Hey folks,

As of late, I've been rather stumped.  Been staring at "FADE IN" for a while, unable to progress anywhere, incapable of finding my flow.  Maybe I'm running out of ideas?  This was my first thought.

I recently read an article on Scriptshadow, it's on the main page of that website and it functions on "originality", what is original, what's not original.  Exceptional elements and such.  How to make something that is both familiar yet new, if that makes sense.  It's linked below:

http://scriptshadow.net/screenwriting-article-the-exceptional-element/

I was down and out, really struggling to come up with anything and it affected my attitude quite a bit, has done for the last few days.  Been saying a lot of things I'd not normally say.

Turns out, I wasn't out of ideas, I was just doing things too similar to other things, if that makes sense.  Age of Shadows is a cut-and-dry fantasy story, you've SEEN it all before, nothing new.  Last Sundown, I got to 80 pages, and then quit on it with 7 left because it felt too similar to other Westerns.

Now though, I have a new outlook on storytelling.  Do things familiar yet add a new spice to the mix.  

Just thought I'd give the link to anyone feeling the same way as myself.  I hate getting into ruts like these, I like writing and when I can't write, I get annoyed and when I get annoyed, i get involved in political discussions and such where I make myself look like an idiot, lol.

Anyway, hopefully the link provides assistance to writers that may be struggling.  It's certainly opened my eyes to a whole Galaxy of Ideas.

You only just figured that out?

Y'know, I was going to say something to you not too long ago but I deleted it because I thought it would come across as insulting.

Whenever I read something of yours I'm always put in mind of James Herbert. I've read most of his books, by the way, I only left out the more modern ones after he made a brief comeback around 10 years ago... He's the author of The Rats, Sepulchre, The Dark, etc, etc...

The thing is, all of his books are the same. They follow the same simple formula. Might as well be reading the same book. However, what kept me going back to Jimmy, was it was easy to read. There's nothing wrong with that... there's a market for it. If I was bored enough I'd even read his newer stuff, because I know what I'm getting and he has a writer's voice.

You've got a voice too.

Be nice to see you tackle something a little more out there. Something not so safe. Something nobody else would ever think of or dream attempting. Put your head above the crowd. You have to push your talent to its limits.

Oh, the next will be "out there", lol.  It's a buddy-cop movie.  Not the standard type though.

I won't go into detail, but it's zany and off-the-walls.  Never-been-done-before territory.

Thanks to scriptshadow for instilling confidence in me again.  Deadite put me onto it when he mentioned the article in a message, so thanks to him too.

Quoted from Leegion Oh, the next will be "out there", lol.  It's a buddy-cop movie.  Not the standard type though. I won't go into detail, but it's zany and off-the-walls.  Never-been-done-before territory.

Watch out for anything remotely resembling the BO Bomb, R.I.P.D. from last year.

Quoted from Dreamscale Watch out for anything remotely resembling the BO Bomb, R.I.P.D. from last year.

I'll do my best to avoid it.  

Hey Lee, you'll be alright, man.  I don't always agree with Carson but I thought he was right in that article - even though I already knew what he was talking about - but he just seemed to slam it over my head a little extra harder with that post.  Now I have a really badass idea, I already have a badass one page opener, and I can't wait to type "FADE OUT."  It has Oscars written all over it.  It'll be the script I send out to the comps this go around.  Just hang in there, dude.  Send me The Last Sundown and I'll give it a read.  I'll help you out as much as I can.  I have no problem with that.  I love giving all the regular members a read.  I always gain something from it.

Quoted from Guest Hey Lee, you'll be alright, man.  I don't always agree with Carson but I thought he was right in that article - even though I already knew what he was talking about - but he just seemed to slam it over my head a little extra harder with that post.  Now I have a really badass idea, I already have a badass one page opener, and I can't wait to type "FADE OUT."  It has Oscars written all over it.  It'll be the script I send out to the comps this go around.  Just hang in there, dude.  Send me The Last Sundown and I'll give it a read.  I'll help you out as much as I can.  I have no problem with that.  I love giving all the regular members a read.  I always gain something from it.

Thanks, Steve.

Last Sundown has been changed, or upscaled to a new concept.  I like the whole "cowboy" thing, but I am changing it to a Sci-Fi Western, meaning cowboys, outlaws and horses will gallop among the stars attempting to steal, shoot and loot in space while retaining the classic Western vibe, weaponry, equipment and lingo.

The first Sci-Fi Western I believe.  Not in that "Cowboys and Aliens" or "John Carter" way, more like Red Dead Redemption meets Mass Effect.  I'll likely take you up on the offer once I have the first Act down.

