If you're out of story ideas, go visit/volunteer at a senior center, or take your resident grandparent out for coffee. Ask them about their life - you'll be amazed at the stories they've got.
You may even find out that a local neighborhood had a man spraying toxic chemicals all over the road and turned the place into a ghost town for decades... and then you visit a friend in California who has a painting about the incident, with small traces of the chemical in the paint...
This is such a great idea! I know my grandparents pretty well and tend to think I know all their stories but then I sit down and ask them a different question and like learn about a whole decade of their life that I had no idea existed lol
This is a common mistake in people's lives. You have to think outside of your mind patterns. You think that writing takes hours. Just do it for 3 minutes. You think working out takes 45-120minutes, just train 3 minutes. You need to build a routine. With time you will increase those 3 minutes to the time you prefere. Your prefered / needed time is tailored to your mind. It is not the same time all the time. Also you don't have to train or write in already predetermined places. Just do what suits you. And some day it will become a routine and your passion.
@@pilzrusse3476 THIS! I started working out at least a couple mins per day in 2019, just to build the routine, and that got me much better results than I ever achieved from the 2 hour sessions that I could never stay consistent with. Think of it as compound interest.
i've been writing for almost 7 years now. the first 5 I wrote everyday. Whether it was a feature or a short film or web series. I even picked up poetry just as ways to express your thoughts and story. Eventually as I got better and had a new feature length idea to work on, i had goals of how many pages I should be writing a day. At first I aimed for 7 and for a while I kept that up. But it was very tough, I don't think I could do that now. So I lowered the goal a day on the next feature script to 3 pages a day. My logic in that was 30 days in a month, I'd roughly have the script done in a month or so. Outlining also made things easier, the stagnant moments of thought were diminished cause I already had something to follow. Last thing I'd say is this. Writing is like going to the gym. It's tough in the beginning to build that habit, but once you do you'll feel off if you haven't written that day or over a few days. Once you build the habit things really take off from there.
Your videos are getting so much better, brilliant editing and sharp wit. Yoh, I think I have been doing "productive procrastination" but wasn't aware of it. I watch films and read about events that relate BUT each night I spend about 30mins on my screenplay draft, it works like a charm!
Great advice!! Sometimes when I watch screenwriting videos or listen to music, it triggers something in my mind that feeds into my screenplays. It's so cool! And then I immediately take notes in my "notes and ideas" word doc for each screenplay. I also save images that feed the story.
I love this ! My #1 source of inspiration is listening to music while driving. I don’t write every day but I get lots of ideas almost every day so I have a comedy bucket list of bits and gags and jokes that I write down for my characters and when I use them, I cross them off the list- thank you for your videos !! Love this channel !! Your videos are inspiring !
After reading "The Book of Five Rings" I've quickly realized how interconnected everything I do is to my art. It is so much fun to see the correlations form.
As I watched you video, I was shocked when you explained "Productive Procrastination". That described exactly what i do when I'm not making a film. I watch tutorials on filmmaking, I watch reviews on film gear, tutorials on gimbal movements, tutorials on how to make a more cinematic film, etc... I try to soak in as much knowledge as I can in between film productions and use the newly gained knowledge/insight in my new films. I feel I still have so much to learn.
I build stories in my head on a daily basis. I have social anxiety and depression, and any time I start to feel I’m loosing control in a situation, my brain automatically thinks up a story prompt and begins forming the plot. Whenever I can’t handle the pressure in a situation that day, I will build on to my story. I connect my story to some of the feelings I’m having in that situation. If I’m overwhelmed, my character will be put into a situation that is overwhelming to them. Then I think of how they get out of that mindset and come to a resolution to the story and my own problems. By creating these stories I’m not only building my “library”, but I’m helping myself escape dangerous thinking!
Hey Darious! I recently discovered your channel and it's been such a great complement to my learning. I totally agree about the productive procrastination, whenever I sit and try to write I get bad mental block BUT when I watch videos on anything regarding filmmaking, writing, movies, etc I get so many little idea sparks that it helps guide my script. Looking forward to your videos and thanks for making them!
I learnt a lot from this video. Productive procrastination is like distracting your mind and getting it productive at the same time by sourcing other sources for ideas. Thanks for the "input = output" strategy. You can only give out as much as you take in. The ideas you get, gets processed to have a greater output. Thanks for this.
I've learned that I need to have a notebook with me wherever I go to write down ideas that come to me. This was only after I got stuck in traffic and a writing idea was really flowing in my head and I had no way of writing it down. By the time I got home, I couldn't remember it. I promised myself, I'd never let that happen again. I do believe that using your music suggestion will work for me and I plan on trying it when I get stuck. Thanks for the great advice and video D! Have a great week!
