Are you writing a NEW Script? 

I remember a while back you said something like: "You can't edit a blank page". That quote really stuck with me, helps me push forward even if I know the page I just wrote was totally rubbish haha.

Aye man, I’m a high school sophomore film maker... MY FILM MADE IT TO THE “ALL AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL FILM FESTIVAL”!!!!! There gonna play my short film at the AMC movie theater in time square. Thanks for ur help man!!!!

Gotta love when your script is finally done and you get into pre production, getting everyone on board and then it all snowballs from there.

I’m a cold writer, I love just seeing where the story takes me

I do this thing I guess I call “scene sketches” where I have my story concept, and I just write random scenes for my characters. Just little pieces that I think would go into the film. This helps me figure out how each character speaks. And it opens up little ideas for locations and scenes to take place. I find the finer details of my movie in the writing

Man you have a great succes ahead of you in this platform. You takle the brainy parts of filmamking and that's what nobody else is doing. Thanks D4

OOooo, the waiting. I have interpreted the "waiting" as a "not having any ideas, so I must suck". Now, I feel better about the "waiting". Given my funky schedule, I decided to write my "short" as a web series. I've outlined the overall story. Now, I'm breaking the story down into episodes. This way I don't feel pressure in completing the entire thing in one go.

I learned alot about process when I realized that what I thought was 'writers block' was actually me doing the waiting you mentioned in the video. I was just getting frustrated about not having ideas. Once I just stopped getting mad and just waited patiently, having fun spit-balling ideas, I felt alot better and was able to discipline myself to write everyday more easily. Great vid D4! Can't wait for the new short! Keep hustlin'!

"80% of writing is waiting" I love that! True with every type of writing. I would argue the better you can daydream the better ideas you have. PS. just found your channel and loving it!

Darious! I’m in the middle of filming a short film and you’ve been such a huge influence. I would love it if you ever could find a few minutes out of your day to let me pick your brain on a few things. Thanks!

I want to be an author and filmmaker when I get older. I want to do those for a living. Your videos have been helping me figure things out of how I can at least get started with writing scripts and figure out how I can start becoming an author and filmmaker.

The waiting is a killer. I wrote a feature script in 22 days even if at least a week in that time was me not writing. Day one process for me is just a vague outline of the story and scenes and getting my opening done. The advice I can give to writers I'd at least do a page a day, even if you're on something else. I also always have a few shorts I'm writing I can bounce off of so I don't burn out on a big script like I'm doing a new feature script but also writing a few microscripts for friends. Another great video by you Darious, stay awesome everyone

Sometimes I know exactly where I want to go with a story. Other times, like what I'm doing now, I can't think of a good direction. I had an idea for this short film, but then I decided I hated it and I'm writing the whole thing over again. I'm still figuring out the premise.

My writing style is frantic. I'll write multiple stories or scripts at the same time get them all down on page then edit them all as well

Yay! I can't wait to see your next short! I came up with another movie idea yesterday, I gotta stop being lazy tho and write it down :P

This was so good I had to watch it twice. I'm a playwright, poet, and filmmaker and I'm currently writing a short film and play. I'm a planner. I have a book of index cards and a box to put them in. I jot down any thoughts, ideas, dialogue, monologue I have during the week. Every Saturday I go to my favorite cafe and dedicate several hours to writing. I put myself on a deadline. I started writing in June and I'm giving myself to the end of August to finish my "vomit" draft. To me putting yourself on a deadline is super important. It's made me more productive and responsible. I still struggle with not editng myself as I'm doing my first draft. I already wrote the first page 7 times already(yikes). I love your channel btw. It's been really helpful during this journey of becoming a storyteller.

Am I the only one who doses this? I put the entire movie together in my head by daydreaming. I literally will just sit and watch the movie in my head editing it until I like it. Then I do more of a beat sheet than an outline and I start writing. Is it just me?

Thank you! I really appreciate all the information that you’re giving out.. I‘m learning a lot from you and a couple other RU-vidrs. Thank you again!!!

