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.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Bones
WARNING! The next few blogs will most likely contain information specific to screenwriting.
Bear in mind, if you don't have a screenwriter (be it you or someone else), YOU HAVE NOTHING. You saw what the strike did to Hollywood ...hmm. So let's talk about screenplays, screenwriters, being a screenwriter and things of the like.
First and foremost, I am a screenwriter. I have to be. I can't take a camera and run across the street and film a bunch of skateboarders and call it a movie, can I? No, and I've done it. It was anything but a movie.
So, as a flicmaker having decided to actually film something, I had to start by writing a script. And I wrote one. I wrote two. I wrote two short scripts back to back which, in my opinion is a great way to start.
I didn't have what it takes to write a feature length screenplay my first time out. Especially if I wanted to film now. So I picked a story, a story in it's most basic form. In my case it was a story about a small boy who wanted to be bigger, wanted to be like the bigger kids. Everyone's heard that, anyone can think of it, but when YOU write it, it's yours.
Go ahead and take this very idea I've given you and go write it. Do you think it will be remotely like the one I wrote? No, way. Every story out there has been told (NOTE: I am trying to prove this wrong.) but the number of ways to tell it are infinite!
Here's an example: was my story a comedy (like "Big")? was it a drama, was it modern day or old west, was it and English speaking boy in American culture, or a Japanese boy in the 1940's?? It could be any of these. The point is pick something and write YOUR story.
Remember these points:
--to keep it short
--I didn't even worry about the 3-act structure (how could I in only 7 pages?)
--I used what I had available, locations, actors, etc.
--come up with the few points you want to make, your "outline"
--start writing, let it come out, let the characters talk to you and tell you what they want to say
Once I understood what I wanted to say and how to say it, the writing took me about an hour and I had my first screenplay! --ready to shoot.
When you're ready to start writing, meaning to start thinking about writing and what you want to write, you should be in the proper mindset. I suppose you could call it story-mode. Here are a few things that put me in story mode:
--an easy one, watch a movie. Watch a good one that you've seen a hundred times, only this time study it. Listen to the dialogue-- someone wrote it! These people aren't real, remember? They're actors reading from a piece of paper someone else wrote on. Amazing, huh!
--listen to music. I wrote my first feature because of a particular artist whose music painted landscapes in my mind. When I listened I saw images of two people from different worlds learning about one another and falling in love. The images were scenes in my movie. I wrote them on the paper. (Johannes Linstead--all instrumental acoustic guitar, no words! just images.)
--this third one builds my confidence. Helps me to believe I can really write by helping me see the screenwriters I most admire as real, down-to-earth people, Creative Screenwriting's Podcast from Itunes. I've just finished listening to Paul Haggis for the third time. Simon Kinberg told me all about writing Jumper with Jim Uhls, who also told me his tales from the pages of Fight Club. John Logan gave me some great advice about how to be a good writer (read Shakespeare) and his experience writing Sweeney Todd. Any screenwriter who inspires you is on the podcast...and you know me, I'm cheap...IT'S FREE to d/l and listen!
Find your own methods to get you writing. I'm off for the next couple of weeks with plans to finish writing my second feature. Wish me luck. I'll be on here telling you what to do and don't do based on my own adventures in flicmaking.
Keep Writing.
Bear in mind, if you don't have a screenwriter (be it you or someone else), YOU HAVE NOTHING. You saw what the strike did to Hollywood ...hmm. So let's talk about screenplays, screenwriters, being a screenwriter and things of the like.
First and foremost, I am a screenwriter. I have to be. I can't take a camera and run across the street and film a bunch of skateboarders and call it a movie, can I? No, and I've done it. It was anything but a movie.
So, as a flicmaker having decided to actually film something, I had to start by writing a script. And I wrote one. I wrote two. I wrote two short scripts back to back which, in my opinion is a great way to start.