I will definitely try this. I have noticed this tho. I also use music as a part of my process for creativity. Get some of my best ideas when listening to good tracks. Great video dude!
This was so good! Another mental shift because I've done aspects of this for a while but I always felt guilty when the SCRIPT wasn't done or I wasn't sitting down writing out every word. The reality is that it all comes out super fast once I start writing and it's because I've had time to think about it and make note of various factors. Thanks for the perspective change!
@Ayush Sarnekar good luck bro...I too have a situation....the story I'm Keen on writing is based on education system...I know the outline premise but I'm stuck at world and character building...any tips?
I am sharing this with all my fellow creators. Super inspiring and useful. I appreciate your videos. I started watching you before buying my first camera several years ago and it helped so much launch me into the career I have now of being a full time film maker
This actually works Bro ! I always try to watch,read,think relevant material which actually brings out the ideas that usually doesn't bloom if I stare at a blank page... I take notes of all the ideas and thoughts I have on my smartphone and some time later I comeback and filter it to my taste... I have been doing this for several months now and I am seeing a lot of progress in a quite a few ideas I have been interested in so yeah thanks buddy for letting out the word !
This is exactly what I do every day and I am going to take notes for an year and understanding all the elements that can go in a story . Thanks for the video.
after watching this.. i can relate to writing everyday... honestly i dont' do it. But i will try to write ideas of my script or things that i want in the story. hey good stuff.. love it.. keep it up..
Love the filter on this one! Darious is excellent advice. This is funny because your friend's advice is how I write. I dont really 'write' I just put notes and ideas in my phone when they hit me. I HIGHLY recommend listening to music that fits the mood of what you're writing -i do that while I walk my dogs and the ideas JUST COME TO ME. it's so effective yet effortless. The analogy of your creativity being like a factory is spot on
Honestly, it comes second nature. If your not writing your experiencing life so you’re making mental notes. To translate it onto paper isn’t sitting down and typing for 6+ hours its a note in an outline you come back to here and there, and then eventually you have a story you can write. I find music a big help to get ideas too, and doing this filming thing with a part time job it gives me time to dive into the music i want to use for my films as well.
I feel like I've been doing this naturally for about 10 years. Never really heard it put into words like this though! Sounds like a good term for it. Personally, I feel like it's just not something I can turn off ever. Which leads to burnout sometimes, but it's nice to keep things fresh in my mind. It helps me feel productive as well since I tend to get no feeling of accomplishment from my day job.
@@AA-sn9lz : Who said I never questioned it? lol I've just never heard someone put it into words like this and describe it as something positive. I enjoy working like this and it's just how I operate. I'm not sure what you mean by being an "irresponsible writer" though. Also I'm usually not fast, but it depends on the week.
Some good points there. I started writing a blog in July 2014, as my photography motivation was drying up. I've now been posting one story every week since then and find inspiration in many things about me and which interest me. I'm always on the lookout for a story. Now I've become interested in video and have started adding video to the blog, which has further motivated me to observe things around me and to write stories about those observations.
Ok so i recently just finished my first feature length script, which i have been working on for 8 months and although the process was long, it was fun and easy. basically what you want to do is get your story completely set out, before you even think about starting writing. use 'The Board' technique from save the cat and just plan every story beat out. if you aren't sure about your story in the slightest, then scrap it and try again until you have one that you think about in the back of your mind constantly. now once you know you story inside and out, write it. sit down once a day and write just one single page, but take weekends off . now taking these weekends off helps a lot because the weekend is a time where you most likely are doing something or just wanna chill and forcing yourself to write on these days will give you negative thoughts towards the project. during the day, make sure your thinking of what you are going to write so you know what your going to write for that night and after finishing the page for that day, give your self a little note reminding what happens next, or any new ideas you had while writing. set a timer on your phone to tell you to write. i personally set mine to 19:30. i understand this method may not work for everyone, as not everyone one has that much time on their hands. it worked for me really well, but that may just be because i'm 14 and has nothing better to do. thanks for reading and hope this method works for you and may these screenplays that we write one day become real.
I do this when I feel less productive..I watch something that is similar to what I'm working on or listen to music that fits the concept of my film. This guy gets it 🙌
I'm a film professor and filmmaker and I LOVE that you shared this! Now I don't feel so alone. I've done this naturally and it has stimulated me creatively and helped to make me feel more productive with specific writing projects. BUT I sometimes feel like this method is too easy..like I'm cheating the process somehow. Ultimately it just simply works for me. Thanks again for sharing!
