All screenplays on the simplyscripts.com and simplyscripts.net domain are copyrighted to their respective authors. All rights reserved. This screenplaymay not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.
I know a fair few SS members have other creative side projects going on. John with Hyper Epics, Dustin and Mark with their fingers in every pie, so I thought I'd start a thread where we can share and discuss these projects, and potentially do some shameless plugs.
I started putting some money towards turning a feature of mine into a graphic novel, the feature is the one that made the BlueCat semi-finals and is currently in the PAGE quarterfinals.
I started in September last year after having a few discussions with members here about their experiences. It was quite a task finding an artist that I felt really delivered what I was looking for but after a lot of back and forth emails I got myself an artist and a letterer. For those that don’t know, the whole process can involve quit a lot of people, you have pencils/inks, colours, and letters, there are also people that specialise in just one part of that process. Lucky for me my guy does all the art so I only needed to find someone to do the letters (dialogue etc.).
Unfortunately this is a long and expensive process. I have 10 completed colour pages that still need dialogue and I'm just about to start 5 more.
It's quite unrealistic that I would be able to pay for this to be completed but it may end up on Kickstarter late this year or early next.
Either way this is a really fun and rewarding experience, it's a great way to see your script come to life, and a huge positive is that you have complete creative control over your work. I'm consulted at every stage of the process, and if I don’t like something it gets changed until I do.
Well done for taking the plunge, Warren and going for it with your graphic novel project. That artwork looks amazing and it is so rewarding to be involved in such creative endeavours.
Things have been a bit quiet for a while for me so I’ve been focusing on writing my first novel. 50k words in and about 30k more to go! It’s an adaptation of Cyborn (I’m Cyborn obsessed it seems!) and I’m loving the experience so far.
I’ve various short scripts optioned but they seem to have all stalled. One is in post-production so I’m hoping that one at least makes it across the line but these things take ages.
There’s a feature deal option for Dollmaker but I’m only advising on the treatment with the director at the moment. It’s another one that seems to have stalled and things are taking aaaaaagggggeeees. I doubt I’d be taken on board as a writer anyway, they want Matias and who can blame them!
Recently a production company read my Nearscape pilot and liked it, asked me if I could write something more contemporary so I’m expanding one of my OWC scripts (The Broken Kingdom) into a 30 min pilot as it’s won quite a few competitions and seems to be the type of TV show these guys are interested in. They have ‘opened a file on me’ and I’m free to send in any script so I’m trying to take advantage while I can.
For more of my scripts, stories, produced movies and the ocassional blog, check out my new website. CLICK
I haven't done much of anything the last 2.5 years. I have five grandkids now so focus has shifted. That's all good, but as a result, not much is happening on my end as far as optioning/selling scripts go either. There are producers/directors out there willing to read whatever I have, but I just don't have any new material. I'm starting to miss it. Starting to feel left out. Forgotten. Left at the platform while the train pulls away, lol.
I wrote a short, should be posted here soon, that Dena and I will shoot in August. That should be fun. We always work well together. It's titled Robocaller, but that will probably change since the story took a different turn once I started writing it.
I also hired someone to do a comic style pitch for a feature, but it didn't workout real well. The guy did a beautiful job, just didn't get the story I wanted it to tell. That's what happens I think when you hire someone online from a hiring service where you can't talk to each other than in text form. I told him in text what I was looking for and he thought he got, but...
Warren - Fantastic artwork! Best of luck with the rest of the novel. I'm sure you'll let us know if/ when you get a Kickstarter going. Count me in for a few $$.
Mark - Nice to hear Cyborn is still alive and kicking (pun intended). Very worth the effort to take that one further.
My efforts have seen a bit of impact from my real job (travelling to Perth for a week in August if anyone has any recommendations), but I'm still cranking some comics out. Issue II of Badman (Two in the Bush) should be posted on Hyper Epics in a week or so, and issue III (Three of a Kind) is drafted. I hope to have +/-6 issues in all.
