Developing Monsters in the Woods: Pre-Scripting

I do pre-scripting with every script I write. I spend anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks. I write every day, but never open a screenwriting program. I use a spiral notebook and scribble down character descriptions (sometimes short, sometimes 10 pages) script outlines, sample scenes. Anything that strikes me. It’s during this process that my story really begins to take shape.

Upon re-reading this stuff, I remember now that I had originally imagined a more “mad scientist angle” on the story. It was a sub-plot that was completely abandoned in later drafts, favoring a more biblical mythos.

Here’s a little bit from my development notes on Monsters in the Woods.

JAMES_Black, 1^st to get killed.

BETTY_blonde bombshell

Director/Jayson – 30 – Made his “masterpiece and now has to hack it up into a monster movie.

Producer/Bravo – inexperienced. Financed movie with money borrowed from his leg-breaker godfather. Has to make the money back. Also does special fx make-up.

Sound guy – Guy: true artist. Good ideas. Real talent.

Monster = Bravo “what did you say.

CAST

DEB

ALAIN = Hunters

ANNAMARIE

ASHSTON = Fighting actress.

NEIL

BOB = Fighting actors

JAMES = Star

SR. HUNTER = Glen P.

INT. UNKNOWN - NIGHT

James eyes snap open. He’s in a lab (possibly cave.)

A haggard scientist paces with a double barrel.

JAMES

What the fu#$!

He can’t move.

DUTCH

No, no. you, why would you? Neurotoxins don’t work like that. You will though, time, time. It’s a mater of time, time, time.

The wind howls.

DUTCH

My fault. My fault.

He cracks the double barrel and exits the room.

JAMES

Wait!

DUTCH

Shh! They’ll hear.

JAMES

Who?

DUTCH

No, what.

He leaves James behind.