Yes times five. Thank you for this, Darious, it's inspiring. I've made a living as a writer since 1972, and as D4D would say, this is dope advice. Notes are huge. I'm taking notes now on a new project that has involved getting up at 5 or 5:30 and singing for 30-60 minutes, OCR'ing a really crappy PDF of a 1980 article, remembering advice from a spiritual teacher in the mid-1970s, and a story told to me by a friend around the same time. Notes are absolutely key. "The best memory is not half so firm as faded ink." (Chinese saying.) I've published three books in the last five years with another in the works and two or three more down the line. Notes, notes, notes, notes, notes. Projects that evolve this way are a joy. I can't imagine trying to pre-plan it all in my brain - the writing would be wooden, stilted, formulaic. Ugh. Clairefontaine notebooks are great, they don't fall apart in a jeans pocket.
I do this pretty regularly - watching related videos/films or reading related blogs/articles/books is a step in the right direction, and lots of those little steps can make a big difference.
Thanks for the video! A technique I use is I alternate styles of writings to generate new and fresh ideas. I often hope between formatting documents, storytelling, poetry, technical writing, mundane emails, instructions, etc.
Darious thank you. This is exactly what I needed. I've been want to write but life has been happening to me which is hindering me to write but is see what I need to do now. So, thank you brother you always find a way to inspire us!
One thing that makes me procrastinate less is associating a specific album or a couple of albums (max) to a given screenplay that I'm writing and put it on before a writing session. It always works for me, it's the best way to get in the zone of your story. Play it on repeat until the album BECOMES your story, so whenever you play it it'll trigger you to go back to that world and you'll be able to write, even if it's a sentence.
Go To Bed this sounds like really cool advice. But how do you find albums to listen to. For example, I’m just getting into music and don’t know what I should listen to
This is baaaasically my jam for writing theatre... though I'm not as organized about it as I'd like. I also think it's valuable to take intentional time away from whatever you're doing and come back to it. Let your brain stop thinking about it, come back from another angle.
I've had a book idea for over a year and have taken a few notes for the chapters and this vid makes me want to make a deal with myself and get more done. Thanks
I completely agree. I haven’t heard about it, but noticed after watching this video that i kinda do it intuitively. I even gravitate towards a certain type of friends if they fit my creative thought or idea at the time. I don’t take notes as NOTES but they end up in my 48 hour journal anyway. My journals tend to become my go to source of putting different ideas together. When I say Journals, I mean entries that are sometimes 3 lines short. Thank you for the video bro.
Nice video, man. I like that you get out of the abstract and put it in the real. You ever considered posting a short screenplay that you intend to film to see how your viewers would shoot the same story? Thought about that last night while watching the sandwich BTS again. Could be fun. I’d give it a go.
Darius! i’ve low key been watching you for so long :) you’re one of my inspirations to start posting filmmaking content on my youtube channel. You’re a lot more energetic than me though haha
I agree with this philosophy. I don't write, but I do try to make films, not nearly often as I should or would like to. But I keep watching you, DSLR Shooter, Cinecom, and Indy Mogul to keep my brain going. I find it also helps to have my camera out as I watch, going through the motions of putting on lenses, re-reading menus, etc.
This is empowering. I've kept a personal journal of ideas (not just stories but creative ideas in general) right as they pop into my mind as an attempt to never forget them. Then, when it came time to act on these ideas I had an entire stock pile of content to work with. I took this approach from when I would write music a few years back. When I'd get a song idea I'd record it in my voice memos to never forget. Then, I simply just applied that method to my video work. I guess I had subconsciously been doing this all along! (With the obvious bumps in the road of life like you mentioned)
Thanks for the video! I have been struggling on how to make UA-cam videos. I could see the problems that you faced the Guide who is your friend and the solutions mapped out in this video.
This makes so much sense. I've heard the write everyday thing from so many people and the taking notes part but this video really put all of that into perspective for me. The procrastination I've been doing is completely non-productive and when I have done productive procrastination it was by accident or in a school environment where I didn't realize that's what was happening. This taking notes/research as procrastination I can see as really helping with the feelings of shame/guilt for not sitting at a keyboard for 4 hours physically putting words to a page.
Love this idea. Unknowingly I've been doing this on and off. One cool exercise I also found useful is to write down, or do my best to write down, 20 story ideas in one minute. Short sentences or even few words like man eats snakes. Doesn't matter if they are good or bad, just do it a couple of times when you're feeling ideas are not coming easy or you're feeling blocked. It opens up your creativity. Then each time you're looking for new ideas go over the list and pick the ones that you like the most, if you don't like any try again.
