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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    Discussion of...     General Chat  ›  The (Writing Related) Check In Thread Moderators: bert
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  Author    The (Writing Related) Check In Thread  (currently 9332 views)
Pii
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 10:41am Report to Moderator
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Shamelessly stealing this thread idea from another forum, I thought I'd see if this would get any traction in here.

If you're working on anything, thinking about working on anything or just plain stuck, feel free to tell the world here. A good writing day, a bad writing day or working on a project some other ways? Maybe just let us know your page count for the day.

Basically, anything goes that you want to let the community know but isn't worth its own thread. Celebrate, commiserate, pour your heart out. This is the thread for it all.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Pii
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 10:46am Report to Moderator
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I'll kick things off:

Had a peculiar writing day yesterday. Got just one page written of a short that I'm writing for production and realised that with 8 pages, it already has 16 sluglines.

I'm hoping to get more progress on it today, but progress is slow. Most of it features only a single character, so it's pretty action-heavy and makes it quite cumbersome to both write and read.

The good thing is that it's already greenlit for production based on the outline, so I don't have to make the actual script quite as "sexy" as I'd usually try to make it.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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leitskev
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 11:05am Report to Moderator
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16 slugs. Talk about baiting. The only thing Jeff likes more than slugs is Jeager shots.

Sorry I don't have more to contribute at the moment, Henrik. I'm working on a feature rewrite. I finished it in August, received about 6 reads on it, and now I'm taking it on again. In this case, rewrite does not mean just polishing, but a whole new second act. I have everything pretty much outlined, except one critical scene. I know what I need to happen in that scene, I just need to get the details right, and I need the scene sequence to be a certain specific length. If I can break through that barrier today I'll be happy.
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SLM
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 11:38am Report to Moderator
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Nice idea. I wish I had something to contribute!

My biggest problem has always been getting started. When I am writing, I don't have much problem actually doing it. My OWC entry took me 50 minutes to write, for example. The September MoviePoet entry I did recently didn't even take that long!

I will call back when I have something to post, which I hope won't be too long.
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Pii
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 12:11pm Report to Moderator
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Don't feel that your contribution level is in any way lacking. These are just the kinds of tidbits, thoughts and snapshots of creative moments this thread is for.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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SLM
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 2:19pm Report to Moderator
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I have a tendency to think up titles and then spend time trying to find an idea that fits.

Sometimes I will have a great idea, but, unable to think of a title, I seem unable to write it and have to search around for one before I can start work. It's an odd psychological quirk, a bit like an actor who can't get a handle on a character until they have sorted out their shoes!

I often hear songs and think "That lyric would make a great title - now what would the story be?"

One song lyric I liked so much I have used it on three projects (all unproduced, so not a problem!).

My current favourite is "Dragonfly Out in the Sun" - but have no clear ideas to go with it.
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 4:37pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Pii
I'll kick things off:

Had a peculiar writing day yesterday. Got just one page written of a short that I'm writing for production and realised that with 8 pages, it already has 16 sluglines.

I'm hoping to get more progress on it today, but progress is slow. Most of it features only a single character, so it's pretty action-heavy and makes it quite cumbersome to both write and read.

The good thing is that it's already greenlit for production based on the outline, so I don't have to make the actual script quite as "sexy" as I'd usually try to make it.


Thanks for starting the thread. Is it action-heavy in the sense of car chases and whatnot or do you just mean not a lot of dialogue?

Sandra



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RayW
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 4:46pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Sandra Elstree.


Thanks for starting the thread. Is it action-heavy in the sense of car chases and whatnot or do you just mean not a lot of dialogue?

Sandra

Could be the next Valhalla Rising.

There are approximately only 120 lines of dialog in the whole film.




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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 5:16pm Report to Moderator
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What if the Hokey Pokey, IS what it's all about?

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Quoted from RayW


That's not much, especially if it's a lot of, "Let's get outta here!"  

Sandra



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Heretic
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 7:07pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Sandra Elstree.
That's not much, especially if it's a lot of, "Let's get outta here!"  


That line's only in Valhalla Rising once, and it's said by the audience...
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 8:35pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Heretic


That line's only in Valhalla Rising once, and it's said by the audience...


You guys are so smrt. I hope some rubs off on me.  

Sandra



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SLM
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 9:11pm Report to Moderator
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Is that the "Undead" script for MP?

Did mine right at the start, and have been watching the total slowly grow. 24 at the moment, isn't it? Is that usual sort of number for MP (this is my first attempt there)?
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SLM
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 9:21pm Report to Moderator
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Quite enjoyed writing mine. Knocked it off in 40 minutes. It worked with the theme quite nicely as the characters...

No, better not.

Look forward to reading the other entries, including, perhaps, yours Pia
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Heretic
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I like the thread idea, by the way, Henrik.

I'm not writing as much as I'd like to be as I'm in school full-time and we're in post on Truth and pre-pro on a new feature -- although I am the writer on the new feature, so there's some work getting done there.

I've been slowly plodding along on a back-burner project called Bad Wizard (Bad Santa meets The Sorcerer's Apprentice), as well as (I think) the feature I want to direct after this upcoming one, a small-scale sci-fi flick called April which is about a guy travelling into the past to try to understand the circumstances of his mother's life that led her to commit suicide.  Both are coming in fits and starts; I don't like to write less than seven pages in a day so I usually write or rewrite ten or twenty over a couple days and then don't write at all for a time while I try to catch up on all the other stuff I shoulda been doing when I was writing.

Writing's a tricky thing to budget into the ol' schedule because once you start writing, there's no reason or motivation to stop before you experience total mental exhaustion...

Anyway, 's me, now.  Snapshot.
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 10:08pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Heretic
I don't like to write less than seven pages in a day so I usually write or rewrite ten or twenty over a couple days and then don't write at all for a time while I try to catch up on all the other stuff I shoulda been doing when I was writing.

Writing's a tricky thing to budget into the ol' schedule because once you start writing, there's no reason or motivation to stop before you experience total mental exhaustion...

Anyway, 's me, now.  Snapshot.


It's the same way for me. When I'm on the tracks, I'm on the tracks and there's no de-railing. Then, I need to do a purposeful time away to assimilate and work in a variety of ways.

I can and have been in writing mode for into twelve hours and upwards, with crazy "half-attempts" to ground myself or pulls away to something else, but it's insanity. The best I find is to give myself complete respite at designated longer periods of time and then get back to business and pleasure, if I can because I need to do both at the same time.  

Right now I'm in the early stages of a new project that is character based and sparse. I know it's not a thriller, I know it's not a fantasy, I know it's not action or crime... This one reminds me of the mood in Love Story, (I think), but this isn't young love; it's old love. No title yet. Nothing. A completely blank slate. Who knows, maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and have something.  

I like to incorporate real feelings and events into my work as they happen and so I'm seizing the moments with this one as they come along.

Back and forth between writing and notes and cards. Lather, rinse, repeat...

Why is it that ideas always surface when I go to have a hot bath. (I'm troubled by overly thick blood and poor circulation; so sometimes this is the only help). But it's happened many times, when I physically leave the computer that there's some kind of breakthrough.

I'm enjoying reading through this thread. I like to hear what other people are working on and how they are rolling.

Sandra



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Pii
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 10:32pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Sandra Elstree.


Thanks for starting the thread. Is it action-heavy in the sense of car chases and whatnot or do you just mean not a lot of dialogue?

Sandra


In this case it's a bit of both. Although not car chases, as it's contained to a space station (a single location, perhaps?), there is some excitement and cheap thrills for the entire family.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: September 27th, 2011, 10:49pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Pii


In this case it's a bit of both. Although not car chases, as it's contained to a space station (a single location, perhaps?), there is some excitement and cheap thrills for the entire family.


I appreciate your response. I'm trying to gain an understanding of how and why action itself doesn't float my boat, although the Bourne shows were very much to my liking, but that was a complete exception.

I'm thinking that certain individuals experience a kind of "high" by watching certain action sequences and are thus bored to tears watching more internally and psychologically based movies.

I guess that's why many Hollywood movies try and cover both angles for the guys and the gals (so to speak).

When I think of the books that I've read and scripts that I've studied that I've especially enjoyed, they were not action based. But then again...

I loved some of those old action thrillers like Towering Inferno.

What probably has high value in those kinds of stories is that people psychologically place themselves in that scenario and say, WTF! So it is
internal after all.

That's what I need to figure out. What's the value that I place on any action? Whether I write it or read it from someone else? Why is it there? Why does it matter? I guess I'm trying to get into the heart and soul of screenwriting. I could care less about the ending, or anything superficial. What I want to know is why the writer chose this and this and that in order to tell his story.

Sandra




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kev
Posted: September 28th, 2011, 1:41am Report to Moderator
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This is a fun thread. I find I go on writing rampages as soon as I have something I actually have to be doing instead, so with school I've been getting more writing done, leisurely. I'm about 45 pages into a script I'm writing now and I'm pretty excited about it, I can see the whole thing in my head. When I open the file, I type away endlessly. However, it's the darkest thing I've ever written or even tried writing so it's a different experience. This summer I was way too distracted and barely wrote at all, it feels good to be back into the game again!


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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: September 28th, 2011, 2:26am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from kev
This is a fun thread. I find I go on writing rampages as soon as I have something I actually have to be doing instead, so with school I've been getting more writing done, leisurely. I'm about 45 pages into a script I'm writing now and I'm pretty excited about it, I can see the whole thing in my head. When I open the file, I type away endlessly. However, it's the darkest thing I've ever written or even tried writing so it's a different experience. This summer I was way too distracted and barely wrote at all, it feels good to be back into the game again!


Hello Kev!

I have a couple of different questions for you:

Do you ever have the problem of bouncing back and forth between "light" and "dark"? In terms of mood... If you do, can you tell us some stories.

Second is:

You're from Montreal, Quebec and I...

I have a young Francais family across the street and my little "adopted" girl, (5/6 years old), she speaks only Francais, (although her brother who's only 15 months (because being in our care) is learning English as his first language, he is learning more English with the +French side...

My girl, Emily is her name, have this strong connection even though we don't speak the same language and her father, who speaks English a bit better than her Mom, has said that she wants to go see "Sanda", cause she can't say her "r's".

My question is:

Can you offer me any suggestions on a rhyme or a song that I can learn that will help us? As an English example, I'd give the "Brush Your Teeth Song" by Raffi, but that's English. Do you know any French songs that I can learn so that I can do translation and we can work together?

Don't worry if you're too busy, but I at least have to ask, right?

Thanks a bunch.

Sandra






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Pii
Posted: September 28th, 2011, 10:51am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Sandra Elstree.
I appreciate your response. I'm trying to gain an understanding of how and why action itself doesn't float my boat, although the Bourne shows were very much to my liking, but that was a complete exception.


I'm exactly the same. Action sequences have always felt nothing tedious to me and they're extremely unpleasant to write as well. Basically, I'm just not interested. My attitude towards action sequences are just about the same as it is towards sex scenes. When I'm watching a movie, I essentially tune out for the duration, waiting for something more interesting to happen. If I'm at home, I might even check my email or some forums while I'm waiting for the thing to finish.

I try to avoid having to write action, but this time it's pretty unavoidable, since the story is jointly written by me and the producer/director who wanted more action-y elements in there.

But in the end I don't mind all that much, because I can then approach it as a challenge. How can I make the action interesting to me? It forces me to come up with something new that hopefully will be an advantage for the sequence.

But then again, there's way to go around these things. I heard that a pretty respected action screenwriter simply writes: "Action sequence to be choreographed."

Sex scenes I won't touch. I've never had to write one and I don't plan to ever do so.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
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kev
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Hey Sandra!


Quoted from Sandra Elstree.

Do you ever have the problem of bouncing back and forth between "light" and "dark"? In terms of mood... If you do, can you tell us some stories.


Jumping back between light and dark does get really tricky for me. I find watching movie trailers in the same genre or moody music helps me a lot but it is hard when you're in a good mood to start writing dark stuff.


Quoted from Sandra Elstree.

You're from Montreal, Quebec and I...

I have a young Francais family across the street and my little "adopted" girl, (5/6 years old), she speaks only Francais, (although her brother who's only 15 months (because being in our care) is learning English as his first language, he is learning more English with the +French side...

My girl, Emily is her name, have this strong connection even though we don't speak the same language and her father, who speaks English a bit better than her Mom, has said that she wants to go see "Sanda", cause she can't say her "r's".

My question is:

Can you offer me any suggestions on a rhyme or a song that I can learn that will help us? As an English example, I'd give the "Brush Your Teeth Song" by Raffi, but that's English. Do you know any French songs that I can learn so that I can do translation and we can work together?


About the french, I'm sorry but I don't think I'll be too much of a help here! I'm from Toronto and moved to Montreal for university two years ago. I'm completely anglophone living on this little french island but I manage to get by pretty easily. I've been able to pick some things up throughout my time here but I can't construct a sentence, you're lucky Emily is in the 5/6 age, that is prime time to learn languages as it gets a lot harder as you get older. I'm not sure about any rhymes but I can ask some of my Quebecois friends, they might have some answers!