Thanks for the video. Your content is always very informative and helpful. Can't wait for the next short film. You inspire so many filmmakers to work harder to perfect our craft. Thank you

I'm more the type of guy who writes whenever I have an idea. For me, writing, or storytelling in general, is not about telling any story, but implementing my personal struggles into fantasy worlds. It's a beautiful way to express myself. My main story - and I'm talkin' story here, not script/screenplay! - is a huge puzzle and I haven't found 10% of the pieces yet. It's a project, that came out of nowhere when I realised that some ideas I wrote down over time played super well together. Ever since then, this project got bigger and bigger. But what I wanted to say: Sometimes I just do my stuff and out of the blue, when I move my hand weirdly or I jump off a rock like a boss, it can be the inspiration for a whole scene! I was forging arrow tips with a friend a few months ago and when we tested them, I did a 180 and that 180 shot was stuck in my head for the rest of the day and I eventually took a sheet of paper and wrote. I just wrote down, what had taken shape in my head and I didn't even know, what it was. And with every word I put on that sheet, a new detail came to my mind. And somehow, that scene, that started with a random bow shot, became one of my greatest action scenes so far! And it is another scene to the great collection, that will, one day, be my masterpiece. My actual screenplays however are one day hustle results. Quite often, when I'm in the bathroom in the late pm, I just think about what I want to tell the world in that specific moment and how I could tell it. And then I just start writing and end up typing till 3 in the morning. That's how most of my short film scripts came to be and those will be the first to become actual films. For the routine and writing-everyday - I don't write everyday. I write when there is .. when it comes to me. And it works just fine too. So I believe, if you have that certain hang for storytelling, you don't need a schedule or something. Because when there is the slightest impulse, you start writing anyways. Well, this has been half a book here! Thanks for the vid, D! Keep 'em coming! Edit: When I saw the title, I thought you were going to talk about common schemes and that you should write "something new". But this is just as good too.

Great information! Your videos and tips are a blessing to my young writing and filming journey. I've just written my first project/web series. And I didnt start the project until I had the idea for it. The first episode came pretty easy. But every episode after that was a challenge and I had those moments of staring at my computer screen waiting for that magic moment to hit. And I had those moments like yourself where I was jotting down ideas to use for this episode, but couldnt quite connect them in the story. So it took me a while, but I finally brought it all together.

your channel is literally a virtual film school through every video and i love it so much

THANK YOU! IVE BEEN WAITING FOR A NEW WRITING VIDEO!

I love the new wide angle view into your studio room. Looks awesome!

I was a short story writer for over a decade. For me, I write best when I have these things: 1) a protagonist 2) an opposition to the protagonist 3) a theme or message 4) the final results of the conflict From there, I would flesh out my piece with little to no writer’s block at all. But I do agree with don’t edit while creating... I’ll use this for my filmmaking. Love your videos Darius! Learned so much about cinematography from you. I’m in the process of shooting my first music video for a client & my first show for my Kendo Channel!!!! Thank you for all your hard work. D. Pruitt of Bokushingu’s Kendo TV/Newlight Media Service

In the middle of a script now. I feel like I got the whole story, I just have to get the scenes and dialogue to make sense. Struggle is real. I love the process but I have a midnight job where sleep takes over most of my life with my wife and kids. So I'm so random when i have inspiration

So great to have you back!

I have been writing a feature called "Reinhart." I am a planner, in fact, I am probably more of an over-planner. Before I even started the first draft, I wrote summaries, outlines, character biographies, and more. This was more for me than anyone else, but it helped me build the confidence to face that horrible blank white page. Planning to such meticulous detail made the first draft easy. It only took me three weeks, because I was essentially just taking all my pre script material and shaping it into it's proper format.

Honestly how come you always post the the right video at the right time....thank you so much! :D

taking the steps to write the story ive had in my head for years and these videos give me hope that ill actually make it one day! these tips and discussions are really interesting so happy i found your channel and thank you for being entertaining.