This is definitely what I use all the time. Being a screenwriter (to me) is kind of like being an artisanal soup maker. You keep a bunch of concoctions simmering on the stove, occasionally adding new ingredients until they’re ready to come off the burner to be served. Sometimes they boil over. Sometimes you lose interest in one, but some of the ingredients make a base for something new. Some you can only keep simmering for so long before they lose flavor. It’s all about finding the balance because each soup is different. And yes, it’s surprising how much that metaphor works. 🤔
I am usually always carrying a piece of paper at work to write down at ideas while I’m at work and I often watch a lot of movies in the same genre, not always for ideas but also to pay attention for over used ideas to avoid! Mood music is also extremely helpful. A couple screenplay i wrote I had a personal soundtrack that I listened to. A handful of albums that had the vibe I was going for to keep me inspired.
I do this just never knew it had a name to it! It really works you’ll hear co workers say something and BAM that the line of dialogue you needed or you’ll watch a tv show and BAM that’s the action you needed to move the plot forward. I’ll quickly jot it down in google docs and know to add it to my writing document or outline later. I feel so productive now lol!
Actually you are my part of that productive procrastination, a really big one. I get new, really valuable information, new ideas that come along as well and day by day that's taking me towards my desired goal - making short films. Enormous thanks to you for that! So to the point, I made myself keep a diary. Many times I tried but always failed until now - I always considered it booring eventually but now I have created myself a simple transliteration for all the letters and this became entertaining, like a little puzzle for the brain and it feels like I am keeping some secret notes and the whole notebook looks awesomely bizarre) So that's my personal way to keep myself writing every day with just few exceptions.
Lack of consistency is a pretty common issue. And this subject deserves probably not one but a pack of books. I've been fighting with distractions for years. And so far I haven't done much progress in this area. However, your tip sounds good enough for me. Thanks.
I do this myself especially when I'm thinking of concepts or creativity for video shoots.... I'm starting on my script soon. Keep motivating Me Darious!!! Love your Channel...still
used to write a lot until one day while travelling india decided to stop and just live life, enjoy my trip and absorb reality :) great stuff darious, love your channel
I don't write screenplays. I write code, as a software developer. And when I get discouraged I listen to SaaS developer podcasts, and watch techie videos on UA-cam. Very similar. Great stuff!
Hey Walter, I seen you write code and you're into software development and I was wondering could we network about a tech idea I have. I need a Software developer. Please send me your contact information, let's network!
Thanks for posting. I've been doing this all along. If anyone's into personality vids like MBTI types or astrology, it also helps to watch/read things that relate to your characters. So you're getting your "fix" while learning more about the way your characters think. Thanks for the reassurance that I'm not truly procrastinating.
If you're out of story ideas, go visit/volunteer at a senior center, or take your resident grandparent out for coffee. Ask them about their life - you'll be amazed at the stories they've got.
Maybe give out your phone number online and get several thousand story snippets for ideas...
Just maybe.
Austin McConnell in the comments of D. Britt video! It’s like Peter Parker giving props to Luke Cage.
You may even find out that a local neighborhood had a man spraying toxic chemicals all over the road and turned the place into a ghost town for decades... and then you visit a friend in California who has a painting about the incident, with small traces of the chemical in the paint...
This is such a great idea! I know my grandparents pretty well and tend to think I know all their stories but then I sit down and ask them a different question and like learn about a whole decade of their life that I had no idea existed lol
Boom! I tell my writing friends this all the time. So happy to finally hear someone else state it.
Not once did he say "like and subscribe"...
This is a man that just wants to help others. God bless you, D-Britt!
Complete agreement here, and on top of everything else he does it with real style. Darius is an inspiration.
Agreed!
When I hear some say like and and subscribe.
I’m like immediate nope.
You don't command like and subscribe bro you earn it an he does
Could not agree more.
ME: writing for 6 hrs one day
ALSO ME: never doing it again for a year.
@outlines PREPOSTEROUS!
This is a common mistake in people's lives. You have to think outside of your mind patterns. You think that writing takes hours. Just do it for 3 minutes. You think working out takes 45-120minutes, just train 3 minutes. You need to build a routine. With time you will increase those 3 minutes to the time you prefere. Your prefered / needed time is tailored to your mind. It is not the same time all the time. Also you don't have to train or write in already predetermined places. Just do what suits you. And some day it will become a routine and your passion.
@@pilzrusse3476 Excellent response!
@@pilzrusse3476 THIS! I started working out at least a couple mins per day in 2019, just to build the routine, and that got me much better results than I ever achieved from the 2 hour sessions that I could never stay consistent with. Think of it as compound interest.
Psychologists call it 'priming,' card cheats call it 'splashing in' and Norman Mailer saw it as 'warming up the subconscious.'
This is good advice.
I've been doing this method naturally for a while and never heard anyone talk about this. Awesome video!
