Just curious.

I know that the script "The Suicide Theory" was found on this site and made into a movie but are there any other success stories like it?

This is a pretty old forum, it's been around for quite some time. Did other scripts get made into movies that were posted on here?

I know a few other members have gotten their scripts produced but I'm talking about scripts discovered through this forum.

I've noticed quite a few films produced at this site... whether this site was the catalyst for them though, I have no idea.

Mostly what I seem to get here are students and amateur film-makers looking to make shorts. To be honest though, you're probably better off just doing it yourself than giving it to one of those guys... but some people are desperate to see something made and judge it as a success even when it's a fail. Some amateur film-makers are OK, but always check them out to make sure they're not going to make a disaster out of your perfectly good story.

I have met one or two decent contacts from here though... well, one. And we are making a feature film together.

The rest I've done myself, through study and email... oh, and having some good friends.

Three of my scipts were found here and produced. The thing is, even if the production values are weak, or the actors awful, the writer only gets credit for the script. People aren't going to blame the writer for bad cinematography.

As an aside, most of the longtime posters (myself included) know what's good and bad. Everyone has their strengths and their weaknesses, but we're here to help everyone. Don't let the arseholes tell you otherwise.

There are things I would personally change about my produced scripts, but I wouldn't ever take it back. All three directors learned something. I learned something. And that's all that counts.

As a writer, it's hard for me to shoot my own scripts. Luckily I have friends that are skilled in other areas to help me out.

Good luck!

Quoted from ABennettWriter Three of my scipts were found here and produced. The thing is, even if the production values are weak, or the actors awful, the writer only gets credit for the script. People aren't going to blame the writer for bad cinematography.

I'm not so sure that is strictly true. People in the business may not blame the writer... but viewers will. Also, bad direction can make a writer look bad, purely because they can change whatever they want at whim. Miss important stuff out that does make the writer look stupid.

It even happens in blockbuster films, let alone zero-budget productions. Maybe as a youngster just stepping up, it's fine... but a writer a little less than a year shy of 40, I think we should be setting our sights higher.

So there are different standards here too, depending on age. I don't think a 40-year-old working with students, making a shitty film does the writer any good at all. However, if they're in their twenties, then why not.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I'm not so sure that is strictly true. People in the business may not blame the writer... but viewers will. Also, bad direction can make a writer look bad, purely because they can change whatever they want at whim. Miss important stuff out that does make the writer look stupid.

I agree. Even if you have written something awesome, if it's shot awful and acted badly the material itself will come of looking horrible too. If someone doesn't deliver your line like it's suppose to be delivered, then the line kind of loses it's meaning.

I haven't seen anyone ever say about a DTV movie, that had horrible cinematography, was badly directed and acted.... hey, the writing in this was pretty good. Usually the writing gets grouped in with the rest of it.

I've had 3 shorts picked up here at Simply Scripts. One came out great, placed in several festivals. Another also came out great but it was shot in another country and has subtitles and the other...well, it turned out pretty bad.

Personally, I'm honored when someone chooses my work as their project, whether it be a seasoned filmmaker or a student who may botch it up. I would never give a student filmmaker exclusive rights though. The short that turned out pretty bad is being shot this summer by another filmmaker with way more experience.

How you market yourself and your work is a personal choice. Me...I'm fine with whoever wants to film something of mine, as long as they get written permission. Being a photographer and painter, I have a soft spot for artists. I've had the door closed in my face so many times, I couldn't do that to someone else. Anyway, giving others the opportunity to learn and improve is good Karma, IMO.

Quoted from mmmarnie Anyway, giving others the opportunity to learn and improve is good Karma, IMO.

That's a good attitude to have.

I've had seven or eight shorts produced (and one currently in production).  While a couple were poorly done, production value on the others were very good.  I've had a short shown at the Cannes Film Festival and another at Clermont Ferrand Intl Short Film Festival.  The Animal Planet, in Great Britain, wanted to show Pugumentary until it learned it wasn't a real documentary.