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Heretic
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Quoted from Pii
My attitude towards action sequences are just about the same as it is towards sex scenes. When I'm watching a movie, I essentially tune out for the duration, waiting for something more interesting to happen.


Interesting.  There are some truly great sex scenes here and there in film, but I can definitely agree that the majority are extremely boring.  Those that are excellent are presumably not much to do with the writer anyway.  I would imagine little or no description of the actual act.  

Great sex scenes -- Don't Look Now, Coming Home, A History of Violence, Brokeback Mountain, Out of Sight.  And, for just plain old entertainment value, you can't beat 9 1/2 Weeks.  I don't think any of those, though -- maybe History of Violence -- have much to do with the writing.  Probably best if the writer keeps description to a minimum.
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Saw where this was going and had to ask a question.

In a feature I have finished I have a sex scene which is delicately crafted which the immortal words,  " they have sex". Nothing more, although the setting and build up are played out properly.

Does this under sell the script or will readers etc be ok with this?

It's funny but I seem ok with someone getting a knife out rather than their...  in a script. Silly really.

In terms of general writing whilst I am newish to this all, I have already realised that many of my most interesting thoughts come when they are not expected, hence the need for a pen and paper close to hand aswell as  my now trusted  iPad. Cheers RD


My scripts  HERE

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
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Dreamscale
Posted: September 28th, 2011, 4:20pm Report to Moderator
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If you write, "they have sex", IMO, it's about as non visual as you can get.

If you really picture what this simple line says, you're saying that you want to show this couple have sex, and that's rarely what will be seen on the screen.  The actual act of sex isn't what's important most likely, unless you're writing a porno.  It's most likely more about how they interact, what kind of passion exists between them, what kind of nudity you intend to show, etc.

IMO, it's lazy writing and equal to using a line like, "they fight".  Doesn't work for me at all.

If you think about it, the amount of detail you write has a correlation to how long the scene plays out.  "they have sex" takes about 7/8 of a second in screen time, and I'm pretty sure that's not what you're after.

Whether you can write it out like you want it shown or not, doesn't matter...you should try.

It's your script (at the moment).  Fill it with exact scenarios that you see happening.
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mcornetto
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Quoted from Heretic

Great sex scenes -- Don't Look Now,


Have to agree.  That has to be one of the weirdest sex scenes.  It says so much about their relationship.

I think whether you write "They have sex"  or get elaborate is mostly up to your style of writing and the script you are writing.  

Personally, I tend to expound on my sex scenes but I can easily see situations where I might distill it to "They have sex".
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: September 28th, 2011, 10:26pm Report to Moderator
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I'm twenty pages into my new script. I feel like I have a clear understanding of what I want this script to be in terms of its mood and essence. It's not going to deviate in that respect. Though I have been known to straddle the fence in terms of mood, this will be a work that will not go down that road.

Again, I will continue to work on clarity and approach it from many different angles, including from the limited, but various character POVs.

Right now, I haven't officially used a specific location, but I think one of the main ones will be Stanley Park in Vancouver and one of the nearby apartments.

Going there, in my mind, brings me back to my childhood. Even now, when I think about it, if feels like it was someone else's life, not mine. So yes, I'm leaning towards there, but of course, this could be done in New York's Central Park or even a smaller park somewhere; so it's good on the budget side.

It's an emotional film about an approaching death, but there's trickery and love and friendship going on that challenges death and creates life.

I think I'm going to work on this one until Christmas alongside other work. Then, I'll let it rest I think until the end of January. Work another month on it in February. Go on a vacation. Pretend that I'm dead. And come back to it in March.

March sounds like a good time to really work the hell out of the draft.

By the way, yesterday it was title-less, but today I learned its name.

Again, Henrick. Thanks for this thread. Even if you borrowed the idea from another site. It's an excellent idea. I appreciate it.

Sandra



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Pii
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I think I've finally come up with an idea for a feature. So far I've only worked with audio dramas, short films and especially teleplays because an idea worthy of a feature had never came to me. But when I was watching the films at the film festival, I realised that I have a perspective I can contribute.

Much to my chagrin, I've come to notice that films and television portray solitude in an extremely negative light. People who are alone are automatically lonely and distressed. There's no tolerance of people who rather spend time with themselves. And for nearly all films and television, a romantic relationship seems to be the holy grail of all of existence. Very narrow-minded.

So that's what I want to write about. I want to write a feature how being alone can be exactly as rewarding as being in a relationship and how being alone is far different from being lonely.

Now, just how I plan to portray that is still beyond me. What is the plot, who are the characters? Beats me. But for me the primary question always is what the thing I'm writing is about. And now that I've passed that hurdle, I do expect the other things to fall into place as quickly as they see fit.


Quoted from Sandra Elstree.
Again, Henrick. Thanks for this thread. Even if you borrowed the idea from another site. It's an excellent idea. I appreciate it.


Thank you. I really enjoy reading the various musings that people have contributed and I hope that this thread will remain active.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: September 29th, 2011, 12:36am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Pii
I think I've finally come up with an idea for a feature. So far I've only worked with audio dramas, short films and especially teleplays because an idea worthy of a feature had never came to me. But when I was watching the films at the film festival, I realised that I have a perspective I can contribute.

Much to my chagrin, I've come to notice that films and television portray solitude in an extremely negative light. People who are alone are automatically lonely and distressed. There's no tolerance of people who rather spend time with themselves. And for nearly all films and television, a romantic relationship seems to be the holy grail of all of existence. Very narrow-minded.

So that's what I want to write about. I want to write a feature how being alone can be exactly as rewarding as being in a relationship and how being alone is far different from being lonely.

Now, just how I plan to portray that is still beyond me. What is the plot, who are the characters? Beats me. But for me the primary question always is what the thing I'm writing is about. And now that I've passed that hurdle, I do expect the other things to fall into place as quickly as they see fit.



Well, maybe I can help you. My one daughter, (the one currently living in China on a scholarship) she is a middle child and has always been the loner in the family. She and I share very much the same characteristics, although, I'm not sure that I'm a true loner as she.

Likewise, my brother, (ten years older than me and living in a cabin in the woods and yes, without running water), he has always been a loner. My Dad or someone had dubbed him "The Lone Wolf" and it always stuck.

I love my brother, Randy. And I think about how much he helped me as a child growing up.

Both Lindsay and Randy enjoy their solitude. It's not like they don't like other people's company, but they prefer their solitude.

Also, I want to mention, that our Pia, I think she prefers her solitude also...

So I think it's an amazing subject for you to tackle.

I would be very interested in hearing the progress on your work. To actually hear your work "breathing" -- that's what I live for. I'm passionate about that.

Behatzlekha!!!

I wish you every success in the coming year.

Keep me tuned in.

G-d bless,

Sandra




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rdhay
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[quote=henrik]
So that's what I want to write about. I want to write a feature how being alone can be exactly as rewarding as being in a relationship and how being alone is far different from being lonely.
quote]

So something a la Eat Pray Love? Cool

I'm struggling with my writing at the moment. I'm making tons of excuses, but not much headway on the page. I'm in the home stretch of my current feature, but I'm at the action part (which, some of you may recall, I can't write. I mean, CAN NOT). So this is the sucky part of the writing process for me, second only to the dreaded rewrite.

Actually, I think I'd take the rewrite any day...
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Sandra Elstree.
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Quoted from rdhay
[quote=henrik]
So that's what I want to write about. I want to write a feature how being alone can be exactly as rewarding as being in a relationship and how being alone is far different from being lonely.
quote]

So something a la Eat Pray Love? Cool

I'm struggling with my writing at the moment. I'm making tons of excuses, but not much headway on the page. I'm in the home stretch of my current feature, but I'm at the action part (which, some of you may recall, I can't write. I mean, CAN NOT). So this is the sucky part of the writing process for me, second only to the dreaded rewrite.

Actually, I think I'd take the rewrite any day...


I'm still asking the question:

What is action?

Is it the car chase?

Or is it the nice lady pouring poison into the wine?

Sandra



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rdhay
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Quoted from Sandra Elstree.


I'm still asking the question:

What is action?

Is it the car chase?

Or is it the nice lady pouring poison into the wine?

Sandra


Well, in my case, it's a couple of guys scrambling through a war-torn city in the Middle East trying not to eat a bullet or a bomb:p

I could never write an action thriller.
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Quoted from rdhay


Well, in my case, it's a couple of guys scrambling through a war-torn city in the Middle East trying not to eat a bullet or a bomb:p

I could never write an action thriller.


I think you would do far better than me.

What's the matter with me? I should be in bed by now, but I cannot sleep.

Nighty night. Rdhay.

Sandra



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Scar Tissue Films
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Quoted from Pii


I'm exactly the same. Action sequences have always felt nothing tedious to me and they're extremely unpleasant to write as well. Basically, I'm just not interested. My attitude towards action sequences are just about the same as it is towards sex scenes. When I'm watching a movie, I essentially tune out for the duration, waiting for something more interesting to happen. If I'm at home, I might even check my email or some forums while I'm waiting for the thing to finish.

I try to avoid having to write action, but this time it's pretty unavoidable, since the story is jointly written by me and the producer/director who wanted more action-y elements in there.

But in the end I don't mind all that much, because I can then approach it as a challenge. How can I make the action interesting to me? It forces me to come up with something new that hopefully will be an advantage for the sequence.

But then again, there's way to go around these things. I heard that a pretty respected action screenwriter simply writes: "Action sequence to be choreographed."

Sex scenes I won't touch. I've never had to write one and I don't plan to ever do so.


This happened to me in the "It's on like Donkey Kong" OWC. I realised that writing action sequences was incredibly dull and to a degree, pointless.

I mentioned something you've said: That I think in real life I'd just write "action sequence here" and be done with it and make it up on the day.

However, I also looked into why I found the scene boring and it's because the action was essentially was just a point from A to B...there was no underlying subtext.

For instance, if you look at the original Star Wars when Obi Wan fights Darth Vader. As an action sequence it's pretty limited...you've got an old guy who can hardly wak fighting a guy in a costume that can't move or see...all they do is twitch their swords a bit.

However you've got the subtext of the Master vs Pupil.

You've got this old guy you like facing off with someone established as the badest guy around...so there's tension as you fear for his safety.

You've got an element of self-sacrifice...he's fighting Darth to give the others time to get away...an a large emotional response when he dies.

You've got the ticking clock because they have to get away.

Then at the culmination of it there's a surprisng twist when Obi Wan disappears.

These are the sort of elements you need to try and introduce, so that the action itself isn't the thing of interest, it's kind of everything else.

It's why when you compare the ornately choreographed battles in the new Star Wars films they are sorely lacking depite being so much more impressive physically...none of those elements were there.

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Scar Tissue Films  -  September 29th, 2011, 9:37am
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Sandra Elstree.
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Quoted from Scar Tissue Films


This happened to me in the "It's on like Donkey Kong" OWC. I realised that writing action sequences was incredibly dull and to a degree, pointless.

I mentioned something you've said: That I think in real life I'd just write "action sequence here" and be done with it and make it up on the day.

However, I also looked into why I found the scene boring and it's because the action was essentially was just a point from A to B...there was no underlying subtext.

For instance, if you look at the original Star Wars when Obi Wan fights Darth Vader. As an action sequence it's pretty limited...you've got an old guy who can hardly wak fighting a guy in a costume that can't move or see...all they do is twitch their swords a bit.

However you've got the subtext of the Master vs Pupil.

You've got this old guy you like facing off with someone established as the badest guy around...so there's tension as you fear for his safety.

You've got an element of self-sacrifice...he's fighting Darth to give the others time to get away...an a large emotional response when he dies.

You've got the ticking clock because they have to get away.

Then at the culmination of it there's a surprisng twist when Obi Wan disappears.

These are the sort of elements you need to try and introduce, so that the action itself isn't the thing of interest, it's kind of everything else.

It's why when you compare the ornately choreographed battles in the new Star Wars films they are sorely lacking depite being so much more impressive physically...none of those elements were there.


Rick, I always appreciate your posts because they're intelligent and really get to the heart of the matter.

I can tell you, I am SO very tempted and might someday, purposely write an action scene with:

They twitch their swords a bit.  

Sandra




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Darn it. I'm doing it again. I'm freakin' well writing comedy. Maybe I need to go have a visit at the swamp.  

Sandra



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Quoted from rdhay
So something a la Eat Pray Love? Cool



Eat Pray Love is about that? I'll have to check and see if my idea doesn't turn out to be redundant.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Quoted from Pii



Eat Pray Love is about that? I'll have to check and see if my idea doesn't turn out to be redundant.


All ideas are redundant. Just wrap it up in some old rose wallpaper and it'll be fine I guarantee you. If you need a wall to bounce it off of, just ask me. I'll tell you if it's good or if I think it could use some curry powder.  

Sandra



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I'll keep that in mind, thanks. We're still ways off of anything concrete about this, though.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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I agree with Scar Tissue Films with regards to writing action sequences.  

Although I enjoy mindless action films, I could never write one.

However, think "A history of Violence" in terms of it's action sequences. Their short, subtle bursts and do mean something to the overall arch of the narrative. (As for the sex sequences in this movie, I could to without those. I can't stand any sex sequences in films).

