Last night, I made a tentative outline for the script. And then I realized that I had set the story on an island. Again. I think I have islands on the brain--the last two Nanowrimo novels were set on islands. The thing that is so appealing about an island is that it's a self-contained world. It gives you the excuse to focus in on one thing rather than take into account everything else that may or may not influence the plot.
In a way, this script thing is more exasperating than just writing out a story. A lot more background is needed. You need to know the motivations of the characters ahead of time so that when it's time to write the dialogue, it flows naturally. You need to be able to visualize the scene as it's going to be on film so it can be described succinctly. In a novel, or even in a short story, words can be devoted to the internal feelings of the characters and the atmosphere of the scenery. In a visual and aural presentation like a movie or a play, observation is limited. It's one of my frustrations. How can you get a story across to an audience that is just passively watching it?
Anyways, as for research, I borrowed a travel guide from the library. I'm probably going to pick some interesting attractions and somehow incorporate them into my make-believe island. I'm still debating on whether or not to put this island in the Pacific Northwest or somewhere on the Mediterranean. Or maybe I'll just leave it up in the air. But wherever it's going to be, the setting will be modern with a hint of perhaps strangeness. I'm leaning towards action adventure with a heavy dose of urban fantasy without the urban.
I have some characters too, but I'm still fiddling with their names.
