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When time is short and you know your script is less than it can be I always worry about entering it. But it motivates me to write, read and review which is good.
The reviews on mine have reflected what it is and the condition it was entered. I think it is worth a good polish after this, and that's not a bad outcome
Few more to read
I haven't always reviewed for a number of reasons including my occasional wifi link
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
Yes, but IMO, spectacle is what makes great films. It's the visuals that set film apart from everything else. It may be unfair, but that's only because certain writers limited themselves by going "extreme" low budget, while others realized low budget is impossible to put an actual price tag on. For instance, Matt Damon could shoot a no to low budget film just using what he already owns, and himself as an actor. I'm all for removing budgetary from all OWC's, and in fact, the one I ran, I'm pretty sure I said go as big as you want to.
In my view, spectacle only makes great films if it’s built on the foundation of a great story. If the story is not there, if the script doesn’t work, no amount of spectacle will fix it. Take John Carpenter of Mars, Jupiter Ascending and more recently, The Last Witch Hunter. Visually spectacular movies but utterly shit stories and unbelievable/dull characters. That’s one of the great things about trying to write a low budget script, it forces you to focus on story and characters. If someone comes along with some extra cash and wants to add the spectacle, great. You can always add spectacle to enhance something but you need something good to build upon.
Would probably result in fewer scripts being picked up from OWCs by budding filmmakers though, wouldn't it? By and large the people looking here for scripts to option/film are students and people still honing/learning their craft (or that used to be the case, anyway). Comes back to a more fundamental question I guess: why do you (plural) write shorts? a) to practice skills and develop craft, before graduating to features b) out of an artistic love of the form c) you just love writing, and they're quicker than features d) in the hope they'll be shot by someone else, either for personal satisfaction or to advance your career as a writer (credits, getting on IMDB, festival plays, awards) e) to shoot yourself, either to practice skills as a filmmaker or/and for the reasons listed above I think shorts are always the most popular category on SS, reads-wise, presumably as they're less of a time commitment (totally fair enough, we're all busy!), so maybe there's another reason: f) most likely to get reads and feedback on SS If a, b, c or f, then obviously you don't have to worry about budget. If d or e... I'd genuinely be interested to hear what people think!
All of the above. I’m serious! Writing is my hobby, my passion; I love it! But I haven’t earned a penny from it so far. My day job pays the bills, keeps my family and home going and allows me to produce the odd movie now and again. If I could work full time writing/producing I would but it ain’t an option at the moment, so I’m building a portfolio of work in the hopes that one day it may be. I don’t have much time and I don’t have an endless bank account so low budget shorts are my best option.
I also think low budget has the best chance of getting optioned so SOME of my scripts are deliberately written to be low.
I’m learning so the feedback from fellow writers is invaluable and you are more likely to get feedback on shorts.
I’ve wrote one feature so far and it was so much harder than shorts so I’ve gone back to try and hone my craft before taking the feature plunge again.
For me: For fun. To shoot myself, or to find an idea that I might develop into a feature later. I've been thinking of writing some I've written as short stories as I feel I have to gravitate towards features at this stage of my career. I actually thought about mentioning that on here...perhaps we should convert some of our shorts into stories and do an anthology. Sell it an Amazon. In some ways, a lot in fact, I prefer short films to features. I prefer short stories to novels as well, generally. The best writers can fit so much into a short time, whereas there's almost always long periods of boredom in feature films. Unfortunately there is no market for shorts. Especially now the DVD market has died. Pity.
I’ve returned to the prose side of thing recently as self-publishing is so easy these days. I’m writing shorts stories and a novel, gonna try to get them published ‘properly’ but if not, self-publishing is a viable option. I know several people who have done it and done very well for themselves. Still gonna do screenplays as well, but prose is definitely a lot more viable than short scripts these days.
There is a market for shorts but it’s hard to get into and the money is peanuts. Shorts are more for festivals and building portfolios.
This has been a very interesting debate and I’ve enjoyed everyone’s views. If anyone is interested (and seen my short No More Tomorrows) that cost me $3000 to make. The original ending was much more of a spectacle as it was a big roadside shootout. The Director told me it would be too expensive so I completely changed it to a low budget version and was pleasantly surprised how it turned out. I thought it was much better. Surprisingly the Simply Scripts guys who read the original draft, none of them like the shootout anyway.
The next film, Surrender, is budgeted for $4k because there’s more locations and FX than NMT. When writing I was thinking ‘low-budget’ in mind so the locations are normal, generic ones I thought we could get for free or low rent, the FX were ones I thought could be achievable.
