Aaron Sorkin’s Recommended Writing Exercises
Map out what the intention, obstacle/s and conflict in the story are scene by scene.
Aaron Sorkin is an American screenwriter, director, producer and playwright. His writing credits include: “Steve Jobs”, “Moneyball”, “The Social Network” and “West Wing”. If you haven’t seen any of his films or shows, I strongly recommend you do.
- Find a short story you like and adapt it to a screenplay. Adapting a story, which already has an intention, obstacle/s and conflict defined will let you practice writing characters, scenes and dialogue.
2. Use a short story, a fairy tale, a fable or a book to adapt the first ten pages of your screenplay. Map out what the intention, obstacle/s and conflict in the story are scene by scene.
3. Write a scene in which one character is asking another character for money. The other character is not going to give them the money. Try to determine each character’s intention and obstacles.
4. Keep a journal and make notes about what works in your favourite films and what doesn’t in the ones you didn’t like.
5. While watching your favourite films, note when the inciting incident happens. How far into the film it is?