I'm gonna give away a whole bunch of plans over the next few days, characters, stories, loglines, titles.  Maybe someone here can find better use of them, otherwise, they're just gonna sit here and gather computer dust.  

AGGGGGGGGHHHH, Lee, you drive me crazy, dude.

You're always giving up so easily!!!!  Fight through that shit, man.  Persevere.

Quoted from Guest AGGGGGGGGHHHH, Lee, you drive me crazy, dude. You're always giving up so easily!!!!  Fight through that shit, man.  Persevere.

Older scripts, mate.  The ones I'm never gonna write.  I'm looking into new ideas, so I don't need the old ones anymore.  

As I said, the scriptshadow article instilled some inspiration and I want to capitalize on these new ideas.  The older concepts are treatments for 3 scripts (Fracture, Last Sundown and Shards) that I will never write, either that, or they've evolved beyond what they were in the beginning, so it'd be a shame to see them go to waste.  

Oh.  Haha.  Ok.  You had me there for a second.

I don't want to see you - or anyone on here - give up.

Hey lee

You can always use those old ideas. Add them to something your working on or Combine two or more old ideas into one new feature.

I'm envious on those guys who can get a idea and churn out a script. I'm a slow guy. lol.

Gabe

^^^ I agree completely with what Gabe says... never throw anything away, as you never know when you could use it. What if you see a call for scripts, which perfectly matches one of these ideas?

I always save my ideas to a word document, even if they're things I have no immediate interest of writing. In fact, I sent this document to one of my friends (an established cinematographer who's made the move into producing) for him to pick out an idea for me to write with the intention of him producing. The idea he picked out was one that I would have never picked alone, as I thought it needed work... it did, but two months later, he's got some investors interested and it's finally looking like we're going to secure some development funding.

Moral of the story; keep everything, as you never know when it may come in use

Whenever I write I TRY to find where my ideas are getting cliche. It happens. But then when you figure out what's expected, what's been done before, you flip it on its head and do the opposite. Very few ideas are truly new. But how you present, execute and convey them can be. For example, Firefly/Serenity is a sci-first western. Some people even say Star Wars is to an extent. Star Trek was pitched as Go West in spaceships. All are different though and all are loved.

Actually that "call for scripts" thing has come around twice in the last month.  

I can come up with ideas quickly anyway.  Nevermore is a prime example of this.  I thought of it 2 days ago and I'm already 37 pages through.  It's the Buddy-Cop movie I was talking about, crazy, off-the-walls and insane.

Dreamscale mentioned RIPD.  Well, think "The Other Guys" meets "21 Jump Street" only with aliens and homophobic elves in a town surrounded by volcanoes...

It's like nothing you've read/seen before, yet it is.  You know the buddy-cop genre, but it goes much further.  Hopefully others get a laugh out of this, and if anyone remembers my comedy "Bleak Falls" then you'll find similar humor here.

Quoted from Leegion ...already 37 pages through.  It's the Buddy-Cop movie I was talking about, crazy, off-the-walls and insane. Dreamscale mentioned RIPD.  Well, think "The Other Guys" meets "21 Jump Street" only with aliens and homophobic elves in a town surrounded by volcanoes... It's like nothing you've read/seen before, yet it is.

Congrats, you are much further than me.  

I have 18 pages so far, but I'm going to give them a tweak so the first act drops down to 15.

Just be careful with what you're writing.  It sounds a little, I don't know, out there, and it's good to write something "we have never seen before" but also be careful of that phrase, too.  I'll reserve judgment, though, until I have read the final product!  

15 pages seems like a very short first act to me.

Quoted from Guest Congrats, you are much further than me.   I have 18 pages so far, but I'm going to give them a tweak so the first act drops down to 15. Just be careful with what you're writing.  It sounds a little, I don't know, out there, and it's good to write something "we have never seen before" but also be careful of that phrase, too.  I'll reserve judgment, though, until I have read the final product!

You've seen it before, just not like this.  

I am being careful not to go too OTT.  I watched "The Heat" last night for the first time, so I have even more to go on in the buddy-cop comedy department.

It'll be coming shortly.  

The title is "A Nevermore Story".  

Quoted from Leegion The title is "A Nevermore Story".

I'm sorry, but that's a horrible title right off the bat, IMO.  Especially for a story such as the one you described in a previous post.  

Title sounds too much like Neverending Story.

