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[goodcow]

I'm taking Screenwriting 1 (FILM376) this semester, and dammed if this isn't the hardest class I've taken in a long time. Now I can usually just take footage I film without a plan, and run with the ball and lampoon it, and create something quite funny. Metal Cow Solid 2 for example, had no plan whatsoever. But writing your own stuff from scratch is infinitely more difficult, I think because you just keep being overly critical of yourself, and not wanting to do something unoriginal. I also think it's a lot more difficult to write in screenplay format than narrative format, such as a novel, or short story, due to the way they have to be structured, and the rules inherent in them.

So, do we have any people who dabble in screenwriting here?

I guess I should get the ball rolling and post my first assignment, and my first screenplay ever, which was an adaptation from a one page short story that was given to us. I changed the set, and the ending, and since this was the formatting exercise, some things are off in that regard, but narratively I think I did well, if for no other reason because it got me an A-.
http://www.goodcowfilms.com/films/screenplays/porque.pdf

 

[BarneyBP]

I've written some stories that I think I could turn into screenplays, but I won't know until I try it. Truthfully, I know that Hollywood has a certain, set, specific, style and I've been intimidated to grab one of those big "Screenwriter's Bible" books at thelLibrary to learn the system.

Which is a shame I suppose, as I'd like to see if these ideas translate to the screen. Anyone know of a good, quick, dirty way to learn the proper formating?

 

[Dan]

Which is a shame I suppose, as I'd like to see if these ideas translate to the screen. Anyone know of a good, quick, dirty way to learn the proper formating?

Get Final Draft. It leads you through a lot of the formatting yourself and makes it easy. Still, you'll need some other source, but I'm sure a simple book at the library could tell you the basics in a couple introductory chapters, in how to format, how to write action, etc.

Yes, I write. None of it's being posted up here though. I'm taking a class now and I use some other writing for personal projects and stuff with other people. I wrote and directed plays in high school, so I started there. I'm mainly working on a feature now.

 

[goodcow]

I've written some stories that I think I could turn into screenplays, but I won't know until I try it. Truthfully, I know that Hollywood has a certain, set, specific, style and I've been intimidated to grab one of those big "Screenwriter's Bible" books at thelLibrary to learn the system.

Which is a shame I suppose, as I'd like to see if these ideas translate to the screen. Anyone know of a good, quick, dirty way to learn the proper formating?

Here's a screenplay formatting template which was given to us by my screenwriting professor. It works in Microsoft Word.
http://www.goodcowfilms.com/web/BLANK SCREENPLAY WITH TEMPLATE.doc

Other than the formatting itself, with film, try to use as little exposition as possible. (show me, don't tell me) and use active tenses, not passive.

 

[Socreges]

I would love to. Actually, I've considered taking classes, but there are prerequisites that I suspect would be boring (but probably necessary).

I think of ideas sometimes and I'm always tempted to just sit down and write. Like, a particular character that's an extension of the philosopher Heidegger, if anyone's familiar with him. The general idea, I think, is very original and interesting, but I have no idea if I could feasibly put it on paper. I guess that's where education comes in.

 

[Mercury Fred]

I second that Final Draft reccomendation.

I'm working on a feature script right now and have taken a few stabs at TV as well. I was out in LA pitching a series last Fall and have a couple other projects I'm collaborating on.

I also found Robert McGee's Story extemely helpful in terms of helping me tighten my focus on structure and storytelling.

 

[The Shadow]

I write in a traditional format but I the way I envision stuff is much like a movie or TV show. I've often thought about turning some of my stuff into screenplays as it would probably be the best format for some things I write. I'm glad this thread popped up.

 

[Goreomedy]

Other than the formatting itself, with film, try to use as little exposition as possible. (show me, don't tell me) and use active tenses, not passive.

Good advice, which you failed to follow.

Look at the first paragraph when you introduce "Unnamed Spanish Man". The use of adverbs such as "weakly" and "seemingly" and "presumably". This makes for passive narrative action.

Also, there's still way too much black. Only show us, in the words of the screenplay, what is important to the story. Beginners like to use little bits of action to help pace the flow, but it often does more harm than good.

Congrats on the A, and keep at it! I could use the competition.

 

[goodcow]

Good advice, which you failed to follow.

Look at the first paragraph when you introduce "Unnamed Spanish Man". The use of adverbs such as "weakly" and "seemingly" and "presumably". This makes for passive narrative action.

Also, there's still way too much black. Only show us, in the words of the screenplay, what is important to the story. Beginners like to use little bits of action to help pace the flow, but it often does more harm than good.

Congrats on the A, and keep at it! I could use the competition.

A-

And yes, the formatting there is off. A lot. Almost everybody's was, and the passive/active was discussed the class we got them back.

 

[Memles]

I write screenplays in my head all the time...oh wait, that doesn't count? Fuck.

