Pardon the language, though I have been known to toss out a couple of profanities here and there. Soooo...  I'm literally sitting here with shaking fingers whilst I type this.

Yep, I'm new. 100% noob in the house. But I want to send a huge thank you to Don, for making this possible for me to be a member! woot

My name is Brooke, though I am known mostly as "B". SoullessDragon has become my internet tag since I write short stories called "The Soulless Dragon" on facebook.

Why am I here... That's an easy question to answer. I had an idea one day, an idea that was different to anything I have ever written, though the thought of turning it into a script blows my mind and makes me freak out and the old personal criticism machine (aka my brain) kicks into full swing, so I found the one spot that will give honest criticism on what I am doing. A place that can hopefully point me in the right direction and help me learn the ways of the "Script Writing Skills" so I can take my words from Story, to script, to movie.

Welcome Brooke, and don't worry we were all new once ;-)

I posted my very first attempt at a short screenplay on here, got feedback, comments and support from  everyone... been here ever since!

Can genuinely say that my writing has improved immeasurably due to SimplyScripts.

Dive in!

I had my browser resized and first only saw the "Shitting myself" part of the title and expected you to have sold or optioned something. Guess not. :P

Welcome to the boards, hope you have a good time here!

Thanks for the warm welcome, Anthony.

I hate being new, if that makes any sense at all. It's my first time on a forum since 2006. Finding my way around is going to take some time.

Currently none of my writing is in "Script" form, sadly, they are all in the form of short stories, but I wish to convert them. I just don't know where to start to do so. I'm hoping to learn more about the writing of scripts, even though most of it will have to be self taught as there's nowhere in my region in Australia that teaches it.

HAHA DS. The Soulless Dragon is just a fun piece for my brain. The real gem that I wish to convert is currently called "The Cross of Saint Lucian" and it's where the quote in my signature comes from. But I am seriously shitting myself at being a Noob, I hate being a noob because everything is so O_O NEW and scary and I am not normally a people person so I say/do thing that could come off in the wrong way.

*Edited*  My browser froze halfway between posting and removed the end of what I wrote -__-

Welcome. It's not an easy journey. Your skills as a story writer will come in handy but be prepared for some harsh lessons.

Thanks Dustin. I'm prepared for the lessons, the criticism, the dislike. I think in my mind I already know I am not the best writer in the world though I do love telling the stories that saunter their way into my mind, or better yet explode in all their raw glory.

btw... Love the name in your signature. "Savannah" is the name of the female lead in my Soulless Dragon storyline.

Hi SD

welcome to SS. Its a great place to learn.

A couple of points, especially if new to script writing;

1] read, read and read again...decent scripts, as well as those pulled apart - you learn from both

We recently  did a OWC - one week challenge - where all scripts had to be around an elevator. Those are useful to read as they are varied, rushed so have flaws, but have lots of feedback. I would suggest reading a script first, consider your thoughts, then check with others.

2] if you want reads of your own work, remember to read others first. Its give and take round here

3] portal button - if you haven't found this it gives a snap shot of what is active

as dustin said above, you have to develop a thick skin, to which i would add, whilst still connecting to those emotions that will set your story part.

all the best

Yeah, thick skin is a must.

Welcome to another Aussie!  

Where in Oz you from, Brooke?  Gold Coaster here, though born in the Vic

Welcome aboard, but be very leery of anything and everything that Aussie bloke, Stevie has to say.

I watch Neighbours on the d'lo

Aussie land ftw.

Quoted from SoullessDragon Thanks for the warm welcome, Anthony. I hate being new, if that makes any sense at all. It's my first time on a forum since 2006. Finding my way around is going to take some time. Currently none of my writing is in "Script" form, sadly, they are all in the form of short stories, but I wish to convert them. I just don't know where to start to do so. I'm hoping to learn more about the writing of scripts, even though most of it will have to be self taught as there's nowhere in my region in Australia that teaches it.

Hi B,

First thing you should do is download screenwriting software, if you don't already have it -

http://www.trelby.org (still free!)
http://www.celtx.com (think you have to pay about $10 for upgraded features*).

And, read lots on this site. Screenwriting class has some great tips:
http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-screenwrite/

A-Z of pro movie scripts here - http://www.simplyscripts.com/movie.html

Also take a look at:
https://simplyscriptsreviews.wordpress.com/
STS is an offshoot of Simply Scripts - reviews of short scripts ready for production and some great articles on screenwriting.

For every day keeping up with SS 'view portal' and 'recent posts'.

Another Aussie here, btw.
Have fun! :)

Celtx is still free Libs, you only have to pay if you want upgraded features.  Plus, the desktop version is still out there on a download.

Good to know. Thanks Fen, bruh.  ;)

Hey B, whenever you start writing/transferring your stuff to script form, don't be afraid to shoot me a PM so I can check it out.

