But you tried it,  that's my point. What makes you any different from me?
Fair enough my script needs work but I've been a photographer for 25 years , I understand lighting,  D.O.F, white balance, camera angles , focal lengths and I'm not trying to make a blockbuster, just a short that I can learn from. Plus I'm not trying to do everything on my own, I have a second shooter and someone to take care of sound, also a couple of people to help on set.

I tried it to get a feel for it. That is all. I wanted to experience how hard it was, and that is what happened. I'm no good with a camera. I could probably learn, but it doesn't feel natural to me and I'll never be as good as a guy that loves the camera. He'll do things and know things that will take me years to learn. I haven't got the patience for that. I haven't got the patience to fall in love with the camera. I'm already in love with writing.

I know when to leave things to people that are better qualified. I want the best product possible. If you want the best product possible then you'd do the same.

You're missing the point, you did try for yourself, that's what I want to do. I have till the sprig to get the script in order and if it doesn't work at least I gave it my best shot.

You're missing the point. I wrote a couple pages of script for my kids to act out. It was not a serious attempt. The serious attempt is coming next year and as part of a team. Like I said, I just wanted to get a feel for it.

When I said 16-year-olds write better, I'm talking about 16-year-old writers. Real writers that have been doing it for years already.

Doubtless if shot any bit of film you would look at it and assume that perhaps a twelve-year-old had done it. I draw like a 9-year-old.

I wasn't insulting you. Just pointing out a fact. There are a lot of writers here that come for free. Why not utilise that talent? You could maybe even run a small competition based on a theme of your choosing and pick the best one.

Well the theme is the one I have chosen as I know the Location is awesome and I have arranged a boat for the shoot, also  I've been there doing test shots. The actors  also fit the bill. But if anyone wants to rewrite it  then fair play. I'm not saying that I will use it but if it's better than mine and it works logistically then I it would be interested. Locations below.

http://www.itraveluk.co.uk/photos/showphoto/photo/3229.php

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/624539

When I read this logline it reminded me of something that happened in my youth! My daddy was a shrimper...and they happened to catch two bales of marijuana...well, no big deal right? Right...until my mother got home and Daddy and his brother, Jimmy, were attempting to dry it in the dryer! Our clothes dryer!!! So my Mom freaks out and forces them to call and turn it in. It was crazy times.

Quoted from Toby_E Because there are writer/directors whose films I have felt would have benefited from passing one of these duties to someone else (the best example of this would be Nicolas Winding-Refn; superb director, subpar writer. Another great example would be Judd Apatow, whose self directed films contain scenes which, as identified by you, go on for far too long). But for every Winding-Refn or Judd Apatow, you have Park Chan-wook (whose weakest film, IMO, is the only film which he didn't write), you have the Coen brothers, you have QT, you have Kubrick, Steve McQueen, Wes Anderson, Alexander Payne, Joachim Trier, Martin McDonagh, Kim Jee-woon, etc.

Someone mentioned that Tarantino is a drag with his scenes.  That might be true... but he can milk it for all it's worth because he has something else going on during that scene besides people just talking.  There's always suspense, a sense of dread, a cloud of doom hovering right over the scene.  Take the opening of Inglorious Basterds, the 20 minute car chase in Death Proof, etc.  It's never just about talking heads.  There's always something else going on... and we're just waiting for something bad to happen.  It's edge of your seat writing... that's my opinion, anyway.

Quoted from AtholForsyth Hi Levy, could you tell me what parts of the dialogue work and what parts are OTN so I can try and fix them?

Dialogue that had me rolling:

Quoted Text FIZZ Fuck me, is it coke? RAB I think so, had a snort last night and was shagging the wife for hours, she must have thought I was someone else.

Quoted Text RAB I know it’s a gamble but I thought you were a gambling man. Where's your fucking balls? FIZZ Usually on your wife’s chin.

OTN dialogue:

Quoted Text FIZZ (CONT’D) I’ll see Tony, he knows a lot of dodgy fuckers, he might know where to shift it. RAB He’s a bit of a loose cannon, are you sure?

