Introducing--

The TSA Screenplay Challenge (TSASC)! In preparation for our annual screenplay contest that is coming up in the fall, we have come up with a special challenge to help you along the writing process and get a script done in time! So what's it about? Let's first look at the TSASC timeline--

Between now and May 19th: Come up with the following--

• Logline (in one or two sentences, describe who the protagonist is and their conflict--should include the following):
• Genre (horror, sci-fi, drama, comedy, etc)
• Protagonist
• Protagonist's Goal
• Conflict

May 23rd: Develop logline into a one page synopsis: Based on the above elements you've already established, write down a basic one page story outline for your screenplay. A good way that this can be done is by writing it in three paragraphs, one for each act, that describes in a general way the main story events for that section of the script.

May 30th: Develop synopsis a four page step-outline: This is where writers will begin to flesh out their story in greater detail, constructing their story as much as they can prior to actually writing a script. A step-outline is scene-by-scene outline of your story where each scene is described by only a single line. Each line should tell the very basic elements that will be included in the scene, both plot and character depictions, that move the story forward. A single page should be used for ACT 1, a second page for the first 1/2 of ACT 2, another page for the second 1/2 of ACT 2, and a fourth page for ACT 3, as shown in the diagram below:

_{----(page 1)----|----(pg 2)----|----(pg 3)----|----(pg 4)----|
----Act 1--------|-------------Act 2------------|-----Act 3-----|}

This four-page step-outline can be developed into a more detailed outline or treatment. Remember to include those important emotional decisions that your protagonist will make during the course of the story; those are the things that will grab a reader and make your characters come alive. Try to put as much as you can into into developing the outline so that the general flow of your story is worked-out. That way, when you go to the next step (writing the script), you can focus on scene dynamics and dialog. Also, keep in mind that your script should be only about 100 pages long (shorter if it's a comedy!) So each page of your step-outline will describe what occurs during 25 actual screenplay pages.

July 1st: Begin writing script: Start with FADE IN and go from there! The challenge is designed so that your writing schedule should be as flexible as you want to make it. As long as you write ONE PAGE A DAY, you should have a completed screenplay by the deadline. If you'd rather write 7 pages a weekend or 25 pages on the last day of the month, go for it!

Oct 31st: Finish up: By this time, writers should have their script done, and a full month before the deadline of---

Dec 1st: TSA Screenplay Contest Deadline: During this process, writers are encouraged to present material at TSA meetings or post on the forum to see what's working and what's not. NOTE: After July 1st, writers can only present one section of their screenplay at a time; ie you can't present the first fifteen pages of your story twice. Take notes the first time, but DO NOT RE-WRITE until you have completed the script. Continue forging onward and bring in the next fifteen pages. Don't get bogged-down in the re-write until your script is completed.

Also, writers don't have to start from scratch. If you already have a work in progress, then feel free to use that.

The goal of the Challenge is to complete a script. Will it be ready to send out immediately? Probably not. But that shouldn't be the focus at this point. The first draft is about getting the story set down. Some parts will be great, and some parts less-so. Don't fret. Embrace the joy of creating without worrying whether it is perfect; by writing with a good outline as your guide, you will be on a good path. You can worry about "perfection" later. Have fun and be excited that you will have a finished script at the end of this process!

BOURNE SUPREMACY