Hey Darious,
I am really struggling with outlines. Could you try to make a video on how to approach writing an outline. That would be really helpful.
i've been writing for almost 7 years now. the first 5 I wrote everyday. Whether it was a feature or a short film or web series. I even picked up poetry just as ways to express your thoughts and story. Eventually as I got better and had a new feature length idea to work on, i had goals of how many pages I should be writing a day. At first I aimed for 7 and for a while I kept that up. But it was very tough, I don't think I could do that now. So I lowered the goal a day on the next feature script to 3 pages a day. My logic in that was 30 days in a month, I'd roughly have the script done in a month or so. Outlining also made things easier, the stagnant moments of thought were diminished cause I already had something to follow. Last thing I'd say is this.
Writing is like going to the gym. It's tough in the beginning to build that habit, but once you do you'll feel off if you haven't written that day or over a few days. Once you build the habit things really take off from there.
I have been doing this subconsciously without knowing it was a real theory or concept.
DJ NJ I’ve been doing this for years w out starting a script 😂😅
Dude same lol
Your videos are getting so much better, brilliant editing and sharp wit. Yoh, I think I have been doing "productive procrastination" but wasn't aware of it. I watch films and read about events that relate BUT each night I spend about 30mins on my screenplay draft, it works like a charm!
Bro this is the first time I've ever had genuine good advice
Writers write. Excellent advice as always. 👍
You're right. Writing everyday helps with confidence and creativity. I do it all of the time and it works like a charm.
Great advice!! Sometimes when I watch screenwriting videos or listen to music, it triggers something in my mind that feeds into my screenplays. It's so cool! And then I immediately take notes in my "notes and ideas" word doc for each screenplay. I also save images that feed the story.
Good call! Thanks, bro! 👍🏽
I love this ! My #1 source of inspiration is listening to music while driving. I don’t write every day but I get lots of ideas almost every day so I have a comedy bucket list of bits and gags and jokes that I write down for my characters and when I use them, I cross them off the list- thank you for your videos !! Love this channel !! Your videos are inspiring !
Man, i don't know for how long i've been watching you, but you keep on inspiring and surprising me. Incrdible. Thank you, keep going.
This is so true. I've come up with this myself too a couple years ago and it helped me so much. Recommend to everyone.
Those advices were so accurate. I also take notes everyday and practice productive procrastination and....good news...IT WORKS !!!
After reading "The Book of Five Rings" I've quickly realized how interconnected everything I do is to my art. It is so much fun to see the correlations form.
As I watched you video, I was shocked when you explained "Productive Procrastination". That described exactly what i do when I'm not making a film. I watch tutorials on filmmaking, I watch reviews on film gear, tutorials on gimbal movements, tutorials on how to make a more cinematic film, etc... I try to soak in as much knowledge as I can in between film productions and use the newly gained knowledge/insight in my new films. I feel I still have so much to learn.
Your channel and Film Riot’s channel have been the most helpful for me
I can’t praise you enough for that editing,presentation and active presence in the scene of this video
Dude.
Totally what I needed these days!
Sammmmmee
I absolutely do this and it absolutely does work! I didn't realize it was a thing! Great to know! Thanks for the vid!
I build stories in my head on a daily basis. I have social anxiety and depression, and any time I start to feel I’m loosing control in a situation, my brain automatically thinks up a story prompt and begins forming the plot. Whenever I can’t handle the pressure in a situation that day, I will build on to my story. I connect my story to some of the feelings I’m having in that situation. If I’m overwhelmed, my character will be put into a situation that is overwhelming to them. Then I think of how they get out of that mindset and come to a resolution to the story and my own problems. By creating these stories I’m not only building my “library”, but I’m helping myself escape dangerous thinking!
Hey Darious! I recently discovered your channel and it's been such a great complement to my learning. I totally agree about the productive procrastination, whenever I sit and try to write I get bad mental block BUT when I watch videos on anything regarding filmmaking, writing, movies, etc I get so many little idea sparks that it helps guide my script. Looking forward to your videos and thanks for making them!
I learnt a lot from this video. Productive procrastination is like distracting your mind and getting it productive at the same time by sourcing other sources for ideas.
Thanks for the "input = output" strategy. You can only give out as much as you take in.
The ideas you get, gets processed to have a greater output.
Thanks for this.
The factory analogy was brilliant!
I've learned that I need to have a notebook with me wherever I go to write down ideas that come to me. This was only after I got stuck in traffic and a writing idea was really flowing in my head and I had no way of writing it down. By the time I got home, I couldn't remember it. I promised myself, I'd never let that happen again. I do believe that using your music suggestion will work for me and I plan on trying it when I get stuck. Thanks for the great advice and video D! Have a great week!
I will definitely try this. I have noticed this tho. I also use music as a part of my process for creativity. Get some of my best ideas when listening to good tracks. Great video dude!