Man thank you so much for making all your content it's been helping me with my comic! Much love and glad you're making videos and your work is amazing!

Yes!!! Finally, nice to see you back D!!

I love the writing part because then it gets me to the revision part, where it gets good. Something I had to figure out about my writing is that I don't really outline so much as figure it out in the first draft. Then I have what amounts to a very elaborate outline, which I can break down and enrich for future drafts. I'm on draft 4 of a short right now that's going to take some time to prep (with my day job chewing up my time), and I can't wait to see what else happens with it in future revisions.

For me it always helps to figure out the ending first. That way I am almost playing a puzzle with myself. Once you know the ending of what you want to show ideas for characters and space that they occupy come naturally. Sometimes it helps to think of a feeling or rhythm I want to portray with no particular story in mind. For example: for my short I remember I was in a bus and it was this summer. I was on a night bus going to a small town. The night and the bus created this eerie feeling. I used that feeling and from there influenced by it I asked myself: How would you get rid of a dead body? I spiraled down that path and that ultimately created an obstacle in my unfinished story and from there I easily came up with characters, space and an ending to my story. The next day I sat down and wrote a short film based on my notes. It took me an hour to write it and we are currently in a pre-production phase. Hope this helps :)

I document my experience as I live my life and what happens to me during my time writing the screenplay. The events that occur during that creative time is what influences the final product, so it's like a hybrid of both writing styles. It help defines themes and eliminates the fear of thinking "is there a better story out there" because it reminds me that what I'm writing is to let go of a current theme that I truly want to write about. I know that a lot of young writers get caught up in the big picture. "oh! Will this get made?", "is this good?", etc. This personal style of mine makes the process of writing fun again. Plus, it helps me with consistency because now you have two potential products you can use to help you in the future. Anyways, you guys are amazing! Darius love your vids! Keep up the great work!

Man, I so wish you uploaded more. I wait and watch for your tips, instructions and, guides. You gotta understand that you are a great teacher!

One of the best screenwriting methods I use is, when I CBF getting up in the morning, I lay with my eyes closed and 'watch' the film or episode. (Only works once you've developed it a lot.) A feature will skim a bit more, something shorter I'll see the lot. I'm directing - even though I likely won't direct it IRL. But watch in my head start-to-finish, away from a computer or editor brain, I can fall deeper in love while watching it become cohesive. Then I just TF out of bed and either write or dictate into my phone.

Yo Darious thanks for the great tips! I look forward to your short film. I'm a 15 y/o RU-vidr and I love making short films. I just started outlining and writing my next short film which is probably the biggest film endeavor of mine. But I'm excited and your videos always help a ton! 🤘

For me, day 1 is all about figuring out why the story has to be told and how do the characters change as a result. Once I’ve got this down, then I can outline potential scenes or conflicts that become story points. In addition to this, I may follow the basic set up/inciting incident/ conflict / resolution idea and apply it to many different forms of the story to see which one fits. This is because fir me, the story isn’t definite until I’ve got that sorted out. I’m only 16 but for me, writing is the best part of the process and would love any other ideas for day 1!! Great video

I never write character outlines. I always find my characters tell me how they speak and act while I'm writing.

D-britt, so glad to see you again! Great stuff. Next time don’t stay away so long.

Missed you man, love your videos. Respect tho you are actually getting it done

Waited too long for a D4 video

D4Darious!! You are the truuuth! I have been (and am currently) binging all of your videos and they are extremely helpful! I've been filmmaking for 15+ years but it's always great to get some tricks of the trade from someone who knows what they are doing. I don't know if this writing tip helps, but sometimes if I'm busy or not near any paper... I use my cell phone to audio record myself spewing out ideas just os it's no longer floating in my brain, and I'm one step closer to putting it on the page. Hope this helps!!

Hell yea dude welcome back.