Just found out that my feature 'Impasse' was a finalist in the 2019 Filmmatic Drama Screenplay Awards! That and $5 will get me a cup of coffee somewhere. I think Impasse is one that needs revisiting/revising for another comp or two. Always been a favorite of mine.
John - Congrats! My short Glass Bottles was a finalist for the 2019 Filmmatic Inroads Screenwriting Fellowship (a sister competition that Mark won last year, I think...) so I'm sure you're very proud of it (at least I was). I don't know if Impasse is still here for download but I saw it's on ScriptRevolution. It certainly looks like something I'd love to read.
Congrats to all of you for going for it through different means -- there is some great artwork on display on this thread. I hope it helps you get much more exposure!
Gary
Some of my scripts:
Bounty (TV Pilot) -- Top 1% of discoverable screenplays on Coverfly I'll Be Seeing You (short) - OWC winner The Gambler (short) - OWC winner Skip (short) - filmed Country Road 12 (short) - filmed The Family Man (short) - filmed The Journeyers (feature) - optioned
There’s a feature deal option for Dollmaker but I’m only advising on the treatment with the director at the moment. It’s another one that seems to have stalled and things are taking aaaaaagggggeeees. I doubt I’d be taken on board as a writer anyway, they want Matias and who can blame them!
Recently a production company read my Nearscape pilot and liked it, asked me if I could write something more contemporary so I’m expanding one of my OWC scripts (The Broken Kingdom) into a 30 min pilot as it’s won quite a few competitions and seems to be the type of TV show these guys are interested in. They have ‘opened a file on me’ and I’m free to send in any script so I’m trying to take advantage while I can.
The Dollmaker is an excellent script and top notch short film. Also a great premise for a feature, I'll definitely be watching if it ever happens.
Good luck with the prodco connection, hopefully it turns into something good.
I also hired someone to do a comic style pitch for a feature, but it didn't workout real well. The guy did a beautiful job, just didn't get the story I wanted it to tell. That's what happens I think when you hire someone online from a hiring service where you can't talk to each other than in text form. I told him in text what I was looking for and he thought he got, but...
I'd be interested to know what you wanted vs. what you got. The artwork is impressive. What didn’t it convey?
Warren - Fantastic artwork! Best of luck with the rest of the novel. I'm sure you'll let us know if/ when you get a Kickstarter going. Count me in for a few $$.
Mark - Nice to hear Cyborn is still alive and kicking (pun intended). Very worth the effort to take that one further.
My efforts have seen a bit of impact from my real job (travelling to Perth for a week in August if anyone has any recommendations), but I'm still cranking some comics out. Issue II of Badman (Two in the Bush) should be posted on Hyper Epics in a week or so, and issue III (Three of a Kind) is drafted. I hope to have +/-6 issues in all.
Just found out that my feature 'Impasse' was a finalist in the 2019 Filmmatic Drama Screenplay Awards! That and $5 will get me a cup of coffee somewhere. I think Impasse is one that needs revisiting/revising for another comp or two. Always been a favorite of mine.
Thanks, John, the artist is pure genius in my opinion. The things he can do with my words blows my mind.
So are you an official collaborator with Hyper Epics now, if that’s a thing? Look forward to seeing the new instalments.
John - Congrats! My short Glass Bottles was a finalist for the 2019 Filmmatic Inroads Screenwriting Fellowship (a sister competition that Mark won last year, I think...) so I'm sure you're very proud of it (at least I was). I don't know if Impasse is still here for download but I saw it's on ScriptRevolution. It certainly looks like something I'd love to read.
Thanks, mate. Won’t be anytime soon, but hopefully one day I'll have a complete graphic novel to wrap my hands around.
I second the reddit group, that’s where I found my guy. The rates are quite varied, but I don’t think I could find a decent full colour page for less than about $80 USD. Yes you will find cheaper, but don’t expect Picasso.
