Quoted from LC What? This is a new concept? I've been reading and downloading pro scripts for ages - doesn't every writer? I mean, so much of it is now right at your fingertips. Years ago you wouldn't have been able to read half the stuff you can now - it's an essential writer's tool imo, that and watching film and good tv.

I have to admit that I've never read a full pro-script. Read quite a few amateur ones though.

Dustin, I think that's surprisingly and strangely common in the amateur screen world. I can't think of any other profession that's similar.

One problem can be getting scripts, especially spec scripts. They circulate around the industry, but you won't find them generally by google.

Reading pro scripts is the next critical stage in the development process. Not that they are all well written,but you'll know the ones that are when you see them...and most of them are written by people that are in the position they are for a reason. They make a living at this, so it stands to reason they might know a thing or two.

As far as I'm concerned the next step is getting things made. I have no intention of ever reading a pro' script. I don't care to read something I can watch on screen.

To each his own, Dustin. But generally for a writer to get something made, he has to get interest in his script. In an extremely competitive market, you want  to be able to put forward the best product you can. Learning strategy should not be limited. It should include anything: reading pro scripts, giving notes on amateur scripts, watching movies, reading literature, reading blogs and articles...anything that can help.

Quoted from DustinBowcot As far as I'm concerned the next step is getting things made. I have no intention of ever reading a pro' script. I don't care to read something I can watch on screen.

Each to their own, but I can't get with this mentality. If you write, you should read. Reading different screenwriting styles (Nightcrawlers being an excellent example - and I'm not a fan of it btw) can only enhance your own writing...even if your next goal is to get things made. Jmh.

Quoted from KevinLenihan To each his own, Dustin. But generally for a writer to get something made, he has to get interest in his script. In an extremely competitive market, you want  to be able to put forward the best product you can. Learning strategy should not be limited. It should include anything: reading pro scripts, giving notes on amateur scripts, watching movies, reading literature, reading blogs and articles...anything that can help.

All that matters is being able to tell stories. Once you learn screenplay structure then it becomes about getting to know people that want to make films... as you can already tell stories. The odd tell only matters to other screenwriters, mostly the angry or frustrated ones that have been going for years and still haven't gotten anywhere. Producers don't care about that. They don't give a toss if it is written perfectly or not... a few tells here and there does not bother them... the only people it bothers are other writers and Hollywood readers.

If you're not writing for either of them, then you can pretty much write what you like. As a writer it is simply our job to convey the story. The odd bit of overwriting, tells or even exposition isn't going to put a producer off.

I've been chatting to one through email the past few days, and what most producers are looking for is that special script. It's the story that counts, it has to resonate with them... many could be working a script for years before making it. Perfection is not necessary right away. Indeed is pretty pointless. One could polish a script that will never, ever sell or resonate with anyone, ever.

Quoted from LC Each to their own, but I can't get with this mentality. If you write, you should read. Reading different screenwriting styles (Nightcrawlers being an excellent example - and I'm not a fan of it btw) can only enhance your own writing...even if your next goal is to get things made. Jmh.

I didn't say that I didn't read. I already have my own style. Style is down to personal choice and I wouldn't say it improves writing. What improves writing are great stories, realistic characters and dialogue.

Quoted Text All that matters is being able to tell stories.

Exactly. And the telling is part of it. If you have a great concept for a story, how you tell it makes a huge difference.

I have not suggested that perfection is necessary or even the goal. It's all about telling a story that captures the imagination of someone who might film it.

There are many ways to do that. Developing one's style and voice is an important part of that.

LC, now you know what I was talking about. Very, very few people here read pro scripts.

Whatever works, though, there are many paths.

Quoted from Eoin The dialogue was way over the top - even for the character traits you ascribed to him, Lou talks like a robot. He regurgitates accumulated information. He has an intense fascination and preoccupation with a particular subject. He can't form meaningful relationships or interactions with people. Lou himself tells Nina at dinner how he sees their 'relationship'. Rick tells Lou, he doesn't understand people. It wasn't mentioned in the script that he has Asperger's, neither does it mention that he is a sociopath, but we can infer from what is shown, that it is possible he may have Aspergers, or at least that's the way I read it.

You have some good points here actually, there's some things though that just don't gel with it in my opinion, but same with the triad I listed as well. I can say that after you listed your examples, you have swayed me a bit.

But then again, the guys a writer and not an expert on Psych.

Well, bar any writers on here who are psychologists or have clinical experience in diagnosing mental conditions or disorders, every writer should make it their business to know about whatever subject they are writing.

Regardless of what character profile, or underlying condition Dan Gilroy had in mind for Lou, it was only okay for me.

I can see the attraction for an actor reading the script wanting to play Lou, there's a huge draw there and that's one positive lesson you can learn from it.

Quoted from KevinLenihan Exactly. And the telling is part of it. If you have a great concept for a story, how you tell it makes a huge difference. I have not suggested that perfection is necessary or even the goal. It's all about telling a story that captures the imagination of someone who might film it. There are many ways to do that. Developing one's style and voice is an important part of that.

My style and voice has been developed over many years. I didn't just wake up and decide I wanted to be a writer. A writer is what I am and what I've always been. The fact that I decided to take it seriously less than a year and a half ago doesn't matter.
I was copying other people's styles at 12 years old. I'm all grown up now. I have my own style and my own original take on things gleaned from life experiences, I don't need to copy anybody. The way I tell stories comes down to my talent as a writer. Lets face it... once you have the talent it then comes down to life experience. If you haven't got any this will show in your characters and dialogue and even the way stories are told. My dad told me that writers are just the sum of their experience. To that end, I went out and got some.

Like Jeff, you seem determined to misunderstand. No one is advocating "copying" anything. You said you learn from watching movies...are you copying them?

Of course life experience is important.

But there are techniques to telling story, just like there are techniques to making movies.

If you are a horror director, you won't just assume you've learned enough about directing and then stop learning from successful techniques used by other directors. You never stop learning, whether it's new camera tricks, sound affects, story plotting.

Writing is no different.

Quoted from KevinLenihan Like Jeff, you seem determined to misunderstand.

I'll throw that same accusation at you. Aside from the 'Like Jeff' part.

Quoted from KevinLenihan No one is advocating "copying" anything.

I didn't say anybody was advocating it. Did I say that? Who did I accuse of advocating it?

Quoted from KevinLenihan You said you learn from watching movies...are you copying them?

I'm not, but some people do.

Quoted from KevinLenihan But there are techniques to telling story...

This is the crux of the argument as far as I am concerned. The techniques required for telling a story well, are inherent and cannot be learned. I can glean all the information required from a  book on screenwriting. Reading other people's styles will only change my style it won't change who I am or what I know, nor will it improve my writing. I  know how to format a screenplay, it isn't difficult... doesn't take years to learn. The rest is all down to talent and that cannot be taught.

Jake looks a little emicated in his role as Lou

Quoted from Eoin Jake looks a little emicated in his role as Lou

All I can say is wow.

I've heard rumours that Jake has been stressed out huge by something lately and that his "stress ticks" in Prisoners weren't actually just for the role. People have said he was doing it in a play he did before Prisoners, as well.

I still think it was just for the role, and I think he looks this way for the role as well but jeez he looks about 15 years older.