Tag Archives: screenplay

Screenwriting Analysis Series: Wednesday – Introduction

Hello, folks!

I'm back with an update on my Screenwriting Analysis Series! A lot of things happened in my personal life, most quite hectic and bad, and in the midst of all that I had to move out from my place. So, unfortunately, I lost the IT: Chapter One script I had analyzed up to its half. I'm still looking for it in my boxes and anywhere I can think of because I don't want to lose that progress.

However, I don't want to keep you waiting any longer. After watching the whole of the Wednesday series and loving it like there's no tomorrow, I chose to analyse the first episode of that show. Plus, the fact that the Addams family are tied to three of my happiest memories says a lot. Hence I decided to analyse the pilot's script first so we'd both have something to analyze and learn from. 🙂

Fortunately, it was easy enough to find now thanks to The Script Lab, which made the pilot script, Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe, available on their website for free.

As you can see, I already started analyzing Wednesday's pilot. 🙂 It's going well and it's a real pleasure to do.

So, loves, I'll see you soon with the analysis of the pilot script! And as soon as I find the script of IT: Chapter One, it'll be next on the list, promise!

Stay tuned!

How I Use Plottr to Outline My Stories

App & Software Reviews, chit-chatting with Cat, Tips May 5, 2023 Leave a comment

Please note some of these links are affiliate links. If you buy the product, I will receive some percentage of the sale but at NO additional cost to you. I only vouch for products I either LOVE or USE in my own life. Thank you.

Introduction

In 2019, I was lucky enough to be one of the first people who knew about Plottr. I was there in 2021 for their big update. And to this day, I still use the software Plottr to outline my stories and series.

What is Plottr?

Plottr is a subscription-based software (now app as well) that allows you to outline both novels and series, as well as to keep track of your characters’ timelines and items, locations, and much more.

You can check it out here.

How do I Use It?

Well, first of all, I found a “trick” to outline any type of stories I want. Screenplay? Sure! Comic book? No problem! Novels? Absolutely!

But how?

Let me tell you something first: When I started using Plottr, I had trouble making sense of how to actually outline the whole book and the characters’ timelines in something cohesive and intuitive directly into the software. But at the same time, I was deep into studying the Save the Cat method for both my screenwriting (Daphné and Philip) and other stories.

You can see where I’m going with this, huh?

So, one day, I figured “Why not?” and began creating “Chapters” with the beats’ names—this way I knew where to head to and which beat to hit next. Then, I created scenes to expand the chapters. I got through a lot of my Rise of a Heroine story like this!

Nowadays, you can purchase the Save the Cat method in Plottr as an add-on. While I do have it, I prefer creating my own. It suits me better and I can tweak it like I want; however, theirs is an excellent resource and/or starting point to customize your own.

I am now outlining the whole series of Rise of a Heroine (you can add covers to the books in your series in Plottr! Neat!), a comic book, and a novella.

Anything is possible!

As long as it’s for plotting and outlining. Otherwise, you might be at the wrong place…

In Conclusion

Plottr is definitely one of my top softwares to work with as an author/writer—and it was right from the start. Sometimes, it just needs a bit of customization to really grasp the tool, but once you do, you’ll get a-plotting with Plottr in no time!

Don’t forget to check it out here for more info: Plottr

See you next post, lovelies!

Screenwriting Tip: Fear and How to Beat It

chit-chatting with Cat, screenwriting, Tips October 28, 2022 Leave a comment

Cue Taylor Swift's Anti-Hero song

Yesterday, I was suddenly motivated and determined to keep on writing my short film for the first time in two weeks. When I sat down with an iced coffee in front of my Macbook Air, then page to my Arc Studio Pro's project at the ready, I felt dread blooming and I thought for no apparent reason:

"I see, so that's why I haven't been writing. I still shouldn't write it because I'm afraid–"

And, I shit you not, I immediatly reacted to this thought with:

"Oh noooo, not YOU again!"

The fear!

And then I burst out laughing as I remembered the scene in Swift's music video when she opens the door and sees… herself!

I pictured the same scene with me and my fear, where she waves and smiles at me and says the brilliant lyrics:

"It's me, hi. I'm the problem, it's me."

Because, yeah, she's damn right! My fear is the problem.

My fear of succeeding, of not being good enough (or at all!), of failing, of others' mean critics, of being laughed at, of… You see?

This, this fear, is my problem in writing.

What is yours?

It can be the same as me, or it can be writer's block, lack of self-esteem, deeply-rooted negative opinions of yourself or constant exhaustion…

But if it's the fear, please keep on reading.

I then realized that whatever I'd do, no matter how hard I slammed the door to Fear's face, shouted at her, pulled at my hair, cried myself to a puddle, or–gasps!–listened to her… The Fear would always be there. She'd stay around. Like a nosy someone.

She'd hover over my shoulder, making me feel afraid and doubt myself.

But you know what?

She would win… only if I let her.

I'm the one in control.

I'm the writer.

She's only real if I let her.

Just like a story, and a bad one at that…

And so, what did I do after picturing this scene and laughing?

I took a sip of my iced coffee and kept on writing. And I made progress.

I keep on writing and making progress even now.

Okay, sure, Fear is annoying.

But now I don't let her write my story.

Instead, I suggest you do this when she shows up at your doorstep:

Open the door, and smile
Invite her in calmly
Tell her: you can sit or hover, but I've got writing to do.
Sit down and write.
When she makes you afraid, tell her you know she's there, but she's fictional, too…
Then say, proudly:

"And I'm the writer after all."

I hope this bit of life helps you!

It sure did spur me into action and yes, I do the suggestion I gave you now, and yes, I keep on writing. 🙂

She's not invincible, the fear. She just wants you to think she is.

See you next post, darlings!

Announcing My Screenwriting Analysis Series! (TV Shows & Movies)

chit-chatting with Cat, screenwriting, Screenwriting Analysis July 5, 2021 Leave a comment

Hello hello, folks!

I'm putting together a screenplay, movie, tv show pilot and script analysis series. Why? As a script reader, and future professional screenwriter (you can read my Daphné scene here and my Philip scene there), I thought this would not only serve as an immensely rich training ground for me and you, but also as quite an interesting way to look at movies, TV shows and stories we love and the screenwriting at work behind it!

Now, what will I cover? In all cases, I will go through the characterization & relationships, the logic, the flow, my overall Impression, my thoughts & what I learned. Depending on whether it's the script, the movie/TV show, or the beat sheet, I will also tackle the format, the cinematographic techniques, the acts, and more. Plus, if the movie/TV show is based on a book or on a series of books, I will add a post that compares the movie/TV show to the book(s) while covering their dialogue, descriptions, characterization & relationships, divergences, techniques, structure & beats.

As for each collection of posts (by collection I mean "each series of blog posts pertaining to one specific story"), here is the order: