This week's Answer: A
Writing-Watching Way Terrence,
I appreciate your question. Yes, it can be effective
to write a screenplay as if you're watching your
"mental movie." The imagination is a
powerful tool. And to help you get into the spirit
of things and feel like you are watching a movie, I
do have a few tips for you. 1.
When you write, sit in a dark room. Try not to look
at the lit monitor screen -- or, if you must, imagine that
it's a movie screen. And try to ignore those words
on it. No, wait. That's your screenplay.
Never mind. You're going to need that. 2.
Have a friend or neighbor or family member stand close to
you while you sit at your desk, writing, and shine a
flashlight around, acting like an usher. Oh, that's
right: 18 year-old ushers don't have flashlights. 3.
Have another friend or neighbor or family member stand on
the other side of you, shining their cell-phone screen
into your eyes. And, while they're at it, have them
take and make a few calls, or, at least, text somebody. Or...
you can just close your eyes, let your imagination project
the mental movie onto the back of your eye (you could
consider that area to be the movie screen. One of
many in your personal, Retina Multiplex Theatres.
That should do it. Oh. One more thing: Scatter
some popcorn and sticky candy around your office.
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