Dustin (or anyone!) if you can find us an office in New York which has at least one photocopier and a printer for less than $500 a day let me know! We only need half a day actually, but no-one will rent for less than a full day’s rate at the moment, even after we’ve offered them free advertising in the film.
It is relative. I once shot a day on a Submarine for $140 because we blagged the tour guy we were film students and he let us on for the cost of admission. We shot all day and just had to stop when tourists came though, it was so surreal. However if I saw a script which opened with a submarine it would scream expensive to me and if I was looking for a low budget script I’d stop reading right there.
To me a low budget script is a few actors, few generic locations, few FX & stunts plus a bit of visual flair and the odd artistic touch to help it stand out, as well as show the script's production potential. Learning how to write well within such confines is a key skill, unless you are lucky enough to be landed a big budget deal. This to me is why a challenge to write within set confines is a great idea but it’s learning potential is only fully realised if those confines are seen to be at least attempted and a factor in the reviewing process.
A good story should shine through without the need for smoke and mirrors. But that’s just based on my own experiences and opinion.
For more of my scripts, stories, produced movies and the ocassional blog, check out my new website. CLICK
New York is a little out of my area, mate... if you were here in Birmingham I could probably find one for gratis. At least, that would be my initial aim. I have access to a community centre, and there are old council buildings full of office furniture all over the city, I know because I helped out one day moving a load of it. Took my back three days to recover. Anyway, a phone call to the council would get something cheap, they're usually willing to help out.
There are also office spaces to rent from as little as £5 per day... but the council is the best option as they have huge empty buildings just sitting there. The new Lenny Henry film was filmed in one, they doubled the building as the production offices and an actual school in the film.
Universities... get them involved, then you have access to everything from make-up to high tech equipment and studio space. You have to work a little harder when it comes to saving money.
Can't really speak for the US though. It's probably completely different over there.
Somebody Steps-back-soon & Mr. Taking AShower-Before
The more OWC scripts I read, the more people avoid my own script; my personal posts seem to come across too direct, perhaps too honest toward the work, I don't know - and my own entry is too obvious with regards to the stated posts there already.
On another note, I guess those having the most reads miraculously are entries by members who share a lot personal social contact with each other. I don't have a proof nor do I like to watch out for one, I only guess so.
Some of my worst entries like The gay time travel Coming out Tavern Or Genetic Engineering got pretty reasonable crucified here and I've taken it.
This time I have at least an undeniable solid entry, with ESL themed in the comments right away- so things are pretty clear that it is mine, since I haven't seen ESL themed posts like that in the 20plus entries I read already.
So, it seems, it's preferred to ignore my stuff and stay away this time. Hell, usually I get a pretty frequent bashing on my stuff upfront; so what a coincidence - damn.
As a libertarian who obviously doesn't care to state an individual opinion even if completely controversial (Phantom script) and singular, I believe without the presence of independent participants like me, coming from another corner, the challenge would work different between only the remaining ones who know each other perfectly.
Sorry, that in my way being friends, colleagues, or whatever relationship, isn't necessarily bound to act in the private section frequently. I choose to share differently and give full reads without ever expecting something back; or I do conversation about screenwriting. I'm easily sharing quite private stuff in process of that exchange; but I not often choose to get private for sharing privacy alone.
And in addition, of course the moderation didn't see the over top stuff of a comment on my script some months ago; because it was clear the script comes from another corner as they know, and so it gave a fine laugh to everyone. As well as they don't delete double posts in my threads. Can't hear, can't see...
I'm stupid, for being a writer alone and probably some other things too, I know that, but some people probably think I'm not intelligent enough to feel what's going on around me. How naive of them, almost as if they want me to know, but have no balls to speak upfront.
Tiny details can form a very clear picture.
I encourage the readers of this post who have a doubt that everything written above is unreasonably invented of me, so to say a dark conspiracy I developed, or a big ensible misunderstanding,
and of course some will state that asap and defend their kingdom, their behavior, probably feel personally attacked,
but THOSE who do not think it's unreasonable, and perhaps sometimes feel like me here,
protect your independency from that behavior toward you. You deserve better. Start to realize both of that.
Now some may put those points into relativity, a double post isn't that of a big problem, this and that, "I think you see this all too sensitive", (as said, this stuff comes around and around and around my door)
Please pick sentences out of the written context or provoke me to start a discussion. The point is, that it changes nothing if one doesn't realizes that
EVERYTIME IF USERS OR MODERATION EVEN SLIGHTLY ACT DIFFERENT TOWARD INPUT WHICH ISN'T COMING FROM THE MOST FAMILIAR SOURCE AROUND, THE CONSEQUENCES ALWAYS WILL HIT THE OTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE,THAT THEY BUILD THAT WAY.