I usually start off by creating a list of story points I want to hit and have an idea of where all the story and characters need to get to. I jump in and see where the wind takes me.

I am currently writing a first draft and was struggling, but this has helped a lot. Thank you!

WORD!!! Glad you're back and dropping jewels, it feels good Bro.

Love this video. I don't personally outline or plan in any way before I start writing; I also often get through 15+ drafts of a screenplay and I will only really have a solid outline of a story by draft five or so. Very often, nothing from the first draft will make it into the fifth draft so I'm the total opposite of a planner! I enjoy working this way - it feels like an exploration for me. I could never work it out in bullet points.

Great vid D4. My process is to write the 1st draft completely cold of any planning, then use that as a springboard to explore characters, plot points, scenes ect. before having a very planned out 2nd draft

What a lovely video. Great pacing as always! I actually like writing first drafts. I find them to be cathartic. Its the revisions that bring me PAIN. I may vlog outlining my next screenplay since its a genre film and I've only ever written contemporary pieces. Good luck on your next short!

I'm very much a planning person, and I find the note-taking app Bear amazing for planning the story. The way the folder/tagging system works is so great for keeping all you thought and ideas organized. It also works great across multiple devices. For inspiration, I like to listen to music (artlist) and look at photos that I think resembles the piece that I'm writing.

This video couldn't have come sooner. I've been tossing around the idea of a short film inspired by the lives of my drag performer friends all year. I have the characters written down and several scenes in my head. Time to start writing my script!

You finally explained to me how to write an outline that makes sense. I will probably use outlines now. THANK YOU😄😄😄

I typically start “cold” I know the beginning and the end, generally the main plot line. I start writing, let the story evolve it’s self, by about page 40 the story evolves itself and you become a vessel for the characters (they will tell you what to do). Then I go back and have 7-8 rewrites, finding subplots, punch up dialogue, bringing characters that revealed themselves later in early. And wham, you got a script. Thanks Darius

After 5-6 months I’m so happy you returned.

Love this video. I'm typically a cold starter as well, I have gotten ideas at the dinner table and had to put it on paper before I lose it lol

Hey Darius, thanks for coming back to these vids

You know I have to thank you you have galvanized me into starting my film I've had an idea I'm going to start working on it thank you

I don't really have a "first day". I think of random ideas for scenes and concepts for world-building on bus rides and whatnot, and when I get a good idea fleshed out, I outline it, with notes on specific lines or actions, then just drop into writing, often jumping from script to script

Cool Beans! Love the advice! I am writing a feature length screenplay and my deadline for the "first draft' is for November 9, 2018 (Dorothy Dandridge's Birthday). I hope I make my deadline, been having some set backs but I am happy that I am still moving along. I love the "throw it up" & "clean it up" later process when it comes to screen-writing. I am a planner. My best time to write is to start between 4am & 5am in the morning. It is nice and quiet. I also play great music too!

Just had a small role in a feature film. Given me the motivation to pick up the pen and attempt my own project. Your videos are very inspirational and inspiring.

Great video! My first day are three times for each feature script. The idea or concept. The outlining. The writing. Shorts are different and usually written very quickly, so no outlining. Just working the concept into the script. For features, these are my "first days". Sometimes ideas come easy, sometimes they take work. Usually I come up with an idea in one day. I will flesh it out with a paragraph or more of the concept or whole story; someone wants something and finds trouble on way. To make it a high concept may take more than one day, but I have to write the idea down or it's lost. The outline takes the idea or concept notes and fleshes it out into acts. What happens in the beginning? The middle? The end? Usually, the whole story expanded into three sections consisting of one or more (usually more) paragraphs. This could take days or weeks to complete. Eventually, I roughly estimate how many pages make up the acts based on how many scenes are written down in bullet form. Then, expand into a sentence to a paragraph for each scene. The first day of writing consists of that first page or scene. The hook. The scene that sets the tone and maybe the theme for the whole script. Maybe it's just a peak at the biggest reveal or mystery that comes in the climax or right before the climax. Then, the next four pages are used to draw the reader into the setup and the main characters in their world. I try to write five pages a day, no matter what, once I start scripting the story. I rarely edit as I write, though I may quickly edit the following day of what was written the day before. If done without interruption, I can write a first draft in a month. Sometimes less. I have to be comfortable enough with the outline and concept to forge ahead with the script. If not, I repeat the process until that confidence is there. The way I outline leaves me more than enough space to create and let the story and characters evolve the story. Of course, there are the parameters; the goal (both inner and outward), the climax, and the hook.

