The Talking Draft method
The Talking Draft method
The Talking Draft Method is the fastest way for screenwriters and playwrights to create scenes. You perform the dialogue and action out loud, marking who says what as you go; the audio is transcribed; and the text is formatted into a script.
Where it comes from
It is the digital version of the Talking Draft method invented by director Howard Hawks in 1934. Some of the most prolific writers have used it to produce first drafts and dialogue-heavy scenes, but few could afford a full-time stenographer while they acted out a scene. TalkingDraft was built by screenwriters and playwrights in LA to do that job.
Why talk a draft
- You need a first draft fast.
- You struggle to finish a first draft.
- You want distinct voices for your characters.
- You want to get into a creative flow and stay there.
Speaking a scene aloud keeps you in that flow longer than typing does. Dictate a 30-page script in about an hour.
The old way was bad
Reformatting a block of transcribed text, and noting by hand who was supposed to say what, was tedious and error-prone. Saying character names before every line, or “action”, “tab” or “period”, ruins the flow. TalkingDraft marks who says what with the tap of a key as you dictate, action lines too.
