By Fred Fernando   A screenplay is the foundation for any film. It serves as the blueprint upon which a motion picture is constructed. From characters to plot to world-building, it’s all essentially created from the ground up on a screenplay. And writing a screenplay for a feature film, or even a short, can be quite a daunting task. After all, there is the much-dreaded affliction known as writer’s block – which, believe it or not, is a very real thing.  While some believe this to be an excuse for being unproductive, writer’s block can affect even the most prolific novelists. And screenwriters definitely aren’t immune to it either. This block stems from a fear of the pressure to produce something. And when you’re writing a story that needs to be turned into a film, the pressure can certainly get real.  However, our own filmmakers have some advice on how they tackled the intimidating bane of screenwriting.  Akash Sunethkumara of the High School Junkies has written pretty much every story that the team has turned into short films. Andrew Sean has collaborated with the Junkies on their projects, in addition to films that he has produced via FilmDragonn, and both of them are currently working on features. Here are their top seven tips:    

• Brainstorm with a group

  Two (or more) heads are better than one! Getting together with a trusted group of people and brainstorming potential pathways to take a storyline in can be more effective than trying to figure it out on your own. We usually get the core team together and brainstorm on a whiteboard. Usually, we start off with a character and his/her decisions. People will come up with ideas based on their experiences which could fit in with a character’s choices pretty well, and steer the story around any blocks.     

• Change your environment

  When we get used to a routine, the place you sit to write often becomes stale, because you're either too comfortable or you're not comfortable at all. We usually change the place, or pick a new writing spot to avoid the feeling of being too comfortable or lazy. If it's possible, completely change where you are; take a solo trip for a few days and only focus on writing. If you are unable to go out, rearranging your room helps too.     

• Point out your story

  Mark down key elements and secondary elements of your story, preferably on paper. This way, you can visually see your idea and understand where your strengths and weaknesses are in the story.    

• Listen to soundtracks for inspiration

  We find that listening to film scores and soundtracks that fit the mood of the story help our imagination run wild. Sometimes, it even helps us maintain the pacing of a story as well. What you want to listen to depends on your preference of course, but music is a great tool to work around writer’s block.    

• Go for a workout

  Sweating it out has its benefits. When a block presents itself, going for a brisk walk, doing some cardio, or hitting the gym has helped us in the past. Sitting like a couch potato and trying to force your mind to work all day long isn’t too good on your health either, so activating your body helps reactivate the mind too.    

• Don’t be too hard on yourself

  It’s easy as a creative to be harsh with yourself, especially if you set yourself high standards. None of us are ever completely satisfied with the films we create. We nitpick everything, especially during the screenwriting stage. The Junkies have a habit of ripping a story apart!  Be patient with yourself and make sure you don't overwork your creative mind. Writer's block and not being satisfied with what you have written is something we all go through. Try to understand why you're stuck and be persistent about telling a good story.    

• Just let it be

  Accepting that a block is a temporary barrier that prevents creative juices from flowing helps to look at it as a passing cloud. Trying to force out ideas can affect a writer and their story negatively. Sometimes we walk away from writing to take our minds off work completely. Do something that doesn't demand cognitive thinking, like having a chat with a friend, gaming, or any other hobby.    Box begins In 2015, filmmaking collective High School Junkies started creating short films out of passion and soon gained momentum as a film production house that championed frugal filmmaking. Their second short EIDETIC became the first ever Sri Lankan film to be screened at San Diego Comic-Con and has subsequently been screened over the world. They host guests from Hollywood on their webinar Junkyard Theory.    Box ends