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Message |
    
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1171
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 04:25 pm: |   |
Do any of you dabble in the writing of screenplays?
Odds, aprox.500,000 scripts sent to agents, production cos each year.(Maj. and Indies)
aprox. 5,000 are bought (optioned usually)
aprox. 1,000 actually produced.
I don't know if that is just big screen or if it includes made for TV movies and Sitcoms.
Considering the politics also involved, that's fairly long odds, no?
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2498
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 05:04 pm: | |
I've dabbled in writing a few screenplays...but get even less written on those than I do on my regular manuscripts (and have yet to complete one)...
Mindsight Moderator
Check out Who Needs a Hero?
|
Michael Ball
Awareness Member
Post Number:
4
Registered: 05-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 10:22 pm: | |
Bill,
I have been dabbling in doing a screen play for The Brothers Seven that was published in January. I read a couple excellent books and have looked at the software just for screen writing. There are different software and I wanted to ask the group if anyone has experience with any particular package.
This is what I have read. There are three parts to a screenplay for the author. (1) The outline-used to pitch the project (2) The testament-used to sell the project (3) The screenplay itself-used to produce the project
I have read that most are pitched in California and all three stages are important. I also read that the writer gets paid a scale by the producers if it is picked up for each stage they write and sell. One book I read says that most producers want experienced screem play writers to finish it, but they will buy your outline and testament (which is a syonposis like document I call it)
I am very interested in doing one for my first novel and will absolutely get it writen even if I do a poor job on my first try.
I am really interested if any of the other authors have used a computer program to do one and what brand or did they do it 'long hand'?
I wish you sucess on your screenplay.
Mike |
Michael Ball
Awareness Member
Post Number:
5
Registered: 05-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 08:39 am: | |
Sorry Bill, I did not have the name of the book with me last night. I had just watched the Detroit Piston beat Shaq and the Heat so it was late.
'Sucessful Script Writing' by Jugen Wolff & Kerry Cox is the book. I check it out from the library. It is really a wide look at all script writing from sit coms to feature flims. I highly recommend it as a start for you.
Also I have heard big time authors interviewed, like Tom Wolfe and he will not do a screen play on his own book. He says he doesn't mind butchering another author's work but his conscience won't let him do it to himself. He just sells the rights to his book and they do with it what they want.
Some other things my reading has taught me. Screen writing is a visual game, not a thought game. The kids today that won't read will watch your story on a screen. One page equals one minute on film. The max screen play is 120 pages, period. You also have to write a survey on every character so the actor gets an idea of what you were thinking. (of course, they change it anyway)
I'll let you read the book and judge for yourself. Maybe a lot of the members of this site are actually experienced in writing and selling screen plays. I would be very interested in their feedback.
I hope this helps.
Mike |
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1173
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 09:03 am: | |
Mike,
Two things... One, your next TV venture can be watching the Spurs beat the crap out of Detroit....
 GO SPURS!
Secondly, I have done some rather extensive research on screenwriting over the past few years, had conversations with several in the business, joined the local chapter of the Screenwriter's Assn. etc.,...I don't find fault with any of your comments.
In a nutshell, your story (if a Spec Script) can be bought, you're paid and the pros take over. The producer will change it, the shooting technicians will change it, the director will change it, the actors will change it. One author who had numerous books converted to movies said of one of them, "It's the first of my stories I've been able to recognize!"
If you want to get neck-deep in screenwriting, I think you need to move to Hollywood and start smoozing. That's to get heard!
Your writing and quality of story are never going to sell if you don't have a high concept! That's what you sell to "the pros", an idea. They then take it and make a movie out of your idea. They have professional writers to put it together and no longer need you.
If your script is over 120 pages, they probably won't read it.Most movies are around 90 minutes. The MAIN reason being how often they can cycle a showing at the movie houses in a given day. More showings, more $$$. Also, longer movie are more expensive to produce. You don't see many (any?) epics like the old Cecil B. DeMille productions any more. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
I believe all this to be true. I would welcome comments otherwise.
Steve, are you out there?
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Michael Ball
Awareness Member
Post Number:
6
Registered: 05-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 11:49 am: | |
Bill,
The Pistons never get any respect in the NBA or around the country. Shaq wanted to know where the famous Piston defense was at. I guess he knows now.
A friendly wager perhaps. Piston win and you send me a copy of Risen, Spurs win and I will send you a copy of The Brothers Seven. Spurs are favored big time, but the Piston motto is 'Let's go to work'. No stars just hustle and try hard. Duncan is supposed to eat their defense for breakfast. (So did Shaq)
I hope this gambling does not turn this site into a Las Vegas web site.
Let me know if you want to risk a book on the 'Spurs'.
Also thanks for the comments on screen writing. I agree with the long odds, but I will write one anyway.
Go Pistons!!!!!!!!!!
Mike |
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1177
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 08:37 am: | |
This is almost too easy.
You're on, Mike. Should be a good series.
GO SPURS!
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Tom Elkins
Wandering Member
Post Number:
113
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 09:12 am: | |
The Spurs are my adopted team since my time in the Hill Country. But I have a nagging conflict. Back in the 1950's the NBA was more of an industrial league. My first job out of college was with WKJG Radio/TV in Fort Wayne, where one of the largest industries was the Zollner Company, which made pistons for the big three auto companies. They sponsored a pro basketball team which was called, of course, the Fort Wayne Zollner-Pistons. Our TV station carried their games. Subsequently, as the NBA matured and industrial sponsors disappeared, the team was sold to a group in Detroit which, of course, dropped the "Zollner" but kept the Pistons...which they remain to this day.
