This week’s rebroadcast combines two blog posts from 2003 and 2010 to bring together some quick tips on outlining.
Many screenwriters use index cards as part of their planning process. Each scene or sequence is given its own card. Then the cards are laid out, pinned up or otherwise arranged to figure out the best structure for the movie.
While I always outline scripts, for me it’s 50/50 whether I use index cards or not. For the Charlie’s Angels sequel they were a big help in pitching the movie, partly because each card had funny stick figures (e.g. "Car Wash Angels get the evidence").
I also used different colors for different types of sequences: action was always on purple cards, while narrative was blue. When you looked at the whole movie layed out on the table, it was easy to see the pacing. In discussing an individual scene, you could point at it.
For a lot of scripts, particularly those without action sequences, index cards might be a waste of time. A better bet would be to write up an outline or a treatment that lets you get a sense of the feel of the movie, not just the big beats.
Whatever technique you use, remember that scripts develop their own logic. Use the cards or the outline as a map, not a Bible.
When Using Index Cards…
1. Keep it short. Maximum seven words per card.
2. You don’t need a card for every little thing. A card represents a story point, be it a scene or a sequence.
3. Keep cards general enough that they can be rearranged. “Battle in swamp” rather than “Final showdown.”
4. Horizontal often works better than a vertical. Try a table or counter instead of a corkboard.
5. Post-It notes make good alternative index cards.
6. Consider a letter code for which characters are featured in the sequence. Helpful for figuring out who’s missing.
7. Most movies can be summarized in less than 50 cards.
8. Cards are cheap. Don’t hesitate to rework them.
9. Consider a second color for action sequences. Helps show the pacing.
10. Write big. You want to be able to read them from a distance.