This Really helped for the film i'm trying to make, you make this easy.

I'm writing a current story, almost done, ready to start writing the next one soon. I start with a title then start with character and plot. Then I outline it in my head in my daily days out...☺️ Glad to see this video, man! #screenwriter #screenplay

currently writing my first short and its a scary experiance but your channel is a huge help!

Please, don't stop making videos they're great!

I have a chart typed up that I made myself that categorizes all the main fundamental features of a film, leaving space for me to fill in what those things are. So if everything is filled in properly and I follow my chart, my story will flow nicely, pace well, and I’ll have each individual characters goal/obstacles mapped out and how they are relevant to the main story I’m trying to convey.

As a writer myself, I’m definitely a planner: I begin by making a mind-map of the stuff I know instantly (story, title, characters etc.) but then I like to sit back and just think about it for a while. Most times, I’ll be writing but then I’ll think of something that either fixes a problem I had in the story prior or I think of how to move the story toward naturally. Finally, I find that if I do not research thing properly then I don’t feel confident in what I’m writing and I really enjoy the research process as it allows for me to take my ideas (say for a sci-fi for instance) and it gives me the signs of whether or not I’m ok the right track or not.

Hey darious, great tips! On my first day of screenwriting my film I always like to go wherever my film will be set. If my films set in a city I like to go and sit on a bench in the city, or if it’s set in a forest I like to go to where the area is woodsy and write there. Great vid D!

I’m wrapping up production on a 9 mimute short and my writing process went like this: While i was woking one tuesday afternoon i started thinking of themes. Overall messages that a story can base itself around. But the thing i didn’t want to fall into was “one-worded-themes” like “friendship” “loss” “love” because those are basic elements that are vague and not concrete enough. The theme i came up with was “trying something over ans over until you finally get it right” and i know it can be compressed into one word like “persistence” or “perseverance” but i wanted it more specific than those words. After that i thought of things we go through as people and artists that relate to that theme. Within an hour of brainstorming ALL OF THAT i had the general idea of the whole short story in my head. And made sure it was something contained that would only require a small crew, dont think too big when doing a short film thats like five minutes because less is more. Later that evening i began outlining the whole short, scene by scene similar to how Darious described, and i sent the outline to three random friends for feedback. A normie friend who isn’t very into film (for a fresh audience perspective) and another friend who is at the same level as me in experience, and my mentor. Within the next three days i rewrote the arrangement of the short four times and by the following friday i began my vomit draft. And rewrote that three times. By the final draft i began planning production with an aspiring producer i met at school and we got to work. Three and a half weeks later to today (8/24/2018) we are filming our last scenes tomorrow. Hopefully this provides some insight, i know were are all here to learn from each other and if you’d like to see some of my work visit my channel or check out Vertigo Volumes on RU-vid where i film in the indie music scene here in SoCal.

Cold as hell start🤣😂😅 out this way. Awesome 👏.

I don't start a short script until I have most of the story hashed out in my head, the ability to work like that is why I like shorts so much, and am thus having trouble transitioning to features. Usually a scene in someone else's movie or show triggers a "what if?" in my head, then I extrapolate forward and back from that point into my own story. Once its down as a vomit draft I have people workshop it, then adjust accordingly while keeping my ears open for new "what ifs" that might help individual scenes.

D4 you're so awesome!!! Thx for the posts!!!