Congrats to all of you for going for it through different means -- there is some great artwork on display on this thread. I hope it helps you get much more exposure!
Gary
Thanks, for me though, it’s purely about the graphic novel. Would be great if it did lead to more exposure, but that isn’t why I'm doing it. I just want to do a graphic novel
Some nice artwork on display here - Exciting stuff.
And well done to you Warren for taking the plunge and putting some money into your own project.
I'm too new at this to have any side projects - Only thing that comes close is I got speaking to a filmmaker who told me his comic friend is looking to make a short film based on one of his characters - so I whipped up a quick synopsis in the hopes they ask me to write the thing lol
I do like seeing and hearing your stories of projects and stuff though, gives me inspiration, so keep 'em coming
Been a slight change of plan as far as how Shaka the graphic novel is going to happen, and for me it's quite exciting.
I rewrote Shaka into graphic novel format last year sometime and it blew my 115 page script out to almost 200 pages. At over $100 a page for full colour you can easily see where the issue is. The plan was to run a Kickstarter to try fund it, that also seemed quite unrealistic. Now I've decided to break it up into 10 comics. I'll fund the first one completely out of pocket then run a Kickstarter to 'fund' it retrospectively (is that the right word, I don't know) and use those funds to complete the second comic, then rinse and repeat until the story is complete.
It's exciting for two reasons; one, that I will have a completed comic to hold in my hands no matter what, and two, that it's a way more realistic figure to try and achieve through crowd funding.
If by some miracle we get to do the 10 volumes, I'll then reprint all the art into my initially intended graphic novel.
Watch this space
Oh, and I won't be putting the Kickstarter on SS. So please don't think I'm doing an early hustle for money. Thread just for fun.
Back to this thread again for a little update. The comic based on my script Shaka is really coming along, it should be completed by the end of the year or early next year.
I have two Marvel/DC artists on board for the cover and a variant cover, and another artist who's work will blow your mind currently doing the second variant cover.
Like I said in a previous post, I won't be asking for money from SS members. Sure if you like the story, art, or comic books hop on board and support the Kickstarter campaign when it comes out, but only if you really want to
In the last few days I've gone from having almost no social media presence to having accounts for everything.
The promotion of the book is still in its infancy, but if you'd like to follow along and watch from the sidelines, this is where you can find it.
Back to this thread again for a little update. The comic based on my script Shaka is really coming along, it should be completed by the end of the year or early next year.
I have two Marvel/DC artists on board for the cover and a variant cover, and another artist who's work will blow your mind currently doing the second variant cover.
Like I said in a previous post, I won't be asking for money from SS members. Sure if you like the story, art, or comic books hop on board and support the Kickstarter campaign when it comes out, but only if you really want to
Congratulations! Can't wait to see the finished product. Is this your first time doing a project of this nature?
The letters are starting to go in for Shaka issue #1.
Check out the main cover by Bella Rachlin all lettered up and a couple of panels from the book. Letters by Toben Racicot and art by Eli Johnson.
Also managed to build a Facebook audience of over 13000 people since August, this is one of the main reasons I'm not doing much writing at the moment, managing the three social media accounts has turned into a bit of a second job at this point.
What social media, apart from FB? Just curious. That's a good following so far. Edit: Ah, you prob mean personal, writer website, and FB, is that right when you mentioned three?
What social media, apart from FB? Just curious. That's a good following so far.
Thanks, Libby, very pleased for sure.
I have accounts on Instagram and Twitter for the comic as well, I do focus most of my attention on Facebook though because I'm most familiar with it. Never had Instagram or Twitter before the comic. My total audience across all three is about 15000, but there is probably some crossover.
PIA -- the artwork looks amazing. Never thought to include something like that in a pitch.