This was so good! Another mental shift because I've done aspects of this for a while but I always felt guilty when the SCRIPT wasn't done or I wasn't sitting down writing out every word. The reality is that it all comes out super fast once I start writing and it's because I've had time to think about it and make note of various factors. Thanks for the perspective change!
I do it really almost 1 hr a day as I'm in school now..and I think it has helped me immensely
@Ayush Sarnekar have u written anything yet
@Ayush Sarnekar good luck bro...I too have a situation....the story I'm Keen on writing is based on education system...I know the outline premise but I'm stuck at world and character building...any tips?
I am sharing this with all my fellow creators. Super inspiring and useful. I appreciate your videos. I started watching you before buying my first camera several years ago and it helped so much launch me into the career I have now of being a full time film maker
This actually works Bro ! I always try to watch,read,think relevant material which actually brings out the ideas that usually doesn't bloom if I stare at a blank page...
I take notes of all the ideas and thoughts I have on my smartphone and some time later I comeback and filter it to my taste...
I have been doing this for several months now and I am seeing a lot of progress in a quite a few ideas I have been interested in so yeah thanks buddy for letting out the word !
This is what I do for my academic writing and research but I hadn’t consciously put it together with my creative writing yet, so thank you.
This is exactly what I do every day and I am going to take notes for an year and understanding all the elements that can go in a story . Thanks for the video.
after watching this.. i can relate to writing everyday... honestly i dont' do it. But i will try to write ideas of my script or things that i want in the story. hey good stuff.. love it.. keep it up..
Love the filter on this one!
Darious is excellent advice. This is funny because your friend's advice is how I write. I dont really 'write' I just put notes and ideas in my phone when they hit me. I HIGHLY recommend listening to music that fits the mood of what you're writing -i do that while I walk my dogs and the ideas JUST COME TO ME. it's so effective yet effortless. The analogy of your creativity being like a factory is spot on
Honestly, it comes second nature. If your not writing your experiencing life so you’re making mental notes. To translate it onto paper isn’t sitting down and typing for 6+ hours its a note in an outline you come back to here and there, and then eventually you have a story you can write. I find music a big help to get ideas too, and doing this filming thing with a part time job it gives me time to dive into the music i want to use for my films as well.
I do this for sure! Didn't know it had a name
Stay at it Darious! Keep on rock'n. 🎥
Thanks man! This is a lightbulb moment for me - pop!
I feel like I've been doing this naturally for about 10 years. Never really heard it put into words like this though! Sounds like a good term for it.
Personally, I feel like it's just not something I can turn off ever. Which leads to burnout sometimes, but it's nice to keep things fresh in my mind. It helps me feel productive as well since I tend to get no feeling of accomplishment from my day job.
You've been doing it for 10 years without questioning the nature of it? Sounds like you're an irresponsible writer, or a really fast one.
This is true for me too. It's how I've always just naturally learned to write
@@AA-sn9lz : Who said I never questioned it? lol
I've just never heard someone put it into words like this and describe it as something positive. I enjoy working like this and it's just how I operate. I'm not sure what you mean by being an "irresponsible writer" though. Also I'm usually not fast, but it depends on the week.
@@MarcoPerri ignore me, I'm an asshole. I'm an alcoholic
Some good points there. I started writing a blog in July 2014, as my photography motivation was drying up. I've now been posting one story every week since then and find inspiration in many things about me and which interest me. I'm always on the lookout for a story. Now I've become interested in video and have started adding video to the blog, which has further motivated me to observe things around me and to write stories about those observations.
Ok so i recently just finished my first feature length script, which i have been working on for 8 months and although the process was long, it was fun and easy.
basically what you want to do is get your story completely set out, before you even think about starting writing. use 'The Board' technique from save the cat and just plan every story beat out. if you aren't sure about your story in the slightest, then scrap it and try again until you have one that you think about in the back of your mind constantly.
now once you know you story inside and out, write it. sit down once a day and write just one single page, but take weekends off . now taking these weekends off helps a lot because the weekend is a time where you most likely are doing something or just wanna chill and forcing yourself to write on these days will give you negative thoughts towards the project.
during the day, make sure your thinking of what you are going to write so you know what your going to write for that night and after finishing the page for that day, give your self a little note reminding what happens next, or any new ideas you had while writing.
set a timer on your phone to tell you to write. i personally set mine to 19:30.
i understand this method may not work for everyone, as not everyone one has that much time on their hands. it worked for me really well, but that may just be because i'm 14 and has nothing better to do.
thanks for reading and hope this method works for you and may these screenplays that we write one day become real.
I do this when I feel less productive..I watch something that is similar to what I'm working on or listen to music that fits the concept of my film. This guy gets it 🙌
This video came at the perfect time! This way sounds so obvious but I would have never have thought of it!
Amazing. That actually sounds like fun.
