Developing an idea, turning it into a story

I was just doing some forum posting and I came across a thread where the poster was asking "How do you get ideas for films?". This is a good question, as even I run into problems writing stories and developing them. I've never sat a creative writing class, but I do understand some of the basics.

Finding the idea:

This is what I do. I look into my imagination, take everything that interests me as a person... all those fantasies I have/had, and those are my basics. For my script "Story Of A Hitman" I took my fantasy of wanting to be a professional killer/gun for hire, and wrote it around a character based on me. I took that, developed a dramatic "happening" (any will do really) and then based everything that happened to the character on that dramatic turn. Just like in real life, anything that happens to a character changes their direction in life. It affects their state of mind, their aspirations and their view. For better or worse.

There are some basic storylines that you can work off. Those being: Hero and Villain, Boy falls for girl, etc... it all starts with a basic line. This is where you should start, if your fantasies aren't similar to mine. Just write something that you WANT TO MAKE. What kind of film have you always thought you'd like to make? Or, what is your favorite film? As with most things, storytelling isn't all that original anymore. Just about every aspect of any basic story has been told. The best you could do as a storyteller, is take the best bits of any idea you have... and mash them together.

Developing the Idea:

So you have your bits and pieces written down. Or your one line that will basically sum up your script. Now comes the fun part... turning that line into a developed script!

No doubt you've got your hands on a word processor, or some form of script writing program... but incase you don't, grab Celtx and install it. Start writing notes in a blank text document, such as characters (you should ALWAYS HAVE A MAIN CHARACTER!) and locations... extra bits that might make your story nice and meaty. Got your main character? Good.... now comes the next bit.

Start a new script project, and think of the first place we should meet your character. We should introduce him/her to the audience, either during a dramatic moment... or through dialog (voice overs are a great way to start). In most cases, it'll be smooth sailing from here on. Just write what comes to mind, and it'll all piece itself together!

Jake: Story Of A Hitman --- This is my plan.

It occurred to me last night as I was finishing the final draft of the SOAH script that I may effectively bite off more than I can chew during the shoot. It also made clear that I will be trying my hardest to make a $1000 movie look like a $50,000 movie and that this may or may not be a bad thing.

The script of 'Story Of A Hitman' plays like a dance. The action scenes will require the actors to dive around, throw themselves about, and effectively 'get into the dirt'. The 'actions' of the characters when firing their weapons, in staying true to the 'Wooism' (John Woo's signature style, which I'm paying homage to in this piece), will be like dancing with no partner. I myself have spent countless hours choreographing the actions, spinning, ducking, diving and stepping just to get it right.

Now, I have a little over 3 months until shooting starts, and so I'm getting ready for the tiresome/boring typing of shot-schedules, equipment-schedules... basically, its gonna be a boring next few months. But, knowing that it's only going to help me effectively shoot this film without any unexpected 'I forgot's and such.

DP gig/SOAH news/New Videos

Hey guys;

DP Gig


I have some good news! I was recently hired as a DP for a film being shot in Coffs Harbor, directed by Savva Emanon. I won't give you any details on the film itself, in respect to the director... but I will say this: Its an honor to be a part of this, being my first DP job... hopefully not my last! It's also the first time I've helped on a film that wasn't my own (not including projects my sister has been working on), and the first time I've worked with actor Jake Rundle (who is playing the role of Jake Smith in the upcoming 'Jake: Story Of A Hitman' directed by myself) and others. It should be fun, as I'm going to be learning techniques and using equipment I haven't used before... such as Dolly rigs. I'll be shooting it on my lovely HD camera... the Canon HV30, and doing some really interesting things with it that I've never done before (again... the Dolly rig, for one). I can't wait! More news on this as it comes...

My Films On Facebook

I've just finished putting both 'Story Of A Hitman' and 'Love And Loss' on a facebook page all of their own. These pages will be the ones updated the most, so become a fan to get the latest info!

Click the links below to go to their respective pages!

Love and Loss on FaceBook

Story Of A Hitman on Facebook

Both will be updated as soon as news becomes available... which should be flowing very quickly in the next month with screenshots, photos and behind-the-scenes stuff!... Shooting begins in December.