Dude! Long time! Simply the best! For my writing, I think I follow the same steps that you outlined. Write down the story as I envision it first. Then divide it into scenes. Character discovery comes next. Then, dialog and more scene polishing. This goes on until the invisible force quiets down. HEE HEE I live it alone and then is like the story calls me back to finish it. When I come back I have more ideas and improve it. This may sound crazy but I swear to God, stories do become alive! Does anything closer to that happens to you?

Started plotting out ideas this week!! Definitely a planner 😂 Writing out so many ideas, storyboards, beats sheets and so on before getting started. Just need to stop the planning before heading into the procrastination territory!!

I need to rewatch this a couple of times

Ya back, been hoping you'd come back!

I seem to start several different drafts, but only really finish one or two. I’ll often CTRL-A and delete an entire script, up to 49 pages once, and rewrite it when I’m stuck. The idea is that is any of those ideas were any good I’ll remember them and be able to write it again. Then once I finish a draft, I’ll sit on it for a bit, then start a fresh draft to clean it up and get version ready to share with friends and family. This process from day one to completion takes between 6-8 months for my longer shorts, which end up being either 30 minutes like my first short Abigail, or 60 minutes like the one I’m currently editing.

I am definitely a cold starter. Good to see you 🙂👍🏽

Finally! This is gold!

Thanks for sharing. I've just started writing my script and yes I have plenty of anxiety . I'm an author I have know idea about writing a script. I'm more like the second type of writer you mentioned. The more I write the easier it's becomes. I've set my goal for 30 days not going stop until it's done. Take care!

Bingeing your videos, I decided I wanted to write screenplays yesterday 😂 But I love your energy, just subbed 💕💕

Good morning! Thank you for the advices, man!

Glad to see you still alive

Thanks for the tips man

Hey d! Big fan of your videos. Especially the one about cinematography was great for me. I been thinking about script too recently, and to me, the big idea is essential before writing a single word. Once I receive it, the drawing is in my head, and all the scenes are lustfully chosen colours and patterns I just have to fill in

3:25 A procrastinators nightmare and worst fear. JUST WRITE. Thanks D4. Still watching in 2020 and beyond...

Ah, first day of scripting. Usually when I’m about to write a script, it’s because I’ve already spent AT LEAST a week and a half conceptualizing the idea and formulating it, writing notes and etc to make sure I have what I have understood (if that makes any sense). Then I just get right into it, write my heart out then edit later. One thing that really helps my scriptwriting process is music; when I’m writing a screenplay I usually play background music that would more or less fit the tone of my film. For example, if I’m writing a horror short, I play eerie, creepy music while writing. It really gets me in the mood and allows me to think clearer as well as be much more focused when it comes to writing.

Thanks bro... love your stuff

I'm just learning. Writing a sitcom pilot. It's coming along pretty well. I'm a dive right in type. Then I found myself making notes to organize my story. I hope it's good lol

You're BACK AGAIN!!! LOVE YOU BRO❤️❤️

Bro you are always a great help thanks.

I usually do a rough outline, then begin writing. It usually takes me a few weeks to get a script done. Rewriting is the bane of my existence! I hate it, but know it's necessary so I get her done. Too date, I have written and produced around twenty four scripts, and have a hell of a lot more scattered in various notebooks in my home haha. I enjoy the process overall, and I hope I can always be lucky enough to produce work.

Great video, great advice! I hate to admit it but it did take me over a year to write a screenplay, but hey once you start it and really get into it, then it just kind of flows out of you. I also found that reading great scripts helps, especially when it comes to descriptions. James Cameron scripts are my favorite!

I am not planner... Definitely not a planner but see where it got me... Need to be planner. Thanks for this.

What I think are the pros and cons of doing the writeing first the script, then doing the storyboard is that it takes more time , but you know what to draw next , witch makes the storyboard process faster.

Great video! Yes, hardest part about writing - just doing it.

This video was right on time bro. 💪🏾💯

Great video man im gonna get to it.