I’ve given the original contents of this post its own page to make more room for new material at the head of the blog – just click the Final Draft Giveaway tag at the top of the site to read the original post and find out how I’m giving away three copies of Final Draft.
The discussion thread continues untouched in the comments, and it’s getting a real life of its own, so have a look.
How To Write A Screenplay
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Hey Tonja,
This is a REAL LIFE …happened less than 48 hours ago…CIRCUMSTANCE.
A magazine editor once wrote that, “if you can
get it out of you, if you can share it with someone who cares, then you somehow dispel the power that it has over you.”
Tonja, I am hurting so badly, I can hardly breathe. So, with that said, I suppose…I need both
(1) counsel
(2) emotional vent
Thank you for listening thus far,
Rose
Rose – Maybe when Phil gets that forum server going (which won’t be soon, unfortunately, according to him) we’ll be able to delve more into the personal issues of a writer with our fellow writers For now, all I could suggest for Phil in this instance is maybe a single blog topic for different issues in a writer’s life? Or maybe a “Ask Phil” sort of thing where you ask his advice on a particular subject. (I’m not holding anything to ya, Phil, of course these are just suggestions I’m throwing out)
Anyhow, Rose, I completely agree with that magazine editor you quoted. It is immensely therapeutic to get any and all frustrations out of your head and out there into…the universe, I guess one would say. Just out there so it’s not cramped up inside anymore.
I’m sincerely sorry for your despair and I hope this blog helps for you. I also suggest writing about your pain in a daily journal if you’re not already or even writing a dramatized story that’s similar to what you’re going through (since many of us thought your circumstance was a script you were working on in the first place). Overall, just keep busy and try not to let this experience get to you too much. You never know, this very experience could reap benefits…like a great script!
Tonja,
Sage advice. Thank you once again.
Rose
Hi Amy
Thanks for your comments. Yeah, I’m an Aussie too. Great to read that there are other Aussies here who watch SG.
Yes, I’ve seen all the Stargates so far. Even tried to watch the terminally boring cartoon series! I was a bit disappointed to see the same ideas in Atlantis but with so many writers hanging lanterns ‘oh, you mean like the ones that SG1 met?’ I’m resigned to the ‘evolution of an idea’ stories.
I’m definitely looking forward to ‘Stargate Universe’ as originality will be back. It’ll be completely different to the other two series and so the writers will be able to really push the envelope with some of the stories. (Though there may be some parallels with Sliders) So, of course, I’d love to be in a position to be able to write for it!
Now, how do I get to write on these kinds of series? I guess I’ll have to start at home first. If I throw in my day job and concentrate on writing I suppose I could start shopping scripts for Home and Away or Neighbours. Are you writing for any shows at the moment?
Hi Ben
Great idea re: getting a proposal. It’s probably the only way a Doctor Who movie is going to be made. I agree with Philip on this. People who follow the programme already have a huge database of ideas for the Doctor Who movie and could probably throw an outline together in less than 4 months.
Actually, there are probably already a hundred thousand Doctor Who movie scripts written by fans just waiting to be sent to any company offering a writing competition. There are also a large number of scripts that have already been considered by companies and professional writers and can be pulled out at a moments notice by producers who want to rework them. There’s some info about all the latest Doctor Who movie proposals here: http://www.sylvestermccoy.com/doctorwhomovie/
It would work if it is written with the general public in mind, though fans want Paul McGann and the Time War.
Hi Philip
Thank you for your reply. That explains a lot! Definitely didn’t think that producers would try and remove the originality of something to make it more familiar but then, with TV filled with reality TV shows I suppose I should have expected it. (Probably the reason why Farscape, a series with originality in spades, just didn’t rate that well) You’re right. We’re doing this to get paid so we’ve got to go with the flow.
I haven’t read Ender’s Game yet. Worthwhile?
I have another question for you. Do you think distance will be a problem with trying to sell scripts to shows in the UK? I know Paul Cornell, who wrote a couple of stories for Doctor Who, finished his Scream of the Shalka script while travelling around New Zealand. Lots of hours on the phone, apparently.
