Details shouldn’t wait
It is often believed that writing a screenplay follows a funnel-like process, starting with a broad idea and gradually refining it into detail. And yet, this linear vision does not capture the true richness of the writing process.
A detail does not simply serve to inform an already constructed whole; it can be foundational. It does not merely complement or clarify the narrative - it actively structures it, continuously shaping its form.
A way of speaking that suddenly reveals itself, a societal rule that emerges in the midst of a confrontation, a memory that surfaces and paints a past… All these elements guide the screenwriter throughout the writing process.
Writing is a constant back-and-forth between detail and overarching structure, evolving both by moving forward and by delving deeper. Micro/Macro/Micro/…
Coherence largely stems from details. They build the truth of the story, its resonance, and its authenticity.
Details are not mere accessories. Don’t make them wait.
Déborah Braun / 90pages
Script doctor
