I am a young film maker looking for a short script to use, and I was wondering whether any one could advise me in which ones i should have a read of. I am looking for a script which contains children (because i know many young actors so casting would be easy), is easily filmable, is short (although i will consider longer ones). It would be really great if you could tell me which you would recogmend or even if you have some your self that you would like to send through

Many thanks for your help!
xxxxxxx

Tell us about your experience and/or education in filmmaking, Nancy.  Is there anything online of yours that we can see?

BTW, isn't 'children' and 'easily filmable' an oxymoron?


Phil

I've got a script featuring some child actors.  But I'll stand-by until Phil's questions are answered.

My wife use to do craft services for movies.  She was there for one movie that involved a children's soccer game.  She told me that the parents of these kids were unbelievable.  They'd demand everything perfect for their kids and had no problem raising a stink if things weren't up to their standards.

The soccer game, btw, only had about ten seconds of air time in the movie.  Most of these kids ended up on the cutting room floor.


Phil

oh, u guys all seem rather cynical! Im a very young filmmaker, and my last project was made for charity. It involved four children, all of whom were phenominal on set, there parents were extremely supportive, and there were no problems raised! I guess you just need to know where to look. I understand if you do not want to send your script to me phil, but I thought that there would be more budding writers out there. :P
lololol
anyway, I hope this answered your questions.
Here is a first draft of a trailer of a film i made. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QolPwoEYVPw

look at the coments! LOLOL
xxxxxxxxxxxx

* sorry, I ment Dresselk, not phil
sorry
xxxxx

Quoted from nancy oh, u guys all seem rather cynical! Im a very young filmmaker, and my last project was made for charity. It involved four children, all of whom were phenominal on set, there parents were extremely supportive, and there were no problems raised! I guess you just need to know where to look. I understand if you do not want to send your script to me phil, but I thought that there would be more budding writers out there. :P

I'm a budding writer, Nancy.  I just have a little more experience (and bruises) than others when it comes to being produced.  Actually, I don't think I have any scripts involving kids as main characters; if I did, you'd probably be too weirded out to use them.

A lot of people pop in here with the same idea you have.  Find a writer.  Produce his or her work.  A lot of these people, though, are inexperienced and couldn't find their ass with both hands in a house of mirrors.  It all comes down to the writer protecting his work.  I would rather my work not be produced than have it produced poorly.  Showing us what you can do can save a lot of time.

It was a nice short, FWIW.


Phil

Hi Nancy

Well shot trailor.

Here's a link to a short I did called 'Love - A Civil War'. It's about the inner conflict of a guy wanting to tell his girlfriend that he loves her. I thought whilst writing it that the 'little men' could be played by children. It's a comedy/farce.

Probably would require 3 adult actors and there are a few difficult shots. Would be around 5 minutes long on screen.

Check out a script called 'Reach for the Stars' too. The username of that one is n7 - so obviously ask him if you want to use it. It's in the Short section.

Cheers

Ste

thank you for your reply ste!!

Quoted from nancy thanks? so are you saying that the trailer I showed you 'saved you some time'??? I am only 15 years old for your information, and am a credited actress. I put a lot of time and effort into that film, purely to produce money for great orman street hospital. I guess we are all entitled to our own oppinion!

Who are you replying you, here?  I hope it wasn't me.  I liked it.


Phil

oops, sorry phil, i didnt read the message properly! I'm knew to this,- as you can tell!
sorryx
xxxxxxxxxxxx

No problem.  BTW, you spelled everyone wrong.


Phil

kk
any other scripts?

It was a really nice, but what does  "soairse   ronan   dakota   fanning" have to do with anything?

I have a script that involves kids, but I'll need to clean it up some.

Do you like ghost stories?

Nancy, you should put what type of genre you are looking for? Helps reduce the selection down.

Gabe

Nancy, just today I see your request. I've thinking about that...I have a short story about a pervert 5 years old boy, but I re-read it and I beleieve for god sake nobody will believe what this boy(?) can do with his toys. God! My wife read it and she said he was not a boy properly but a SOB pervert dwarf,  so I decided do not send you it. Sorry!

best luck
Helio

Here's a thought.  Why don't certain people on these boards take their witty, sarcastic one-liners and incorporate them into a decent, readable script.  As long as they have that much time on their hands.  But I guess when you're perfect, rewrites aren't really necessary, are they?