I’ve seen Doctor Who confidential which showed the writing and read- through meetings. While email is easy, do writers have to be there in person to promote the script? What do producers prefer? Or does it mainly depend on the programme?
Many thanks
Neil
Hi Neil,
I think what Stargate Atlantis has going for it is the tone of the show, its different to SG1, and mostly they get away with the evolution of a story (luckily!). I think Stargate Universe is still a concept at this stage, because Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright are still working on Stargate Atlantis. Maybe once they find out if the contract for that is renewed it will be further developed. As for getting a writing job on a show like that, if you ever listen to the commentary for the Atlantis episode “Childhood’s End” (season 1), I think they talk about how Martin Gero got involved (he was only like 26 or something when he started writing for them).
Also, I know that if/when Universe happens, writing team Joe Mallozzi and Paul Mullie will probably be executive producers of Atlantis, so there’s one writing space that could need filling! But I think in terms of distance, you’d have more luck in Australia, unless you wanted to move to Vancouver (which isn’t a bad idea, they make a LOT of films there).
I’m not writing for anything, actually I’m an actor who’s interested in screenwriting (as well as directing, although NOT all at once!). And I say go for the Neighbours/Home and Away idea, they need some good writers (I think they’re an example of “evolution of an idea” not working so well).
Hello Philip and Neil….
Re: Dr. Who
Go for it!!! Write a pitch proposal and give it to some the biggest agent in UK.
Pitch the movie version. Get the word out there — YES! Ask “THE BIG WIGS in UK” for permission to write the script, Why not?????
Philip, why are you not asking them permission to write the script ?
We all know you can do it, you already have a head start.
Philip and Neil should mail a proposal to he big studio in UK.
O.k. lets aim for end of October 2007 for Philip and Neil to get 5 pitch proposal in the mail to 10 of the biggest producers in UK.
Regards
Benjamin
Benjamin,
Love your gung-ho attitude. And why not?
Rose,
Sounds like you have a good start for a movie there. Just needs a good finish. Like:
Desperate girl abandoned by heartless web mentor find new inspiration on exciting writer’s blog. Makes brilliant suggestion to write a movie with the whole blog group inputting ideas for the story. Movie follows the lives of the many unique characters that choose to take this gamble with her. You see them writing in their homes, their hideout, at the office, in a restaurant, on their black berries. It is a slice of life — many lives — on different paths with a common thin thread of wanting fame and fortune and celebrity–each for their own reason. And WE are those characters. This amazing script and movie evolves, with insights into the hardships and sacrifices of the various characters, who are brutally candid and raw with what they share. Romances develop, and the movie gets sold, “And the Oscar goes to: . . . the writers of: . . . “Writers Dreams” And four-hundred and sixteen writers storm onto the stage in this crazy triumph of ensemble spirit. The End.
Best Wishes, Aaron
Rose – I’ve started a new thread Called Writers Revival Room. Let’s see how that goes.
Neil – Unless you get a few wild cards then becoming established enough in telly to be asked onto the shows you want to write for normally takes at least a couple of years on the more mass market high volume shows you perhaps don’t have the same empathy with. If you can survive those and rise up the ranks then the doors start opening. Home and Away and Neighbours are actually great places to start. You can write lots of episodes, make all your mistakes, and see them up on screen reasonably quickly so that you can learn and move on rapidly.
Problem is to get into the industry I believe you really do have to be able to come in for endless meet and greets, and story conferences and script meetings and so on. Most producers like to get in a room with the writer if it starts going off track. Paul Cornell is a well established writer with a good track record – with the best will in the world I can’t imagine a writer they didn’t know very well being given that latitude.
Ben – love the attitude! But I’m very sure Russell has the entire thing wrapped up already. Besides, we should be writing our OWN movies!
Aaron – It’s a movie that we’d never finish writing, that’s for sure. However, I’m putting up a scratch pad for those mad people among you who want to throw ideas about. You never know – self organising systems and the wisdom of crowds are two pretty powerful ideas!
