To Vent is Human

So, I'm still on this "by the book" screenplay project that I started back in June. It's hard to give any details about it because I'm writing out most of it on paper...well, all of it so far. However, I just downloaded a trial of Final Draft 8. I've never used FD before and am curious how I will like it...or not.

Here's a shout out to Celtx...you suck! Okay, now that that's out, I'll explain. Celtx (pronounced as kel tix) in and of itself does not suck. It is a really nice online screenwriting program. You can download it to your computer and use it as you would any other script writer, then sync it up later, online. From there, you can allow others to see and critique your work. And it's great for collaboration with someone, say, in another state. At least that's how it used to be.

Celtx is open source, which I support though I don't have enough programming background to appreciate. By and by, it's free, another PLUS in my book (and yours if you're reading this.) The problem is now they're charging you for the online stuff. I apologize for not having all the details at the time of writing this, but in order to go online and collaborate, etc., you have to pay for it.

Okay, okay, it's not expensive and people got to make a living. I understand that. But, I suppose what has me twisted about it is their original "Project Central" is still going. It's free. I liked Project Central because you could post your work and people could comment on it and vice versa. Some had real good talent. Project Central would also post a particular piece as a featured script on the home page which people would, for obvious reasons (it's on the home page) go check out.

The "twisted" part: I went back there recently trying to log in and every time, Project Central kicked me out to Celtx's new thing and tried to get me to pay for it. On top of that, I noticed the featured script on the home page. I hadn't been to this site in awhile, but I noticed it was the same script they had featured before; in fact, it'd been featured more than once.

Maybe, it was such an awesome script they kept featuring it, I don't know, but it became apparent to me that it was time to move on. Anyway, if you're considering Celtx, go ahead. The program doesn't suck. It's different but works.

So, on to Final Draft. I look forward to checking it out. I've heard that it is THE industry standard for screenwriting but I've also heard Movie Magic Screenwriter is. Which is the one I've been using up until now. I saw some things I liked about Final Draft that MM didn't have (though MM's newest version may have incorporated those features, I don't know.) And since I have a new script started to try out FD with, I'm excited.

Keep Writing.

Structure Matters

I love this time of year. It always gets my creativity going.

I broke down and bought "The Screenwriters Bible" by David Trottier. It is the definitive book on screenwriting today; the "bible," if you will. I usually check it out at the library (very cheap that way) but when I picked it up recently, I found that it was a brand new fourth edition and it looked as if I was the first to check it out. So, I went and spent about fifteen bucks on Amazon and bought it.

I am now using the book as a template for my new screenplay. As my scripts are currently pretty loose as far as screenplays go, I want to tighten them up in terms of story, theme, characterization, etc. in order to make them more marketable. When you are new to the game, agent/managers, producers all want to know that you can write a screenplay in terms of (what I just mentioned.) Readers, the first hurdle you must overcome, have a job to do and that is to read your entire script. Scripts have structure, therefore, make it easier for them to read it and they are more likely to finish it on a positive note. Opposed to a negative one like, "Jeez, I'm glad I finally made it through that...I have no idea what it was about..."

A structured script is also good for script competitions, another great way to break into the industry. The readers for most reputable competitions are industry professionals. They not only look for the winners of the competition, but a second or third place finish (even a tenth) that's structured well with a good story could get noticed and generate interest.

I also invite you to check out one of my new favorite podcasts called, "On the Page." You can find it on ITunes (obviously) and, of course, it's free.

Flicmaking starts with an idea. Idea BIG!