Dis,
As for an outline you basically need to find out what sort of outline they're looking for. Some prefer the two page outline. Others want a little more meat. Some even want some dialog so that you start seeing what characters look like (but this version is something you may do "after" you already get the job).
My outline's range from 2 to 10 pages.
I like my outlines to read similar to my pitches.
I give a somewhat detailed opening. That "event" that grabs the reader, listener or audience member.
If you think of it in movie form then it's the opening chase and assault in Star Wars. It's Indiana stealing the artifact and running from the rolling stone. It's the beach assault in Saving Private Ryan.
And before each beat...I personally like to use some heading in all bold and I tend to use headings that refer to other books or movies.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
When in Rome...
I use headings that are recognizable and relate to the meat of the following information.
After the "event" I deal with characters. Hero, Villain, love interest, sidekicks...anyone who plays a part in our story. Some of their quirks...what makes them stand out in your story.
I also deal with the plot. What's the goal of your story? What does your hero want? What does your Villain want. I want this info to come out right after the "event" or big opening.
And finally I'll address the tone. Is this the sly but dark wit of X-Files or is it the slapstick, teen angst of Buffy?
Then I'll normally have a new heading and info that deals with the big twist at the end of the first act. Luke's Uncle and Aunt are killed by Stormtroopers so he says he'll go with Ben. It's that moment that spins us into the meat of the second act.
As for the second act...I keep it sparse. I hit the biggest and best set pieces...with enough story so that nobody gets lost in the read.
I keep second act detail to a minimum.
Three or Four headings that will include the Mid-Act Climax (not all writers put an act break in the middle of the second act but I do) as well as the 2nd Act climax.
For me, the 2nd act portion of an outline or a pitch is all setup. I setup everything that I will need so that when I get to the third act...all the cogs start falling into place for the reader or listener.
Finally I put my heroes in what seems like a "no win" situation.
And that brings us to the 3rd act portion of the outline or pitch.
Now, I'm paying off all my set-ups.
I use a bit more detail...just like I did in the first portion. Because this is where everything comes together. Character arcs. Plot. Story.
And if you can do all of the above in two pages...you are a steely eyed missile man...or woman. You always want to leave them wanting more. A big mistake many writers (including myself) will make is to give them too much information too early. The more info you give them the more reasons they'll find to say no.
You are writers. You get it. They are executives and producers. They, nine out of ten times, don't get it. If they did, they would be writers because writers get paid more.
My method isn't ironclad. It's simply what I do. I've made money with my method and I've been turned down with my method.
At the end of the day...it's still just a numbers game. Whatever you do, whatever your style...if you have some talent and you get your words in front of enough people there's a better chance you'll get them in front of the "right" person who sparks to your ideas and has the power to take your project to film.
As for posting some of my old scripts and drafts. I plan to. I need to talk with the Sexy Olga and see about creating a new link where I can post them.
I might also post outline examples and such...but that's more risky I think because my outlines are by no means standard. I never read any books on outlines. I just started doing them and through trial and error developed a way that I simply "like" to do them. Not sure I would want anyone mimicking something that I myself just sort of threw together. Well I guess I could post them if I use a disclaimer like I've done here
I know there's an old draft of JX on the net and for the most part it's 95 percent. Someone edited it. Don't know who. At the end, Jay's mask falls into a creek, I believe, then a hand comes out of the ground and grabs it. If that's in the script then that was someone else's addition. I never wrote that. My mask sank to the bottom of the lake, the end.
Always made me chuckle that someone out there got an early copy but rather than simply throwing it up on the net...felt the need to tweak it first. I recall there being a few other small "tweaks" throughout but for the most part it's a good example of one of the earliest drafts.
I would actually have to search around for my old drafts. They're around here someone but that's been several computers ago.
Hope some of this helps,
tf
Hey, a guy can hope right? I'll probably have one of them to first draft by the time I get word back from CHUM, but they don't have to know that. :-p