Jane Espenson Writes About The Writing Process

POSTED BY: NewsAdmin
UPDATED: Saturday, November 9, 2002 11:25
VIEWED: 3467
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NEWSADMIN

Friday, November 8, 2002 2:47 PM

Being somewhat of a writer myself, it's always interesting to read about what other writers go through in terms of their writing process and how a script goes from concept to actual words on a page. Long time Buffy writer Jane Espenson wrote a wonderful and informative essay, which is available on the Official Firefly Website, about just that.

Here's an excerpt:

Quote:
Selecting the moments that will be the act breaks is crucial. Writers who are just starting out, writing sample scripts that they will use to find that first job, often fail to realize this – I remember changing what the act break would be in a script because I wanted it to fall on the correct page. This is a bad sign. The act break moments should be clear and large. In my Firefly episode, “Shindig,” the third act ends with Mal stabbed, badly injured, in danger of losing the duel. It does not end when Mal turns the fight around, when he stands victorious over his opponent. They’re both big moments, but one of them leaves you curious and the other doesn’t.

You can read her entire essay here:

http://www.fox.com/firefly/espenson.htm

HJERMSTED

Friday, November 8, 2002 4:23 PM

Great article.
Sounds like Joss runs a tight ship!

mattro

HAKEN

Saturday, November 9, 2002 11:25 AM

Espenson wrote:

Quote:
When the break is complete, the white board in the anteroom to Joss’s office is covered in blue marker, with a brief ordered description of each scene.

I'm curious as to what this white board looks like. Any images?