Streamlining your productivity is key to becoming a successful Writer
Screenwriting, just like crafting a novel or TV Pilot isn’t just an art.
It takes commitment, perseverance and hard work.
You don't simply write a story to publish or put it on display, you write them to be made into films and television shows, or successful novels.
And in order for them to become films and television shows, or novels, you need to break through those industry walls. In order to do that, you need to hone your craft so you can showcase amazing stories for the powers that be to consider.
A writing career is a process. You need the output. You need the content. And you need a lot of it to enhance your odds of breaking through.
Here's some of the best ways for you to streamline your development, writing, and marketing process in order to make things easier for you to attain your goals and have a fighting chance at your dreams of becoming a working writer.
Develop and log multiple concepts before writing: Whether you’re getting ready to write your first script or deciding on what you’ll write for your next, it’s best to have a general plan of attack for the next year or more.When you have a list of developed concepts that intrigue you as a writer, you are less at risk of floundering in between writing. So before you write your first or your next, stop and take some time to organize the current ideas that have been swimming around in your head for however long. Take a month to determine which ones have some narrative weight and which ones aren’t worth the time.
Give yourself a three-month deadline: Time-wise, all writers need to stay self-disciplined. This isn’t just about the routine self-discipline mantra that you’ll hear from everyone. This is about preparing for a possible career in writing. If a writer has no self-discipline, they are nowhere near ready to sign a professional contract if their script manages to actually garner them a writing assignment. So give yourself an end date deadline before you start writing a script. If you’re really serious about wanting to make screenwriting a career, it’s best to start finding ways to streamline your writing time for each and every project that you are writing. Getting into the habit of finishing a screenplay isn’t just about writing productivity for your own projects — it’s also about training for the future.
Visualize before you start writing: You have to see your story in your head. You have to be able to convey the quick and subtle elements of atmosphere and tone.So take some time to go on walks, go for runs, go for drives and bike rides.
Rewrite while you write: If you want to streamline the writing process as a whole, rewriting as you go will save you weeks upon weeks of work. It will also afford you the ability to narrow your draft count from six or more to just three — the first draft, the rewrite draft, and then the polish draft. Sure, there may be more rewrites down the road after notes and feedback, but you’ll drastically cut down your draft count — thus cutting down your overall writing time as a whole — with rewriting as you go.
Map your journey: Own Your Story During The Writing Process. Set realistic deadlines to each step. Be fully aware and accept that the writing process is not cast in stone, it is a process that constantly changes according to what is needed to craft the perfect story.
Valuable Tips For Writers From Veteran Filmmaker Jans Rautenbach
In an exclusive masterclass Jans Rautenbach held with Daniel Dercksen for The Writing Studio at the Artscape Resource Centre on November 22, 2015, he gracefully shared his insight of what it takes to be a screenwriter.
‘’I am here to share with you what I know – not to teach, or preach – nor to brag – I am but like you, ever dreaming of a tomorrow – just a very much 80-year old dreamer,’’ he said.
‘’I am a writer, and director, and editor, and producer. And I wrote the screenplay of every movie I ever made,” says veteran filmmaker Jans Rautenbach, who changed the face of the South African film industry with his revolutionary films Die Kandidaat, Katrina, Papalap and Jannie Totsiens in the 60s, and made a welcome return last year with Abraham, one of the best films ever made in South Africa.
"You can’t create words, tell a story, without a dream – a dream so overwhelming, to haunt your soul into creating the impossible – to galvanize your entire body into one single creative force!"
Questioning issues of race, class and gender, Flatland is a portrait of femininity set against the backdrop of a hostile frontier land, that interrogates what it means to be a woman today – in South Africa and the world at large.
Toorbos explores the Afrikaner feminine, through her fragility and power, in the magical realist period drama set in South Africa’s Knysna forest of the 1930’s. Read more about upcoming South African films
Story & Script Editing
If you have completed the draft of a screenplay, stageplay, or manuscript for a novel, it is vital to find out whether or not your story works. It could mean the end of all your hard work and your career as a writer if you hand poorly written and undeveloped projects over to producers, directors, publishers or potential investors.
If you want your script or manuscript polished professionally, The Writing Studio will turn your copy into exciting and thrilling narrative, into words and images that jump off the page and characters that resonate.
The journey with my screenplay editor, Daniel Dercksen (The Writing Studio) has been smooth sailing. In fact – it was blissful! The organic and creative nature of the collaborative process was very rewarding and uplifting. Libé Ferreira – Former Head of Drama department at The National School of the Arts / Former Writer, Casting Director, Acting Coach at Franz Marx Films(Screenplay: What’s In Your Suitcase, 2020)
Daniel was a most valuable and expert pair of eyes recently when I had to convert a story to a short film script. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to polish a script to be submitted with confidence. Will most certainly turn to him again with future scripts. “Many thanks. You were definitely the right person to consult. Very happy with the final outcome.”
Opera lovers can indulge on a fantastic season of free streamings from the Met Opera. Since lockdown hit South Africa, The Met Opera has streamed more than 100 operas that were filmed live, and continues to do so.
Learn how to tell stories and make films from the world’s master filmmakers and screenwriters
If you want to learn how to be screenwriter and filmmaker, why not learn from the best.
The Writing Studio’s exclusive in depth articles on filmmaking and screenwriting show how inspiration instills passion, how ideas are born, nurtured and realised, how the conventions of genre are challenged, themes explored to its fullest, and characters brought to life.
These personal notes from producers reveal to what extent filmmakers and screenwriters will go to realise their dreams and make the most of each story they tell.
Develop the Write Attitude with The Writing Studio
During the last 20 Years The Writing Studio has taken many leading filmmakers in South Africa from first idea to success on the big screen locally and internationally.
If you want to sign up for one of our courses in creative writing or screenwriting, or want to have your screenplay / manuscript evaluated or edited, send us an email.