He never says things like that to me. It's always 'go away' or 'Please stop. Just stop, for the love of God'.

R

Reef Dreamer -
I have read a couple scripts here already, well what I could see before Don was nice enough to help me get an account. I'm a visual learner, so reading and reading will be helpful. I'm just not always good with "Replying" too used to the horror of social media and their 'likes'.

Max -
Neighbours? I haven't watched that show since I was 18.

stevie -
I'm from New South Wales. Tamworth to be exact, born and bred right here in the Country Music Capital

Dreamscale -
Leery? Why?

LC -
Just downloaded "trelby". Thank you so much for the tips. I've bookmarked all the other links so I can catch up with my reading and searching.
So glad there are more Aussies here. I hate feeling like a fish out of water. Being an Aussie on Instagram is bad enough, I keep being asked to make videos of my voice.

dead by dawn -
Thanks. I have the "story" written down, and the idea of the opening sequence. Though all the jargon that is used in scripts kinda sends me for six and I get confused. But I have only been actively focused on this for the last couple months. Before that I would always tell myself that I wasn't good enough to do it.

I think I got everyone... Thank you all for the kindness, the warm welcomes. I will take on everything that you have said.

rendevous -
Who says that to you?

Loads of people. Obviously I have to pay them, B. But I have loads of money, And talent. I should probably move in slightly different circles.

R

Naww, I wouldn't say that to you. Though I am a noob, I wouldn't tell anyone to go away. Well that is unless they rub my scales the wrong way.

Quoted from SoullessDragon Dreamscale - Leery? Why?

Joking...just throwing some shit Stevie's way.  He's a good guy as long as he keeps his comments on screenwriting, as opposed to his desires of young boys.

;D ;D

Quoted from Dreamscale Joking...just throwing some shit Stevie's way.  He's a good guy as long as he keeps his comments on screenwriting, as opposed to his desires of young boys. ;D ;D

Ah hah, I see someone is a bit of a sh*t stirrer. Maybe it's a good thing this Dragon is female, she doesn't care about the lifestyle of men and their enjoyment of boys  ;)

Nothing wrong with being a noob. We all were once, life and blood of the site. Bear that in mind and fuck the regulars, aparft from me obviously. And maybe some of the ladies, as the lads can deal with it. Fuckers. (read Right Back you fuckers, yeah you, you fucker.)

Sorry about that, someone's gotta plug this stuff.

Erm, I seemed to have weaved my way into a sexist corner. So I shall say farewell for now lest it get worse,

Good tidings and good luck.

R

Btw, if you upload a script and it gets bodybagged and headtopped by Dreamscale, or by someone else.

Don't let that put you off, soldier on and keep writing to get better, that's what I say.

Fen bruh, you need a comma in there mate, Dreamscale will tell you that too. That's one sentence with the 'if' in there, it should naturally follow on.

I know, everyone's a critic.  ;D

rendevous -
It's all good, all the time. Chillax and let the creative juices flow man. That's what I am all about ;) Fuckers come and go. Don't mean to rain on your fuckery parade, but I'll take any advise from anyone if they are willing to spare time to help me out.

Max -
Are they tough nuts, super serious about the process or just mean to everyone who pops up?

Quoted from LC Fen bruh, you need a comma in there mate, Dreamscale will tell you that too. That's one sentence with the 'if' in there, it should naturally follow on. I know, everyone's a critic.  ;D

;D

And nah Dreamscale ain't a tough nut, he just gives stiff feedback (which he backs up of course, most of the time)

Everybody else has a bit more, lets say... warmth, but Dreamscale gives you the little gems I guess, I believe he said that once upon a time... about himself no less.

Don't take what any one person has to say as gospel, read some professional scripts, look around on different advice websites, get a few books by your side.

Become a sponge and check yourself.

Max -
I have a couple of movie scripts in my possession. I have Twilight and Superman Retuns. Though I know a lot of people will bash the shit out of those movies, I became somewhat friendly with the writers of SR while they were camped out in my home town.

I will gladly take criticism. Hell I just wrote something, not script worthy or anything just a piece for my "Soulless Dragon" story and I am thinking about deleting it cause I feel it's shit :D

Hey now, I can be very warm, friendly, and nice.  I also tell it like it is and I do not sugar coat my words, because that doesn't help a writer ever...especially a new writer.

New writers need to learn the rights and wrongs as soon as possible, otherwise, they'll continue writing "incorrectly", because they simply don't know any better.

If someone tells a little kid that 4+5 = 10, and no one ever corrects them, they'll grow up believing that 4+5 does indeed = 10.  Know what I'm saying?

I seem to catch a lot of shit during OWC's, because of the anonymity factor that others choose to use as a reason to be overly nice and complimentary, which I so disagree with.