Also -- think the final scene in Unforgiven. Thats an action sequence. The whole film builds to this one scene of of arse-kicking. It's the main event.

Finally -- what about First Blood? I guess Stallone gets thrown in with the mindless actioneers, but isn't the first Rambo movie about more? Don't the frequent action sequences mean everything? I love that movie.
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Quoted from Pii
I'll keep that in mind, thanks. We're still ways off of anything concrete about this, though.


Oh no. Don't go with concrete. You fall down and scrap your knee on that, it's bad news. Bandaid loves it, but I sure don't.

Go with that new soft stuff their putting down in playgrounds now a days. Much safer. Save a bandaid; buy a farm. Or a Field of Dreams. Even better.  

Sandra



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Pii
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After solid 7 hours of procrastination, I finally managed to write about 3 pages of this stuff. I tell you, this script is killing me. The amount of effort and writing it takes to get even a page of this is ridiculous.

I don't think I'll even put it out on the site after it's done since it's just a pain to read. I'm pretty sure that it'll be pretty interesting on screen, but just looking at the endless pages of action elements is exhausting.

And for those at home keeping score, at 11 pages it features 24 sluglines.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
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Sandra Elstree.
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Quoted from Pii
After solid 7 hours of procrastination, I finally managed to write about 3 pages of this stuff. I tell you, this script is killing me. The amount of effort and writing it takes to get even a page of this is ridiculous.

I don't think I'll even put it out on the site after it's done since it's just a pain to read. I'm pretty sure that it'll be pretty interesting on screen, but just looking at the endless pages of action elements is exhausting.

And for those at home keeping score, at 11 pages it features 24 sluglines.


24 sluglines in 11 pages?!!! Holy shmolly! That's a lot of action!

Sandra



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Dreamscale
Posted: September 29th, 2011, 5:20pm Report to Moderator
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Actually, I don't think that's so many...just over 2 per page?  I've got 20 in the first 10 pages of a feature.
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Sandra Elstree.
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Quoted from Dreamscale
Actually, I don't think that's so many...just over 2 per page?  I've got 20 in the first 10 pages of a feature.


It sounds like a lot. But I guess if you're writing action...

Well I'm up to page 29 of my new script.

Tell me, what should I do now? Tell the secret? Or not tell the secret? Tell the secret? Not tell the secret.

I'm going to tell the secret. The character's just dying to so I guess I'd better.

Sandra




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Dreamscale
Posted: September 29th, 2011, 6:04pm Report to Moderator
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How many Slugs are in your first 10 pages, Sandra?
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Quoted from Dreamscale
How many Slugs are in your first 10 pages, Sandra?


Hang on. I'll count, but it's more of a dialogue based script.

Sandra



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Sandra Elstree.
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15 slugs in the first ten.

I guess I need to switch it up more.

Sandra



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Dreamscale
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You don't need to switch anything.  My point is that 2 per page or whatever isn't a crazy number, like is being suggested.  You can easily have 4 Slugs per page and not be ridiculous.

It all depends on the type of scenes, the type of script, etc.  You know what I'm saying?
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Quoted from Dreamscale
You don't need to switch anything.  My point is that 2 per page or whatever isn't a crazy number, like is being suggested.  You can easily have 4 Slugs per page and not be ridiculous.

It all depends on the type of scenes, the type of script, etc.  You know what I'm saying?


Yes, I understand. I'm trying to incorporate nice visual shifts and movement. And still be true to one of my personal tastes, and that's to have some "time" to just "be" on screen. I guess that's in keeping with my love of some of the old shows that did a lot with very little.

Sandra



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Totally agree with you!
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Kay, I'm going to go have a bath. I actually feel really sucky right now. I've got these stupid health issues and maybe writing some comedy is my way of rising above it.

Anyways, I get some great ideas usually in the bathtub. So I'll keep you posted.

I wonder if Henrik thought this was going to be a "weekly" type check in thread. Not by the minute or hour.  

I'll keep you posted. Luvya

Sandra



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Making a drink as it's almost opening hour.

I'll check back in every 11 minutes...

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Take care Sandra and hope you get some great ideas in the tub... I know I always do.  

I wrote my MP script the other day. It sucks. I feel terrible about it and can't get into a rewrite.

Finders Keepers is on hold as one of the partners is in S. Florida working on big studio films and the other partner (older) is not physically or mentally up to shooting a feature that requires 10 days of nighttime shooting in the woods.  

On the other hand I had a great meeting with my student filmmaker friends and am stoked about the shoot next week. This one should be online to share with you guys in a couple of weeks!  


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I have a question.

It would appear that one of my shorts is actually getting produced.

I was prepared to do a rewrite but the film maker didnt ask for one.

Should I just leave it at that? I'm sure I could "tighten" it up some but they didnt seem all that concerned about it.

H


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What do you mean, "it would appear"?

Were you notified up front and did you give your approval?  Are you being compensated?  Will you receive any kind of credit?
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Well what I mean by "appears" is that is it wasnt just a one time "Hey I wanna produce your script" e-mail then they vanish, never to be heard from again. They actually followed up lol.

Yes I gave them the okay to do it, I figured what the heck. And also told them I want credit and they agreed. We're still working on the other details though.


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Well, if you're onboard with it, do you have any creative say so in the project? If so, go ahead and make the changes you feel are appropriate.  If they don't seem to care and are cool with it the way it is now, don't worry about it.
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Thanks for the advice. They seemed okay with the way it was so I'll let it go at that.

I did tell them I would like to see the finished product.


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I would hope that would be the least they could do for you...
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I like the thread as well, Henrik. So, given your guidelines, allow me to air out my dirty laundry.

I've gotten really burnt out on screenwriting as of late. I've done a lot of writing on assignment this year, which requires a considerably different mindset than writing on spec. It's taken a lot of time away from working on projects I'm more excited about and once I finally have the time to work on said projects, I'm not very interested in writing at all. I've also been involved in a lot of filmmaking the past two years and learned/experienced things which have effectively killed a lot of my more romantic sentiments toward the craft. I've been thinking about taking a break from writing but haven't out of concern that my skills would suffer as a result.

My writing commitments have finally freed up some so my hope is to finish my next feature before the year's over. I feel a real intense spark writing it that doesn't come along so often.

After that, I'm giving some thought to co-writing something with a friend of mine that's more commercial. That's "likable" characters, three-act structure, hero kills the bad guy/gets the girl, all that bullshit. For once, I'd like to write something that doesn't go against the grain so much but that's still on my (and my co-writer's) terms. We'll see what happens...

As for the present, been doing a lot of rewriting lately. Will probably be rewriting Complete again soon. I always enjoy working on that one.

Anyway, that's me.


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Quoted from Grandma Bear
Take care Sandra and hope you get some great ideas in the tub... I know I always do.  

I wrote my MP script the other day. It sucks. I feel terrible about it and can't get into a rewrite.

Finders Keepers is on hold as one of the partners is in S. Florida working on big studio films and the other partner (older) is not physically or mentally up to shooting a feature that requires 10 days of nighttime shooting in the woods.  

On the other hand I had a great meeting with my student filmmaker friends and am stoked about the shoot next week. This one should be online to share with you guys in a couple of weeks!  


Thanks Pia. I guess my tub experience ended in the infamous love triangle and don't anyone think I was "playing around". Seriously, I'm not up to that right now. Wish I was, but I guess the reshimot "remembrance/memory" lingers in my subconscious and I find it a playful idea. I'm all about play.

So yeah, gonna have my couple move out of where they've been for like twenty years or something and move in with their friend since grade school.

They all love each other; so might as well.  

Sandra



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Sandra Elstree.
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Quoted from James McClung
I like the thread as well, Henrik. So, given your guidelines, allow me to air out my dirty laundry.

I've gotten really burnt out on screenwriting as of late. I've done a lot of writing on assignment this year, which requires a considerably different mindset than writing on spec. It's taken a lot of time away from working on projects I'm more excited about and once I finally have the time to work on said projects, I'm not very interested in writing at all. I've also been involved in a lot of filmmaking the past two years and learned/experienced things which have effectively killed a lot of my more romantic sentiments toward the craft. I've been thinking about taking a break from writing but haven't out of concern that my skills would suffer as a result.

My writing commitments have finally freed up some so my hope is to finish my next feature before the year's over. I feel a real intense spark writing it that doesn't come along so often.

After that, I'm giving some thought to co-writing something with a friend of mine that's more commercial. That's "likable" characters, three-act structure, hero kills the bad guy/gets the girl, all that bullshit. For once, I'd like to write something that doesn't go against the grain so much but that's still on my (and my co-writer's) terms. We'll see what happens...

As for the present, been doing a lot of rewriting lately. Will probably be rewriting Complete again soon. I always enjoy working on that one.

Anyway, that's me.


James, I feel what you're going through. The best advice I can give is "throw it all away". Just kill the shit and do what you love.

I know it's not that easy, but try and find ways to simplify. Hey, WE'RE ON SIMPLY-- we should know how!  

I hope that the bullshit doesn't kill your good stuff.

Sandra



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CindyLKeller
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Quoted from Hugh Hoyland
Thanks for the advice. They seemed okay with the way it was so I'll let it go at that.

I did tell them I would like to see the finished product.


You should get a copy of the finished product.

Oh, and if the filmmaker didn't ask for a rewrite you could always ask if they want you to tighten it up, but they may have some ideas of their own that they are already planning to use.

Cindy


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ONLY OSCAR KNOWS - 99 page Horror
A SONG IN MY HEART - 94 page Drama
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Well, it's getting close to Halloween, and usually around Halloween I like to create  some kind of monster. In past years I have created a killer eyeball in THE EYE, a fire breathing baby devil in MONSTER'S LULLABY, zombies in DAMNED YANKEE, and some fun monsters in MONSTER'S CONTEST.

This year is no different. I have created a new monster.  
I believe my new monster is original and I think it could make a good low-budget B Horror short.

I'm going to get started on outlining the story and hope to have it ready in time for Halloween.  

Cindy


Award winning screenwriter
Available screenplays
TINA DARLING - 114 page Comedy
ONLY OSCAR KNOWS - 99 page Horror
A SONG IN MY HEART - 94 page Drama
HALLOWEEN GAMES - 105 page Drama
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Dreamscale
Posted: September 30th, 2011, 1:57pm Report to Moderator
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Good job, Cyndi.  Looking forward to reading your new script.
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: September 30th, 2011, 7:12pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from CindyLKeller
Well, it's getting close to Halloween, and usually around Halloween I like to create  some kind of monster. In past years I have created a killer eyeball in THE EYE, a fire breathing baby devil in MONSTER'S LULLABY, zombies in DAMNED YANKEE, and some fun monsters in MONSTER'S CONTEST.

This year is no different. I have created a new monster.  
I believe my new monster is original and I think it could make a good low-budget B Horror short.

I'm going to get started on outlining the story and hope to have it ready in time for Halloween.  

Cindy


Exciting, Cindy! I have a monster around our house: It's called the dish monster! I think that might turn up in a script sometime.  

I'll be on watch for your new script.  

Sandra



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Andrew
Posted: September 30th, 2011, 7:19pm Report to Moderator
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Just to put this into the ether, I have uploaded the first draft today of Competitive Advantage. Would be very keen to hear any and all thoughts. No feedback is bad feedback. Just direct me to anything of yours if you'd like me to give it a butchers.


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rdhay
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Woohoo! Wrote heaps today I'm so excited b/c it was the crucial backstory that I hadn't figured out how to work in, but I think it really works this way. And, I very nearly ended up with the dreaded talking heads, but I fixed it perfectly

K. I'm done. Just needed to get that out
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CindyLKeller
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Quoted from Sandra Elstree.


Exciting, Cindy! I have a monster around our house: It's called the dish monster! I think that might turn up in a script sometime.  

I'll be on watch for your new script.  

Sandra


Dish monster?   I'll have to see what you do with that.  

When my new monster kills, only the shell of the person (or skin) is left.  
No more hints though.

Jeff, I'll let you know when it gets put up on the boards.

Cindy



Award winning screenwriter
Available screenplays
TINA DARLING - 114 page Comedy
ONLY OSCAR KNOWS - 99 page Horror
A SONG IN MY HEART - 94 page Drama
HALLOWEEN GAMES - 105 page Drama
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Pii
Posted: October 1st, 2011, 9:24am Report to Moderator
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Today, I'm going to try my darnedest to complete this bothersome script! This one has turned out to be more taxing than I even would've guessed. And I see it in my food intake. The day before yesterday I ate a full kilogram (about 2.2 pounds for metrically impaired) of lasagne, a bag of candy and a bar of chocolate. And I was still hungry!

I'll have to take this into account when I go to the grocery store today.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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SLM
Posted: October 1st, 2011, 2:46pm Report to Moderator
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MP launched October competition today with a really intriguing set up that has got my mental cogs turning. I need to review a few more scripts before I can enter it, but this'll give me time to come up with something I hope.

In meantime, I have reformatted The Waiting Room as a stage piece and resubmitted it for the new Stage Plays board. It looks much more comfortable as a theatrical piece.
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Pii
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And I'm DONE!