Quoted from CalebHart I'm sorry, but that's a horrible title right off the bat, IMO.  Especially for a story such as the one you described in a previous post.   Title sounds too much like Neverending Story.

...it's meant to sounds like it, lol.  Nonetheless, it's merely a placeholder until I come up with something more nutty.  "UFO: Ultimate Federal Organization" is one I'm looking at.

"Darth Crusoe and Sir Mandibles Take on the World" - strong possibility, as it sounds pretty funny.

Hahah, best of luck with the titles!

Quoted from Leegion ...it's meant to sounds like it, lol.  Nonetheless, it's merely a placeholder until I come up with something more nutty.  "UFO: Ultimate Federal Organization" is one I'm looking at. "Darth Crusoe and Sir Mandibles Take on the World" - strong possibility, as it sounds pretty funny.

Buddy cop movie about chasing after aliens? Sounds a lot like Men in Black.

Quoted from DV44 Buddy cop movie about chasing after aliens? Sounds a lot like Men in Black.

A buddy-cop movie with an alien-human partnership as they chase Elves on an island surrounded by volcanoes with just 1 straight road.

I've landed on a title: "Darth Crusoe & Sir Mandibles: Nevermore Defenders".

Logline: A human cop teams with an alien from outer-space to take on a super evil Elf.

Seriously?

LOL - what is your take, Jeff?

Well... it's different, I suppose.

Quoted from Guest LOL - what is your take, Jeff?

Not to be mean or anything, but my take is that first of all, it's very hard to take seriously.  It sounds like a big old pisser, to be honest.

Is this supposed to be a serious script?

Quoted from Dreamscale Not to be mean or anything, but my take is that first of all, it's very hard to take seriously.  It sounds like a big old pisser, to be honest. Is this supposed to be a serious script?

Yeah.  I just wanted an unforgettable title...

Quoted from Dreamscale Not to be mean or anything, but my take is that first of all, it's very hard to take seriously.  It sounds like a big old pisser, to be honest. Is this supposed to be a serious script?

Sounds kind of like the Guardian of the Galaxy movie coming out later this year. What's interesting is the fact the story takes place on an island surrounded by volcanoes with only one straight road. What's the significance of only one straight road?

Quoted from Dreamscale Not to be mean or anything, but my take is that first of all, it's very hard to take seriously.  It sounds like a big old pisser, to be honest.

I'll be honest too... I agree.

I'll also agree with Dustin - it is different.

At first, to me, it sounded like Lee went a little over board looking for that "exceptional" element that "we have never seen before."

Regardless, I'll still give it a shot and try to read it first before I decide it's not for me.

You can't judge a movie based on the premise, you have to judge it on the execution.

Good luck with it Lee.

Quoted from Demento You can't judge a movie based on the premise, you have to judge it on the execution.

Uhhhhh...yes you can.  It happens all the time.  Many, MANY a good movie is passed by because of this or that, and this or that don't necessarily have to do with it being poorly executed or a shitass film.

Quoted from Dreamscale Uhhhhh...yes you can.  It happens all the time.  Many, MANY a good movie is passed by because of this or that, and this or that don't necessarily have to do with it being poorly executed or a shitass film.

You can make a choice if you want to watch it or not based on the premise. If it appeals to you. What I was trying to say is that it is silly to jump to conclusions about the film's quality based on a one or two sentence premise. You haven't seen it, you don't know how to idea or premise develops.

I guess I should explain more about it:

Quoted Text DARTH CRUSOE & SIR MANDIBLES: NEVERMORE DEFENDERS On a dystopian island surrounded by volcanoes, a sinister organization is at work, headed by the maniacal Carnigan, an Elf from the planet of Ciranova. After the spontaneous combustion of his most recent partner, Connor Newman teams with Norin, the last of his race and an alien from the planet Corku.   Together, they must infiltrate Carnigan's organization and learn his secrets to stop him unleashing a terrible fate upon Nevermore buried at the heart of Mount Boom in the form of mutant space squids. As events roll forward, Newman and Norin find themselves at war with not just Carnigan, but also homicidal penguins, insane geriatric thieves, vicious koala bears and the devil himself as they strive to defend an island on the verge of Pompeii. The fate of Nevermore rests in their hands...

That's pretty much the concept in a bottle.  Still sounds nuts, but it makes more sense in this context.

I want a sneak peak of this hahaha.  Lee - send me an e-mail of what you already have.

I sent it over Steve.  Hope you like it.

OK, Lee, don't take this the wrong way, OK?  This is a serious question...

What kind of audience is this written for?  Adults?  Teens?  Children?  Is it to be animated or live action?  Budget?