Oh, boy.  I hope I spelled everything right.  I wouldn't want the English fairy on my back.                

Quoted from ericdickson Here's a thought.  Why don't certain people on these boards take their witty, sarcastic one-liners and incorporate them into a decent, readable script.  As long as they have that much time on their hands.  But I guess when you're perfect, rewrites aren't really necessary, are they? Oh, boy.  I hope I spelled everything right.  I wouldn't want the English fairy on my back.

Who are you replying to Jack? I think you've posted in the wrong thread.

~Zack~

This is for the person that constantly posts smug and ugly remarks instead of posting constructive criticism or adding anything substantial.  I'm sick of reading his filth all over these message boards.  It's not funny or witty or insightful, just smug and really small.  From what I've read of his work, he has no room to be so arrogant.  

So put that in your sock and smoke it!  
      

Quoted from ericdickson This is for the person that constantly posts smug and ugly remarks instead of posting constructive criticism or adding anything substantial.  I'm sick of reading his filth all over these message boards.  It's not funny or witty or insightful, just smug and really small.  From what I've read of his work, he has no room to be so arrogant.   So put that in your sock and smoke it!

Knock it off.  You're responding to crap from a week ago.  If you have a problem, take it to PM.  Don't clutter the thread.

Im not talking about a week ago.  Im talking about in general.  Im sick of reading it.  Go tell him to knock it off or write a feature or do something, anything constructive for a change!  He's all over these boards and this site writing insulting comments and ugly remarks!          

About half of this thread could be deleted and half of the useful responses have clutter.

Next person to go off topic whether it is in response or whatever will cause this thread to be locked until which time it is scaled back to a point where it fits the title.

Jack, if you are referring to me, then please talk to me directly.  Don't hint.  Don't suggest.  Don't be coy.

I have been published.  I have been produced.  I have been burned!!!.  You have been here for a month and, for the life of me, I don't know who the hell you are.  That means that a) I haven't read any of your work, or b) I have but you have left absolutely no impression on me.  I'm betting on the latter.

People ask me to read their scripts because I am as hard on them as the person with the checkbook.  I apologize now if I don't think your work is good enough to hang on the refrigerator with that drawing of a pony you did when when were five.  Do you think you would fare any better with a producer?

I hope you don't delete my post, Wes, or lock this thread.  I don't like the fact that I am being indirectly attacked for having standards that are based on my experience.  I have been here for three and a half years (as opposed to a month).  A lot of the reviews I have left are because I have been pm'd by the authors because they know I am strict and honest in my reviews.  And, if you don't want honesty, then you should give your scripts to Mommy to read.  She'll tell you how good they are and then hang them on the refrigerator, next to the pony.


Phil

I think instead of having to tell these young filmmakers to look around they should do that instinctively if they have any shred of professional in them.

Most however come straight here and ask and every time I see the same couple answers from the same couple people.

Do you not get tired of telling them the same thing?

The moderator of this board (Andrew) should be on these posts right away. Either be serious about it or don't post it.

I do agree with you in that these people should post some credentials and whatnot when they first post.  A lot of the filmmakers here are as green as some of the writers.  Does that mean we should blow them off?  No.

I look for the filmmakers' experience because I am looking to get as much of my shorts produced as possible.  And I want to see what these people have before I hand over my work.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe Jack, if you are referring to me, then please talk to me directly.  Don't hint.  Don't suggest.  Don't be coy. I have been published.  I have been produced.  I have been burned!!!.  You have been here for a month and, for the life of me, I don't know who the hell you are.  That means that a) I haven't read any of your work, or b) I have but you have left absolutely no impression on me.  I'm betting on the latter. People ask me to read their scripts because I am as hard on them as the person with the checkbook.  I apologize now if I don't think your work is good enough to hang on the refrigerator with that drawing of a pony you did when when were five.  Do you think you would fare any better with a producer? I hope you don't delete my post, Wes, or lock this thread.  I don't like the fact that I am being indirectly attacked for having standards that are based on my experience.  I have been here for three and a half years (as opposed to a month).  A lot of the reviews I have left are because I have been pm'd by the authors because they know I am strict and honest in my reviews.  And, if you don't want honesty, then you should give your scripts to Mommy to read.  She'll tell you how good they are and then hang them on the refrigerator, next to the pony. Phil

I have quoted you directly, and spoken to you directly before.  But, in the blink of an eye, my comments were...like Keyzer Soze...GONE!  Unlike your idiocy which seems to be encouraged on this site.  This last post is just another example of your love affair with "how to cut someone into pieces within thirty seconds".    