I'll root for the Spurs anyway. What can you expect of a team with three guys named Chauncy, Rasheed and Tayshaun?
te
Tom Elkins
NORTH of TEXAS |
Pacwriter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1973
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 09:28 am: | |
There was a time in my life that basketball was one of the top 5 important things in my life. Today I find baseball to be more enjoyable that NBA. I did an op-ed piece for our local paper on the demise of NBA (Bobcats are the local NBA team). Rule changes - the legal mugging of defense players - has killed the game. the players carry their on-court personas over to real life. the last "true" NBA team was the Bulls. they ran a for real offense. Coaches controlled the games and referees still enforced the rules.
so now - the ACC (DUKE) feed my appetite for round-ball.
BTW - I still play a couple times a month.
http://www.perrycomer.com
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Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1178
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 12:00 pm: | |
PAC,
You mention the players and real life. Think about some of the tatooed up gangsters that permeate ALL sports today.
One of the things that makes me the most proud of our Spurs is their demeanor.
This isn't an accident. They only sign players with high character and pass on those without. Well, there was Dennis Rodman...but there is also George Gervin, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Vinny DelNegro, Robert Horry, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott,etc. We're very proud of them, on and off the court.
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Pacwriter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1974
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 12:23 pm: | |
Bobcats owner - Johnson, "We will have only the finest quality players on and off the court." Yeh, right! More thugs just like the old days with the Charlotte Hornets. Johnson is black, the coaches are black and all the players are tattooed blacks. A constant stream in court of traffic viloations, bar brawls etc. The Panthers football team is no better.
I like the spurs. duncan is a class act.
http://www.perrycomer.com
|
F.E. Mazur
Wandering Member
Post Number:
110
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 03:47 pm: | |
So too is Tayshaun Prince a class act. A former Kentucky standout who stayed his four years before going pro. Go Pistons! |
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1179
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 04:17 pm: | |
Believe it or not, I have to agree with Frank. Prince is a good kid. I like his game a lot, too.
I think Wade in Miami will be another "good" one...
Hey, Frank. We had our mayoral election yesterday. The liberal democrat lost in a runoff! Yea!
However, barely, just a literal handful of votes.On the other side, in the first go around the conservative republican (we had three strong candidates) lost big-time.
The winner is a conservative democrat, an ex-federal judge. A fence-straddler.
I think people in our city were tired to tears of the same old tax and spend b.s. that has gone on for years. We're taxed out. It's time for common sense.
Several incumbent city councilmen were voted out as well (liberals).
Okay, we've gone from screenplays to basketball to politics. What's next on the menu? No, Frank, we're not making "I love Dean" posters. Jeeze.
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Jim Bob (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: dialup-4.227.205.211.dial1.denver1.level3.net
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 08:59 am: | |
The chances of selling a screenplay outside of LA and NY are nil. If the sample can get you an agent then there's a chance. Without, none. |
Jim Bob (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: dialup-4.227.205.211.dial1.denver1.level3.net
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 09:03 am: | |
Ideas don't sell. Screenplays do depending on who has them. Any mention of this without a registration number at WGA misses the only pertinent thing you can do starting out: write it and register it. I live in Hollywood, these are the basics. |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3943
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 09:32 am: | |
I had to write a treatment awhile back and was advised to register it -- which I did. This was a major studio requesting the treatment and advising the regisration. Of course, it will probably never go anywhere, but it went this far sans agent.}
Laurel Johnson
Author: The Grass Dance
The Alley of Wishes
Color of Laughter, Color of Tears
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Fred Dungan
Unity Member
Post Number:
1091
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 12:41 pm: | |
I have never written anything other than books and short stories. However, I live in California where everyone seems to have a movie or TV script hanging out of his or her back pocket. Considering that I don't know the first thing about scripts, should I continue to avoid them like the plague or should I get involved? How do I take the first step? Does anyone give classes in writing scripts online or would I have to go back to school to learn? How do movie scripts differ from TV scripts? I heard on the news that the TV and movie script writers recently attempted to merge their guilds and it didn't come off as planned.
http://www.fdungan.com/vigilantes.htm |
Mr. President (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: dialup-4.227.203.141.dial1.denver1.level3.net
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 07:54 pm: | |
Go to a Writer's Life by Lee Goldberg. I was an a low-level actor in these shows. an amateur has no chance or sould. |
Mr. President (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: dialup-4.227.203.141.dial1.denver1.level3.net
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 08:04 pm: | |
There is no merging of guilds. TV and features are one. You write the script and register it at WGA that's the only thing a freelance writer can do. If a writer has no agent, he/she won't connect. Why should they? |
Michael Ball
Awareness Member
Post Number:
11
Registered: 05-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 09:56 pm: | |
Fred,
You can get the book 'Sucessful Script Writing' by Jugen Wolff & Kerry Cox at the library and read it. It is easy to understand and has real life sample screen plays, outlines, and testaments.
I am sure that the odds are long without an agent or not knowing the Hollywood scene, but John Grisham wrote and sold the screen play for "A Time to Kill" when no publisher would publish his book. Then everyone wanted to be his publisher. What is wrong with trying? I know the odds are long, but at least you could turn one of your books into an outline at least.
I recommend you check out the book from the library and at least consider it.
Good luck.
Mike |
poker casino679 (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 218.57.243.35
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 06:47 pm: | |
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