Holy crap this was an epic grind, but I can finally say that the first draft is completed. Took me 7 hours of solid work today to get it done. Probably the most taxing script I've ever written for all sorts of reasons.

But I hope the end result is worth it.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Pii
Posted: October 1st, 2011, 4:48pm Report to Moderator
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And since I was in gear, I edited an older short so that I could submit it to the site now that submissions are open.

Next in the agenda: Remnant revisits. But that will have to wait for another day.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: October 1st, 2011, 9:03pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Pii
And I'm DONE!

Holy crap this was an epic grind, but I can finally say that the first draft is completed. Took me 7 hours of solid work today to get it done. Probably the most taxing script I've ever written for all sorts of reasons.

But I hope the end result is worth it.


Henrik, I want to give you a big high ten! Seven hours goes by so damn fast when you're trying to work on something and yes, (if you're like me) you start feeling cold and your fingers turn blue and you feel hungry and there's no way you should feel hungry. It's stressful, it's like pulling lint off the carpet, it's like watching paint dry and you haven't even painted anything yet, it's like "what the hell did I just write?" I'd love to hear some of Balt's additions to this...

But it's freakin' hard work. So I just want to say hey Man, a big congratulations! Way to go with that determination!!!

I started at 5:30 this morning and worked for 3 hours, but then I wanted to work on The Treatment side and my Windows Parallel for Mac wasn't working right. Dave and I wound up having coffee together because, yah, it's Saturday and he helped me get that going and we wound up screwing around with files and cleaning things up for a few hours. Well, after that...

Oh and there are things crazy things around the house called: chores.

It was nice though: We got to take my daughter's fiance (from Austria) out for supper and have a quick visit  with Charlene at work, (her day was messed up too because she was called in to fill in for "the sick people" at this time of year.

Anyways, although I love my Mac, I had a fair amount of experience with PC Word and loved all the easy access ribbons etc. My husband, a genius like Michael and Kevin and many of you   knew about it and installed it for me.

I really appreciate it; so:

If you don't know it's available, you might like to try it.

Anyways, I'm going to be working very hard on a treatment in tandem with my script. For me, (at least at this point) I need to go back and forth. That's what works for me now. It's mostly a method of refining and distilling I think.

I've got to page 41 of the script, but that's misleading because I don't know how I'm going to work with certain ideas that come to light. For instance, a character that I had seen as non influential, I thought, (when I wasn't at the computer) might serve as very influential! When that thought came to mind, it threw me for a loop. So yes, that would have me doing a whole lot of tinkering.

I guess it's alright. A person starts to study and learn how "they/you/I" works. And it's helpful. If not in this go round, maybe in the thousandth, but eventually...

Good going everyone!

Sandra



A known mistake is better than an unknown truth.
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: October 2nd, 2011, 8:43pm Report to Moderator
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As I said before, I'm writing "life" into my scripts. As I work for cohesiveness and clarity, I also place a high importance on the "things" that show up in my life that give me a wink, or a nod, or even a wicked push!

Yesterday, I realized that a character in my script, who I had originally seen as insignificant came into my mind as very significant. Because of that, I drew back to the beginning and started addressing that.

I love to really work hard on those aspects. I guess I'm not just all about completing so many pages in a day; rather, I'm about the meat and substance of the piece. That's what I'm looking for. As my fellow scripter: TheSecond has in his avatar: The surface is home to the mindless. Go Deep. I now have that on a board in The Magic Room. It's not an office. I'm too crazy to have an office. Offices are boring places. You should see this room. Actually very tidy most of the time, but with all that goes on... I even have a new set of children's press blocks in the top of one cupboard.

I have to do some tutoring tomorrow at ten and a meeting for global work at two, but after that, I'm going to be back at the keys. I wonder what life will gift me with tomorrow.  

Sandra




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leitskev
Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 9:55am Report to Moderator
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Quick story:

My father's cousin visited last night. Recently he attended a charity dinner where he was at the same table as Buzz Aldrin. Buzz gave him an autograph and shared a couple of space tales from his moon mission.

In the first, they were on the moon, and unable to launch the landing module to return to the capsule which would take them home. What had happened was the other astronaut had accidentally bumped the ignition toggle getting back into the module, breaking it off. NASA was already preparing for the possibility they would have to be left on the moon, when Buzz remembered he had a pin within his suit that he had used to tinker with his radio. He was able to use this pin to get the ignition to work, and they left the surface of the moon.

A short while later, they discovered that a UFO was shadowing them. Buzz has told this story many times in interviews recently, but he told a slight variation here. When they saw the UFO, they radioed NASA asking about the location of the jettisoned booster rocket. When he usually tells this story in interviews, he suggests they were just making sure they were not confused, or that they were apprehensive about causing a stir on the ground with NASA, as though reporting it this way was a decision they made themselves.

What he told guests at dinner was a little different. Apparently this kind of thing had been discussed long before the mission, in certain circles anyway, and they had been instructed to use this as code for encountering a UFO so that only the right people on the ground would know. The astronauts were told that we didn't want to cause a world panic. But it was definitely something that was discussed before the mission.

Also, he said it was definitely shadowing them, for many hours, and it was an object, not just a light. They were spooked by the thing's presence, but not threatened by it. Eventually they ignored it and went about their business. On the ground, they were told not to talk about it. Later, Buzz discovered many if not most astronauts have had some kind of similar experience in space.

Ok, there's a true story that maybe can set the mood for the OWC!
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Pii
Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 2:57pm Report to Moderator
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I believe that they've since established quite exhaustively that it was indeed the SIV-B booster that they were tracking. the reason it looked so "alien" was because the early boosters had a problem with the propellant dump so that it started tumbling at a pretty high rate. They tracked a similar object all the way to Apollo 15, if memory serves me correctly.

But then again, I wouldn't go arguing about it with Buzz Aldrin.


Incidentally, if anybody's interested, a heavily revised version of my earlier surreal drama short just went live. Ignore the earlier comments, because this is a massive revision that pretty much changed everything, both writingwise and in terms of plot. Can be found here:
http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?m-1271617135/s-0/

And since I'm essentially begging for comments, I'll apologise for being relatively inactive in that department myself. The truth is that I've been so busy in my own writing commitments that I haven't had the time to read and review stuff. But I'm planning on rectifying the situation in the very near future.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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leitskev
Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 3:12pm Report to Moderator
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Could be true, Henrik, no idea. I just thought it was an entertaining tale. Like I said, he explained that this was kind of a code they worked out before the mission, but who knows. Perhaps, like --u-- in the realm of politics, we should not let truth get in the way of a good story!
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Pii
Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 3:41pm Report to Moderator
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I have no doubt that they had a code to convey the message. It's NASA, after all. Just because something is impossible, it doesn't mean that they don't have a contingency plan for it.

And of course, it was a UFO. Because UFO does not mean that it's an alien spacecraft. It just means that they detected an object they couldn't immediately identify. I've seen the footage that was taken of it during Apollo 11 and although I'm far from being qualified to make such determinations, it seemed like a tumbling SIV-B to me.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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leitskev
Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 4:16pm Report to Moderator
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I'm not a UFO guy, Henrik. I heard the story last night, shared. I like a good UFO story like a like a good Bigfoot story, or a ghost story, or the Jersey Devil tale. Strictly entertainment. That fact that a story COULD be true is what gives it its edge, gives it some impact.

Buzz clearly does not think it's space junk. And he specifically said the reason for the code was because they didn't want to alarm people. Space debris would not alarm anyone. Does that mean it was a Klingon envoy? No. If there is something out there, I'm not it sure it makes much sense to me that it's alien visitors zipping around under the radar. So I can't imagine what could be out there.
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stevie
Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 4:41pm Report to Moderator
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Sorry to go off topic guys, but I woke up this morning with a script title running in my head:

NASTY

Now, I have been thinking about the upcoming OWC that might be horror, but, I dunno, it just appeared out of nowhere.

whether it be a short or feature or what the hell it might be about, I don't know. But perhaps my mind will start chiseling into it, to carve out a new project.

I'm really big on one word titles, so it might've been meant to happen.

Ok, apologies for the dribble...back to your convoes!!

Cheers stevie



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Dreamscale
Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 4:45pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from stevie
I woke up this morning with a script title running in my head:NASTY



Stevie, I think it sounds like it's gong to be about you and your twisted sex life, huh, mate?

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leitskev
Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 4:50pm Report to Moderator
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I am making my first Oct OWC guess:

Nasty  is by   Stevie
Thin Ice  is by  Jeff
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stevie
Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 5:11pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Dreamscale



I have no sex life



New rules for the Quote Changing comp - you're allowed one free rein change, once a week...





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stevie
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Quoted from leitskev
I am making my first Oct OWC guess:

Nasty  is by   Stevie
Thin Ice  is by  Jeff


I like it Kev!!!




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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 5:26pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from leitskev
Quick story:

My father's cousin visited last night. Recently he attended a charity dinner where he was at the same table as Buzz Aldrin. Buzz gave him an autograph and shared a couple of space tales from his moon mission.

In the first, they were on the moon, and unable to launch the landing module to return to the capsule which would take them home. What had happened was the other astronaut had accidentally bumped the ignition toggle getting back into the module, breaking it off. NASA was already preparing for the possibility they would have to be left on the moon, when Buzz remembered he had a pin within his suit that he had used to tinker with his radio. He was able to use this pin to get the ignition to work, and they left the surface of the moon.

A short while later, they discovered that a UFO was shadowing them. Buzz has told this story many times in interviews recently, but he told a slight variation here. When they saw the UFO, they radioed NASA asking about the location of the jettisoned booster rocket. When he usually tells this story in interviews, he suggests they were just making sure they were not confused, or that they were apprehensive about causing a stir on the ground with NASA, as though reporting it this way was a decision they made themselves.

What he told guests at dinner was a little different. Apparently this kind of thing had been discussed long before the mission, in certain circles anyway, and they had been instructed to use this as code for encountering a UFO so that only the right people on the ground would know. The astronauts were told that we didn't want to cause a world panic. But it was definitely something that was discussed before the mission.

Also, he said it was definitely shadowing them, for many hours, and it was an object, not just a light. They were spooked by the thing's presence, but not threatened by it. Eventually they ignored it and went about their business. On the ground, they were told not to talk about it. Later, Buzz discovered many if not most astronauts have had some kind of similar experience in space.

Ok, there's a true story that maybe can set the mood for the OWC!


I wanted to connect back earlier on this, but I was just too busy today but here we go...

Several years ago I had written an article for UFO magazine entitled Part of a Clock. It's an article that speaks to our perception as well as a real life experience from an elderly gentleman who used to be a pilot. I'm not sure if he's still living or not.

Here's just a short excerpt from that article:

"When I think of Big Valley, I think of ranchers and coal miners; I think of people and horses, not flying saucers and aliens.  But Mr. Reischman says he's seen flying saucers.  In one encounter, ground radar operators steered them away.  He said, "You would get close to it...and they would say, 'Break off, you can't go near that one.'"

The beginning of the article rang like this:

In the fall of 2006 I came across a local newspaper article detailing a fighter pilot's experiences; his assignment to 439 Squadron at Uplands Air Base near Ottawa in September of 1951, his waiting there,(flying Harvards)and eagerly anticipating the arrival of the first Canadian built F-86 Saber.  Following that excitement he was sent overseas to North Luffenham, England, becoming part of three squadrons serving as NATO forces from Canada.  


Harold Reischman's life made a substantial leap when he went from milking cows to flying planes, joining the Air Force and living the exciting life he'd dreamed, and it got me thinking about the extraordinary which often hides itself...

**Myself, I understand that this world is a great big place-- indeed, it is a wonderland. I cannot ever discount anything which others might consider paranormal. To me, it's all normal. There's physics behind it, but I just don't understand it. No more than I understand how my own body works, how a car works, or how this blasted computer works.

BTW Kevin, when I read your suggestion, it reminded me of Bloomb Thicket's Opera (The Xilon of Witch Racket), based on the Voyager Spacecraft sending that golden record into space.

Bloomb Thicket's Opera

Sandra



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Pii
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Edited the bothersome script down to 20 pages and sent if off to the director.

Nothing to do not but wait and hope for a good word.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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leitskev
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Quoted Text
Sandra
Myself, I understand that this world is a great big place--


It's a mad, mad, mad world! Gotta love it.

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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 6:53pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Pii
Edited the bothersome script down to 20 pages and sent if off to the director.

Nothing to do not but wait and hope for a good word.


Tov meod.   Two good words.

Good luck, Henrik.

Sandra



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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: October 4th, 2011, 8:10pm Report to Moderator
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Does anyone know how many times I re-write beginnings? You know what? I should start keeping score or something.

You know, someday I think I'm going to look back and say, "Wow, that was really cool how that happened." Actually, I'm even saying it now.

That's why I will write and move on. Write and move on. I do so much re-writing when I write, I need to really let something die on the shelf before I come back to it.

Once, it took like 6 years or something. I had expanded this lilly paragraph and it really turned out into a likeable short story. I don't know if I'll ever turn it into a script. Who knows.

