I mostly do complete rerwites but even then I got a previous draft for reference (this method is not for everyone tho)

@SOLARIS I think the process comes down to two things: 1. How you work as a person. 2. If you’re aiming for more plot driven stories or character driven stories.

Like I said earlier, people who like to plan every detail out and have everything organized tend to lean towards outlining first that way when they write they have an exact road map of where they wanna go

Also plot driven films tend to build from outlines because the writer wants specific plot points to happen.

But then if you’re a more loose free spirited type person, then doing a vomit draft is better. Because you might have an idea in mind but you’re open to finding out which ways the story can be executed and you’re open to whatever. You aren’t set in 1 definitive direction.

Character driven stories more so grow from a lack of outlines (Coen, PTA, QT, Greta don’t do outlines) because what happens in the plot takes a back seat and it’s more so writing and exploring the character.

It’s a matter of are you tryna create something more in line with a Lady Bird (character driven) or Inception (plot driven)

Being you said you never really wrote a screenplay before I’d suggest:
1. Figure out what type of stories you wanna tell
2. Research the writing process of filmmakers who do something similar to what you’re aiming for
3. Read a lot of screenplays
4. In addition to reading screenplays, spend 30 min a day as a warm up retyping a screenplay you really like (continue each day til you’re done and move on to the next screenplay)
5. Bonus: You can pick a few screenplay books to learn from but I wouldn’t drive yourself too crazy with those

Also with all that said, everyone’s process is different and it doesn’t mean character driven narratives never grew from an outline. Dan Gilroy wrote Nightcrawler (which is character driven) and he’s big on outlining heavy.

My process is a little closer to a Mike Leigh and Sean Baker.
Having an idea in mind of what type of people you wanna explore and then allowing real life people to help organically build the story direction.

Update on a small victory, I just found out my screenplay advanced to the second round of the Austin Film Festival! They did let me know it won’t be going any further than that but I’m still happy with the placement. It’s my first time entering and I’m still fairly new at this.

On a smaller scale, at the start of summer I won a short playwriting contest at a local community college.

It doesn’t get me any closer to Hollywood or anything but it feels good to get some recognition for my writing to let me know I’m on the right path. I know I still have a lot to learn, especially from a story structure standpoint but I’m willing to put in the work. I’ve already made a lot of progress from back when I started only 2 years ago

If anyone’s curious on what comes with placing in the Austin Film Festival as a second rounder gets you:

To celebrate your placement, we would like to invite you to attend the 32nd Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference (October 23–30). As a Second Rounder, you are eligible to receive a discount to attend and will also have access to exclusive programming, including roundtables, workshops, and industry lunches. If you attend, your placement and script title will also be printed on your Festival Badge.

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In addition, all Second Rounders, whether or not you attend the Festival, will be recognized on Austin Film Festival’s website and in our newsletter, and you can find the official laurels below to promote your script’s placement.

Still debating on if I’ll go or not. It’d be a good networking opportunity but even with the discount it’s pricy

Let’s go !!! Would love to read anything if it’s available

I can send you it after my next rewrite

I’m in the middle of rewriting a few things

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Sick 😤