I'm about to start writing a play (My second real one) for a little performance thing my University has, we'll see how that goes. My first one was performed twice (Once in High School Drama Class, the other at the Provincial Drama Festival) and is generally kick ass...to me.

 

[Bob White]

So, do we have any people who dabble in screenwriting here?

I've written four scripts so far. I started writing last October on my own to see if I could break into the industry. No luck so far.

Almost landed an agent with my third script but he passed on it.

Screenwriting is fun as all fuck and I hope to GOD that I can make a career out of this. It's the best. And if I start getting PAID doing this, I'll be in freaking heaven.

Oh, and...

Get Final Draft.

 

[Drinky Crow]

I had to write a bunch of screenplays in college. Yuck. Did really well, but I vastly prefer prose.

 

[COCKLES]

When you read the Syd Field ect guides, you realise so has 99% of Hollywood writers, hence so many formularic style stories. All the 'guides' tell you to write this way...that way, at the end of the day, a quick read of some of the best scripts around from the likes of James Cameron tells a different story.

 

[Socreges]

When you read the Syd Field ect guides, you realise so has 99% of Hollywood writers, hence so many formularic style stories.

Is it possible/likely that the standards supposed for contemporary screenwriters is what makes movies/television/etc so derivative?

 

[The Shadow]

When you read the Syd Field ect guides, you realise so has 99% of Hollywood writers, hence so many formularic style stories. All the 'guides' tell you to write this way...that way, at the end of the day, a quick read of some of the best scripts around from the likes of James Cameron tells a different story.

It's not cuts or pacing that's so cliché though. It's the content. It's like they copy each other over and over again. I don't think it's the fault of some guide as a standard. Just that people in the industry don't have any creativity at all.

 

[COCKLES]

It's not cuts or pacing that's so cliché though. It's the content. It's like they copy each other over and over again. I don't think it's the fault of some guide as a standard. Just that people in the industry don't have any creativity at all.

Well Syd Field was the guy who said Pulp Fiction was a poor example of scriptwriting, but soon back paddled and acknowledged it as a classic when it was a big hit. At the end of the day 99% of people on this board could write a better movie then most of the rubbish Hollywood puts out...the thing is 99% of the people on this board will never try, attempt or have the will to write/finish one and for me that's what makes a screenwriter. Not the content, but having the impetus to actually do it in the first place.

 

[Cerebral Palsy]

I write erotic Alf fanfiction.

 

[Goreomedy]

Well Syd Field was the guy who said Pulp Fiction was a poor example of scriptwriting, but soon back paddled and acknowledged it as a classic when it was a big hit. At the end of the day 99% of people on this board could write a better movie then most of the rubbish Hollywood puts out...the thing is 99% of the people on this board will never try, attempt or have the will to write/finish one and for me that's what makes a screenwriter. Not the content, but having the impetus to actually do it in the first place.

Pulp Fiction IS a poor example of scriptwriting. But it's a great story. Realize, the format and writing style don't factor in when you're directing a picture yourself. If you want to use something as a writing sample, or shop it around for a potential spec sale, you may want to stick to genre film and standard industry format.

 

[mattx5]

I'm going to CEGEP (college) next year, I plan on taking Cinema/Communications, and one of the classes will involve screenwriting. I already do some writing on the side, nothing special though. It's amazing to see how I've improved over the last year though.

Also, there's still way too much black. Only show us, in the words of the screenplay, what is important to the story. Beginners like to use little bits of action to help pace the flow, but it often does more harm than good.

I too find myself writing in either too much action or too much description sometimes. I think the reason I'm doing this is because I'm trying too hard to follow the one minute = one page rule. It blows my mind when I intend to write an hour long story and come up with only 30 pages. When I see scripts that are 120 pages, I have to ask - how do they do it?

 

[Flynn]

Read screenplays.

And not those books that reprint them. Get the actual photocopied ones. You can buy them all over the internet -- like Hollywood Book and Poster.

Reading them is a good reference to see just how much dialogue and direction you should be writing and how it looks on the real page.

As far as writing too much direction -- it's a give or take. Many action scripts have pages that are all action save for one line of dialogue. Slapping one word, even an "Ugh" breaks up an action scene's description and fleshes out the cinematic aspects of the scene.

Most importantly remember that you are writing both visuals and sound. Tell your story with them. Let sounds (not just dialogue) punctuate the pages.

 

[Dan]

And if you're just starting out, remember one thing: you're the screenwriter, not the director or cinematographer. Your job is not to give camera directions or to weigh down the script with minor blocking details and things that are better off left up to the director and actors.

 

[Richiban]

I've found the hardest part is to write the way you would talk.

I've been trained in classical writing and journalistic writing, and I've had a heck of a time breaking that mould to screen write.

I've written a few things, but nothing too special.

Robert Rodriguez wrote in 'Rebel Without A Crew' that each filmmaker has two or three bad scripts in them, so the trick is to write like a motherfucker and get all the bad ones out before you start filming the good one.

Sounds like good advice.

I find screenwriting a great hobby.