Anyways, I've been up and at 'er since 5:30 this morning and I must have quantum jumped a few dozen times or more. It's all very loosey goosey right now. I've learned not to over edit during the initial stages. Stop re-writing during the initial stages? Haven't got that down. Maybe I never will. It might just be how I play the cards.

As far as numbers go. Page 56 is where the last letter lies for now, but I'm working in the beginning and middle of the script and by the time I move forward, I might wind up at page 44 or page 79. I just don't know.

For me right now, I'm paying attention to each character's individual motivation. How they work in the script as a whole because they are all dynamic players. Even the one female character I had written who I saw as quite ditzy, turned out to be very important. This might be my own mind realizing how so many things in our lives (the things that seem inconsequential0, really are meaningful.  

I would state the ditzy character's names and all the names (for now) as they appear, but I don't want to create potential spoilers. Like I said, this project is going to run for quite a span, so we will see.

It's late. I need someone to post something funny or something. I'm burnt out.

Hail to you all.

Sandra



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leitskev
Posted: October 7th, 2011, 11:25am Report to Moderator
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Anniversary of sorts for me today. A year ago, I took a long walk, checked out a 400 year old cemetery, and decided maybe I should try my hand at writing. I worked on a novel for about a month, then took a break from that to try to write a screenplay. I haven't even looked at the novel since!

So, about to take another walk. I wonder if I'll get any more crazy ideas. Maybe I'll see something that will turn out to be useful for the OWC.
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rc1107
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  Imagine how much inspiration you'd find if you walked everyday instead of once a year!


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rc1107
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I wanted to post on this thread days ago, when I first saw it, but got a little busy.  I think this is a cool idea for a thread, though.

Something happened to me yesterday that I know I'm going to work into a story somehow.  There's an antique store in a tiny little plaza right up the street from me that I love going into and exploring every now and then.  Before I went in, I noticed a place called 'Afrikaan Marketplace' right next door, advertising it sells oils, charms and candles from the culture, so my girlfriend (who's African-American) and I walked in to check it out.

Talk about the most miserable, mean person in the world.  The owner wouldn't even show his face.  All I could make out behind a weird curtain he hid behind was a head full of dreadlocks.

He asked what we were doing in here, and we said we just wanted to look around.  (Personally, I wanted to see if he had any eye of the newt, hair of a goat-type stuff), but I was genuinely interested to see what he was selling and my girlfriend loves candles.

But he said it cost 5 dollars to look around, that this wasn't a museum.  And women aren't welcome in there, that she has to wait outside.  Then, he said I wasn't welcome in there, either.  (I think he finally saw me on a camera somewhere and saw that I was white.)

Needless to say, on our way out, I took as much in of the place I could.  I'll say this, there weren't any oils or candles in sight.  And the only thing I could see were a bunch of Bob Marley posters and other posters that looked like some kind of political propaganda.  None of it was in English, though, or even anything that I remotely recognized, so I don't know exactly what it said.  There were a few other pictures of some kind of guerilla military black men.

We went nextdoor into the antique place and I asked the owner there about the guy nextdoor.  He said the guy nextdoor won't talk to him, but he hears him on the phone all the time through a back room wall and that he talks to some kind of headquarters in Chicago.  A lot of the antique guy's customers come in from over there complaining about him.  I guess he doesn't let anybody in his store.  Black, white, male or female.  He's heard he's some kind of world-hating Muslim of some sort.

Needless to say, though, that all day at work yesterday and all night lastnight, my brain's been churning to develop some sort of story for this guy.  I think I might even try making contact with him again, somehow.

My curiosity has definately been piqued for the week.

- Mark


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leitskev
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Quoted from rc1107
heard he's some kind of world-hating Muslim of some sort.

- Mark


You're gonna get in trouble with ---ff and the thought police!

Hmm. Secret political revolutionary organization. Headquartered in Chicago. Did the guy behind the counter look like Eric Holder? Did they mention hope? or change?

All kidding aside, definitely a front for something. Probably selling weed. If not useful as the basis of a story, definitely useful for a scene in a story. I'd go back and pay the $5 bucks, try some code words, see if you get anywhere. Tell them you are looking for political pamphlets.

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Ryan1
Posted: October 7th, 2011, 2:34pm Report to Moderator
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Maybe he's a white guy in deep cover.  Or a rastaman with social phobia.  But it does sound like it would make a good short.  Just call him up and start whispering crazy sh!t and see what he does.
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Electric Dreamer
Posted: October 7th, 2011, 5:45pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from rc1107
  Imagine how much inspiration you'd find if you walked everyday instead of once a year!


I do walk every day, four miles.
Two before I start writing, usually taking lots of notes on my iPhone.
And two more after the day's writing is done to decompress.

Zombie Playground was a twenty pound script!

E.D.


LATEST NEWS

CineVita Films
is producing a short based on my new feature!

A list of my scripts can be found here.
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Pii
Posted: October 10th, 2011, 5:18am Report to Moderator
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I'm quite torn if I should continue writing this half-finished pilot of mine. The place I was going to offer it kind of fell out of my favour because of general nastiness so I don't have that much use for it anymore, if at all. But then again, I quite enjoyed writing what little of it I had drafted of it.

Maybe I should post it along with the series pitch to the unfinished forum and see what people think?


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: October 10th, 2011, 5:30pm Report to Moderator
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I would say try and finish it, but don't try too hard. I've noticed that when people try too hard, they seem to lose their creative spark. It's like it flies out the window. Maybe put it in your head that you're going to finish it "on a lark". Just for the helluvit. See how that goes. I'd be interested to hear some kind of story from you where you like:

Go to the ice-cream parlor: challenged, you pump out some crazy notes and reckless copy and learn that "whatever ice-cream" is the secret to your success.  

Good luck. I'm going to see if I can whip something up for this OWC, but I don't know. Been so busy. Maybe. I have an interesting concept, but shoosh if I can manage with it.

Sandra



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Pii
Posted: October 10th, 2011, 11:49pm Report to Moderator
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I live in the middle of nowhere, so we don't have fancy places like ice cream parlors. My stock solution for all creative problems is to go for a walk or take a shower. I don't usually take any notes, because even though my memory is absolutely horrendous about everything else, I do remember stories and lines of dialogue extremely well. It's been many a time when a solution to a really big problem has suddenly dawned on me, apparently from nowhere. It's one of the greatest feelings I can think of, even if the solution itself is not that out of the ordinary. In fact, they very rarely are.

If I do finish it, it'll definitely be "on a lark". Actually the entire project has been more or less just that. It's been more an act of procrastination from something I really should've been writing. That's why it's been written just the way I wanted, so there's a heck of a lot of editing that needs to be done to get it to proper format. Currently it features way too much prose-like flourishes and other literary fanciness that shouldn't be featured in a screenplay. But what the heck, it's a first draft. I can always cut it later.

One option I'm considering is to finish the draft in English and keep it as inappropriate as it is and then do the next draft in Finnish if it's any good. Time might be ready that I should start sending out my material to Finnish production companies. But I'm a bit nervous about writing in Finnish, because I've written everything I write in English for the past 15 years or so. I don't know if I know how to write creatively in Finnish anymore.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: October 11th, 2011, 12:44am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Pii
I live in the middle of nowhere, so we don't have fancy places like ice cream parlors. My stock solution for all creative problems is to go for a walk or take a shower. I don't usually take any notes, because even though my memory is absolutely horrendous about everything else, I do remember stories and lines of dialogue extremely well. It's been many a time when a solution to a really big problem has suddenly dawned on me, apparently from nowhere. It's one of the greatest feelings I can think of, even if the solution itself is not that out of the ordinary. In fact, they very rarely are.

If I do finish it, it'll definitely be "on a lark". Actually the entire project has been more or less just that. It's been more an act of procrastination from something I really should've been writing. That's why it's been written just the way I wanted, so there's a heck of a lot of editing that needs to be done to get it to proper format. Currently it features way too much prose-like flourishes and other literary fanciness that shouldn't be featured in a screenplay. But what the heck, it's a first draft. I can always cut it later.

One option I'm considering is to finish the draft in English and keep it as inappropriate as it is and then do the next draft in Finnish if it's any good. Time might be ready that I should start sending out my material to Finnish production companies. But I'm a bit nervous about writing in Finnish, because I've written everything I write in English for the past 15 years or so. I don't know if I know how to write creatively in Finnish anymore.


Henrik, I guess we have something in common...

I also live in "the middle of nowhere". No ice-cream parlors nearby unless a drive fifteen minutes into a town counts.

Is your first language Finish? I'm trying to incorporate various languages and cultures into my writing.

If I remember correctly:

She-she (shay shay)

is thank you in Mandarine.

Doh je is thank you in Cantonese.

Apparently, if one begins to "google" certain words, we come up with words that are as we would call it: "old school". Kind of like how biblical Hebrew is completely different than modern day Hebrew. And...

Like how in our English we have so called modern sayings that children know, but their parents need to do a "double take" for. (to get the understanding) Like:

"Off the dome". Yes, I must be old because I have just learned that one.

I'm trying to teach these kinds of expressions to my student and especially "flavour" the language we speak as we work together.

Within myself, I feel that language is "living". Because I feel this so very strongly, I also feel that the meaning of words is held within the intention that comes from the individual.

With hope, we can find many ways to help all of the people on the planet to communicate.

G-d bless.

Sandra



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Pii
Posted: October 11th, 2011, 7:14am Report to Moderator
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Yes, my first language is Finnish, although I have the audacity to claim that I'm practicality as fluent in English as I am in Finnish these days. Naturally it's not quite the same, but I do find that lately I've been beginning to express myself in English way more than in Finnish.

I think that there are two very logical reasons for it. One is that I'm so much of a loner that I actually use more English in my day to day life than Finnish. I listen to English podcasts and audio books.  I spend time on English forums. I subscribe to English magazines and a large portion of my acquainances are international. I even record a bunch a shows in English.

The other reason is largely why I write in English. The English language is simply richer. There are about half a million words in the Finnish language while there's over two million in English. That means that there are a heck of a lot of brilliant words and expressions in English.  Of course the same does hold true in reverse, as every language has its strengths and weaknesses. But it is way more common to have the perfect word in mind in English just to find that it is practically untranslatable. Although I've heard people say the exact opposite as well so it might be that English also happens to fit the way I want to express myself.

I am endlessly fascinated by language as well. It is one of my great regrets that I don't know more than Finnish and English. I do have plenty of time to rectify the situation, but after becoming so fluent in English, my brain has started to resist the notion of starting all over again with a third. I have a dreadfully bad memory, so trying to learn vocabulary is something of a horror for me. But I'm still very versed in the styles, the sounds and the practices of additional languages and I continue to be enthralled by the richness of expression each of them have to offer.

If you need any help in trying to incorporate Finnish or the Finnish culture in any of your projects, I'd be happy to render assistance.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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ReneC
Posted: October 11th, 2011, 5:05pm Report to Moderator
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I'm quick on ideas, slow on execution.

Currently my A project is a TV pilot and my B project is world-building for a steampunk series. I also tend to re-write beginnings a lot, I'm working on the fourth false-start of my pilot. I'd started it as a 2-hour pilot since it's got a huge premise and requires a lot of set-up, but I've challenged myself to cut and squeeze it into one hour to see how it turns out. So far it's going great but, like a spring being slowly gathered, I feel it might slip out of control at any moment.

While I wrestle with that I'm participating in challenges like the OWC for practice and a bit of a breather before diving back into the pilot.

My time isn't my own so I write whenever I get the chance, at work on my lunch break more often than not. I have a 16-month-old girl and my wife's due with our second child in January. 'Nuff said.

Today I spewed 6 pages for the OWC, not too shabby and it's fairly decent stuff. It's not exactly horror though, cool idea but it might be too slow. I'll think about ways to punch it up.


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James McClung
Posted: October 11th, 2011, 10:45pm Report to Moderator
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I think I'm finally back on track, at least for the time being. I've finished what I anticipate to be the final rewrite of Complete, within less than a week's time, and am officially free to work on whatever I want, namely my next feature, now 73 pages in. I've been working on it for over a year but I think it's finally on a road to near completion. I think it's the darkest feature I've written thus far and yet with the smallest body count, excluding my feature comedies.

High hopes for the time being.


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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: October 11th, 2011, 11:20pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from James McClung
I think I'm finally back on track, at least for the time being. I've finished what I anticipate to be the final rewrite of Complete, within less than a week's time, and am officially free to work on whatever I want, namely my next feature, now 73 pages in. I've been working on it for over a year but I think it's finally on a road to near completion. I think it's the darkest feature I've written thus far and yet with the smallest body count, excluding my feature comedies.

High hopes for the time being.


I'm enjoying your post, James. Darkest feature? Are you moving forward or back?  

That's an interesting question to ask oneself.

I'm very interested in reading people whose work has extended through several years.

Don't hesitate to send.