Just wondering...

Well, I just got done reading the first 18 pages and I don't know what to make of it yet.  But anyway, some thoughts:  I did smile and laugh out loud a couple times.  I liked the setting.  I think this would look cool on screen and Johnny Depp would fit nicely right in the middle of this sucker.  IMO, it's the leanest your writing has ever been, Lee, and that's good.  I think you should change the names of the two leads - they're too similar to each other, both beginning with N (Newman, Norin).  I think you might have taken it a little too literal when trying to come up with something "that has never been seen before," but we'll see what happens, I suppose.

Quoted from CalebHart I don't have much to say about the current topic, but DV44's new avatar is certainly cause for concern.   Post 28. Might wanna rethink that one DV.  Just sayin'.

That's an awesome avatar. Don't you dare change it DV44!

LOL - I like Dirk's old avatar - Switch it back, friend-o!

I wish I had the guts to name a volcano Mt. Boom.

Quoted from CalebHart I don't have much to say about the current topic, but DV44's new avatar is certainly cause for concern.   Post 28. Might wanna rethink that one DV.  Just sayin'.

What's wrong with a uncle Rico avatar, friend-o?  

Quoted from Dreamscale OK, Lee, don't take this the wrong way, OK?  This is a serious question... What kind of audience is this written for?  Adults?  Teens?  Children?  Is it to be animated or live action?  Budget? Just wondering...

Teens/adults.  Budget: $5-10 million.  Live Action.  

Quoted from Guest Well, I just got done reading the first 18 pages and I don't know what to make of it yet.  But anyway, some thoughts:  I did smile and laugh out loud a couple times.  I liked the setting.  I think this would look cool on screen and Johnny Depp would fit nicely right in the middle of this sucker.  IMO, it's the leanest your writing has ever been, Lee, and that's good.  I think you should change the names of the two leads - they're too similar to each other, both beginning with N (Newman, Norin).  I think you might have taken it a little too literal when trying to come up with something "that has never been seen before," but we'll see what happens, I suppose.

Appreciate the compliments, man.  I'll see about changing those names, or simply change the "Newman" to "Connor" instead, as that's his first name.

Yep... I did take it a bit literal... lol.

shame on you DV44.

Quoted from Demento shame on you DV44.

I agree. I can't even look at myself in the mirror right now.

Quoted from DV44 I agree. I can't even look at myself in the mirror right now.

I'll just leave this here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZa1jFSZV-s

Quoted from Demento I'll just leave this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZa1jFSZV-s

That's what I'm talking about.

Lee, good on you for just doing what you want to do, and writing what you want to write.
But... have you considered a little break?

Be careful not to burn yourself out.

A week away from the pen can make a massive difference.

Good luck, mate.

Lee... this could work, but only if you make it for kids... and, even then, it doesn't sound like blockbuster material to me. I could be totally wrong, of course.

Whenever you write something always consider the budget you are writing under and who your target market is.

Quoted from Scoob Lee, good on you for just doing what you want to do, and writing what you want to write. But... have you considered a little break? Be careful not to burn yourself out. A week away from the pen can make a massive difference. Good luck, mate.

I always take a week off after writing a script to recharge my batteries/plan the next one. After this, I'm taking 2 weeks off to plot/plan whatever comes next.  

And thanks, I am enjoying the heck out of this script at the moment. No way can I stop now as it's getting funnier and more exciting as it goes on.

---------------------------------------

In all likelihood, the script won't be longer than 80-85 pages, so even if people don't find it "serious" it's short enough to read for fun, which is the intention.

Jeff asked me if this script was "serious", well, I'm putting effort into it and it's not intended to be a pi$$er by any means. It's just meant to be a fun script.

And a test, I suppose, to see if I can somehow pull off something "exceptional".

Quoted from DustinBowcot Lee... this could work, but only if you make it for kids... and, even then, it doesn't sound like blockbuster material to me. I could be totally wrong, of course. Whenever you write something always consider the budget you are writing under and who your target market is.

Synopsis' can be misleading. I merely condensed everything that happens to give a clearer representation. It's got quite a decent structure.

Classic 3 Act story, developed characters, exciting plot, interesting dynamic between the two leads, twists/turns/double-crosses, interesting antagonist, high stakes, etc.

I think anyone could see this movie. There are a few "PG-13" moments, some mild swearing (again PG-13) but it's really not got a target audience, anyone can see it.

All in all, it's like a James Bond movie if a James Bond movie married The Heat and they had a demented demon child.