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More Sad News on Writing Front (currently 1219 views) |
Sandra Elstree. |
Posted: March 6th, 2019, 5:40pm |
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Of The Ancients What if the Hokey Pokey, IS what it's all about?
LocationBowden, Alberta Posts3664 Posts Per Day 0.60 |
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| A known mistake is better than an unknown truth.
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LC |
Posted: March 6th, 2019, 5:59pm |
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Administrator
LocationThe Great Southern Land Posts7630 Posts Per Day 1.34 |
Hmm...
“I have seen lines of dialogue in films with my name on them that I wouldn’t have written under torture.” Jeffrey Caine
I wanted to properly credit the writer for that line above.
Sandra, sadly I think this has been going on for a loooong time.
When you see a long list of writer credits you can be sure the original script bears little resemblance to final product.
P.S. That article is four years old. The main difference these days is you can't get your name removed from a project if you want to.
Writers’ Guild rules do not permit writers to take their name off a screenplay if they have been paid more than a certain amount. Studios can, in effect, buy their names. |
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Reply: 1 - 15 |
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AnthonyCawood |
Posted: March 6th, 2019, 6:35pm |
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January Project Group
LocationUK Posts4323 Posts Per Day 1.13 |
Thought that article looked familiar... and unfortunately it's probably been true for as long as Hollywood has existed.
But TV has provided more opportunities for writers and it has never been easier to self produce, so it's not the end of the world... well not yet.
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Reply: 2 - 15 |
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FrankM |
Posted: March 6th, 2019, 7:18pm |
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January Project Group
LocationBetween Chair and Keyboard Posts1447 Posts Per Day 0.62 |
“So, it’s this fun family script that shows the value of friendship and determin—”
“Yes, yes. We love the concept. Here, can I hold the script for a minute?”
Writer hands over the script.
Executive tosses it into what appears to be a woodchipper. A similar looking script pops out the other end. The executive flips through the new script.
“Oh, cool. Optimus Prime is kicking butt and taking names here...”
“What the f—”
“Thank you, the project never would have gotten off the ground without you. The receptionist out front has your check. Bye.” |
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Reply: 3 - 15 |
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eldave1 |
Posted: March 8th, 2019, 12:14am |
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January Project Group
LocationSouthern California Posts6874 Posts Per Day 1.93 |
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Reply: 4 - 15 |
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Penoyer79 |
Posted: March 8th, 2019, 3:03am |
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Been Around Chaos isn't a pit, it's a ladder.
LocationAtwater, CA Posts628 Posts Per Day 0.12 |
This isn't really anything new.
Jean-Pierre Jeunet did it to Joss Whedon's script for Alien 4 back in '97 "slathered it in ketchup" |
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Reply: 5 - 15 |
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Andrew |
Posted: March 9th, 2019, 2:14am |
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Old Timer
Posts1791 Posts Per Day 0.32 |
Not to be a cynic, but better to be in the industry with your name on a piece of shit, getting paid for it, than to be on the outside looking in.
Or maybe thats just me! |
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Reply: 6 - 15 |
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Anon |
Posted: March 9th, 2019, 7:06am |
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Posts203 Posts Per Day 0.07 |
The first para of the article says a lot. Either direct yourself or work in television. But as it also mentions later - producing yourself is the other option. I’ve got a tv thing and a film thing in development but they’re both at the mercy of a million factors and people. If you can figure out a way to do it - producing yourself is the only way to take real control.
The trick is to write something incredibly low budget, entertaining, and preferably has a theme that will allow you to tap into your funding routes. I’m developing an idea that has only one (visible) character but an original concept with some legs. Will I be able to pull it off? I believe I can otherwise I wouldn’t try. It’s bloody scary and will take at least two years of work on top of the day job i’d say. But it feels good to be doing something that isn’t purely dependent on someone else’s whim. |
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Reply: 7 - 15 |
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Sandra Elstree. |
Posted: March 9th, 2019, 4:13pm |
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Of The Ancients What if the Hokey Pokey, IS what it's all about?
