completed!
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BWTV-AI Module 4 – Lesson 5: Write Act 4 + 5
Sylvia Has Finished Act 4 + 5
What I learned doing this assignment is… I may have a lopsided script with too much in Act 5. This shall be revealed as I go forward with the assignments.
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Barbe Has Finished Acts 4 + 5.
What I learned doing this assignment is that the High-Speed Writing Rules work! Because I had fallen behind, I set daily goals, I stuck to the outline, and I completed the first draft.
On to the grids! -
Jerry Robbins has finished Act 4 and 5.
What I learned rom this assignment is sthat I really can do some high speedwriting. I wrote scenes 4 and 5 and began to review. I found that I get into character conflicts much faster when I speedwrite. I’m not thinking so much, so it is also much easier to get the characters out of their character zones than before and put them in peril. Just do it!
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