From Script to Screen

A look at how I build an idea.

Esteban Valdez
Aug 26, 2017 · 3 min read

I have a lot of ideas and concepts for novels, graphic novels, tv series for kids and adults, feature films and shorts… Even topics on what to write and blog about.

Developing a rock solid idea doesn’t always happen over night. One project of mine has been in the works since 2003 and every now and then I’ll come back to it to see what else I can do to it or if I feel ready to start making larger commitments. I’m a firm believer in letting ideas — and life in general — take their natural course. When they’re ready, they’ll let you know.

Everyone seems to have a different way of keeping their developing ideas in a check. Quentin Tarantino keeps pads of notebook paper in his desk, Kubrick had his boxes and some people have other elaborate systems to keep it all together. I’ve got mind spread out all over the place from sketchbooks, note pads, on my hard drive, in the cloud and on our project management site but I’ve been looking for a much simpler way of keeping them all together in one place so I can come back to it another time without wondering where the hell it went.

After a lot of thought and messing around with possibilities, I can up with just a simple solution which I feel has done me some good thus far.

Simply put, the system has three phases: Capture, Research, Development.

  1. Capture. I use a simple box and use it to store ideas written down on scraps of paper, pages from my sketchbook (or the whole sketchbook), index cards, sticky notes, or whatever I’ve used to jot down the idea. It all goes in the box until I’m ready to dive in for a concept to work on. I use physical materials because it makes me feel as if the idea is already alive and in the physical world rather than hidden in a bulk of files on my computer. It’s literally bringing your idea to life by having it down on paper.
  2. Research. When I find something I’m ready to work on, the idea gets a folder (or binder) and from here I start gathering reference materials to help me build a more concrete vision. In terms of references, I’ll grab news articles, wiki pages, fashion designs, location photos, maybe some concept designs of my own, different art styles… I’ll print them out and put them in the folder or binder to keep it all together and over a period of time, it’ll continue to grow.
  3. Development. When I feel confident about the source material or feel like I know the concept pretty well; I’ll continue into development. In development I’ll write a synopsis, character descriptions and/or designs, some development sketches, script outlines, maybe even a script or storyboards or an animatic. When I’ve reached the animatic stage and I’m happy with it, then it’s time to move into making the project a reality.

Script To Screen

“Script to Screen” (STS) is a monthly blog on the Art and Business of Animation, and general thoughts on the animation industry at large. Formerly the official blog of the animation studio, Echo Bridge, STS, is now its own independent platform.

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Esteban Valdez

Written by

A 20-year practitioner of hand drawn animation, creating and producing 2D animated content for various media platforms. Founder of Echo Bridge.

Script To Screen

“Script to Screen” (STS) is a monthly blog on the Art and Business of Animation, and general thoughts on the animation industry at large. Formerly the official blog of the animation studio, Echo Bridge, STS, is now its own independent platform.

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