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how would i write this right (currently 1718 views)
nqcowboy87
Posted: January 12th, 2009, 6:24am
Guest User
ext. suburbs-dawn
various shots of suburbia and industrial area with acdcs hells bells playing in the background.
ext. lock up garage-night
two thieves break into a lock up garage with like a dog by powderfinger in the background, one of them opens up one of the sheds. in it is a 2003 modified cv8 monaro.
in the first insatnce i want like a fade in on various shots of australia subrubia at dawn with acdc hells bells playing in the background
the second instance i want to have the song playing right up until the open the garage door
Sniper's right. You suggest a style of music, but the director decides what songs to use. Also, I don't know how many people know what a cv8 Monaro is (I assume it's a motorcycle). Unless this particular make and model is significant, you can just describe it as a motorcycle.
Rights aside, you should describe as specifically as possible without getting too wordy. For that "various shots" section, if you have specific shots in mind, you would write them as a montage, but if nothing specific, then what you have is fine.
MONTAGE
A) Shot one B) Shot two C) Shot three
END MONTAGE
As for the song ending at a specific point, that might go like this:
EXT. LOCK UP GARAGE - NIGHT
TWO THIEVES break into a lock up garage. "Like a Dog" by Powderfinger plays on the soundtrack. One of them opens up one of the sheds. The music stops.
INT. SHED - NIGHT
A 2003 modified CV8 Monaro rests inside.
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Yes, mentioning the soundtrack by name would count as a screen direction, but we already have a specific song, so one's no more taboo than the other. You're welcome to use specific songs, but know that if rights cannot be acquired (or if they're too expensive), then the prod co will do what they please to make it happen if they want to make the movie.
But filling out the soundtrack in the spec is a sign of an amateur and might be frowned upon.
Yes, mentioning the soundtrack by name would count as a screen direction, but we already have a specific song, so one's no more taboo than the other. You're welcome to use specific songs, but know that if rights cannot be acquired (or if they're too expensive), then the prod co will do what they please to make it happen if they want to make the movie.
But filling out the soundtrack in the spec is a sign of an amateur and might be frowned upon.
Another problem with including a song is that it will be a strike against you if the director doesn't like that particular song. If I was a professional reader (or whoever) and I had to read a script that was filled with Madonna's music, the music would be enough to push me to give it a pass.
Regarding the car, unless there's a good reason for this particular car (more than you think it's a fuckin' awesome car), don't mention it. Same goes with guns. Everyone knows that Dirty Harry carried a .44; it's a part of the story. But you don't need to mention that a small town cop carries a Colt 45 officers gun unless it's important.
In "Misery" Annie says she's going to play Liberace at dinner. Even if it wasn't written by Goldman it would still be okay to mention because it says a lot about her character so it is important to the film.
Also for short films, unless it is produced on a no budget, aquiring the rights to play a particular song isn't that expensive (usually) since the filmmakers will most likely not make any money on the film and the film will only play at film festivals and not be offered for sale later on. Some people I know have payed 200-500 for the rights. Maybe a lot to some people, but many short films have budgets near 30K and then it isn't that huge of a deal.
You can use music in the public domain like happy birthday to you happy birthday to you, or three blind mice, ring a ring of roses, wind the bobbin up, wheels on the bus,incy wincey spider etc but never use a song that belongs to someone else
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how would i write this right
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