THE STUFF THAT SOLD

On the left is an ocean of scripts that are unsold. On the right is a tea cup full of those that did.

Most still agree reading is the best way to become a better writer.

This advice is still true unless you have the money go to Europe and get that very expensive and painful Talent Transplant Operation.

That said, I don't think reading the stuff that makes you squirm in your seat (my work included) and ask, "Where is this going?" is the best or most productive way for a newbie to spend his or her time.

After recently reading the script for The Prophet Program by Tyler Marceca, 115 pages, type of brads unknown, I shouted, "Wow! This is it!"

I couldn't put the thing down for 70 pages. It is a real Page Turner.

Curious to learn more, I googled and find this script has been sold and will be made into a movie.

I then had a Eureaka Moment, "This is what I should be reading...THE GOOD STUFF."

The GOOD STUFF is where you learn the proper way to use format, style, mood, character development, parentheticals, shifts, turns, twists, color, tone and the X Factor...This is the material that will teach you how to be all you can be...READ THE GOOD STUFF.

To this point, I would humbly request there be a permanent thread on this board (if one does not currently exist?) called THE STUFF THAT SOLD.

John

I think there is a thread for Scriptshadow. check it out and get on his email list. He sends out at least 3 scripts (usually on the black list) that have been sold by pros and amateurs alike.

Yeah, The Black List is a great place to start. You can find most of them on Google.

I've read 1000s of scripts. Most are not very good. In fact some are extremely hard to get through. I agree that you learn more from reading good scripts, however, when it comes to your own writing, unless you're going to spend a bunch of money on pro feedback, you need honest feedback from someone. There are lots of great people here at SS that are willing to read your first draft and give you input. However, if you don't read other SS member's scripts, there might not be anyone willing to give your's a read. In other words, hard as it may be to read some of us' amateur scripts, that's what you have to do to get the same favor in return.

Eventually you get to know some people that you can comfortably rely on and you do each other the same favor.

Quoted from Grandma Bear However, if you don't read other SS member's scripts, there might not be anyone willing to give your's a read.

Your point is well taken, but at my current level (noob), I don't think I am qualified to review anyone's work.

BUT, if anyone on the board pointedly asks me, 'Hey John, I'm having trouble with this passage...Would you take look at it? Does it work for you?' My anwer would most assuredly be, 'Yes.'

John

Quoted from XL I don't think I am qualified to review anyone's work.

Of course you are! Everyone is. You read something and then tell the author what you liked and what you didn't like. Simple as that.  :)

Trouble with Stuff That Sold is that most people who have sold a script have had to remove it from the boards once it did sell. In lieu of that, we do have a thread called "Simply Recommended Scripts" under the Getting to know you thread (otherwise known as right here: http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-knowyou/m-1141227828/).

While most of these have not sold, the rules of that thread are to recommend scripts worth reading on the site, and not to recommend your own. So people tend to point to their favorites which are most likely those that are well written. That thread contains a lot of very good recommendations if you want to read something that other writers are are or used to be here have done.

Oh yes, and if you've ever watched a movie, then you're probably qualified to issue a review. You know what you like and don't like, right?

Quoted from George Willson and not to recommend your own.

Damn George, you cut me to the quick!

Thanks for the specific link. I'll take a visual-look-around.

John

Quoted from Grandma Bear I've read 1000s of scripts. Most are not very good. In fact some are extremely hard to get through. I agree that you learn more from reading good scripts, however, when it comes to your own writing, unless you're going to spend a bunch of money on pro feedback, you need honest feedback from someone. There are lots of great people here at SS that are willing to read your first draft and give you input. However, if you don't read other SS member's scripts, there might not be anyone willing to give your's a read. In other words, hard as it may be to read some of us' amateur scripts, that's what you have to do to get the same favor in return. Eventually you get to know some people that you can comfortably rely on and you do each other the same favor.

Big time seconded!

When I first joined the site, I read scripts daily for six weeks.
After I'd spread my avatar around, THEN I uploaded something of mine.
Got a bunch of reads right off the bat because I read ACTIVE members first. ;D

Regards,
E.D.

And then there's "The stuff that someone was paid for - and was turned into a film most of us might have seen."

http://www.imsdb.com/latest/ ;)

Quoted from RayW And then there's "The stuff that someone was paid for - and was turned into a film most of us might have seen." http://www.imsdb.com/latest/ ;)

Just took a quick look at Field Of Dreams. Other than the scenes being numbered, it looks very much like it's country cousin, the Spec Script.

A lot changes from script to screen.

Spec script.
Rewrite with director and producer input due to budget.
Re-rewrite with more director, producer, lead actor input.
Studio approved "locked" screenplay.
Changes due to secured locations.
Changes due to actors wanting to do their versions of delivery.
Editor decides to use rehearsal footage.
Consider all the DVD extra outtakes were scripted, budgeted, shot, edited, - AND STILL they got edited out.
Distributor changes.
MPAA rating changes.
Focus group changes.


Don't fall in love with your basic screenplay.
Even the Bible has been rewritten plenty of times.  :)

Quoted from RayW Don't fall in love with your basic screenplay. Even the Bible has been rewritten plenty of times.  :)

I'm coming from 17 years in commercial art, emphasis on the word commercial...Heck, I don't fall in love with nothing...I got internals organs I'd sell.

John

Put me down for a liver.

Quoted from leitskev Put me down for a liver.

Keep your mitts off, Kev! I'm gonna need one of them soon. ;D

John,

I agree that reading "the stuff that sold" as you call it is a good move and will teach you heaps. But also remember that one of the major points of this site and others like it is to get your amateur script read by other writers to help improve your work without paying an arm and a leg for coverage... unless Tyler Marceca is gonna give you a return read of course?

I would also like to add that there is plenty of good stuff around the boards and George above has provided a good link to find a few. Jump in a read a few from active members which should entail your own work getting reads upon posting.

Good luck to you.

Quoted from XL This is the material that will teach you how to be all you can be...READ THE GOOD STUFF.

But then who will be left to read my stuff because it ain't GOOD! ;D

Steve

Quoted from CoopBazinga But then who will be left to read my stuff because it ain't GOOD! ;D Steve

Yes, I fully understand and appreciate the purpose of the board, but at my current nascent stage of development,  the danger is reinforcing bad habits...Bad habits of which I got out the wahzoo.

That said, once further along the curve or perhaps when I've become an enormously successful Hollywood scriptwriter, I will try to remember my humble beginnings. Maybe?

John

Constructing a story is more difficult than fixing whatever bad habits one might have. It can take serious time to write and refine a good script, but you can correct whatever bad writing habits you might toss into a screenplay within a day because most "bad habits" are cosmetic.

Write it first. Fix it later. Don't fixate on what's wrong before you have a chance to write it.

John,

I recommend not only reading scripts on the boards, but also reading what people have to say in their reviews. It helps to see what mistakes are pointed out. That's not to say different people here don't have completely different ideas about what is a mistake and what is a stylistic choice, but you get the idea.

cinemachado,

After reading a historical period piece called The Cure. I was better able to enjoy the feed back posted.

And yes, the more you read feed back, the more you notice a lack of consensus about what are mistakes.

When I first started studying scriptwriting, I envisioned the format to be something dreadful and rigid like Kabuki theater.

But as George correctly points out, fixate on writing/telling a good story first. The format can be corrected later.

John