Quoted from LC Complicated in what way? Without the 'story' within, we may as well just watch boxing or wrestling on a Sunday afternoon or watch a doco.

I meant in terms of plot, themes, ect. What I should have said, is that is isn't as cliched. The story in the script is device to present a world that isn't really put on film that much, with one modern exception. That's not to say that the story itself is thin or not as important. But to me, it is an excuse to show off the world of pro-wrestling. Although religion is another heavy theme in the story.

Quoted from LC Your first point is spot on, however I'm not looking for an excuse I'm looking for a reason to see the movie in the first place. With regard to your last point - Rambo etc. came out after Rocky so I'm not sure that's even relevant unless we're talking cross-purposes. We don't associate De Niro or any of those other cast members with brain dead action movies so I fail to see the point you're making there.

My point was that I often read or hear when people say they liked a movie about let's say boxing, they say that they liked it because it was "character driven" and not really about boxing.

Instance, Million Dollar Baby. They'll say, it was not really about boxing. Or Raging Bull (hence De Niro), great movie but it was a character driven drama and not really about boxing. Well, in reality those films like most movies are about a few things and one of the main ones is boxing. So, they are boxing movies. When I hear people say "those were character driven dramas" I get the impression that people are looking for an excuse to like a movie about boxing. Like it's some guilty pleasure to like it. Boxing is just an example here, it could pertain to a number of things.

This is the impression I GENERALLY get. It might not be true in your case. As you can see in my post I was speaking in general, about my impression when I hear that. Even though you were quoted, it was just what got my thought going.

Quoted from LC Right. Sounds true enough. So what's the appeal/selling point of your pro-wrestling story - given it's not a documentary? It's not is it?

Like all, the story. But a story set in a unique setting we rarely see and that few are educated about. The setting itself can bring an element of freshness as it's something new.

Quoted from LC Glossary? Explanations? No. Not imh. Most of the examples you gave just now (above) sounded pretty natural to my ear in the context they were said, and like I said - I know nothing (about wrestling). You also sound pretty set on what you're doing based on your replies to suggestions (despite querying it) so just do it the way you feel you should instinctively.

Not really set yet. I still don't think the one page Glossary is THAT bad of an idea. Instead of someone closing the script and opening Google, like some have suggested they can just go to page #2 and see an explanation. Certainly that's a more convenient option.

Toning it down or rephasing some of the dialogue is an option, I'm still considering.

It's actually encouraging to read that two people that read the examples above, can follow the context with no problem. That's a cue that maybe I should leave things as they are.

I just wanted to hear people's opinions on the matter. They are helpful. I don't think it's stubborn if I don't conform to the first few I hear, it's not a bad thing if the discussion keeps on going as this is a forum and that's its goal, IMO.

Never conform, Demento.  

I look forward to reading some of it, at the very least your new take on it all sounds intriguing.

A gallery/codex of information is unnecessary in regards to what the characters are saying.  I'm sure with a quick browse on Google, they'd understand what the terms "Face" and "Heel" mean in the wrestling world.

I've spoken to wrestlers myself and they don't use that much slang when they talk.  I met Mark Calaway (The Undertaker) and he spoke in a natural way.  I also met Paul Levesque (Triple H) and Paul Wight (Big Show) at an autograph signing at a Live Event in the UK a while ago, and neither of them really spoke much slang when they talked with me.

I'd say, use the slang, but don't go overboard with it.  Too much will turn readers/viewers off, but too little will make big time wrestling fans say "this isn't as authentic as it should be".

I agree with Bert.  When I write my scripts, I tend to use a lot of slang, but I never thought of adding a glossary to the front page or something like that.  That feels too "amateurish" (or maybe another word would be better for that).

Some of the examples eldave1 gave you for the context part were kinda corny -- no defense eldave1  

Demento, as far as the use of slang in anything, a wrestling movie or a gangster movie or a hard partying teen movie, whatever it may be, is this:  just make it sound natural.