Sandra



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Pale Yellow
Posted: October 22nd, 2011, 7:43pm Report to Moderator
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Enjoying reading this thread. New to discussion boards...new to screenwriting...and just trying to be like a sponge and soak up some of this knowledge. I am quick with ideas. I have learned if I want to write, I need to venture somewhere without wifi! As a beginner, would anyone have advice as what to write while learning: shorts or features? I enjoyed the OWC as a first shot. I wish there were more weekly challenges as I tend to do better when I have a deadline it seems. I've been wanting to write for some time, and finally I am.

At this very moment ...watching The Rite so gonna scoot...Happy Weekend to all!
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: October 23rd, 2011, 1:55am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Pale Yellow
Enjoying reading this thread. New to discussion boards...new to screenwriting...and just trying to be like a sponge and soak up some of this knowledge. I am quick with ideas. I have learned if I want to write, I need to venture somewhere without wifi! As a beginner, would anyone have advice as what to write while learning: shorts or features? I enjoyed the OWC as a first shot. I wish there were more weekly challenges as I tend to do better when I have a deadline it seems. I've been wanting to write for some time, and finally I am.

At this very moment ...watching The Rite so gonna scoot...Happy Weekend to all!


My first advice is to write whatever you feel like and whenever you feel like.

Also to note:

As far as screenwriting goes I think that writing shorts helps people to get a handle on some of the structure as well as get in the habit of churning out stories.

Besides that, just write what you know, write what you are inspired to learn and read read read and live live live.

Don't take yourself too seriously and don't think that your help isn't required just because you're new. The opposite is true. We need you!!! And lots of feedback!!!!

Sandra




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Pii
Posted: October 27th, 2011, 8:08am Report to Moderator
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It seems that Remnant has been picked up for production, but the director wants some structural changes to it, so I'll be working on that for the next few days.

I've had some pretty bad experiences with people wanting to produce my stuff in the past, so I hope that things will work out this time around.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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leitskev
Posted: October 27th, 2011, 4:35pm Report to Moderator
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Rereading something of mine I just finished, and thank God I caught this. This is what I wrote:

"Gangsters struggle to shoot at him, afraid to expose themselves."

There's probably more than one things wrong with that sentence, but at least one part is worth a laugh.
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leitskev
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It's actually snowing here. Looks cool. Pretty big flakes. Must be global warming.
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Pii
Posted: October 28th, 2011, 8:19am Report to Moderator
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Sent off a revised draft of Remnant to the director. With the structural changes he wanted and the necessity of taking the page count to 5, the tone changed slightly. But I hope it still packs the same punch.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Pii
Posted: November 1st, 2011, 7:58am Report to Moderator
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More Remnant revisions in store for me, but it's going in a good direction. Production of it is pretty much a done deal, because they're casting this weekend.

I'm also rebuilding my website from the ground up, which is another big project. I originally meant to just update the CMS, but I screwed it up so bad that I lost everything.  But it actually isn't such a bad thing, because the old one was really old and clunky.

And I'm revising Icarus, the short I've been developing with thr director for a few months now. And I'm planning to continue my work with the pilot that's half done as well.

So I guess I can honestly say that I'm doing stuff.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Pii
Posted: November 3rd, 2011, 8:28pm Report to Moderator
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Although I've mainly managed to waste two days modding my phone and computer to indicate my unbelievable Star Trek nerddom, I still completed a major rewrite of Remnant and sent it off to the director.

I guess it's back to building the website.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Sandra Elstree.
Posted: November 3rd, 2011, 10:54pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Pii
Although I've mainly managed to waste two days modding my phone and computer to indicate my unbelievable Star Trek nerddom, I still completed a major rewrite of Remnant and sent it off to the director.

I guess it's back to building the website.


You are golden, Henrik! Seriously, you are in The Field of Dreams. Please though--

Do rest some. You need to do that and it's better for you in the long run.

Sandra



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Pii
Posted: November 11th, 2011, 9:42am Report to Moderator
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Finally, after months of thinking about it, I bought myself a really cracking writing keyboard. It's almost a joy to type on this.

Really excited about the imminent relaunch of Voice Over, even though the call for contributors didn't go quite as well as I'd hoped. I'm especially enthusiastic about the possibility of making an ePub version of the thing. Expect a pilot issue in the next couple of months.

Meanwhile, progress on Remnant is still going on, even though it's been tough going. But we're making progress, so it's not that bad.

I had an opportunity to pitch some stuff to a Finnish production company, but they were looking for completed feature scripts and I've only written shorts, teleplays and pilots. I guess it's time I wrote one...


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Reef Dreamer
Posted: November 12th, 2011, 2:53pm Report to Moderator
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Henrik,

Thanks for this thread and all the best with Remnant.

Whilst I don't yet call myself a writer (working on that) I want to have a moan, about a writing issue, and this seems like a good place.

I haven't always known what I would like to do with my writing, still so much to learn, yet right now I know I want to revise my last OWC script, then turn to my first OWC. At the same time I have started on a comedy feature which I want to have up and running for a two day writing course I have signed up for in February. So what's the problem?

My computer has died and needs fixing. The engineers are waiting for a "part". So annoying.

I have an iPad and it does have writing software on it. It was useful for the OWC, but all the drafts I need to revise are on the computer.

In the meantime I have time to review here and am also going through Movie Poet scripts to get credits for future competitions, but I really want to be writing.

Oh well, at least I have a plan.

Moan now finished.


My scripts  HERE

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

Revision History (2 edits; 1 reasons shown)
Reef Dreamer  -  November 12th, 2011, 4:37pm
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Pale Yellow
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You just reminded me...pick up a flash drive and an external HD. Moan to back up your moan...I hate to get ready to write, only to discover your most recent work is on another computer. I use the desktop sometimes but mostly my laptop. I'm going to get a flash drive and another external ...back up is soooo important.
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stevie
Posted: November 12th, 2011, 9:16pm Report to Moderator
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Reef mate, get a pen and a writing pad and get into it!

Seriously, writing by hand is the only way I can get anything done! If I sit at the computer I get distracted and start surfing da net.

I can hand write anywhere, anytime! And the best part of it is it cuts down on revision, even reduces it to zero - if I write for a week, then copy on computer, I can edit as I go, sometimes having thought of new stuff for scenes in that time.

I have handwritten all my shorts and features the last 2 years. Trouble is, I have notebooks all over the place, with stuff not in chronological order, and unfinished stuff too!



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James McClung
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Currently 99 pages into my next feature. Still a couple pages to go but I expect to finish it within the next week. Finally!!

I've gotta say the experience of writing it has changed the way I'll write future scripts. I've had an absolute surplus of ideas for this thing, which resulted in seventeen pages worth of treatment/notes. A lot of that content didn't make it into the script, even entire subplots and characters. Once I got to writing the damn thing, it got hard to find the story amongst the notes so the script itself has ended up covered in notes at this point.

The next script, I'd definitely like to take the time to trim and organize my notes so that everything that's written down makes it to the script.



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Reef Dreamer
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Hey stevie, fair point.

I also have a handful of note pads around and they were in use today. However, I prefer them for ideas, scenes, thoughts, rather than the formatted scene.

I hate it when I havea good idea, in my opinion, but don't have the chance to write it down. When I do remember later, it is never quite the same.

But my problem now is revising existing scripts and they sit on that damn computer. Just glad I didn't lose them... that's until the computer mechanics tell me they've cocked up! I wouldn't put it past them, but that's another story.


My scripts  HERE

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
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Electric Dreamer
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The batteries are recharging well after the Clone Wife fresh draft.
All the requests for that have been filled and followed up.

Now it's the question of which story to put to script next.
I have a few different directions I can go.

1) I can round out the fantasy kids adventure rom/com fairy tale vibe.
    I have a straight up fairy tale adventure with tweens I can write.
    That trilogy could present a strong portfolio to managers.
    Granted, it pigeon holes me a bit, but it's a good wheelhouse for me.
    But I'm concerned it might be too close to the other scripts to stretch myself.

2) Write a completely different kind of story.
    A historical drama adventure based on true events.
    That would demonstrate my ability to write a variety of genres.
    But managers typically want to see genre strength over diversity.
    This would challenge me more than the traditional fairy tale, I believe.

3) Take on a spec assignment being offered to me by a feature producer.
    If I can get excited about a rewrite, he'll take it through the studio system.
    That could fast track some things, but be a smaller percentage of the sale.
    However, learning to take on these kinds of jobs is a good career builder.
    But it could take some finagling to generate excite about a rewrite.

So, decisions decisions.
Thoughts are welcome.

Regards,
E.D.


LATEST NEWS

CineVita Films
is producing a short based on my new feature!

A list of my scripts can be found here.
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Reef Dreamer
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Hey Brett,

I don't aspire to do what you are doing but I  find it damn interesting.

My advice to you, about your list, is most likely to be as useful as the old chocolate teapot, but as a complete outsider here's my gueses.

1) it seems to me the most important thing is credibility, not on SS etc but within the system. So which one of these gets you there faster? Do you know?

2) repetitive script syndrome - I doubt that is a problem when breaking in. Wrong? Once in you can start to vary your writing but keep your focus on getting there first. A strong portfolio of similar product seems good to me.

3) producer - god I have no idea, I assume it depends on the producer and quality of idea. Is it something that could open a door to the next offer? It seems many people are used in this business, so you need to have faith in who asks.

In my business, one mantra I like is this " go for the right client and the business will follow, don't chase the business itself". Does this make sense? If applied here it would be the case of get in with the right people and the opportunities will follow, rather than chase a specific opportunity. It's usually about people.

I wish you all the best and keep us posted.

All the best.


My scripts  HERE

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
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James McClung
Posted: November 13th, 2011, 4:21pm Report to Moderator
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I'd take the spec assignment, Brett. It's a completely different process than writing on your own, which would be good for you to learn. So long as the idea works.

Otherwise, I'd go with your second option. It's important to try new things and can be very enjoyable as well.


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Pii
Posted: November 15th, 2011, 12:49am Report to Moderator
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Another day, another Remnant revision. I do hope we're getting close with this draft as time is running out and I'm starting to be all Remnanted out.

Well, now a short brake, then back to website building and Hackintosh configuration.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Electric Dreamer
Posted: November 15th, 2011, 9:53am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from James McClung
I'd take the spec assignment, Brett. It's a completely different process than writing on your own, which would be good for you to learn. So long as the idea works.

Otherwise, I'd go with your second option. It's important to try new things and can be very enjoyable as well.


Hey James,

I'm kinda leaning towards a combo of options two and three.
Find something to get me excited about the spec rewrite.
It's an on the run espionage thriller, and I get the choose the "thing" they're after.
Meanwhile, research and beat out my story structure for the big ensemble drama.

Then in between spec drafts and what have you, I can work on my stuff.

It would also serve as a multi tasking lesson for me.
I've done that once before, but it was a feature and a short I was writing concurrently.

Regards,
E.D.


LATEST NEWS

CineVita Films
is producing a short based on my new feature!

A list of my scripts can be found here.
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George Willson
Posted: November 16th, 2011, 3:03pm Report to Moderator
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Piping up to note that I still exist and check in every once in awhile. Been strapped for time, but I still find time to write, of course. I'm presently swinging between two stories. One is the long-long-long awaited fourth part to my Fempiror saga that I have been talking about for probably five years now. Since I rewrote the first three scripts as three books and made the same fourth story promise, I figure I should actually write it. Now, whether it turns out as a single story or several remains to be seen...

My distraction through this (since I often have  a story distraction of some kind while writing the big stuff) is an idea for a series where a group of people from different times and places on the verge of suicide are abducted by a machine known only as The Maze to sort out their own personal problems through solving the problems of complete strangers and/or societies throughout the universe. Creation of something big is always satisfying, and this is one idea that I'm rather jazzed about and can't wait to flesh out. It's on a far larger and more epic scale than Fempiror, and provides a very engaging distraction from my well-established world.


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CindyLKeller
Posted: November 17th, 2011, 8:57am Report to Moderator
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So, I didn't get that short ready for Halloween this year, too much going on. I will have it ready for next Halloween though maybe...

On a better note, it looks like two more of my short scripts are getting produced...

so I decided to take another one of my short scripts (one that has done well in contests, but hasn't been produced yet ) and turn it into a feature since a lot of producers seem to be looking for some kind of horror.

It won't be a blood and guts horror. I don't care for those.

I want to leave a lasting impression with this one. Something that messes with the mind. Hopefully, I will be able to do this. We'll see.

Cindy


Award winning screenwriter
Available screenplays
TINA DARLING - 114 page Comedy
ONLY OSCAR KNOWS - 99 page Horror
A SONG IN MY HEART - 94 page Drama
HALLOWEEN GAMES - 105 page Drama
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Pii
Posted: November 17th, 2011, 3:05pm Report to Moderator
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I've already begun writing the pilot issue of the new Voice Over magazine. Even bought some software for it and all!


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Sham
Posted: November 17th, 2011, 10:12pm Report to Moderator
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I have to say, since quitting Facebook, it's been so much easier to sit down, brainstorm, and actually put words to paper.

I have two features in the developmental stages (one is a rewrite; the other is a drama). I'm in no rush to start or finish either. As excited as I am to actually write them, I prefer taking my time with both.

Right now I'm focusing my attention on a short script --  a modernized version of The Tell-Tale Heart set in a high school. I haven't started the script yet, but I have a pretty good outline to work with that should make the actual writing process much easier.