You just have to pick and choose who produces your work.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe I've had seven or eight shorts produced (and one currently in production).  While a couple were poorly done, production value on the others were very good.  I've had a short shown at the Cannes Film Festival and another at Clermont Ferrand Intl Short Film Festival.  The Animal Planet, in Great Britain, wanted to show Pugumentary until it learned it wasn't a real documentary. You just have to pick and choose who produces your work. Phil

Do you know how many were discovered through this site? Were any?

Where can I watch some of those shorts?

Also great job on getting a short into Cannes Film Festival.

In this short period of time since discovering S.S, I’ve had two shorts go into production. One I got paid for, the other for free. I know my writing isn’t up to par with most vets here on the site. But sometimes a concept or an idea could be stronger enough to catch an interest from an ambitious producer.

But in the meantime, I’ll continue to hone my craft, sharpen up my skills, and keep churning out material for people to read.

Is "0" an answer?  lol.

I write/upload.  If some big-shot producer sees my work and contacts me, I'll likely cave and sell the rights.  If not... well, I'm not gonna go chasing them.  

I've had 3/4 shorts whipped out my hands, but I gave them away because the people that contacted me were students or independent filmmakers with an already low-budget.  Didn't seem right to charge them.

All good things come to those who wait... right?

Lots of people have had their scripts produced from here. SS is better than InkTip in getting scripts discovered. Even bigger studios search for scripts here. Do not confuse that with them perusing the forums. They look at the main site for unproduced scripts.

I was once contacted by a studio in Hollywood (medium sized) to write a blockbuster type script. I failed miserably, but they found me here from a short I wrote.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I was once contacted by a studio in Hollywood (medium sized) to write a blockbuster type script. I failed miserably, but they found me here from a short I wrote.

That's awesome. Sucks that it didn't happen but it must be great to know that your talent was recognized.

I haven't gotten any of my work to the big screen yet, but EQUAL RETRIBUTION is optioned and is gaining the interest of a few key actors.

I wouldn't call it a "completed success" but it's one in the works.

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Ledbetter I haven't gotten any of my work to the big screen yet, but EQUAL RETRIBUTION is optioned and is gaining the interest of a few key actors. I wouldn't call it a "completed success" but it's one in the works. Shawn.....><

I've been following your script dude. I actually read it a few months back but I didn't comment because I didn't think I had anything new to say.

Was it discovered through this site or did you get attention in another way?

Quoted from Demento I've been following your script dude. I actually read it a few months back but I didn't comment because I didn't think I had anything new to say. Was it discovered through this site or did you get attention in another way?

Thanks man! I hope you enjoyed it.  :)

It was actually discovered through both Simply Scripts and ScriptShadow.

The producer who now has it, saw the review on ScriptShadow and noticed where I mentioned the updated version was on Simply Scripts. So he came over here to read the latest version.

Take care

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Demento Do you know how many were discovered through this site? Were any?

Maybe four.  I don't really remember.  The other ones I shopped around, myself.

Quoted from Demento Where can I watch some of those shorts?

Three On A Match:

Three on a Match from Aaron Gilmore on Vimeo.

Linus (filmed as 'Dog Run'):

Dog Run from Rick Kinsella

Quoted from Demento Also great job on getting a short into Cannes Film Festival.

Thank you.


Phil

I am "working" on a project here with someone who's had a feature produced, but I don't know where the projects lays right now as I haven't talked to said person in a while.  As for success?

No success for me.  All I ever received were e-mails over the years from people who caught my scripts on the site -- asking me in depth questions about the story/characters and stuff along those lines.  However, I DO remember at one time I was talking to and considering going out with a girl who had a brother, Jeff Calentano, who was an actor/director.  He's worked with Armand Assante, Busta Rhymes, Tom Berenger, Faye Dunaway, Andrew Divoff, and the list goes on.  Unfortunately nothing ever happened with that.


