Making JAKE, Part 2: Scriptwriting (Take 1)

Posted by on 16 March 2010 | 147 Comments

This is the second in a series of short articles about the process of writing and directing JAKE, by Doug Dillaman.

I don't keep a diary, but I have a document on my laptop that was last modified in September 2007, which is when I must have given up on my first attempt at writing JAKE. It's not a very impressive document - about a page and a half, giving varying details on the first 11 scenes. I must have revised it a couple times, because I have a "Scene 3.5" nestled in there. 

My writing process is not particularly systematic. It involves a lot of vague notes, long walks, and slowly plotting out things in my head until I can see the first third of the movie and the end. Once I have that, I'm normally ready to start writing. Historically, I've literally started writing the script at that point, just starting at page 1 without an outline and working my way forward, watching the movie in my head, almost literally transcribing it. Inevitably, I find that there's scenes that I'm missing, and so they work in, and then the characters or elements I've introduced there start changing the story in an organic way as I go. I'll write til I'm not sure what's supposed to happen next, walk away, then get back to it. Sometimes in a matter of an hour, sometimes days or weeks. 

As I recall, this time I thought I'd try something different, and map the story out scene by scene before writing the script. I say "different" as if it's novel, even though outlining is something every writer is supposed to do before they write. But it was novel. 

One of the interesting discoveries I made doing this is that you can see a lot more of the story in one gulp than you can see when you're writing a script. A quick look at the page and you don't see 45 seconds, you see 5 to 10 minutes. And the more I looked at the page, the less I liked it. 

The problem was this: how do you make a character that is undesirable enough that somebody would want to recast that character with a different actor, without making that character so unlikeable that you don't want to spend time with him?

Now, I'm definitely not somebody who thinks that every movie has to have a conventionally likable protagonist. But there has to be some reason that you want to spend 90-150 minutes in a dark room with them. And I knew I didn't want to spend even five minutes with "Jacob McWorthington", as he was named then. 

And so I put JAKE aside for a few months, not sure what to do with this confusing mess of an idea I'd created. 


Post your comment

Comments

  • I got a lot of questions answered with your posts. No wonder you really excel to what you are doing right now. Keep it up!

    Posted by Dreamweaver CS4 tutorial, 8 February 2012 (6 hours ago)


    • Admin Options:

  • I impressed with this post. I rarely found this. I came across this and interesting stuff is present here.I will bookmark your website and share with my friends. I am waiting for your next interesting post.

    Posted by revisiones de tarjetas de debito prepagadas, 8 February 2012 (21 hours ago)


    • Admin Options:

  • This is really good information I have visited this blog to read something fresh and I really admire you efforts in doing so.

    Posted by tarjetas preparadas tarifas, 7 February 2012 (1 day ago)


    • Admin Options:

  • The topic that your blog deals with demands loads of research. Thanks to you who has provided the intricate information in simple words.

    Posted by Where To Buy Cheap Essay, 6 February 2012 (2 days ago)


    • Admin Options:

  • Nice. Can't wait to read the next chapter!

    Posted by reve premonitoire, 5 February 2012 (3 days ago)


    • Admin Options:

  • packers and movers pune
    packers and movers mumbai
    Packers Movers Delhi
    packers and movers delhi

    packers and movers ghaziabad
    packers and movers in noida
    packers and movers bangalore
    Packers Movers Noida
    Packers Movers Ghaziabad


    http://www.prestigepackersmovers.com/

    Posted by Packers Movers Delhi, 27 January 2012 (12 days ago)


    • Admin Options:

  • Thank you for this post. Thats all I are able to say. You most absolutely have built this blog website into something speciel. You clearly know what you are working on, youve insured so many corners.thanks

    Posted by astrologie, 24 January 2012 (16 days ago)


    • Admin Options:

  • The problem was this: how do you make a character that is undesirable enough that somebody would want to recast that character with a different actor,
    nice

    Posted by Ativan dosage, 23 January 2012 (16 days ago)


    • Admin Options:

  • Wonderful website. A lot of useful information here. I'm sending it to a few pals ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you on your effort!

    Posted by notebook laptop prices, 20 January 2012 (19 days ago)


    • Admin Options:

  • Playing games is the habit and hobby of the kids..
    I also love to play online games...

    Posted by Glink Parentalcontrol, 13 January 2012 (27 days ago)


    • Admin Options:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 next »