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Pii
Posted: November 25th, 2011, 8:11pm Report to Moderator
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The relaunch issue of Voice Over is final on content. Now I only need to make the various versions and then sort out the release and website with Don.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Electric Dreamer
Posted: November 27th, 2011, 11:04am Report to Moderator
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A producer I met at Sherwood Oaks asked me to polish a script for a commercial.
I flipped the original narrative structure of the classic angry jilted husband.
Here's the finished product. It's a contest entry for a Super Bowl Sunday TV spot.
It's called, "Chip Slapped".

http://www.crashthesuperbowl.com/#/gallery/?video=14602

Not exactly the first thing I ever expected to see with some of my dialogue on a screen.
But hey, you never know who will see this!

E.D.


LATEST NEWS

CineVita Films
is producing a short based on my new feature!

A list of my scripts can be found here.
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Mr. Blonde
Posted: November 27th, 2011, 11:21am Report to Moderator
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I've finally been able to get focused on just one story.

Some guy wanted to do "24/7" as a 20-minute film for his Senior thesis. I wasn't happy with how it was. More than that, I'd have to cut about two-thirds of the story out to make that work. Since I've been planning a re-write since I wrote it anyway, I asked if he'd be willing to wait until I completed it in feature form (barring it doesn't take forever, which it doesn't look like it will). He's cool with that. Luckily for me, he's in his Junior year. According to the timeline he gave me, I've got about six months. Maybe a little less.

Fingers crossed that the script comes out how I want.


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Grandma Bear
Posted: November 27th, 2011, 12:29pm Report to Moderator
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Brett, you never know what strange turns a script will take and where the film will take you.


I entered one for the Doritos comp in -08. The winners seem to always be the ones with a WTF ending or something unexpected.



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Electric Dreamer
Posted: November 27th, 2011, 2:03pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Grandma Bear
Brett, you never know what strange turns a script will take and where the film will take you.


I entered one for the Doritos comp in -08. The winners seem to always be the ones with a WTF ending or something unexpected.


LOL! A row of blonde beauties in yours. Why am I not surprised?
I like that both of ours have some public domain classic music behind them.

Well, I don't think the whiny jilted husband is that outrageous. But...
I had to give him a sweet sadomasochistic turn after getting snack slapped.

E.D.


LATEST NEWS

CineVita Films
is producing a short based on my new feature!

A list of my scripts can be found here.
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Grandma Bear
Posted: November 27th, 2011, 3:08pm Report to Moderator
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It's a good one, don't take me wrong. I was just mentioning what I have seen of the comp. Including the one that won $1M.

All the sound and music have to come from the Doritos downloadable files. No other music or sound fx are allowed. I'm sure that has to do with them airing it on TV. They don't want any disputes about copyright and such.

As far as writing goes, I'm in a serious funk. I don't seem to be able to write anything. I need someone to give me an assignment!!  


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Mr. Blonde
Posted: November 27th, 2011, 3:21pm Report to Moderator
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Guy walks into a 7-11 and buys an orange juice when pseudo-Ukranian eco-terrorists hold the store hostage to get their hero, Jack Palance's name restored to his Ukranian birth name.

There you go, Pia. You've got four days. =)


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Grandma Bear
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Thanks Sean!! I'm on it. Should have a first draft in about two hours...you wanna read it?  


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Mr. Blonde
Posted: November 27th, 2011, 8:17pm Report to Moderator
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Hell, if do that, I'll give you $100... =)


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Reef Dreamer
Posted: December 11th, 2011, 3:52pm Report to Moderator
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Seems a little quiet around here.

I enjoy logging in, checking out what's happening etc. actually I miss the OWC. There is something great about the activity and energy that surrounds this competition.

I am currently in a short script comp which has been an interesting experience. So far my entry in this other comp has resulted in 1) movie poet banning certain activities (because of me! Not many can claim that achievement),  2) a huge disparity between the amount I have reviewed and the amount of reviews I have received (so far I have reviewed over 14 scripts and had only one of these return the favour. I know the OWC is not perfect, but everyone does appear to try and give back to others). Oh well,  all good experience I suppose.

I have my eye on another small script comp which seems to be judged differently. At least it forces me to write.

Hope everybody's plans for Christmas  are working out.

Cheers

Bill


My scripts  HERE

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
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James McClung
Posted: December 11th, 2011, 5:24pm Report to Moderator
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As of last night, I'm 17/113 pages into the rewrite of my upcoming occult drama, Left Hand Paths. I'm aiming to break the 20 page mark before the day's over. I have to say it's coming along quite smoothly. I've really been hard on myself not to leave any element of the script to be second guessed, which has been difficult but I think it's finally paying off. I already feel the script's one of the most significant benchmarks in my writing thus far, especially since I only started writing scripts I consider to be "good" in 2009.

Over the past few months, I've been outlining a new script for a genre I despise under even stricter self-imposed guidelines than Left Hand Paths. So far, the ideas have just been pouring out and it's looking great. It might even serve as a "spiritual" sequel to Left Hand Paths.

Still trying to figure out what to do with my zombie script. I think I'll finish it on principle but I don't think it stands up to my most recent work at all.

Anyway, it seems I'm finally back in the swing of things. Looking forward to finally posting some new material. 2011 has been a rough year in the writing department.


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Scar Tissue Films
Posted: December 11th, 2011, 6:01pm Report to Moderator
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How high budget is the zombie script?

Amongst others, I've recently bought the zombie.xxx web domain.

Seeing as zombies are now worth about 5 billion per year I fancied a slice of the action.

Although the xxx websites are for adult content (nudge nudge wink wink) I figure it would make quite a good zombie hub for films:

Xtreme Violence
Xtreme Action
Xtreme Horror

That kind of thing.
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bert
Posted: December 11th, 2011, 6:32pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Reef Dreamer
So far my entry in this other comp has resulted in 1) movie poet banning certain activities (because of me! Not many can claim that achievement),  2) a huge disparity between the amount I have reviewed and the amount of reviews I have received (so far I have reviewed over 14 scripts and had only one of these return the favour. I know the OWC is not perfect, but everyone does appear to try and give back to others).


There are actually a lot of us here that also compete at Movie Poet.  I am entering their December contest.

The reason most try to read here during the OWC is because we will bitch at you if you don't.  Sometimes worse, if we can find you.

Chris and the mods over at Movie Poet do not allow too much yelling at each other -- which is actually a big difference between the two sites in general -- not just during contest time.

It's all a matter of taste -- but I find that what I like most is actually the contrast between the two sites.  Helps keep them distinct.


Quoted from James McClung
...I already feel the script's one of the most significant benchmarks in my writing thus far...


Wow, even more than "Kiss of the Locust"???  Count me in!


Hey, it's my tiny, little IMDb!
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James McClung
Posted: December 11th, 2011, 6:35pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Scar Tissue Films
How high budget is the zombie script?

Amongst others, I've recently bought the zombie.xxx web domain.

Seeing as zombies are now worth about 5 billion per year I fancied a slice of the action.

Although the xxx websites are for adult content (nudge nudge wink wink) I figure it would make quite a good zombie hub for films:

Xtreme Violence
Xtreme Action
Xtreme Horror

That kind of thing.


I wrote the script without the intent to sell so it is quite high budget, namely in the set design department. A proper budget would probably exceed that of Planet Terror. I do have another zombie script already written but it's the first script I ever wrote (back in 2005) so naturally, it's completely unsalvageable.

Nevertheless, zombie.xxx sounds awesome. I like the concept a lot. It need not produce adult content but then again, it might be fun to write a zombie porno. Sooo much that can go wrong in one of those. I wrote something similar into my current zombie script but fortunately, no zombies actually engage in coitus. For that, see Chillerama.



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stevie
Posted: December 11th, 2011, 7:00pm Report to Moderator
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It's cool reading this stuff.

Have just counted my handwritten pages for my new comedy feature - 42 pages! That will come to close to 50 when I put it on the computer, half done!

By the time I finish handwriting it all, I can revise it as I use the software, and think up new stuff if needed.

I have a probable title, suggested by Beatle fans on Dm's Beatle site:

Hello Goodbye

It is a very pure Aussie script with our swearing and stuff, the action moves to the US about where I'm up to now. I tried different things in the style to get away from the usual boring script,

There is unfilmables but I don't give a rats arse!!!!



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Scar Tissue Films
Posted: December 12th, 2011, 6:57am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from James McClung


I wrote the script without the intent to sell so it is quite high budget, namely in the set design department. A proper budget would probably exceed that of Planet Terror. I do have another zombie script already written but it's the first script I ever wrote (back in 2005) so naturally, it's completely unsalvageable.

Nevertheless, zombie.xxx sounds awesome. I like the concept a lot. It need not produce adult content but then again, it might be fun to write a zombie porno. Sooo much that can go wrong in one of those. I wrote something similar into my current zombie script but fortunately, no zombies actually engage in coitus. For that, see Chillerama.


I'm pleased that I got hold of it.

I also got werewolf.xxx, vampires.xxx and horror.xxx.

I must admit that a zombie porn has crossed my mind. Maybe not so much as a zombie porn, but a zombie film set on a porn site. Can think of so many funny scenes.  

Looking forwards to getting them going, but it's going to be slow work as it's just my good self. Isolation remains my biggest problem in this game. Got so many great, profitable ideas but no real way of getting them off the ground.

Rick.
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Grandma Bear
Posted: December 12th, 2011, 9:58am Report to Moderator
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That's genius Rick!!  Seriously! I wish I had thought of those.


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Reef Dreamer
Posted: December 12th, 2011, 11:23am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from bert


There are actually a lot of us here that also compete at Movie Poet.  I am entering their December contest.

The reason most try to read here during the OWC is because we will bitch at you if you don't.  Sometimes worse, if we can find you.

Chris and the mods over at Movie Poet do not allow too much yelling at each other -- which is actually a big difference between the two sites in general -- not just during contest time.

It's all a matter of taste -- but I find that what I like most is actually the contrast between the two sites.  Helps keep them distinct.



i'm looking forward to taking part in the MP competitions but like everyone else i have had to earn the credits. Thankfully they didn't blame me for the change of policy that followed my posting!

I will read the December entries and will try to spot yours from the style of writing. No hints please.


My scripts  HERE

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

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Reef Dreamer  -  December 12th, 2011, 3:10pm
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Pii
Posted: December 13th, 2011, 11:18am Report to Moderator
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Today is the shooting day of Remnant. Pretty exciting. Too bad all of it happens at the opposite side of the globe, so I can't be a part of the proceedings.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Heretic
Posted: December 13th, 2011, 1:06pm Report to Moderator
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Awesome Henrik!  Post some set photos when you get 'em!
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Reef Dreamer
Posted: January 7th, 2012, 3:42pm Report to Moderator
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I'm aiming to enter the Movie Poet log line and feature competition by the end of the month and I simply need to have a moan. As before, this thread seems a good place for one.

In short, F*****g log lines - it's driving me mad!

The industry seems to promote around 27 words, but the successful entries on MP last year average around 35ish, with a few major exceptions.

Can i get my damn log line below 40, no i can't - and yes that's 40. Not exactly punchy!

Back to the drawing board. It really is a craft of identifying what is key, what hits home and then finding the right words, or phrase. I've followed a few of the formulas but it just seems to lack so much, probably why i have over 40 words!

Having written all this it reminds me i want raise a question, in a seperate thread, on dreams - wish this was a dream.


My scripts  HERE

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
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Pii
Posted: January 22nd, 2012, 5:26am Report to Moderator
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I've been yet again approached about Potentials, which makes it the fifth time someone is seeking my permission to do the short. None of the previous times have actually resulted in a finished film, but it is currently in pre-production in India of all places. But since that effort is still looking for finances to do the film, I'm thinking about giving my green light to this other effort as well.

How do you guys feel about "selling" your script to several productions at the same time. No money has exchanged hands and I've signed no exclusivity clauses on any contract, but I'd still like to hear form people how they feel about it.

A contributing factor is that one is a student project and the other is a professional effort, which makes them wrestle in a slightly different league anyway.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Reef Dreamer
Posted: January 22nd, 2012, 3:36pm Report to Moderator
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Henrik, I don't know the script you mention but best of luck. How is remnant going?

Today I was reviewing a short script that I have submitted which should be up in a couple of weeks. What dawned on me was how i'm beginning to understand my "bad habits" as a writer (still find it strange to use that term as I have never written like this before) and I wonder what other writers feel are their weaknesses?

Of course, these are the ones I am aware of.

The foibles  that come to mind are ( I put a limit on how many);

Patience - I'm not the kind of writer who knocks up a finished script first time around, it needs work. I know that most will say that but I do seem to benefit from time to reflect, review and amend. Yet I don't always let this happen. I need to learn to leave each script alone for a while.

Pre determined scenes - I have an idea, I like it and the image of a few scenes helps set it in my mind. When, later, they may not fit I don't let go as I should do. Need to be more ruthless, briing out the killer in me, oh yeah!