I wrote a script like 12 years ago (it's still posted on here -- not my best written work, though not bad) called "Machine Gun Symphony" that I really wanted to turn into a graphic novel -- the budget, since it's a period piece sorta, was pretty big for a film -- and, looking back, it wasn't my greatest work. But it might be something I'd consider looking into.
As for side projects, of course I want to get "Honey Mustard" off the ground (though it's on Simply Scripts -- and not a great time to pitch, I'm finding out). Then I have my latest feature film, "Rage" that finished post, which I feel great about. But still looking at sales agents and distribution companies as of now (DM me to find out more). That script I was hired to write, though I think my "voice" is still distinct in that one despite the film being a slight departure for me in terms of maturity.
I am in the pre-natal stages of the next screenplay, which will be my 3rd feature, working with the same producers and director of "Rage". Though I can't really say much else about it as there isn't much to say just yet.
I missed your post in February with the proof copies - awesome covers. Who are you using for the print copies? I've been kicking around the thought of publishing an anthology of my comics and I checked out blurb.com (Hyper Epics uses them for his print anthologies). They do great work and fairly inexpensive.
With all your social media connections for marketing, how are you going to actually sell them?
Love your avatars. Did I see that one or both of your artists had done some work for Marvel?
PIA -- the artwork looks amazing. Never thought to include something like that in a pitch. -- Michael
Actually that is Warren's artwork - although I wouldn't mind taking credit for it. in a pitch.
Quoted Text
I wrote a script like 12 years ago (it's still posted on here -- not my best written work, though not bad) called "Machine Gun Symphony" that I really wanted to turn into a graphic novel -- the budget, since it's a period piece sorta, was pretty big for a film -- and, looking back, it wasn't my greatest work. But it might be something I'd consider looking into.
It does address an issue I haven't quite wrapped my arms around yet. What to do with the scripts in the bin?
I now have 10 features and just started making notes for the next one (A Hooker - Nun road trip comedy based on a short I wrote). Every time I get on it in the back of my head those other 10 scripts percolate. Should I spend my time on the next one or should I continue to re-write the old ones to try to get them better? It's hard - because there comes a time when one gets bored with their own work.
Yesterday I started to write but decided it was time to finally get rid of my - I'm sure I will fit into these again one-day clothes. It was amazing how many there were.
It does address an issue I haven't quite wrapped my arms around yet. What to do with the scripts in the bin?
I now have 10 features and just started making notes for the next one (A Hooker - Nun road trip comedy based on a short I wrote). Every time I get on it in the back of my head those other 10 scripts percolate. Should I spend my time on the next one or should I continue to re-write the old ones to try to get them better? It's hard - because there comes a time when one gets bored with their own work.
If you ever have downtime and you feel the old script still has potential years later, sometimes it's worth going over it again. I know the Coen Brothers did that with "Miller's Crossing", although that was an unfinished work. I've written 25 features and most of them are shit or not really viable ideas (a lot of those written before I started getting my footing)... but I do find myself taking elements from my older scripts, at least the best parts of those old scripts, and recycling them to create something new. Or just using them for small parts of a newer script.
If you ever have downtime and you feel the old script still has potential years later, sometimes it's worth going over it again. I know the Coen Brothers did that with "Miller's Crossing", although that was an unfinished work. I've written 25 features and most of them are shit or not really viable ideas (a lot of those written before I started getting my footing)... but I do find myself taking elements from my older scripts, at least the best parts of those old scripts, and recycling them to create something new. Or just using them for small parts of a newer script.
Yeah - I think it's a triage situation.
I have three scripts that have done really well in contests. I'll probably keep polishing those. One I think I am going to convert into a Christmas theme.
I have three scripts I don't give a shit about anymore.
Four that I not sure of - one where I am going to look for a co-writer as I think I have the bones of a story but am too old to get the technology right.
Probably the best course is to write new - fix old as I get writers block on new
I missed your post in February with the proof copies - awesome covers. Who are you using for the print copies? I've been kicking around the thought of publishing an anthology of my comics and I checked out blurb.com (Hyper Epics uses them for his print anthologies). They do great work and fairly inexpensive.
