Lesson 4

[Kristina Zill]

KZ Solved Scene Problems!

Vision: To master screenwriting, to write a script that can win a contest

What I learned doing this assignment: How to use the Problem/Solution Grid to solve scenes in the first draft.

I’m actually pretty happy with the basic structure of my story. What’s bothering me is that I’m still looking at this 30% quality script! I’m very excited to move on to the next module and start elevating the quality of the writing.

[Paul McGregor]

Paul solved scene problems!

Vision of success from this program: I want to write scripts that become movies that change people’s lives.

5. What I learned from this assignment was that, like Assignment 3, it provides an excellent tool for reviewing the script and identifying problems.

3. What I did was create a spreadsheet with the 8 scene problems down the left-hand column and the scene numbers across the top. As I re-read each scene, I put a tick or a X in the corresponding box. A tick meant the problem did not appear. An X meant the problem was present.

Once I had re-read the entire script and filled in all the boxes, I went back to those scenes with the Xs and worked on those problems. Interestingly, the problem that arose most often was: 5. “Scene accomplishes only one purpose.”

The spreadsheet gave me a sort of “map of errors”, allowing me to go back and target specific scenes and their specific problems.

The Problem/Solution Grid was a great help when it came to fixing the problems.

I’m going to keep my spreadsheet and keep working on those scenes until there are no more Xs.

END

[Kristina Zill]

Great approach, Paul! It makes me think that maybe I wasn’t as thorough as I should have been.

Do you print out your script to work on it, or do you only work on it digitally?

[Paul McGregor]

Hello Krisitina,

I’m of the paper generation. I print it out. That works better for me.

By the way, I am going to post my email address on the Forums for exchanging feedback. If you want to exchange feedback with me, the address is: mcgregor16@hotmail.com.

I’d love to see your script.

But a heads-up: I am only ready with 3 of the 4 acts.

All the best,

Paul

[Kristina Zill]

I’m trying to get this draft in shape so that it’s coherent. I’ve got notes in one file and some scenes I hadn’t changed yet.

I like paper, too, but I feel too guilty about the paper waste, so I just work digitally.

My email is: kz@kristinazill.com

I emailed you on March 29th (got your email from a previous module), so check your spam folder.

Please send your script as soon as you’re ready for feedback.

🙂

[Paul McGregor]

Hello Kristina,

Sorry I missed that email. I’ll email you in a moment.

I might be in a similar situation to you. My draft is still very much work in progress, so I might send you just the first 3 acts and that is likely to take a couple of more days.

All the best,

Paul