Assumptions - one thing feedback has taught me, in my limited experience, is that others don't always see a script the same way. However I write assuming that everyone will read it as I do, as I see it. I need to challenge that more often.

The rest are really dull and rather basic, so I will keep those to myself!

Cheers


My scripts  HERE

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
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Grandma Bear
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Quoted from Pii

How do you guys feel about "selling" your script to several productions at the same time. No money has exchanged hands and I've signed no exclusivity clauses on any contract, but I'd still like to hear form people how they feel about it.

I usually let anyone use my scripts and I have a few that has been produced several times without any major problems. Last week however, I sold "First Time". It's just a 5 pager, but the contract was 6 pages and I even had to get it notarized! In the contract it said that they now have all exclusive rights to it and the characters and everything. In other words, I can't sell or produce a script based on those characters. They are very serious about this, I guess. This is very unusual though. If you sold your script ask them how they feel about someone else producing it as well. That's what I would do so there are no problems later on.

As far as writing goes, I'm near 10 pages in on a vampire feature that I'm sort of writing on assignment.


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BoinTN
Posted: January 23rd, 2012, 9:57am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Pii

How do you guys feel about "selling" your script to several productions at the same time. No money has exchanged hands and I've signed no exclusivity clauses on any contract, but I'd still like to hear form people how they feel about it.


If you're playing with student films/micro-/no-budget realms, get it out there.  if you haven't signed the rights away to anyone, get it out there.  Exclusivity in selling really only matters when you're dealing with upper-tier producers and directors who would be pissed knowing you're shopping the thing they just promised you to read.
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Pii
Posted: January 23rd, 2012, 10:24am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Reef Dreamer
How is remnant going?


Thanks for asking. It's been filmed and I presume it's in post production, although I haven't heard updates in while. I'm yet to sign the contract, because I want to iron out some details first.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Reef Dreamer
Posted: February 15th, 2012, 5:49am Report to Moderator
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Thought i would bump this thread as more enjoyable to read that the Cathartic Purge collectively experienced in the recent locked down thread. I hope something good came out of that.

So, i'm sitting at my computer, knowing i have to push along with a feature idea, just in case i get through the first round of the feature competition at MP, when all i think about is a great idea for a short that came to me last night. Oh the torment!

Nice to have the idea, wish it's timing was better.


My scripts  HERE

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
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nawazm11
Posted: February 15th, 2012, 6:29am Report to Moderator
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I entered the logline contest as well Bill so there's two of us hoping we get to the second round .

I'm 50/50 if I'll make it through though, I didn't have a terrible logline but it felt a bit bland to me.

I attempted to write the first 10 pages but they weren't very good so I'll have another go if I get in.

Mohammad
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Reef Dreamer
Posted: February 15th, 2012, 6:44am Report to Moderator
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Hey Mo, it will be interesting to see the outcome and how my assessment of others matched up. That alone will be useful.

Naturally we can't discuss our efforts but i would say i feel similar to yourself - time will tell.

I entered to give myself a kick up the butt and write something longer than a short. I don't know how many already have scripts written for this but i know i don't,  It will have to be written. Mind you, that was the intention.


My scripts  HERE

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
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Mr. Blonde
Posted: February 15th, 2012, 8:46am Report to Moderator
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I'm stuck at page 102 of my feature but can't bring myself to finish it. I've actually been able to type "Fade out" but it's still not done, even in rough draft, because there's a solid seven page section I haven't written yet, plus all the editing that needs to be done.

The dialogue is pitiful, for the most part, and the stories take too long. Someone, please, slap me in the face to knock some sense into me! Lol.

Seriously, though, I'm considering finishing it today. Just need the proper motivation.


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Mr.Ripley
Posted: February 15th, 2012, 8:50am Report to Moderator
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Slap. lol

I feel your pain. I'm close to finishing mines. I'm in my editing phase and this is unbearable. lol. But I'm moving along as fast as possible trying to finish this.

Gabe


Just Murdered by Sean Elwood (Zombie Sean) and Gabriel Moronta (Mr. Ripley) - (Dark Comedy, Horror) All is fair in love and war. A hopeless romantic gay man resorts to bloodshed to win the coveted position of Bridesmaid. 99 pages.
https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-comedy/m-1624410571/
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Mr. Blonde
Posted: February 15th, 2012, 8:53am Report to Moderator
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Thanks for the slap, Gabe. Lol.

But, that's the problem that my brother and I have discovered. He can burn through a script, no problem. I could give a script a solid re-write/edit in about four hours. He can't edit, I can't actually write. Yet, I have all the ideas.

It's a damn paradox. Lol.


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Felipe
Posted: February 15th, 2012, 8:11pm Report to Moderator
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Maybe you should work together?


'Artist' is not a term you should use to refer to yourself. Let others, and your work, do it for you.
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Felipe
Posted: February 15th, 2012, 8:12pm Report to Moderator
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I currently started a writing group to keep myself motivated. A group of 8 friends including myself. Working on setting deadlines for page numbers but people already started slacking off. It was a good idea in theory.


'Artist' is not a term you should use to refer to yourself. Let others, and your work, do it for you.
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Mr.Ripley
Posted: February 16th, 2012, 10:29pm Report to Moderator
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I don't know if this happens to people but I'm started to hate this feature that I'm writing. lol.

Whenever I say I'm done, a new idea comes along and keeps me from finishing this. lol.

So close but so far.

Gabe  


Just Murdered by Sean Elwood (Zombie Sean) and Gabriel Moronta (Mr. Ripley) - (Dark Comedy, Horror) All is fair in love and war. A hopeless romantic gay man resorts to bloodshed to win the coveted position of Bridesmaid. 99 pages.
https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-comedy/m-1624410571/
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Pii
Posted: March 4th, 2012, 9:20pm Report to Moderator
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I got attached to write a feature, which is very nice. But the production has been fast-tracked and I need to deliver a final draft by the end of May, which is rather hectic. Still, I'm pretty happy to work on it, since it's very certain it'll be done. They already have the funding and they're casting next month.

Delivered the first draft of the outline today and even though I feel it's a little bland, they seem to like it a lot.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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rdhay
Posted: March 4th, 2012, 9:28pm Report to Moderator
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Wow, congrats!! That's awesome
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Pii
Posted: March 4th, 2012, 9:38pm Report to Moderator
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Thanks.

Too bad I missed the OWC, though. I was just too busy with other stuff to keep up with the forums at all.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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rdhay
Posted: March 4th, 2012, 10:43pm Report to Moderator
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With good reason!! Seriously, I wouldn't stress about it
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Pii
Posted: April 14th, 2012, 12:32pm Report to Moderator
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Deadline looming dangerously close, I don't understand why it seems to be so darn impossible to get going with this feature. So far I've managed FADE IN:, a slugline and two paragraphs of description...

It's not writers block as such, because I have a pretty clear idea in my head how I'm going to hammer out this thing, it's just a complete drainage of energy to do the actual work.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Pii
Posted: April 16th, 2012, 11:52am Report to Moderator
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Oh, how much I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate writing.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Pale Yellow
Posted: April 16th, 2012, 12:20pm Report to Moderator
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It's a love/hate relationship
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Videoteq
Posted: April 16th, 2012, 2:42pm Report to Moderator
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Dear Henrik - I'm completely new at this script writing business, but have you looked at those Save the Cat books? They seem to be full of good ideas on the actual mechanics of writing (but you probably know all this already) and might help you kick-start your pen.

Anyhow, very well done for getting contracted to write a feature, you should be very proud of yourself.

Very best wishes
Rob


Robert F
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Pii
Posted: April 16th, 2012, 3:03pm Report to Moderator
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Wohoo, one scene down! Two pages of script, took me only about two months to get here.

Oh well, after I've cracked the next scene, it's pretty straightforward. I knew this opening would be trouble from the start, but we just ran out of development time.


Quoted from Videoteq
Dear Henrik - I'm completely new at this script writing business, but have you looked at those Save the Cat books?


I haven't read those, but I've read other books. The problem this time around wasn't the plot or structure, which is what the books usually help you out with. The director approved my outline several weeks ago. I've just had trouble finding a voice for the characters for this one, since practically all of them are completely new territory for me.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Videoteq
Posted: April 16th, 2012, 3:12pm Report to Moderator
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What about if you wrote for characters you know really well, then, ask yourself how these new characters would be different, and re-write accordingly? Would that be any help?


Robert F
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Pii
Posted: April 16th, 2012, 4:21pm Report to Moderator
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That's not bad advice at all, but it's a little too late in the process for me to start switching around my method that much.

But I'm starting to get there, I'm several pages into the next scene. There's hope for me yet!


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Reef Dreamer
Posted: April 16th, 2012, 4:23pm Report to Moderator
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Henrik

Do i ask - Remnant?

Any news?


My scripts  HERE

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
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Pii
Posted: April 16th, 2012, 7:22pm Report to Moderator
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I just received news, so thank you for asking. Your timing is impeccable.

The director just told me over IM that they're finishing post this week, so expect news of completion very soon.

Unfortunately it'll be a while before it'll be available for online viewing as it's going on a festival tour first and some of the festivals require that it not be available before that. That's why I have to withhold the final draft of the script for now as well. But I'll of course notify everybody when it's available somewhere. In the meanwhile, keep an eye out for your local short film festival.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Pii
Posted: April 20th, 2012, 1:43pm Report to Moderator
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Finally! A good writing day for this project. I mashed 13 pages of script in little over two hours and could've probably gone longer if I didn't have to go and record a show.

Writing in Finnish has been surprisingly challenging. I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise after I've done practically all of my creative writing in English for the past decade or so. But it is my native language so I kind of figured that it wouldn't take this much effort to get into it.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Pii
Posted: April 21st, 2012, 9:22pm Report to Moderator
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And this day turned out to be even better. Maybe I'm finally starting to get into this thing. Hacked out no less than 23 pages of script today, making me finish the day at page 43. As the director wanted the film to be 70-85 minutes long, I well at the halfway point.

This is very normal progress for me. I always start really slowly, writing only a couple of really painful pages. Then I kind of half give up and let it sit for what might easily be weeks of apparent inactivity. Then the thing slowly forms in my head and I start getting these really epic writing days. And even though it's a heck of a lot of text for one day, it's usually usable because I'm essentially just typing what I've already written in my head. I don't have to do anything but to observe how the characters react to the things that I throw at them.

Still, it's a terrifying way to go about this. I always get really nervous even though I should be pretty comfortable with the process after all these years.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Penoyer79
Posted: April 21st, 2012, 10:47pm Report to Moderator
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i got busy.... but i've got two shorts readying for post, but it might be a few.

they both need fine-tooth comb editing...and re-writes.

i also owe about a dozen reads on these boards... i havent forgotten - i promise to knock those out before i post anything else.
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leitskev
Posted: April 22nd, 2012, 9:17pm Report to Moderator
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVrcJ3Ml0Y4&feature=related

Wanted to share this. Man, this was really cool. If you like Pink Floyd. This is really experimental stuff, though. Some parts are even worth fast forwarding. But parts are really awesome, and it's good writing music, in that it's not a distraction.
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Pii
Posted: April 30th, 2012, 7:04am Report to Moderator
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Today is the deadline of the feature. Therefore I will finish it even if it destroys me.

I essentially have the third act that I've written in my head, but I still need to type it.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Electric Dreamer
Posted: April 30th, 2012, 10:30am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Pii
Today is the deadline of the feature. Therefore I will finish it even if it destroys me.

I essentially have the third act that I've written in my head, but I still need to type it.


If it's an 80 page feature, you must need about 20 pages today.
If it were me, the third act is where I'm most likely to have that kind of day.
Since I've likely been spending lots of time mentally prepping the conclusion.

Good luck on having an epic day. Caffeine is your friend.

Regards,
E.D.


LATEST NEWS

CineVita Films
is producing a short based on my new feature!

A list of my scripts can be found here.
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Pii
Posted: April 30th, 2012, 11:36am Report to Moderator
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And with that, I AM DONE!

The first draft of the feature is now complete. I'm not necessarily all that happy with all of it, but given the gruelling time constraints I had to do this, I think this is as much as you can ask for.

It runs a wee bit short, clocking only about 60 pages, but I think that in this case it's a good thing since they were looking for something that would end up around 75 minutes and I wrote the action very shortly and openly so that they can choreograph the action sequences to suit their own taste.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams

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Pii  -  April 30th, 2012, 12:31pm
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Pii
Posted: May 9th, 2012, 10:40am Report to Moderator
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Today is the day I start serious work on Voice Over 1/2012.

So expect it to come out in the near future.

In the meanwhile, I'm pretty pissed off that the folks I wrote the feature for haven't even acknowledged that they got it. I've made some polite inquiries as to what their situation is, with all of them going ignored. Very aggravating because I put a heck of a lot of time and effort into getting it delivered on time.


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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Pii
Posted: May 28th, 2012, 11:12am Report to Moderator
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The new issue of VO is coming along nicely. Probably will release it early next month. Not only do we have some kick-ass articles, but we have a (mostly) new logo design that'll go live with the release of the issue.

Still not too late to submit something!


The act of writing is a quest to put a hundred thousand words to a cunning order.
- Douglas Adams
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