LocationBowden, Alberta Posts3664 Posts Per Day 0.60 |
The first para of the article says a lot. Either direct yourself or work in television. But as it also mentions later - producing yourself is the other option. I’ve got a tv thing and a film thing in development but they’re both at the mercy of a million factors and people. If you can figure out a way to do it - producing yourself is the only way to take real control.
The trick is to write something incredibly low budget, entertaining, and preferably has a theme that will allow you to tap into your funding routes. I’m developing an idea that has only one (visible) character but an original concept with some legs. Will I be able to pull it off? I believe I can otherwise I wouldn’t try. It’s bloody scary and will take at least two years of work on top of the day job i’d say. But it feels good to be doing something that isn’t purely dependent on someone else’s whim. |
Your comment is a good one and good for you for doing your own thing!!! For the most part, not just in writing, most people want to feel human. Especially today, since we are part of very complex systems; when those systems begin ruling us: more and more, I think that "soul" part of us, senses it and rebels. We might have "formulas" for movies, but if AI can win at Go and chess... well, you know. For myself, if it were me, making some of those big decisions, I guess we'd be losing money because I don't believe in treating people unfairly. Just because you can afford big time lawyers, create hard to read contracts and even be able to buy names, it doesn't make it right. Just because you can, it doesn't mean you should. Sandra |
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Reply: 8 - 15 |
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Scar Tissue Films |
Posted: March 10th, 2019, 3:03am |
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Posts3382 Posts Per Day 0.63 |
I can see it from both sides.
The artist who wants to protect their art, and the industry investing millions into something and wanting a return on their investment.
Certain things in the film industry are safer than others. Action and effects are a safer bet than nuance and art.
From my perspective, I'd always encourage a writer interested primarily in art, nuance, depth etc to be a novelist rather than a screenwriter. Or at least look at the indie scene, or TV. I think in some respects that this is like a chef joining Macdonalds and then complaining he's not allowed to cook his French cuisine. |
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Reply: 9 - 15 |
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Anon |
Posted: March 10th, 2019, 4:58am |
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Posts203 Posts Per Day 0.07 |
I can see it from both sides.
The artist who wants to protect their art, and the industry investing millions into something and wanting a return on their investment.
Certain things in the film industry are safer than others. Action and effects are a safer bet than nuance and art.
From my perspective, I'd always encourage a writer interested primarily in art, nuance, depth etc to be a novelist rather than a screenwriter. Or at least look at the indie scene, or TV. I think in some respects that this is like a chef joining Macdonalds and then complaining he's not allowed to cook his French cuisine. |
I don’t think most writers would have a problem with changes that make the piece more popular or marketable. And i’ve Had notes from producers that definitely improved a script in that sense. But In the words of a very prominent Hollywood agent/manager that represents someone I know - “no one in this town gives a shit about screenwriters”. It’s the way it’s always been. Directors and producers - that can’t write - rewrite scripts. I’ve read original scripts - and then the directors rewrite - and seen these massacres.. And they would have made more money with the original scripts that didn’t add 30-pages of unnessecary crap and obvious exposition. So people should complain because it should change. But what is actually happening is exactly what the article says. Good writers are just going to TV. But in the long run - it’s probably good for writers. The industry is opening up and there are more routes to market. |
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Reply: 10 - 15 |
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FrankM |
Posted: March 10th, 2019, 7:41am |
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January Project Group
LocationBetween Chair and Keyboard Posts1447 Posts Per Day 0.62 |
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Reply: 11 - 15 |
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Anon |
Posted: March 11th, 2019, 3:21am |
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Posts203 Posts Per Day 0.07 |
I didn’t know about this either. I have heard of packaging but thought it was just to maximise the 10%. Good info - hope the WGA manage to sort it. |
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Reply: 12 - 15 |
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FrankM |
Posted: March 27th, 2019, 8:46am |
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January Project Group
LocationBetween Chair and Keyboard Posts1447 Posts Per Day 0.62 |
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Reply: 13 - 15 |
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eldave1 |
Posted: March 27th, 2019, 11:25am |
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January Project Group
LocationSouthern California Posts6874 Posts Per Day 1.93 |
That was a fun read - thanks |
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Reply: 14 - 15 |
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