Any screenwriters around? - Page 2

kangas · 11-09-2009, 04:55 AM

You just need to be prepared for harsh criticism. Everybody's first stuff SUCKS. EVERYBODY'S.

But you won't realize it sucks until you read it a year later and wonder how you ever thought it was passable.

**Frizzo the Clown** · 11-09-2009, 07:13 AM

And if you're anything like me, your second, third, and fourth stuff sucks too.

Duke-Leto · 11-09-2009, 03:13 PM

Yea it will probably look like crap. I am considering the idea of condensing one or two to a short story type script so I do not have to write as much, which is probably a good thing. The other 2 for sure will have to be full length.

Justin · 11-09-2009, 03:28 PM

My suggestion would be to write as much as you can in your screenplays. Just let yourself go as long as you feel is necessary; get everything out that you want , then go back and edit and revise. I wouldn't advise anyone to be too cautious when writing a rough draft or a treatment.

docstop · 11-09-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin

My suggestion would be to write as much as you can in your screenplays. Just let yourself go as long as you feel is necessary; get everything out that you want , then go back and edit and revise. I wouldn't advise anyone to be too cautious when writing a rough draft or a treatment.

excellent advice. I find when you sit down and actually start physically writing, I can guarantee that you'll get TONS of new ideas in regards to characters etc. Just have to decide in your revisions where you want the storyline to go.

kangas · 11-11-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docstop

excellent advice. I find when you sit down and actually start physically writing, I can guarantee that you'll get TONS of new ideas in regards to characters etc. Just have to decide in your revisions where you want the storyline to go.

And read this interview. He really nails many of the problems.
http://www.scriptapalooza.com/moviemaker.htm

I did script coverage for an LA company for almost two years and you would be shocked at what got sent in. In all those months I only recommended two scripts. (out of about 150) Most were easy passes.

docstop · 11-11-2009, 08:34 PM

[quote=I did script coverage for an LA company for almost two years and you would be shocked at what got sent in. In all those months I only recommended two scripts. (out of about 150) Most were easy passes.[/QUOTE]

What made those two scripts special, overall professionalism or future potential maybe?

Duke-Leto · 11-12-2009, 05:49 PM

Yea, can you provide some more info as far as why many were over looked and what was actually looked for?

kangas · 11-13-2009, 04:45 AM

Well, when I did complete coverage you would do a summary of the script and at the end you'd check whether you recommended the script or not, and then whether you'd recommend the writer or not.

There are cases where the script isn't good but you might recommend the writer(at which point they'd request another script from the writer).

The two scripts I recommended were good--meaning, I wanted to keep reading. The characters were very believable and well defined, and the stories were very original(one was high-concept, the other not so much but still very well done)

I stay vague because we signed non-disclosure agreements at the beginning of employment. I can tell you that neither script has been made into a flick to this day.

A good gauge for whether a script is good is: If you can stop reading after page 10, do it. You need to make a person WANT to turn every page to find out what happens next.

And it's hard to do, for sure.

11-09-2009, 04:55 AM	#26
kangas Key Grip Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 36	You just need to be prepared for harsh criticism. Everybody's first stuff SUCKS. EVERYBODY'S. But you won't realize it sucks until you read it a year later and wonder how you ever thought it was passable. __________________ --Kangas http://www.kangaskahnfilms.com/blogs.htm

11-11-2009, 08:34 PM	#32
docstop Executive Producer Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Among the hockey gods Posts: 433	[quote=I did script coverage for an LA company for almost two years and you would be shocked at what got sent in. In all those months I only recommended two scripts. (out of about 150) Most were easy passes.[/QUOTE] What made those two scripts special, overall professionalism or future potential maybe? __________________ Never deprive anyone of hope... it may be all they have.

11-13-2009, 04:45 AM	#34
kangas Key Grip Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 36	Well, when I did complete coverage you would do a summary of the script and at the end you'd check whether you recommended the script or not, and then whether you'd recommend the writer or not. There are cases where the script isn't good but you might recommend the writer(at which point they'd request another script from the writer). The two scripts I recommended were good--meaning, I wanted to keep reading. The characters were very believable and well defined, and the stories were very original(one was high-concept, the other not so much but still very well done) I stay vague because we signed non-disclosure agreements at the beginning of employment. I can tell you that neither script has been made into a flick to this day. A good gauge for whether a script is good is: If you can stop reading after page 10, do it. You need to make a person WANT to turn every page to find out what happens next. And it's hard to do, for sure. __________________ --Kangas http://www.kangaskahnfilms.com/blogs.htm

11-09-2009, 07:13 AM	#27
Frizzo the Clown Tastes Like Chicken! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Mining for nose goblins Posts: 35,828	And if you're anything like me, your second, third, and fourth stuff sucks too.

11-09-2009, 03:13 PM	#28
Duke-Leto Boom Operator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albany, Ga Posts: 67	Yea it will probably look like crap. I am considering the idea of condensing one or two to a short story type script so I do not have to write as much, which is probably a good thing. The other 2 for sure will have to be full length.

11-09-2009, 03:28 PM	#29
Justin Executive Producer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 7,779	My suggestion would be to write as much as you can in your screenplays. Just let yourself go as long as you feel is necessary; get everything out that you want , then go back and edit and revise. I wouldn't advise anyone to be too cautious when writing a rough draft or a treatment.

11-12-2009, 05:49 PM	#33
Duke-Leto Boom Operator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albany, Ga Posts: 67	Yea, can you provide some more info as far as why many were over looked and what was actually looked for?