I didn't have what it takes to write a feature length screenplay my first time out. Especially if I wanted to film now. So I picked a story, a story in it's most basic form. In my case it was a story about a small boy who wanted to be bigger, wanted to be like the bigger kids. Everyone's heard that, anyone can think of it, but when YOU write it, it's yours.
Go ahead and take this very idea I've given you and go write it. Do you think it will be remotely like the one I wrote? No, way. Every story out there has been told (NOTE: I am trying to prove this wrong.) but the number of ways to tell it are infinite!
Here's an example: was my story a comedy (like "Big")? was it a drama, was it modern day or old west, was it and English speaking boy in American culture, or a Japanese boy in the 1940's?? It could be any of these. The point is pick something and write YOUR story.
Remember these points:
--to keep it short
--I didn't even worry about the 3-act structure (how could I in only 7 pages?)
--I used what I had available, locations, actors, etc.
--come up with the few points you want to make, your "outline"
--start writing, let it come out, let the characters talk to you and tell you what they want to say
Once I understood what I wanted to say and how to say it, the writing took me about an hour and I had my first screenplay! --ready to shoot.
When you're ready to start writing, meaning to start thinking about writing and what you want to write, you should be in the proper mindset. I suppose you could call it story-mode. Here are a few things that put me in story mode:
--an easy one, watch a movie. Watch a good one that you've seen a hundred times, only this time study it. Listen to the dialogue-- someone wrote it! These people aren't real, remember? They're actors reading from a piece of paper someone else wrote on. Amazing, huh!
--listen to music. I wrote my first feature because of a particular artist whose music painted landscapes in my mind. When I listened I saw images of two people from different worlds learning about one another and falling in love. The images were scenes in my movie. I wrote them on the paper. (Johannes Linstead--all instrumental acoustic guitar, no words! just images.)
--this third one builds my confidence. Helps me to believe I can really write by helping me see the screenwriters I most admire as real, down-to-earth people, Creative Screenwriting's Podcast from Itunes. I've just finished listening to Paul Haggis for the third time. Simon Kinberg told me all about writing Jumper with Jim Uhls, who also told me his tales from the pages of Fight Club. John Logan gave me some great advice about how to be a good writer (read Shakespeare) and his experience writing Sweeney Todd. Any screenwriter who inspires you is on the podcast...and you know me, I'm cheap...IT'S FREE to d/l and listen!
Find your own methods to get you writing. I'm off for the next couple of weeks with plans to finish writing my second feature. Wish me luck. I'll be on here telling you what to do and don't do based on my own adventures in flicmaking.
Keep Writing.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
"Never give up, never surrender!"
...is a quote from the movie "Galaxy Quest." It is a favorite of mine. In fact, no, literally fact, I had been working on a short story that when "Galaxy Quest" came out, it could have been from the story I was writing. Mainly, the plot - guy gets abducted by aliens to help save their world. It's been a long time since, but another I can think of is I had written Sigourney Weaver's name into a line of the story...she wind's up in "Galaxy Quest!"
The point is, I haven't written in quite awhile. Nothing serious anyway. Does it matter? Not really. Though you always want to be honing your craft by writing - there's no better way. But, remember the outline I gave you on the last post? I dove back into that one and I'm off and running. During the past week, I've written 19 pages of script! Things just seem to be falling into place.
By a random chain of events, I visited a friends MySpace page, whom I rarely visit. At the bottom was a link looking for screenwriters. I'm as skeptical as the next guy, but I felt it odd that it was there (I know, cookies, blah, blah, blah; work with me here!) Long story short, I clicked it. It took me to a site that WASN'T full of hype, ad copy-type marketing or anything. It looked very professional. So I queried them to see what kind of response I'd get.
Like they said, 3 days later, I get an email saying they're interested in seeing (the particular screenplay I queried). As with any reputable agent/agency, they are not asking for money. Any real agent will only get paid if you get paid! Based on the information and professionalism from their email, I emailed them a copy of my script today. It's registered with the WGA, so I don't have to worry about them stealing it. I presume to hear from them within another few days and I'll keep you updated about it.
