Accountability Check-In

April has been action-packed. That’s one way of saying I won’t likely hit my self-imposed deadline for completing the first draft of Dry Run. You know what? That’s fine.

I think I can get it done by the end of next week, and the extra time will have allowed for lots of ideas to evolve. Writing this movie is a lot of fun, and that’s what ultimately counts. If it’s enjoyable to write, then it will likely be enjoyable to read, and to watch.

This is the second script for which I’ve used a new method of planning/outlining. I know the basic criteria of each scene, but there’s latitude to allow the characters to navigate the story in an organic fashion.

Each writing session has two core requirements: advance the story to any degree (a page, a scene, a sequence) and know what comes next. If something arises that jeopardizes the progress, I leave a comment in square brackets and move on. So far, most of the comments pertain to an ancillary bit of writing for a different medium that plays prominently in the movie, and that can be filled in later (e.g. copy for a newscast).

Among the enjoyable aspects of writing this particular screenplay is balancing tension, suspense, and humor in an exploration of how the characters react to a highly stressful situation. Although I’m focused on writing, the producer in me is already pleased with the logistical necessities to shoot this one.