You never want it to sound too try-hard, like you're in the reader's face, overloading them with "hey, look at me!  I know cool hip words!!!!!!11111" or "hey, look at me!!! I know how to write edgy shit!!!121@"

And honestly, wrestling slang isn't that hard to get after a while, so I think you're in the clear.  More to the point, I'm kinda interested in reading what you got.  There's not many good "dark wrestling" movies/scripts to choose from lol besides The Wrestler, so it would be fun to give it a look.

Quoted from dead by dawn Some of the examples eldave1 gave you for the context part were kinda corny -- no defense eldave1

None taken - I wasn't giving him specific lines or actions to include - just threw them in for illustrative purposes. The point being, IMO anyway, part of the art of screenwriting is to find effective ways to communicate to the reader even when specific slang or jargon is used.

Seems like most people indicate that they wouldn't have a problem following the context with the slang included.

I think I'm just gonna leave it like that, let the reader deduce himself whatever meaning is not obvious through the context and Google

Thanks for your opinions, guys and gals.

I'm gonna be straight with you fam, I'm a huge wrestling fan... I never miss an episode of Raw/Smackdown, I watch every single PPV and I'm a frequent subscriber to the WWE Network.

I also dip my toes in a little bit of NJPW, TNA, NXT, ROH ect.

It depends what audience you're trying to hit, the casual viewing audience may not be familiar with the terms "job" or "jobber".

Perhaps maybe say something like "Hey, I laid down for you"... it's more clear for everybody then. What's the depth of the slang btw? We using terms like - face, heel, tweener, jobber, botch, names of particular moves?

Quoted from Max It depends what audience you're trying to hit, the casual viewing audience may not be familiar with the terms "job" or "jobber". Perhaps maybe say something like "Hey, I laid down for you"... it's more clear for everybody then. What's the depth of the slang btw? We using terms like - face, heel, tweener, jobber, botch, names of particular moves?

No wrestling moves names, mainly standard wrestling terms - pop, cheap heat, get-over, work. Stuff like that. Honestly, right now, I can't even recall what was in it.

Funny thing about me, I've watched wrestling on and off for years but I have never watched the WWE, never seen an episode of RAW. But I've watched pretty much everything else. WCW, TNA, ROH, PWG, New Japan, All Japan, NOAH, Zero 1, CMLL, AAA. I use to even check out Shimmer (female wrestling promotion) back in the day.

I understand why people don't like wrestling, and really... it's really hard to get into it at an older age, you need to grow into it so you have an understanding on how to look at it and not take it as seriously. Look at it as a TV Show of sort, which it is. Always found the backstage politics and the inner workings of it much more interesting than the actual TV product.

Anyway,  I moved on to different ideas. I sent the script out 2 months ago. Got like 6 requests from production companies. Haven't heard anything since.

Quoted from Demento No wrestling moves names, mainly standard wrestling terms - pop, cheap heat, get-over, work. Stuff like that. Honestly, right now, I can't even recall what was in it. Funny thing about me, I've watched wrestling on and off for years but I have never watched the WWE, never seen an episode of RAW. But I've watched pretty much everything else. WCW, TNA, ROH, PWG, New Japan, All Japan, NOAH, Zero 1, CMLL, AAA. I use to even check out Shimmer (female wrestling promotion) back in the day. I understand why people don't like wrestling, and really... it's really hard to get into it at an older age, you need to grow into it so you have an understanding on how to look at it and not take it as seriously. Look at it as a TV Show of sort, which it is. Always found the backstage politics and the inner workings of it much more interesting than the actual TV product. Anyway,  I moved on to different ideas. I sent the script out 2 months ago. Got like 6 requests from production companies. Haven't heard anything since.

I thought about writing a wrestling thing as well, would've been about the British wrestling circuit tho as opposed to the American stuff.

I'm writing something at the moment called "Grimehouse", it too is kind of going to be... entrenched in slang - blud, fam, innit, doe, dat, my man, next hype lol ect.

Oh well, good luck with your future projects.