Structure is key, it took me awhile to really understand that concept.I was too concerned about things going boom:)

Hithcock pointed out if you have a good story and structure you can wrap it in anything.

Yes, BEFORE I open up Final Draft and start typing the screenplay I do a lot of prep work. I think about structure sparingly. For me the "prep stage" is about discovering interesing scenes, then characters to fill them.

Writing an action/adventure script in 6 weeks is awesome. I tip my hat to Stuart Beattie. What a stud!

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

6 weeks is pretty quick.

I'm guessing it shows.

As for prep, yes -- at least half my time is spent on outlining. I don't think you can write a good story without paying close attention to structure.

I consider structure to be the understanding that "shit happens" at certain points.

I have no set time for prep. It depends on how much actual research is necessary.

Sometimes I have to learn new technology or culture. In one case I had to learn a whole college major.

Another time I had to learn a map of a whole city.

Luzid, I just saw it last night...

It shows, it shows!

At the same time, it actually was a tad more entertaining than Transformers 2.

Which I guess is like saying being eaten alive by panthers is better than being eaten alive by fire ants but still...

Jeff,

Well said, well said, sir.