Hi everybody, I'm new to this board.  I am a newly published author who desires his book to become a movie so as to help as many people as I can with this subject matter.  My book is called "The Baby & The Beast, for right now it can only be found online...but at any online bookstore, if you ask for it in the bookstore though I'm sure they will order it.  My book is an autobiography about the eight years of suffering molestation at the hands of my brother.  My book is graphic at some points, to tell the ENTIRE story it must be done.  This book is unlike any other molestation "look what was done to me and how I overcame it" book, I tell of the things that I have done because, after all, the cycle repeats.  My name is Brad Martin and I'd appreciate any feedback you can give to me on this because I have very intense goals that I wish to accomplish. First and foremost the revenue I recieve from this book will go towards childrens charities to help give back that which I did not recieve...a normal childhood.  I have plans to, if all goes well with book sells, open up my own business helping children who are going through this situation right now, and the adults that have not yet come to terms with what has been done.  If you go to lulu.com you can see an excerpt of my book and then, if wishing to buy it, it is available in harcover paperback or download.  I hope all will help me in this cause of helping children, god knows they need all the help they can get.  I, as mentioned before, would also like to see this book made into a movie because it can help millions understand what goes on in the mind of a person that has been molested, how one can recognize the signs, and what we can ALL do to help stop it.  I can't make this movie script alone, because I do not know how, so I would love to have a collaborative effort with one of you...and maybe that can develop into a lasting friendship as well.  If you do nothing else, please go to lulu.com and read the excerpt of my autobiography on child molestation and maybe one of you, or several, can help collaborate on a killer script that will help educate and change the world.  

You're at a disadvantage, Brad, in that you're very first post is a request for collaboration.  We don't know who you are.  Most of us here have enough ideas in our heads that we can be writing until Doomsday before our creative well runs dry (I, personally have five or six feature scripts waiting to be written).  Working with you would only take time away from my stories.

I recommend that you read and review some scripts, here, and become an active member on the boards.  Make your request after this.  You may get more positive results.

This post, btw, applies to all the newbies wishing to work with someone else here.  Time is a valuable commodity for writers; give us a reason to use our time to help you.  Having an 'incredible, guaranteed smash-hit idea, Speilberg will shoot a load when he reads it' is not enough.



Phil

I didn't mean for my first post to be  taken the wrong way or anything.  I appreciate your response, and if you want to know me or what I am about just ask me...I am as honest as the day is long, some would call it good and some will call it bad.

Brad

I think what you’re doing is truly commendable and I really hope you achieve what you’re aiming for. And more. It’s people like you that make a difference so whatever happens keep going.

I’m new to screenwriting myself and have no experience of the industry so I’m not in a position to be much help. However, I can see three things to think about straight off;

1) This is obviously a really emotional and uncomfortable subject. I don’t think there’ll be that many people wanting to delve deep enough into it to write a script BUT please don’t let that put you off. If all else fails buy some books on screenwriting (there are loads out there) and have a go yourself. I think most of the people on this site are self-taught (how successful we are is another matter  )

2) From your posting it sounds like much of the book deals with your thoughts and feelings – i.e. it is internal. This is very difficult to translate to the screen - being a visual medium it doesn’t afford the luxury of hearing a person’s thoughts. I’m not saying it can’t be done but it could be problematic and you might have to deviate from the book substantially.

3) You’ve said you want the film to be educational. Have you considered a documentary or are you definitely looking for a “based on a true story” feature? I don’t know your story but if you’re wanting to make a feature you’ll need to consider how “true to life” you want to be. Depending on what you’re looking to do I suspect that the more people you want to reach, the more artistic license will need to be taken with the facts because, sad as it is, people just won’t want to know the absolute truth – it’s too disturbing. How do you feel about this?

I don’t know if any of that helps. I’m happy to download your book and send you my thoughts, for what they’re worth, on translating it to screen. If nothing else the charities will get some cash

Best of luck with everything

Adam

I'm not saying that you did anything wrong.  I'm just pointing out the obstacles that are facing you by introducing yourself with a request for collaboration.

If I were to do a collaboration, it would be with only one or two people here who I know and who's writing skills I respect enough to work with (no offense to everyone else).


Phil

first of all, I appreciate Limey who commended me on my efforts, LImey, I also challenge you to be one of those people that make a difference as well.  My second comment is to dogglebe, I challenge you to go to lulu.com and look for the book "The Baby & The Beast" and read the excerpt and see if you respect my writing skills.  I would like opinions here, from anyone who visits that site and looks for the book, on my writing sklls...maybe I can take some positive feedback and apply it to my next venture.

Don't challenge me, Brad.  It'll only lead to your disappointment.

I have several scripts that I have to read and review (all from regulars on this site).  At the same time, I'm hoping to get the first draft of a feature done by the end of the month.  My plate is full and I stand by my original post on this thread.


Phil

thanks for your reply Phil, if it wasn't meant to be it wasn't mean to be.  You can get back to your full plate now.

Adapting a book to a script is a lot of work.

I suggest writing out the beats for every scene in the book before asking for collaboration.  This makes it easier for the collaborator to jump in and help.  This also limits the amount of the time the collaborator has to spend with your script.

And for help in the creative process, I suggest listening to podcasts for tv shows and movies.  The BSG ones are pretty good.  The Eureka ones are also good.

I suggest picking up Final Draft from an online vendor.  The software takes care of a lot of the formating issues for you, so you can concentrate on writing your story.  And I like using the virtual index cards to reorganize my scenes.  I write on the summary cards each of my beats.

As for books, I suggest "The Complete Book of Scriptwriting" by J. Michael Straczynski.  And I suggest reading a lot of scripts.

Once your outline of beats is finished and you are able to put some detail around those beats.  You can just ask for folks to write the script portion for those beats.  Later, you can modifier those scenes to better fit in your story.  

tweak

Your post might be falling on dead ears, tweak.  Brad hasn't been here in over two weeks.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe Your post might be falling on dead ears, tweak.  Brad hasn't been here in over two weeks. Phil

Just trying to be helpful.