With all your social media connections for marketing, how are you going to actually sell them?
Love your avatars. Did I see that one or both of your artists had done some work for Marvel?
Good luck, my friend!
So I'm using a local comic book printer in Sydney called comic books on demand, their work is top notch, after a few proofs, I decided on 113gsm satin coated paper and a 250gsm gloss celloglaze cover. It looks and feels fantastic.
You should definitely do it, doing comics is just a different kind of satisfaction (as you know), I'd encourage anyone to give it a go it they have the spare $$$.
So I think my audience is around 20 000 now. I'll launch on Kickstarter then advertise directly to my audience, I'll get the usual Kickstarter traffic, and post in a ton of Facebook comic book pages.
So Chris Ivy used to be a Marvel and DC artist, and Simone D'Armini has made his debut with Marvel on a issue of She-Hulk. Both of them are variant cover artists for the comic.
60 Feet Under - Low budget, contained thriller/Feature The Hand of God - Low budget, semi-contained thriller/Feature Wait Till Next Year - Disney-style family sports comedy/Feature
Many shorts available for production: comedy, thriller, drama, light horror
Oh, and I won't be putting the Kickstarter on SS. So please don't think I'm doing an early hustle for money. Thread just for fun.
I said it a year ago and I meant it, but now, as of this morning we have a fully funded Kickstarter campaign for the first issue of the Shaka comic!!!!!!! Holy shit! I honestly can't believe it. I've been on such a journey with this one little script and I'm so glad it hasn't ended yet. The funds for this kickstarter means that issue 2 will happen.
So just to let you know what I've been up to for the last 18 months or so, and why I haven't been writing all that much, here is the link to the Kickstarter, we still have 8 days to go, so every cent from here on in is just money in the bank. Please don't feel the need to pledge, we have all the money we need to make this happen. I'm just incredibly proud of the book, the campaign, and all the work that's gone into it so I wanted to share.
I said it a year ago and I meant it, but now, as of this morning we have a fully funded Kickstarter campaign for the first issue of the Shaka comic!!!!!!! Holy shit! I honestly can't believe it. I've been on such a journey with this one little script and I'm so glad it hasn't ended yet. The funds for this kickstarter means that issue 2 will happen.
So just to let you know what I've been up to for the last 18 months or so, and why I haven't been writing all that much, here is the link to the Kickstarter, we still have 8 days to go, so every cent from here on in is just money in the bank. Please don't feel the need to pledge, we have all the money we need to make this happen. I'm just incredibly proud of the book, the campaign, and all the work that's gone into it so I wanted to share.
60 Feet Under - Low budget, contained thriller/Feature The Hand of God - Low budget, semi-contained thriller/Feature Wait Till Next Year - Disney-style family sports comedy/Feature
Many shorts available for production: comedy, thriller, drama, light horror
Are you looking into any other screenplays that can be turned to a comic book?
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/
Are you looking into any other screenplays that can be turned to a comic book?
Gabe
Not at the moment, I still have 9 issues of Shaka to complete to finish the story arc, so that will be years in the making if we manage to get there.
I have however met so many amazing artists along the way and the thought of doing a horror anthology comic including many of my short horrors with a different artists drawing each story has crossed my mind... so maybe in the future.
I do encourage anyone who has the means and desire to turn a script into a comic to do it, it's such a rewarding experience.
Very cool work, Warren. I can't wait to get my hands on a printed copy.
Here's a sample of a current piece that's being illustrated for me. Some may remember 'Saints and Sinners' from a OWC that required the use of playing cards in a church? Gil (the artist) Murillo sent me a link to a time lapse of him creating one of the pages:
The finished work may end up being 15-17 pages, my longest yet. It'll still be a few months before it's done. Stay tuned to SS for a link in the future.....
Very cool work, Warren. I can't wait to get my hands on a printed copy.