Max and Dan can both attest to the time and effort I have given to both off the site, in hopes of helping and guiding them along, as they start the screenwriting journey.  I used to charge for my services and still do at times, but for the most part, I do what I can pro bono, because I truly enjoy helping peeps.

Word to the mutha...

Truth is Dragon, Dreamscale tore apart one of my OWC scripts, and was kind enough to make good on his feedback.  I recently posted a short that he, I dunno, somewhat liked? I can't speak for him but he praised the effort while also keeping it real.

That was my first real attempt at a short, writing what I wanted to write with no restrictions.  He can get carried away with some shit, and I will tell him off about it, especially if it descends into some dick-measuring contest.

He has a higher education in this stuff I believe, I don't, so I trust him a little more than myself when it comes to this screenwriting lark.

If he says something which you don't like, PM him for more info.

You need that thick skin though, if you react with emotion instead of being an objective sponge, you've lost already on this site.

I've lurked since 2009 and the people who react badly to their shit being dumped on never seem to stick around, and that goes against them sometimes.

Don't delude yourself is all I can say, have fun while writing but put effort into your work and do multiple drafts before putting things out there.

NSL - Never Stop Learning.

Peace bruhs.

Welcome - you will find this place most helpful

Quoted from Dreamscale If someone tells a little kid that 4+5 = 10, and no one ever corrects them, they'll grow up believing that 4+5 does indeed = 10.  Know what I'm saying?

But wouldn't they learn other things along the way, like how to count for example, and then figure it out for themselves?

People really should stay away from analogies. Telling it like it is works just fine. Analogies never, ever do. The only time somebody should use an analogy is for comedic effect. Otherwise, it just comes out wrong.

OOhhhkay, got it. Although just because I am female doesn't mean I don't bite just as good.
I have a thick skin, also learned at a young age to tell it like it is. Shit coated in sugar is still shit no matter how you wish to swing it, it will never be candy.

I have read a couple scripts though I am not really one for offering criticism, I'm a picky bitch when it comes to my "movies" and "reading" if the story doesn't grab me and spark something inside me then I cannot for the love of me continue with it. I am constantly getting in trouble because I tend to (in my short stories that I write) make people fall in love a character and then they meet a grisly demise. I need to learn not to kill my mains.

Quoted from SoullessDragon I need to learn not to kill my mains.

I don't know about that. I think one of the hardest lessons for writers to learn is kill your darlings. You seem to have that mastered.

It's a doddle to keep them alive. You should find it easy enough, if it's appropriate.

R

Mastered it? I just like enjoy the kick I get from my readers. Guess I have a slight sadistic streak running through me because I adore nothing more than to pull them in with a story that has them wishing and begging for more, only to leave them heartbroken and in tears.

Quoted from SoullessDragon I just like enjoy the kick I get from my readers.

Masochist. I think I'd have to stop writing if my readers started kicking me afterwards... or during, come to think of it.

Ah, but every death has a meaning. It's not like in the middle of a meaningful scene I have them explode or some stupid shit. Nope for progress some must inevitably die. I mean can't have a 40 odd year old lead and his great great great grandfather still kicking it like his 20, now can I.

Quoted from SoullessDragon Shit coated in sugar is still shit no matter how you wish to swing it, it will never be candy.

So you've tasted American chocolate bars I see...

Welcome aboard to the finest site both sides of the Mississippi river.

Mark

Quoted from SoullessDragon Ah, but every death has a meaning. It's not like in the middle of a meaningful scene I have them explode or some stupid shit. Nope for progress some must inevitably die. I mean can't have a 40 odd year old lead and his great great great grandfather still kicking it like his 20, now can I.

It depends on if the great great great grandfather is a wizard or not.  

Welcome to the site.  As a bit of early advice, as I'm known for giving good advice, wear socks in winter to keep your feet warm.  :D

Quoted from Leegion It depends on if the great great great grandfather is a wizard or not.   Welcome to the site.  As a bit of early advice, as I'm known for giving good advice, wear socks in winter to keep your feet warm.  :D

Nope, G.G.G. Grandpappy is Human. A very smart Human but still Human. Damn.
HAHA I wear TWO pairs of socks at the moment. Winter is kicking my ass this year :( I need to find a super rich hubby that can fly me around the world to chase the Summer lol

Quoted from irish eyes So you've tasted American chocolate bars I see... Welcome aboard to the finest site both sides of the Mississippi river. Mark

Haha I actually have had some, though it didn't taste like my Aussie stuff ;)
Thanks for the welcome, Mark.

Welcome Brooke.

I'm new too. Don't worry, it's not so bad :D. Your attitude reminds me of myself before I reached out to my first director. I was so preoccupied with the fear of being a new and unknown writer that I almost forgot that's how you learn. I would have never grown the balls to contact established film players if I hadn't realized that (I had this ridiculous idea about needing to make a name for myself on my own before I contacted others). People are willing to help you and even network with you if you let em.

See you on the boards