I've had two features produced with known actors.  I've never told that to anyone on this site before, or fealt the need to constantly tell people how produced I am and how SUPERIOR my work is.  It's not.  I have a long way to go with this craft.  I just got lucky.   Showing superiority seems to be your calling card.  

I didn't have two features produced because I felt superior to other writers and ignored their suggestions to improve my work.  I've managed to come this far by listening to others and putting ego aside.  And by studying other scripts written by my peers.  Good scripts like The Farm and Newton's Cradle.  Learning the craft.  

You don't consider your fellow writers your peers.  You speak to them as your students.  They are not your students.  Some of them have also been produced.  (Feature scripts).  And if I may be so bold, have some more impressive work than you.          

I've gone and read several scripts that you've reviewed.  Some of them not great, some of them not bad.  Some of them good.  ALL OF THEM you've hated and spent a good deal of time in telling that author how ridiculously bad their script is.  Instead of giving insightful, helpful, or any kind of useful comments.  None at all.    

I've gotten some fairly bad reviews on some of my work, but it' s never been nasty or spiteful.  And I've learned to be a better writer because of it.  Okay, so you claim to be harsh on purpose to give the writer a dose of reality.  The truth is, a real review and analysis by a producer will have some sort of positive feedback.  At least to a degree.  I also have some experience in the industry and have been through quite a bit, listening to both positive and negative reviews of my work.  Nothing has ever been as cold and thoughtless as what you post on simplyscripts.    

You seem to put all your creative energy in writing these "reviews" that are not so much reviews than they are a good inside joke for your own amusement.  I would suggest you stick to the basics in your reviews and not go off into tangents and one-liners.          

Secondly...

You've never reviewed my work because I haven't asked.  I don't care for you or what you may think about my scripts.  I don't care because I'm looking for detailed analysis.  Something that may help in the long run.  Not jokes that reflect your own dillusions of superiority.  

I'm sure, no matter how much you might secretly enjoy my work...or anyone else's work on this site...you won't bring yourself to post anything very positive.  (Unless of course the script is written by one of the site's creators and administrators).  This might kick you off this high horse you've placed yourself on.  

Now I'm not gonna say the names of my produced work, but I can PM them to you if you want.  I hope you can read this and think about what I've said before it's deleted.

My apologies to everyone else.  I promise not to post again.          

Quoted from ericdickson ...or anyone else's work on this site...you won't bring yourself to post anything very positive.  (Unless of course the script is written by one of the site's creators and administrators).

I can vouch against this.  I don't think he's liked any of my scripts.

People have their way of reviewing their scripts. Phil and quite a few others are honest. Simple as that. Honesty is brutal but it helps the writer.

And Phil has left some postive comments on people's script. My closed in script, he liked the idea just that I needed to expand on it, which I am doing now after a long time not working on it. I'm not a adminstrator or creater of this site. Just a normal writer.

I'm not here to argue just clarifying certain things.
Gabe

Jack - What scripts have been produced? Why wouldn't you want to share that with everyone?

Quoted from ericdickson I have quoted you directly, and spoken to you directly before.  But, in the blink of an eye, my comments were...like Keyzer Soze...GONE!  Unlike your idiocy which seems to be encouraged on this site.  This last post is just another example of your love affair with "how to cut someone into pieces within thirty seconds".

  

If you were around the boards enough, you would've heard about the spring implosion (or whatever we call it).  Two or three weeks of postings were accidentally erased.  You weren't singled out.

And I take no pleasure in shredding someone's script.

Quoted from ericdickson I've had two features produced with known actors.  I've never told that to anyone on this site before, or fealt the need to constantly tell people how produced I am and how SUPERIOR my work is.  It's not.  I have a long way to go with this craft.  I just got lucky.   Showing superiority seems to be your calling card.