One thing that caught my eye was them not asking for payment. Another was that it didn't have to be a perfect script. If they see potential, they'll work with a writer on that. (Which could be where they start asking for money; we'll see) But if they think there's potential in my script, offer some suggestions, and are willing to try to sell it after that - I'll be on that program!
Their website is www.screenplaywritersagency.com if you'd like to check them out. Feel free to comment about them and/or point out things I missed - good or bad. If this agency is legit, we'll let people know, if not, we'll let people know!
Keep writing!
The point is, I haven't written in quite awhile. Nothing serious anyway. Does it matter? Not really. Though you always want to be honing your craft by writing - there's no better way. But, remember the outline I gave you on the last post? I dove back into that one and I'm off and running. During the past week, I've written 19 pages of script! Things just seem to be falling into place.
By a random chain of events, I visited a friends MySpace page, whom I rarely visit. At the bottom was a link looking for screenwriters. I'm as skeptical as the next guy, but I felt it odd that it was there (I know, cookies, blah, blah, blah; work with me here!) Long story short, I clicked it. It took me to a site that WASN'T full of hype, ad copy-type marketing or anything. It looked very professional. So I queried them to see what kind of response I'd get.
Like they said, 3 days later, I get an email saying they're interested in seeing (the particular screenplay I queried). As with any reputable agent/agency, they are not asking for money. Any real agent will only get paid if you get paid! Based on the information and professionalism from their email, I emailed them a copy of my script today. It's registered with the WGA, so I don't have to worry about them stealing it. I presume to hear from them within another few days and I'll keep you updated about it.
One thing that caught my eye was them not asking for payment. Another was that it didn't have to be a perfect script. If they see potential, they'll work with a writer on that. (Which could be where they start asking for money; we'll see) But if they think there's potential in my script, offer some suggestions, and are willing to try to sell it after that - I'll be on that program!
Their website is www.screenplaywritersagency.com if you'd like to check them out. Feel free to comment about them and/or point out things I missed - good or bad. If this agency is legit, we'll let people know, if not, we'll let people know!
Keep writing!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
"Writer's Laze" - Kevin Smith
I was taking notes the other day and realized something. The more notes I took, the more notes I came up with. Which goes back to what I've been saying FOR YEARS - keep writing. I haven't written much in the past few months because, frankly, I let myself think that I had nothing to write. But once I sat down and started to jot down a few things I had been thinking of, more ideas came. Keep writing!
For nothing more than my own sake, I will get into a little detail about this particular writing incident, which, I should add, happens quite often and I, myself, often forget it. Incidentally, this will typically be in the pre-production stage of your flic.
I have a blank sheet of paper in front of me. I always start on paper, really, just to take notes. This story is one I have already started. It's a story that's been in my head awhile that I have been away from awhile. So, this isn't starting from scratch. I'm sure you have a few "incompletes" that you're not sure where to go with.
I began with a simple outline. What (little) I had for Act I, II, & III, I jotted down. Really basic.
Example:
A1 *Opening scene *Intro(s) to all characters *Plot Point, PP1 (in this case, my heroine starts to fall for the bad guy.
A2 *Bad guy, (hmmm) works for Main Villain. *They're out doing evil and heroine comes along and foils the job but puts herself in danger... *Bad guy saves her. *PP2 Saving her and reveals to her unknown knowledge of her father.
A3 *Heroine and "Bad guy" team up *Villain doing evil *They foil Villain's plans *But "Bad guy's caught...
Finale
Close
I know those notes don't make much sense to you but that's not important. What's important is that you can break down the entire flic into tiny, little pieces. From the outline, detailed little stories began to emerge and I started writing them down in more detail. Things like, "Who is my Villain and where did he come from?" "What is he attempting to do?" "How is he able to accomplish his goals?"