Here's a sample of a current piece that's being illustrated for me. Some may remember 'Saints and Sinners' from a OWC that required the use of playing cards in a church? Gil (the artist) Murillo sent me a link to a time lapse of him creating one of the pages:
The finished work may end up being 15-17 pages, my longest yet. It'll still be a few months before it's done. Stay tuned to SS for a link in the future.....
Wow, awesome page, John. I'm guessing this is a self-funded piece because it's a bit long for Hyper Epics format, or are they branching out?
Wow, awesome page, John. I'm guessing this is a self-funded piece because it's a bit long for Hyper Epics format, or are they branching out?
Yes, self-funding this one. Gil and I have collaborated on a number of comics so far and we're thinking of putting out an anthology of our works after this one. Hyper Epics did publish a six-pager (double issue!) of Badman this past year but that was pushing it.
Gil's going to continue doing his time-lapse videos and posting them on YouTube for the hell of it. Dave's right, he's 100%.
I was the assistant director for my friend's short film coming out on Vimeo this Thursday. It stars Thomas Nicholson of The Haunting of Bly Manor and it is a fun little neo noir chiller. I also did VFX for it and helped with pretty much every stage of the process. So, not my short, but it feels like mine.
I was the assistant director for my friend's short film coming out on Vimeo this Thursday. It stars Thomas Nicholson of The Haunting of Bly Manor and it is a fun little neo noir chiller. I also did VFX for it and helped with pretty much every stage of the process. So, not my short, but it feels like mine.
Nice one, Rene, will check it out when it's available.
I was the assistant director for my friend's short film coming out on Vimeo this Thursday. It stars Thomas Nicholson of The Haunting of Bly Manor and it is a fun little neo noir chiller. I also did VFX for it and helped with pretty much every stage of the process. So, not my short, but it feels like mine.
Sweet!
PaulKWrites.com
60 Feet Under - Low budget, contained thriller/Feature The Hand of God - Low budget, semi-contained thriller/Feature Wait Till Next Year - Disney-style family sports comedy/Feature
Many shorts available for production: comedy, thriller, drama, light horror
Here it is! "The Hidden" starring Thomas Nicholson (Bly Manor), Zakiah Dumansky, Bruce Blain (Riverdale), and Mark James. I was assistant director and did some VFX for it.
That was a very well made short, Rene. Definitely one to be proud of. The story is a little done and the male lead was quite wooden but nevertheless a great little film.
That was a very well made short, Rene. Definitely one to be proud of. The story is a little done and the male lead was quite wooden but nevertheless a great little film.
Congrats!
Thanks! I also thought the male lead was being too subtle but the director liked it that way. It's a POC for a feature that has a much better story to it, which I helped with. I'll get to help film that too.
This is an animatic of a animated short film i want to make, have to find the money to be able to make it though. SFX could be better but it's a rough animatic right now.
This is an animatic of a animated short film i want to make, have to find the money to be able to make it though. SFX could be better but it's a rough animatic right now.
This is an animatic of a animated short film i want to make, have to find the money to be able to make it though. SFX could be better but it's a rough animatic right now.
This is an animatic of a animated short film i want to make, have to find the money to be able to make it though. SFX could be better but it's a rough animatic right now.
Did you make this? Or did you pay someone to do the animatic?
Thanks man! I did the boards ib Storyboard pro and put it together with Da Vinci. It's been something I've been working on when I have the spare time. Animating it is going to be the hard part! lol that's where some proper equipment and stuff.
Thanks man! I did the boards ib Storyboard pro and put it together with Da Vinci. It's been something I've been working on when I have the spare time. Animating it is going to be the hard part! lol that's where some proper equipment and stuff.
I took 4 years of traditional animation in College, I had to figure out how to use the computer programs on my own though lol That's what Youtube is good for.
Pages: 
Author
Member Side Projects
Logged
Good luck!
Locked Board