The SoCreate Weekly Museletter
SoCreate Writer 101, Outline Your Way to Success, and Some Screenwriter Stretches to Stay At the Top of Your Game in 2024
Hey, SoCreators!
Can you believe it’s … still January?! This seemingly long month is giving us plenty of opportunities to get the year started on the right foot in terms of our writing goals. It is not too late to get started! Use this week’s Museletter to kickstart your motivation. Let’s go!
TODAY & TOMORROW: Exclusive Onboarding Sessions for New SoCreate Members!
We welcomed SO many new SoCreate members this week! How exciting.
If you are one of them and are new to SoCreate, or if you want to get an in-depth understanding of how to leverage all the power in SoCreate, come join us in one of the sessions below.
Why Attend? These free, 1-hour sessions are packed with everything you need to know to maximize your SoCreate experience. Learn about our key features, discover tips to enhance your writing process, and be the first to hear about exciting new updates coming your way. Plus, it's a fantastic opportunity to meet some of our team members and fellow screenwriters!
📅 Session Dates:
TODAY, January 24 at 12 p.m. PST / 3 p.m. EST
Thursday, January 25 at 3:30 p.m. PST / 6:30 p.m. EST
Duration: 1 Hour (including a valuable Q&A segment)
Whether you're a novice or a seasoned writer, these sessions will provide you with insightful knowledge and tools to jumpstart your first screenplay in SoCreate. It is a totally different writing environment, after all! We understand your time is valuable, and we're committed to making this hour count.
Let's make your screenwriting journey smooth, enjoyable, and successful. We can't wait to meet you and support your storytelling ambitions.
Week 4: Let’s Write a Screenplay in 2024!
We’re now in the fourth week of our journey to write a screenplay by the end of this year, if not sooner. This week, we’re focusing on a big one: it’s time to outline your script.
Outlining is an essential process that helps organize your story, making it more coherent and compelling.
There are as many ways to outline as there are writers: you can’t do it wrong, we promise!
But if you don’t quite have your unique outlining process worked out, we have some pointers to help you get started in SoCreate.
SoCreate makes it easy to write your outline right inside your Story Stream, where you’ll later write your script. This way, it’s available for you to start writing within when you’re ready – no doing work twice around here!
How to Outline in SoCreate
SoCreate offers a streamlined way to outline your script right within your Story Stream. Here's how you can do it:
Start with Acts: Use the “Add Story Structure” button in the Tools Toolbar to add acts to your story. Most stories have three acts, but you can adjust this according to your story's needs.
Add Scenes: Within each act, add scenes. A typical feature-length script has around 10 storytelling beats and 40 to 60 scenes. Distribute these scenes across the acts, keeping in mind the typical percentage breakdown of each act (20% for Act 1, 55% for Act 2, and 25% for Act 3).
Detail Each Part: For each act and scene, add specific notes about what will happen in that part of your story within your Structure Stream Items. This helps in visualizing the flow of your story and keeping track of key elements. As you create and @mention characters in each scene, they’ll appear in your Story Toolbar to use in the future when you’re writing your story.
Use Story Beats: Outline each act using specific beats like the setup, inciting incident, choice, and turning point for Act 1. This helps in maintaining a strong narrative structure.
We’ve got the full guide to outlining over on our blog. If you’re looking for a more in-depth outlining process to borrow from, check out this John Truby method.
By taking the time to outline, you're setting the foundation for a well-thought-out story. It can save time in future drafts and help avoid major errors. Whether you prefer a digital outline in SoCreate, a handwritten one, or index cards, choose the method that best supports your creative process!
Happy outlining, and don't forget to share your progress in our Facebook Group!
Level up your creativity with SoCreate, the easiest way to create a blockbuster screenplay!
NEXT WEEK! Exclusive Terminator 2: Judgment Day Q&A with Screenwriter William Wisher
SoCreate is proud to present an exclusive Q&A experience with William Wisher, the esteemed screenwriter of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, in coordination with Picturehouse 441. This special event offers attendees an in-depth look into the creation of this blockbuster hit, directed by James Cameron.
When: January 29, 2024
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Where: Virtual
Don't miss this chance to interact with a key figure behind one of the most iconic films in cinema history. Take advantage of SoCreate’s exclusive discount and join the Q&A for just $4! Use CODE: SC441
Exploring This Week’s Featured Blogs
Writing Foreign Languages in Screenplays: Ever wondered how to incorporate foreign languages into your script in a way that doesn’t confuse your reader? Our latest blog lines out the techniques for seamlessly integrating foreign language dialogue into your screenplay. Whether it’s a single line or an entire conversation, learn how to use foreign language in your screenplay in a way that enhances your story instead of complicating it. Explore the blog here.
Adam G. Simon's Screenwriting Wisdom: Gain valuable advice from screenwriter Adam G. Simon (MAN DOWN, THE RAID) in our exclusive interview based on member questions. Adam shares his perspective on not being overly precious with your work and other invaluable insights for budding and experienced screenwriters alike. His practical approach will inspire and guide you in your screenwriting journey. Read Adam's advice here.
Daily Stretches for Screenwriters: As a screenwriter, it’s essential to maintain your physical well-being while focusing on your craft. Our health is the basis for everything! Our blog gives you six daily stretches specifically designed for screenwriters to stay physically and mentally sharp, ensuring you’re always ready to write your best. Discover the stretches here.
SoCreate’s Weekly Writing Challenge
Ready to give your screenwriting talent a quick workout? Accept our Weekly Writing Challenge! We provide new prompts each week to ignite your creativity and get those writing juices flowing. For a seamless experience, use the link below to complete the prompt in SoCreate Writer right away – no account necessary!*
Location: Outside (EXT) – Community Garden – Midday
Characters: Samira (30), a botanist with a secret; Theo (33), a curious drone hobbyist
Scene Description: Within a bustling city lies a somewhat hidden community garden, an oasis most people just pass by as they go about their busy days. Samira, a gardening enthusiast, is engrossed in her work in the garden. Theo, with a drone controller in hand, stumbles upon this garden while following his wayward drone.
Prompt: Write a scene where Samira and Theo encounter each other in the garden. As they interact, reveal the reason Samira frequents this garden and Theo's unintended but intriguing discovery through his drone’s camera.
*You can use SoCreate without an account, but you will not be able to save your work.
New Screenwriting Internships Available Now
We’ve just added several new internship opportunities to our running list. Check them out if you’re looking to break into the entertainment industry!
Highlights this week include:
WME Agency, a leading entertainment agency, seeks an intern for its Motion Picture department. The Motion Picture department represents award-winning filmmakers who are responsible for the latest blockbusters and critically-acclaimed films that cross every genre and platform. In the last 15 years, WME has represented more 'Best Director' Oscar winners than all other agencies combined. Interns will work on department-specific research projects, perform administrative duties, and support their manager with ad-hoc daily tasks. Interns may be asked to complete an end-of-summer assignment or pitch (either individually or in assigned teams) utilizing the knowledge they have acquired over the course of the summer. Applications close on February 17.
That's it for this week's Museletter! Remember, every word you write gets you closer to your dream script. Stay creative, tackle those challenges head-on, and have fun with your writing. Here's to a week full of inspiration and awesome progress. Happy writing!
<3 Your friends at SoCreate
Level up your creativity with SoCreate, the easiest way to create a blockbuster screenplay!