One of these others will be it.
It's the right of subjectivity, yes it is, I understand that,
it still hits the same group over and over. That's just rational thinking.
So moderation, there's one script that lies there for days now with a double post, right at the end of the thread, so to say absolutely invisible double post, and I know you haven't seen it; so could you please delete this post, but wait, no,
delete the damn thread too!
Here another hint – you find my script on page 2
@ Ah, by the way, I'm not a short film writer. I do long plays, and if one thinks the judge of a writer whose not used to such deep confrontation is even slightly, nearly as formed, concerning ANY task in screenwriting... then play on and deny rationality.
I hope the moderation takes notice of my critique and at least considers and rethinks a bit than judging this post superficially. Sorry, for the sarcasm toward you, I can understand if this gets to personal. I waited and waited, one time I speak clear.
My intention isn't to hurt somebody's feeling.
Just go on with the challenge without me.
(I probably post on feedback but if you don't want me to, then send me a message).
I just have no reason for being a part in a parlor game. It has reached the point that I eventually understood the rules.
Post probably will be deleted when done some work I have to do
New York is a little out of my area, mate... if you were here in Birmingham I could probably find one for gratis. At least, that would be my initial aim. I have access to a community centre, and there are old council buildings full of office furniture all over the city, I know because I helped out one day moving a load of it. Took my back three days to recover. Anyway, a phone call to the council would get something cheap, they're usually willing to help out.
There are also office spaces to rent from as little as £5 per day... but the council is the best option as they have huge empty buildings just sitting there. The new Lenny Henry film was filmed in one, they doubled the building as the production offices and an actual school in the film.
Universities... get them involved, then you have access to everything from make-up to high tech equipment and studio space. You have to work a little harder when it comes to saving money.
Can't really speak for the US though. It's probably completely different over there.
Guys, calm down. It's not like this is a contest or anything where you can win prizes. No need to bite each other.
I'm pretty sure just about everybody knows which of the scripts is mine as well and I don't care. I've written my script in about three hours on the first day of the contest, submitted it, and never touched it again. I just saw the OWC post and thought it would be fun to participate in one.
I'm sorry I didn't manage to read all scripts (and probably won't). Read about twenty so far and only commented those where my opinion was about in line with the others' and where I felt I had something to add to what has been said already.
In general, I only try to comment on scripts here on SS which I don't totally dislike. I just prefer giving encouraging notes instead of ripping something to pieces. Always keep in mind it's human beings with the same hopes and dreams as yourself you are talking to. Just my two cent.
And in addition, of course the moderation didn't see the over top stuff of a comment on my script some months ago; because it was clear the script comes from another corner as they know, and so it gave a fine laugh to everyone. As well as they don't delete double posts in my threads. Can't hear, can't see...
I have no idea what you're talking about, other than to point out that if you think we actually have the TIME to orchestrate some dark, vast conspiracy, you clearly underestimate the demands of real life.
It's just a hobby, dude. We don't get paid for this. We don't see everything. And I haven't the slightest inkling of a clue which script might be yours.
If you see a troubling post, REPORT it. Be a little more proactive. You can do that, you know.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
New York is a little out of my area, mate... if you were here in Birmingham I could probably find one for gratis. At least, that would be my initial aim. I have access to a community centre, and there are old council buildings full of office furniture all over the city, I know because I helped out one day moving a load of it. Took my back three days to recover. Anyway, a phone call to the council would get something cheap, they're usually willing to help out.
There are also office spaces to rent from as little as £5 per day... but the council is the best option as they have huge empty buildings just sitting there. The new Lenny Henry film was filmed in one, they doubled the building as the production offices and an actual school in the film.
Universities... get them involved, then you have access to everything from make-up to high tech equipment and studio space. You have to work a little harder when it comes to saving money.
Can't really speak for the US though. It's probably completely different over there.
Good to know, thanks for the advice. I'm based in the UK but surprisingly have had very little luck getting anything produced here, yet far more interest from thousands of miles away!
PrussianMosby - Try not to take it so hard mate. I’m doing surprisingly well for comments in this OWC, in all the others I’ve had my fair share of merciless slaughter and it feels terrible, so I understand. But in the end it’s just a few random stranger’s opinions and nothing personal.
For more of my scripts, stories, produced movies and the ocassional blog, check out my new website. CLICK
I don't have any idea who wrote what aside from two. One writer used their own name on their file, which has since been rectified, and Prussian gave it away in that lengthy whine he subjected us to.
Aside from that, I'm a lone writer who chooses to be alone. Now excuse me while I hang myself.