I dig the fresh editing style, D-Britt. This videographer/video editor noticed.
Awesome advice man! Nice touch with the Subdivide soundtrack 👌🏻👌🏻
Bru, awesome advise. Basic, but always a good impact to hear it from another. Simple but had a big impact. Thanks
A great mindset that may boost creativity.
Thanks for sharing your practical technique!
I'm a film professor and filmmaker and I LOVE that you shared this! Now I don't feel so alone. I've done this naturally and it has stimulated me creatively and helped to make me feel more productive with specific writing projects. BUT I sometimes feel like this method is too easy..like I'm cheating the process somehow. Ultimately it just simply works for me. Thanks again for sharing!
Yes times five. Thank you for this, Darious, it's inspiring. I've made a living as a writer since 1972, and as D4D would say, this is dope advice. Notes are huge. I'm taking notes now on a new project that has involved getting up at 5 or 5:30 and singing for 30-60 minutes, OCR'ing a really crappy PDF of a 1980 article, remembering advice from a spiritual teacher in the mid-1970s, and a story told to me by a friend around the same time. Notes are absolutely key. "The best memory is not half so firm as faded ink." (Chinese saying.) I've published three books in the last five years with another in the works and two or three more down the line. Notes, notes, notes, notes, notes. Projects that evolve this way are a joy. I can't imagine trying to pre-plan it all in my brain - the writing would be wooden, stilted, formulaic. Ugh. Clairefontaine notebooks are great, they don't fall apart in a jeans pocket.
I always am on the lookout for a video from D4. Thank you, much needed.
I do this pretty regularly - watching related videos/films or reading related blogs/articles/books is a step in the right direction, and lots of those little steps can make a big difference.
Your videos are really prepping for when I shoot my films.
Liked the video before it even started.. love your work man!
Oh my goodness, God bless you! I really needed this video!
Glad this helped! Thank you for commenting!
Thanks for the video! A technique I use is I alternate styles of writings to generate new and fresh ideas. I often hope between formatting documents, storytelling, poetry, technical writing, mundane emails, instructions, etc.
Thanks to you and your videos over the years, you've helped me come a long way from where I was in my own process.
This was really helpful! Thanks alot sharing this tipp. Hope I'll get my story done soon. Keep up the good work :)
This is the best advice I could've gotten as a screenwriter right now, Thanks!
Darious thank you. This is exactly what I needed. I've been want to write but life has been happening to me which is hindering me to write but is see what I need to do now. So, thank you brother you always find a way to inspire us!
Never heard this before and I’m definitely sharing this with my sister who has a great script in the works. Would love to help her film it 💕
Holy shit that animation style is dope af. That’s awesome.
One thing that makes me procrastinate less is associating a specific album or a couple of albums (max) to a given screenplay that I'm writing and put it on before a writing session. It always works for me, it's the best way to get in the zone of your story. Play it on repeat until the album BECOMES your story, so whenever you play it it'll trigger you to go back to that world and you'll be able to write, even if it's a sentence.
Go To Bed this sounds like really cool advice. But how do you find albums to listen to. For example, I’m just getting into music and don’t know what I should listen to
Great tips...one love and im from trinidad and tobago...keep on creating great content
I just realized I always do this. Thanks, dude.
This is baaaasically my jam for writing theatre... though I'm not as organized about it as I'd like. I also think it's valuable to take intentional time away from whatever you're doing and come back to it. Let your brain stop thinking about it, come back from another angle.
Welcome back bro!
Dope video. Thanks for sharing. I’m going to research more on this topic, productive procrastination.
I've had a book idea for over a year and have taken a few notes for the chapters and this vid makes me want to make a deal with myself and get more done. Thanks
I completely agree.
I haven’t heard about it, but noticed after watching this video that i kinda do it intuitively.
I even gravitate towards a certain type of friends if they fit my creative thought or idea at the time.
I don’t take notes as NOTES but they end up in my 48 hour journal anyway.
My journals tend to become my go to source of putting different ideas together.
When I say Journals, I mean entries that are sometimes 3 lines short.
Thank you for the video bro.
Nice video, man. I like that you get out of the abstract and put it in the real.
You ever considered posting a short screenplay that you intend to film to see how your viewers would shoot the same story?
Thought about that last night while watching the sandwich BTS again. Could be fun. I’d give it a go.
Darius! i’ve low key been watching you for so long :) you’re one of my inspirations to start posting filmmaking content on my youtube channel. You’re a lot more energetic than me though haha
I agree with this philosophy. I don't write, but I do try to make films, not nearly often as I should or would like to. But I keep watching you, DSLR Shooter, Cinecom, and Indy Mogul to keep my brain going. I find it also helps to have my camera out as I watch, going through the motions of putting on lenses, re-reading menus, etc.