I looked up the Utah Murder Project.  I don't know any of those names and cannot find a single review on it.  It's also not available on Amazon or Blockbluster.  You can't rest on these laurels, Oh, and your movie's website is down.  Tell me the other one.

Quoted from ericdickson I didn't have two features produced because I felt superior to other writers and ignored their suggestions to improve my work.  I've managed to come this far by listening to others and putting ego aside.  And by studying other scripts written by my peers.  Good scripts like The Farm and Newton's Cradle.  Learning the craft.

I've read those scripts and gave each one an honest review.  Sorry if you couldn't handle them.

Quoted from ericdickson You don't consider your fellow writers your peers.  You speak to them as your students.  They are not your students.  Some of them have also been produced.  (Feature scripts).  And if I may be so bold, have some more impressive work than you.

Some of them I do consider to be my students.  How else should I treat people when  they come to me, asking to read their scripts.  I've had a few people ask me to read more than one of their scripts; they, apparently like when I review their work.  I probably get two or three of these requests a month.  You may not appreciate what I have to say, but a number of people do.

Getting back to Newton's Cradle, I was asked twice by the author to read this script.  After I reviewed the first version, he did some revisions and asked me to read and review it again.  I also had another writer repeatedly ask me to review his work, only to slam me when I posted negative comments.

Quoted from ericdickson I've gone and read several scripts that you've reviewed.  Some of them not great, some of them not bad.  Some of them good.  ALL OF THEM you've hated and spent a good deal of time in telling that author how ridiculously bad their script is.  Instead of giving insightful, helpful, or any kind of useful comments.  None at all.

I have never told anyone that their scripts sucked and left it at that.  If there are problems with the script, I point them out.  I also make suggestions in how to improve the script (where possible).

Quoted from ericdickson I've gotten some fairly bad reviews on some of my work, but it' s never been nasty or spiteful.  And I've learned to be a better writer because of it.  Okay, so you claim to be harsh on purpose to give the writer a dose of reality.  The truth is, a real review and analysis by a producer will have some sort of positive feedback.  At least to a degree.  I also have some experience in the industry and have been through quite a bit, listening to both positive and negative reviews of my work.  Nothing has ever been as cold and thoughtless as what you post on simplyscripts.

Where have I reviewed a script out of spite?  

Quoted from ericdickson You seem to put all your creative energy in writing these "reviews" that are not so much reviews than they are a good inside joke for your own amusement.  I would suggest you stick to the basics in your reviews and not go off into tangents and one-liners.

  

Where have I done this?      

Quoted from ericdickson You've never reviewed my work because I haven't asked.  I don't care for you or what you may think about my scripts.  I don't care because I'm looking for detailed analysis.  Something that may help in the long run.  Not jokes that reflect your own dillusions of superiority.

Send me your address.  I'll contact the police and tell them that someone has a gun to your head and is forcing you to read my reviews.  They'll be over right away.

Quoted from ericdickson I'm sure, no matter how much you might secretly enjoy my work...or anyone else's work on this site...you won't bring yourself to post anything very positive.  (Unless of course the script is written by one of the site's creators and administrators).  This might kick you off this high horse you've placed yourself on.

You assume that I want to read your work.  Now who's acting superior?

Quoted from ericdickson Now I'm not gonna say the names of my produced work, but I can PM them to you if you want.  I hope you can read this and think about what I've said before it's deleted.

Quoted from ericdickson My apologies to everyone else.  I promise not to post again.

  

I said a long time ago that this is not a back-patting club.  And I'm not going to tell someone that I think his script is good when I think otherwise.  That would be more hurtful to the writer than criticizing their work.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out, okay?


Phil

Phil asks filmmakers who are seeking scripts to produce about their previous works, I don't see anything wrong with that. He tells it as it is when it comes to reviewing someone's work, I don't see anything wrong with that either. I'm not taking sides but I truly think Jack is being extremely harsh for no apparent reason. Quoting other scripts on this site to try and slam Phil's work was a cheap shot. We are here to learn and improve our work, brutal honesty is very much appreciated.

Oh, yeah?  Well...



Just kidding.  I'm done.