The Beginning Blueprint

Okay, let;'s get started. In typical Jamais fashion, I ignore the title for right now, and get going on the outline.

I'm obviously not going to type in my notes. However, the thought process went sort of like this:

I know the script is going to be PG13, maybe R. The basic idea was originally to show three boys becoming a mariachi band. However, I changed it to something more familiar, and decided that they were going to become someone else' opening band. I have a few scenes that have inspired me, and so those are probably going to find their way in there. Specifically, the Final Fantasy AMV for "Boys and Girls of Rock 'N' Roll", as well as Red Hot Chili Peppers original music video and some of their early history (specifically, they performed with nothing but socks for wedding dinners). I also want a hallucinatory scene from the original concept, where one of the boys gets his muse back after the band breaks up.

Armed with that, I then start in on the outline. The first step is to decide on how many acts I want. I do a quick graph of the acts, looking for rising and falling actions, and quickly came to the conclusion that I'm going to need four acts. The first reason is that I want the basic "get an agent, break up, get back together" script, but I also want to show that they were having an interesting issues prior to that. I also debated whether or not to end on a happy or sad note, and decided I wanted a fun movie. If I throw in an additional act at the beginning, it allows me to have a bad day sort of beginning. I can also make the rivalry between the two boys a little more intense, so I end up deciding that four acts will work for me.

The next step on the outline is to break down each plot thread. I also know, that as a full-length feature movie, this is going to need about 40-60 scenes. I end up deciding on five basic threads, specifically (including the number of scenes for a proper length):
A-Plot: The boys' band takes off and they get gigs in a variety of places. Then the rivalry of two of them cause the band to break up, but they realize that they need each other, and so reform the band. (15 scenes)
B-Plot: The rivalry of the two boys, and how it is resolved. (15 scenes)
Romantic Subplot: The the third boy is going to fall in love with a rival band's drummer. (10 scenes)
Running Gag: Their agent's ability to find them gigs in the worst places. (5 scenes)
Miscellaneous Scenes: These are little filler scenes that I need for a variety of purposes. I know that I'm going to have to beef up the value of the rival band, so the two lovers are going to help chart both bands progress. Also, I know I want the first scene to be one of the boys waking up. (4 scenes)

Okay, now with the knowledge that I have 49 scenes to outline, I charge into it. When I get done doing a very general description of the scenes, I then put a plus (+) or a minus (-) next to the scene so that I know what kind of emotional impact the scene will have; this will help in pacing later on. Also, I have letter codes for each character so I don't have to write their full names. Once that is done, I then go through and give each scene a number, organizing things. When I'm done, I note that I have 25 + scenes, 24 - scenes, and I'm missing a scene. That last is because I labeled two scenes "5". I like the balance, and decide that all is good.

An example:
23 A discusses gig w/B, and C does not like the gig

I guess I also need a theme. Themes are always cool, because they help to center the script, and keep it from going to far off the reservation. In this case, I'm going nice and simple: "Brothers are those who you ask things of, can tick off, but will still love you when no one else will."

Now, I'm ready to get started writing. Oh, and I know that the script is going to change; I'm just hoping that the changes will be minimal.