This is empowering. I've kept a personal journal of ideas (not just stories but creative ideas in general) right as they pop into my mind as an attempt to never forget them. Then, when it came time to act on these ideas I had an entire stock pile of content to work with. I took this approach from when I would write music a few years back. When I'd get a song idea I'd record it in my voice memos to never forget. Then, I simply just applied that method to my video work. I guess I had subconsciously been doing this all along! (With the obvious bumps in the road of life like you mentioned)
Thanks for the video! I have been struggling on how to make UA-cam videos. I could see the problems that you faced the Guide who is your friend and the solutions mapped out in this video.
"The artist way" by Cameron helpful with this process.
I like this information. You’re a smart guy! Thank you!
This makes so much sense. I've heard the write everyday thing from so many people and the taking notes part but this video really put all of that into perspective for me. The procrastination I've been doing is completely non-productive and when I have done productive procrastination it was by accident or in a school environment where I didn't realize that's what was happening. This taking notes/research as procrastination I can see as really helping with the feelings of shame/guilt for not sitting at a keyboard for 4 hours physically putting words to a page.
Love this idea. Unknowingly I've been doing this on and off. One cool exercise I also found useful is to write down, or do my best to write down, 20 story ideas in one minute. Short sentences or even few words like man eats snakes. Doesn't matter if they are good or bad, just do it a couple of times when you're feeling ideas are not coming easy or you're feeling blocked. It opens up your creativity. Then each time you're looking for new ideas go over the list and pick the ones that you like the most, if you don't like any try again.
I’ve been doing this subconsciously the whole time... It’s only now (after watching this video) that I’ve realised how much it helps.
I procrastinated about 3 times watching your video while trying to get some work of my own . Oh wow! I'm writing right now.. Thank you
Bro, your videos are so inspiring!
This is definitely what I use all the time. Being a screenwriter (to me) is kind of like being an artisanal soup maker. You keep a bunch of concoctions simmering on the stove, occasionally adding new ingredients until they’re ready to come off the burner to be served. Sometimes they boil over. Sometimes you lose interest in one, but some of the ingredients make a base for something new. Some you can only keep simmering for so long before they lose flavor. It’s all about finding the balance because each soup is different.
And yes, it’s surprising how much that metaphor works. 🤔
I am usually always carrying a piece of paper at work to write down at ideas while I’m at work and I often watch a lot of movies in the same genre, not always for ideas but also to pay attention for over used ideas to avoid!
Mood music is also extremely helpful. A couple screenplay i wrote I had a personal soundtrack that I listened to. A handful of albums that had the vibe I was going for to keep me inspired.
I do this just never knew it had a name to it! It really works you’ll hear co workers say something and BAM that the line of dialogue you needed or you’ll watch a tv show and BAM that’s the action you needed to move the plot forward. I’ll quickly jot it down in google docs and know to add it to my writing document or outline later. I feel so productive now lol!
Actually you are my part of that productive procrastination, a really big one. I get new, really valuable information, new ideas that come along as well and day by day that's taking me towards my desired goal - making short films. Enormous thanks to you for that!
So to the point, I made myself keep a diary. Many times I tried but always failed until now - I always considered it booring eventually but now I have created myself a simple transliteration for all the letters and this became entertaining, like a little puzzle for the brain and it feels like I am keeping some secret notes and the whole notebook looks awesomely bizarre)
So that's my personal way to keep myself writing every day with just few exceptions.
Lack of consistency is a pretty common issue. And this subject deserves probably not one but a pack of books. I've been fighting with distractions for years. And so far I haven't done much progress in this area. However, your tip sounds good enough for me. Thanks.
I do this myself especially when I'm thinking of concepts or creativity for video shoots.... I'm starting on my script soon. Keep motivating Me Darious!!! Love your Channel...still
used to write a lot until one day while travelling india decided to stop and just live life, enjoy my trip and absorb reality :) great stuff darious, love your channel
I don't write screenplays. I write code, as a software developer. And when I get discouraged I listen to SaaS developer podcasts, and watch techie videos on UA-cam. Very similar. Great stuff!
Hey Walter, I seen you write code and you're into software development and I was wondering could we network about a tech idea I have. I need a Software developer. Please send me your contact information, let's network!
Doing so much productive procrastination, like right now. All the same, thanks for the upload D4D.
Loved this video...I struggle so much with staying on track.
Thanks for posting. I've been doing this all along. If anyone's into personality vids like MBTI types or astrology, it also helps to watch/read things that relate to your characters. So you're getting your "fix" while learning more about the way your characters think. Thanks for the reassurance that I'm not truly procrastinating.
I really like this idea.
Makes sense! Thank you!