--Steve

Ive had 3 shorts posted on this site that sold for about $1000 all together.
They said they wanted to produce them, but after I sold them the script - I never heard anything back.

whatever... I could care less as long as you pay me.  

Quoted from Penoyer79 Ive had 3 shorts posted on this site that sold for about $1000 all together. They said they wanted to produce them, but after I sold them the script - I never heard anything back. whatever... I could care less as long as you pay me.

Did you give up exclusive rights to them? Can you have someone else make them?

Quoted from dogglebe Maybe four.  I don't really remember.  The other ones I shopped around, myself.

Cool. Thanks for sharing. I'll take a look at the shorts you posted, thanks for the links.

Quoted from dogglebe Three On A Match: Phil

Three on a match was an OWC, wasn't it Phil.

Good story!

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Ledbetter Three on a match was an OWC, wasn't it Phil. Good story! Shawn.....><

Both Three on a Match and Dog Run were OWC scripts.

Thanks.


Phil

So I had three shorts on here, none of which have been produced, but I did get hit up by a director to help him completely re-write a feature film script which is being produced this year. Casting begins in a couple of weeks and filming begins in late July, with the film coming out in early 2015.

I don't necessarily think producers or directors are looking for a particular film on this site, I tend to believe they're looking more for the writers themselves.  At least for feature films or DTV or MOV.  Shorts anyone can pretty much make (and do, with varying results).  A lot of film students scour through the shorts board trying to find things they can shoot.

For me, the takeaway is to put your very best work on the boards, be a little different -- i.e., show that you are able to write creatively rather than some paint by number script, and for God's sake, have a good story to tell. Sometimes I think lesser writers somehow get noticed because they can spin a great tale.

Gary

Quoted from Demento Did you give up exclusive rights to them? Can you have someone else make them?

They bought the exclusive rights.

Quoted from Gary in Houston I don't necessarily think producers or directors are looking for a particular film on this site, I tend to believe they're looking more for the writers themselves.  At least for feature films or DTV or MOV.  Shorts anyone can pretty much make (and do, with varying results).  A lot of film students scour through the shorts board trying to find things they can shoot.

That's been my experience too. Same thing as you... although I was just given a concept. For obvious reasons I can't post that script up here... but we're hoping to go into production on it next year. That was a relationship gained directly from this site. I've also had a couple more... one guy that is supposed to be making a short and others I've just flat out rejected.

To be honest though, I didn't have any idea about the exclusive rights thing. Now that I do, I may be a little more inclined to let a student make my films.

Quoted from DustinBowcot To be honest though, I didn't have any idea about the exclusive rights thing. Now that I do, I may be a little more inclined to let a student make my films.

Whenever someone asks me for exclusive rights, they have to buy the script from me. I've had several shorts made several times by different directors, but if they want to own the script and the rights to a feature and such, they have to buy it. Interestingly enough, I find that those who have bought my scripts actually end up producing them at a far lower rate than people that didn't buy them.

I've had someone insist that I sign over my rights to a script he was producing after he started shooting it.  He kept at it for a week or so.

I've also had people insist that I sign my rights over to them on a short after I've done revisions on it.  We parted ways when I refused.


Phil

As long as I keep my writing credit... with shorts... I don't really care.

now with features....that's a whole different story. i'm a lot more protective of my work.  

I've had 5 requests through SS.. One produced.
Not too happy how it turned out,  but hey its on my resume.

Mark

I've been optioned three times for my features and have had two shorts produced from SS without my permission.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe I've been optioned three times for my features and have had two shorts produced from SS without my permission. Phil

Did you do something about the shorts that were produced without your premission?

Quoted from dogglebe I've been optioned three times for my features and have had two shorts produced from SS without my permission. Phil

i'm not sure whether i'd be pissed off or flattered.
your work is so good.... people will steal it in order film it.