Answers to those questions came to me by way of little scenes materializing in my head. Write 'em down, flesh 'em out.
I don't like to call this "block". Especially when, if I just stop and concentrate a little on my story, the writing comes. That's why Kevin Smith calls it "Writer's Laze."
Don't be lazy. Keep writing.
FlicMakerScott
For nothing more than my own sake, I will get into a little detail about this particular writing incident, which, I should add, happens quite often and I, myself, often forget it. Incidentally, this will typically be in the pre-production stage of your flic.
I have a blank sheet of paper in front of me. I always start on paper, really, just to take notes. This story is one I have already started. It's a story that's been in my head awhile that I have been away from awhile. So, this isn't starting from scratch. I'm sure you have a few "incompletes" that you're not sure where to go with.
I began with a simple outline. What (little) I had for Act I, II, & III, I jotted down. Really basic.
Example:
A1 *Opening scene *Intro(s) to all characters *Plot Point, PP1 (in this case, my heroine starts to fall for the bad guy.
A2 *Bad guy, (hmmm) works for Main Villain. *They're out doing evil and heroine comes along and foils the job but puts herself in danger... *Bad guy saves her. *PP2 Saving her and reveals to her unknown knowledge of her father.
A3 *Heroine and "Bad guy" team up *Villain doing evil *They foil Villain's plans *But "Bad guy's caught...
Finale
Close
I know those notes don't make much sense to you but that's not important. What's important is that you can break down the entire flic into tiny, little pieces. From the outline, detailed little stories began to emerge and I started writing them down in more detail. Things like, "Who is my Villain and where did he come from?" "What is he attempting to do?" "How is he able to accomplish his goals?"
Answers to those questions came to me by way of little scenes materializing in my head. Write 'em down, flesh 'em out.
I don't like to call this "block". Especially when, if I just stop and concentrate a little on my story, the writing comes. That's why Kevin Smith calls it "Writer's Laze."
Don't be lazy. Keep writing.
FlicMakerScott
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Get Started
Everyone starts somewhere, even a flicmaker. A flicmaker doesn't just go out there and, on their first try, film E.T., or Indiana Jones, or The Matrix. He, more likely, starts with a piece of crap camcorder and a VCR or, in this day in age, his video capturing cell phone and produces something that will probably never even get watched on YouTube. The point is to get started and keep going. You WILL learn something as you persist. You WILL get better. If it's your passion, there's no question about it.
More to come.
More to come.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Attention All Screenwriters
Here's a quick post to inform those of you who aspire to one day be PAID screenwriters, Creative Screenwriting Magazine's Screenwriting Expo 6 is underway! Click the link to get more information.
Good news! They are accepting "short film" scripts this year! My project "JIMMY" which has been shelved for about 6 months will finally see the light of day again. JIMMY is a short I wrote and started production on, but experienced locational setback(s). Therefore, JIMMY will be one of my entries.
I also plan to submit my feature length script titled "Outlaw". It is completed and was entered last year into CS sponsored AAA Screenwriting Competition without much luck. Provided I can get the editing it needs finished, it will be entered as well.
HURRY, HURRY! Early bird deadline is July 1st but they will accept entries until August 14th. The Expo is in LA and the GOLD PASS is just under $300.
See you there!!
Good news! They are accepting "short film" scripts this year! My project "JIMMY" which has been shelved for about 6 months will finally see the light of day again. JIMMY is a short I wrote and started production on, but experienced locational setback(s). Therefore, JIMMY will be one of my entries.
I also plan to submit my feature length script titled "Outlaw". It is completed and was entered last year into CS sponsored AAA Screenwriting Competition without much luck. Provided I can get the editing it needs finished, it will be entered as well.
HURRY, HURRY! Early bird deadline is July 1st but they will accept entries until August 14th. The Expo is in LA and the GOLD PASS is just under $300.
See you there!!
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