Hahahahaha Pale Yellow, that's a classic, I love it

Levi, is this any better?


FIZZ
I’ll see Tony, he knows a lot of dodgy f*****s.
RAB
He’s a f****n nutcase.
FIZZ
Have you got any better ideas Einstein?

Quoted from AtholForsyth Levi, is this any better? FIZZ I’ll see Tony, he knows a lot of dodgy f*****s. RAB He’s a f****n nutcase. FIZZ Have you got any better ideas Einstein?

Well, how about instead of telling us he's a fuckin' nutcase -- you SHOW us.

Also, the Einstein quip is kinda old.

Here's an excerpt from Kingpin, that I thought was different and funny:

Quoted Text Roy: Just because you're familiar with the missionary position doesn't make you a missionary. Claudia: Look, Mr. Munster, you're not exactly the smartest guy I ever ran across. Roy: Oh yeah? And who are you, Alfred Einstein?

Roy (Woody Harrelson) is trying to act smart like he knows everything, but comes across as a complete dumbass because he doesn't even know Einstein's real name.  He thinks he's smart, but he's really full of shit.  Great dialogue and it shows his character.  Roy Munson is pretty well written, IMO.

Well Dustin , I just came second in the Zoetrope monthly short script. That's not bad for my first script, so for you to tell me to stick to what I know and leave it to the writers is just plain out of order.

You need to be more positive with people and stop trying to knock people down before they even get started.

I know my scripts not great but for a first I'm doing okay. If everyone was like you then nobody would get anywhere unless they were elite. Thanks for nothing.

Quoted from AtholForsyth Well Dustin , I just came second in the Zoetrope monthly short script. That's not bad for my first script, so for you to tell me to stick to what I know and leave it to the writers is just plain out of order. You need to be more positive with people and stop trying to knock people down before they even get started. I know my scripts not great but for a first I'm doing okay. If everyone was like you then nobody would get anywhere unless they were elite. Thanks for nothing.

I didn't know zoetrope did a short competition. Well done. What did you win?

Nothing, they tally up the scores given by people who have read it and the 3 that get the highest marks in 5 different categorys overall go on the site as best 3 of the month.

Quoted from AtholForsyth Nothing, they tally up the scores given by people who have read it and the 3 that get the highest marks in 5 different categorys overall go on the site as best 3 of the month.

Well their standards can't be very high. Do you have a link to this competition?

High or not, it's still a result for a first, maybe you should enter it and see if your as good as what you think you are.

http://www.zoetrope.com/members/sub/index.cgi?section_id=12&show_page=home

Quoted from AtholForsyth High or not, it's still a result for a first, maybe you should enter it and see if your as good as what you think you are. http://www.zoetrope.com/members/sub/index.cgi?section_id=12&show_page=home

That's 'you're', as in you are. It's mistakes like that littered throughout your script, basic errors in grammar, that partly gives rise to my doubt in you as a writer. Your unbelievable character in the prison guard... would have been better to make him a low-life smack head with slim connections to the underworld to better explain the utter stupidity... also took me out of the story and put me in mind of something I may have written at 16.

I looked through that site yesterday but can't find a monthly short script competition anywhere. I can find a short story competition where there are prizes... so it isn't that. I can find a screenplay competition where there are also prizes, so it isn't that.

Maybe I need to join up to see it. I'm left wondering though why such a thing isn't publicised and easily searchable in google.

I've never entered a competition.... and I certainly wouldn't enter one where there wasn't anything to gain from doing so.

I write shorts mostly in a day and for fun. The one short I have being produced actually took seven drafts to get right though, but it is apparently being produced... actually as part of a student's master degree in film production. I've also got two free options out there for two features I have written. Fingers crossed for the funding on those. I have a meeting on Monday regarding one of them with the Producer, Director and Production Manager to finalise things like budget and main actors believed to fit the bill.

I'm not sure that I need to enter a competition, but if I did I would ensure that there was something to be gained from it.