I AM IN FULL WRITING MODE

Hi Newbies,


Just wanted to check in with you and let you know I did not fall off the face of the planet. I have one week left of my screenwriting workshop left at Chez Studios and I am trying to write my little fingers to the bone before our last class so I have something to present. This 6-week workshop is brutal. Especially since the first 3-weeks are development!

I have a newfound respect for people who can write a feature script in 6 weeks. I only have to write one half hour comedy pilot episode.


#KeepWriting

- C. Danielle Wilcox

Girls Season 1 Episode 1 Beat Sheet

Hi Newbies!

I started a new project. It is currently untitled. I don't know if I am going to video blog about it yet but I will be posting about the development process starting with some research. The project I have in development will be similar to HBO Girls but with a twist.


Check out this beat sheet of the series premier below if you want to get a feel for the structure of the narrative, episodic program starring Lena Dunham. Check out her IMDB.

Let me know if you agree or disagree with my breakdown in this BS2 and then check out some others here:

Girls Season 1 Episode 1 Beat Sheet

Opening Image – Hannah eats diner with her parents in an upscale restaurant with 3 entrees in front of her.

Set-up –Bankrolled by her parents, Hannah depends on her parents to fund her lifestyle

Theme Stated: With only her friends in her corner, can Hannah transition into financial and emotional maturation in the big city?

Catalyst – Hanna’s parents cut her off.

Debate – She debates with her parents about the economy? Can she face this challenge of being jobless & moneyless? Does she have what it takes to make it on her own in New York?

B Story – the “love story” of Marnie and Hannah begins, best friends and confidants. Shoshanna’s cousin arrives from London and Shoshanna is totally smitten with the fabulousness of her cousin.

Break Into Two (Choosing Act Two) – Hannah forced into her journey decides to ask her internship provider to hire her.

The Promise of the Premise – Internship provider tells Hannah she can keep interning or get out. He is a total dick when Hannah mentions her book. Hannah takes takes the loss gracefully.

Midpoint – Hannah visits Adam. Everything seems great. Hannah remains upbeat.  Hannah gets the support she wants from Adam, who had been dodging her.

Bad Guys Close In – Inner doubt, fear, and disappoint overcome Hannah when she leaves Adam and he utters the hated phrase " I'll text you"

All is Lost –Hannah realizes she has about 7 days worth of funds to stay in New York. She is sad because she has to leave or find a job quick.

Dark Night of the Soul – Hannah hits bottom, and wallows in opium. Why hast thou forsaken me parents? internship? New York?

Break Into Three (Choosing Act Three) – Mourning the loss of her New York City dream, she gets contrasting advice from Marnie and Jessa. Hannah decides to try again with her parents.

Finale –Hannah goes back to her home while Jessa and Marnie fight over Hannah and who gives the best advice. Jessa reveals that she is pregnant.

Hannah makes her parents read her book. High-as-a-kite Hannah, passes out on the floor and her parents argue about is now the best time to cut her off. It appears her father may cave. She falls asleep with a smile. She wakes to find herself alone and that her parents left her a mere 20 dollars, the same as the maid--which she also takes.

Final Image – Hannah skips across a busy street in wide-open New York, signifying a new world.

#KeepWriting

-DW

Screenwriting with the Newbie Ep. 2: Card. Board

So I just realized episode 2 of the vlog wasn't on the blog. Shameful... I know. So here is episode 2 which is all about those fabulous index cards and creating a board to layout your script before you type it all up.

I just graduated so my goal was to do this as cheaply as possible. If I had to do it again I would go with a magnetic board though. Eventually one of those pins stuck me. Ouch!

Different strokes for different folks on how yours will look. Feel free to shoot me a photo, link to your boards or maybe you are one of those few people who don't even need this step, because you did such a killer job with outlining.

But nonetheless, if you wanted information about my Screenwriter's Board and what a board actually may look like, this is the video for you.

"SAVE THE CAT?" A Follow - Up

Hi,

Here is a link to the resource used in my first and second video post related to the Blake Snyder book in case you were having any trouble finding it. I highly recommend it as it is an easy read to get you started on your journey. From one newbie to another, I think this is a great starting resource as it breaks down the structure into beats and offers some great initial advice for how to start.


I can only speak on the original book, as that is the only one I have read, but there are also a wealth of Beat Sheets, Podcast post, etc. on the Save The Cat site if you are having trouble understanding scripts or creating a starting point.




#KeepWriting

DW

Welcome to my blog, Screenwriting with the Newbie~

My name is Danielle Wilcox and I am writing my first feature film. Though I have some screenwriting experience with shorts and a May-Mester course that I took with Sheldon Schiffer at GSU, I have never written a feature. I wanted to see if I was up for the challenge so that I could see if this would be my niche in my industry. I graduated this December so now seemed like the perfect time to work on it. This blog will document my journey through my first film as well as share the best tips and tricks I gain while going along with the process.

This site is accompanied by my video blog, "Screenwriting with the Newbie" which is currently posted on YouTube. A new episode comes out each week. Below is a link to episode one. Please feel free to share your comments, suggestions, etc. here or in the comments section on YouTube. I am also an avid Tweeter and as you will all find out, I am a bit of a goof ball.

Thanks for reading and keep writing everyone!


Sincerely,


C. Danielle Wilcox
Twitter:@danie11ewi1cox
Email: ms.c.daniellewilcox@gmail.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F11o6KKE6RI