Ok , please comment or advice me .... I have some bad habits ( or not so bad , you choose, ) and i want some opinions.

1. I have never wrote a short. Never. As far as i know everyone starts with shorts and many screenwriters think that they are good exercise. Is this a problem? Do i need to write some shorts? I allready have complete 4 full length scripts , and this time im writing two simultaneously.

2. I have never take any screenwriting lessons. I understand that this can be important , but i live in a greek island so noone interesting in this kind of things. You may say << go and grab a screenwriting book atleast>>. I cant find any of them , if can suggest me something please do.

3. I write in greek language , because i cant write in english ( as you can see i am sure i have many mistakes in my text) , but i never read or see any greek script. Do you think this can be a problem?. I use greek words but i use english for everything like , INT, EXT, beat, Fade in, Cont'd and etc.

4. I am not following any specific way to write. I dont outline properly , just sit down and write. When the first draft is over i rewrite once , then a grammar correction and is over. Do i need to follow the standerd way of, write, rewrite , rewrite , and more?

My background:

Im writing script for 2 and a half years and i have complete 4 features and i working in my new two scripts. I write almost 4 times a week but im working in my head all the time.

Are this habits << fatal>> ?

Please tell me what you think or write your bad screenwriting habits ....................

1. Yes. Write some. It teaches you how to tighten things up and important skills for scenes.

2. Read a few screenwriting books and read some pro scripts.

3. Learn English.

4. Write, then rewrite, then leave it a few days then rewrite.

Only death is fatal. We can learn and improve. Just keep writing. And good luck.

1. Not necessarily. If you're comfortable doing features then, by all means, have at it. However, I do suggest that you read some shorts (if you haven't already), there's a great deal you can pick up from those in terms of structure and characterization (obviously, it helps if the shorts don't suck).

2. I doubt many of us here have actually taken any classes. We've probably read a shitload of books about screenwriting though. Do a Google search on the topic, then order them from Amazon.

3. Depends on who you're writing for.

4. Go with whatever works for you but if your script is no good then adapt and overcome.

Yes, all your habits are fatal and quite frankly, I'm amazed that you're still alive :)

What the hell Ren? You changed the pictures in your Avatar. That's not fair, man.

"Do you think I'm cute, Private Pyle, do you think I'm funny?"
"Sir, no, Sir."
"Private Pyle, I'll give you three seconds, exactly three second to wipe that disgusting looking grin off your face or I will gouge out your eyeballs and skullfuck you! ONE TWO THREE!"
"Sir, I can't help it, Sir"
"Bullshit, get on your knees, Private!"

Quoted from Full Metal Jacket Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: How tall are you, private? Private Cowboy: Sir, five-foot-nine, sir. Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Five-foot-nine, I didn't know they stacked shit that high!

Quoted from Gunnery Sergeant Hartman Are you quitting on me? Well, are you? Then quit, you slimy fucking walrus-looking piece of shit! Get the fuck off of my obstacle! Get the fuck down off of my obstacle! NOW! MOVE IT! Or I'm going to rip your balls off, so you cannot contaminate the rest of the world! I will motivate you, Private Pyle, IF IT SHORT-DICKS EVERY CANNIBAL ON THE CONGO!

What a film.

Rob
I just can't stop adding to it. I'll PM you a full list if you like. It'll be out of date by next week. For some reason it seems to have gone a bit weird with the negative thing. I'll fix it. Normal service resumed shortly.

Dimitris

Rob's right. We both are. Opinions will vary but that doesn't make them wrong. Either way, good luck with it. And seeking advice is a damn good start.

Quoted from FMJ Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: What's your name, scumbag? Private Snowball: Sir, Private Brown, sir! Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Bullshit! From now on you're Private Snowball. Do you like that name? Private Snowball: Sir, yes, sir! Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Well there's one thing that you won't like, Private Snowball: they don't serve fried chicken and watermelon on a daily basis in my mess hall. Private Snowball: Sir, yes, sir!

Wonderful subtle dialogue.

Indeed Rob. My avatar is messed up. I think I need to start a Full Metal Jacket thread. Bear with me...

hmmmm....

And i need to see this movie ............. it seems funny enough from the dialogues.

1. Don't worry - some people can write them (and want to), some can't (and don't).

2. Neither have I and neither have a lot of very good writers.

3. Depends - do you want to write films for the Greek Cinema or the international cinema? You could always write it in Greek and then find someone to translate it.

Did you write this post, because the English in it is fine.

4. Everyone has their own way of working - if this is the way you feel is best for you and with which you are most comfortable, then stick to it and don't let anyone tell you to do it differently.

I think your situation is extremely unique. Order your books online. Like from Amazon books. Sid Fields SCREENPLAY THE FOUNDATIONS OF SCREENWRITING is a good start.

And stay here. This is where the action is!!!  ;D

I think you've got a GOOD HABIT in that you're thinking all the time you said. THIS is the mark of a strong potential writer. That's what needs to happen.

I'm very interested in the fact you speak Greek. So when YOU SAY, "It's all Greek to me, what you're actually saying is "I DO UNDERSTAND!!!"  ;D

Sandra

Thanks for the feedback........
Some very interesting comments in it......

First i want to write for international cinema because there isnt something you can call greek cinema....... The so called greek cinema these days is trash (allmoast).

Second i will try to find this book sandra...... And you know when we want to say that we dont understand anything we say << its all chinese to me>> lol. greek is easy!

Quoted from Dimitris Thanks for the feedback........ Some very interesting comments in it...... First i want to write for international cinema because there isnt something you can call greek cinema....... The so called greek cinema these days is trash (allmoast). Second i will try to find this book sandra...... And you know when we want to say that we dont understand anything we say << its all chinese to me>> lol. greek is easy!

Well I LOVE LANGUAGES!!!! And so, I'm sure that I can learn a lot from you!

Lovely to have you here!

Sandra