Phil–
What time zone are these post-times keyed to? I am on the East Coast time EST — Florida. St Pete. I was just curious how that relates to the posted times.
Thanks,
Aaron
Ah, just answered my own question. It posts 5 hrs. before my time. Or 5 time zones earlier. Time warp. “London Time, then?”
“Problem is to get into the industry I believe you really do have to be able to come in for endless meet and greets, and story conferences and script meetings and so on.”
Philip – your above comment reminded me of a saying which gets thrown around a lot: “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. Is that the kind of thing you’re getting at?
I’m inclined to think that once you’ve got the skills it really is about getting the contacts. I’m always going out to film festivals and writers festivals to network with other people. I mainly do it because I enjoy meeting people, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit a little bit is to build up contacts. Do you think it helps much?
Yes, it’s GMT adjusted for daylight saving,I think. But think London time and you won’t go far wrong.
And actually, that comment about meetings is actually mechanically how the writing process works.
But in general you’re right, you’re SO right. Good writing will eventually rise to the top, but in the mean time it’s about 85% who you know, so keep on networking.
Oh right. I see what you mean, meetings about writing. With that in mind do you think aspiring writers looking for work would have to either have a really flexible job, or is looking for a writing job a full-time occupation?
As for networking, I also find any function is a networking function. Even if it’s something outside the field you’re interested in working in, you never know what someone might want to invest in if you’re willing to chat to them.
Hey Aaron,
***
And the Oscar goes to: . . . the writers of: . . . “Writers Dreams” And four-hundred and sixteen writers storm onto the stage in this crazy triumph of ensemble spirit. The End.
***
What an absolutely “stunning” visual!
I live in Ponte Vedra. I was at an event at St. Pete’s Forum just last weekend.
Hiya Neighbor!
Rose
The Oscar win with the hundreds of writers storming onto the stage IS a great visual. I even got a chuckle out of it here at work. Probably because I’m imagining the “Hurry it along” music starting to fade in as soon as any of the writers try to give an acceptance speech.
Tonja, you just succeeded in getting a laugh from me! I can imagine the writers ll getting up there, someone opening their mouths to start the “thank yous” and the “hurry-it-along” music (nicely put) starting up at that exact moment.
Then there’d probably be scattered and confused applause and a few whispers of “why are we clapping? They didn’t say anything!”
Amz: Ha! Exactly! Because I can picture the producers of the ceremony show grabbing their heads in pain as hundreds of writers storm the stage all, “Oh, no, they’re going to take FOREVER!” So they’ll just give them enough time to nod and wave the award in the air triumphantly and get off the stage.
Also, now that I think about it, wouldn’t each writer receive their own statuette? It would take too much time to pass out each award, let alone allow for an acceptance speech.
Wow, we’re just swerving into a whole ‘nother direction, aren’t we?
“Hurry it along” music! Is that what it’s called? Brilliant.
That’s what it’s called now, courtesy of Tonja! I think it’s quite a fantastic name.
I’ve heard people describe it in many ways (and some not as nicely as I put it…lol), but that’s how I refer to it. Don’t know what the music is officially called, though.
I think your names for it’s good. It’s not rude (I know what you mean there), but it sums it up perfectly.
I think you are absolutely wonderful, to try to help New Writers, by giving them Final Draft. To me, that is a precious gift. It is very hard to find the right information about screenwriting over the internet. Sometimes, you get more confused, than what you start out with. Everyone has a different angle,and it is so hard to sort out. The three luckey persons will be very grateful to you. Everyone ” Good Luck”.
Thank you for the “good luck” weekobiej.
I am so busy learning “how to turn my creativity on like a river”; I don’t have the time to concern myself with margins and spacing and such, so yes…FINAL DRAFT is a very precious gift. And a wonderful gift it will be for the lucky three.
As well as for, the Final Draft, and this website, a special thanks for the opportunity to purchase Phillip’s book in 3 payments (I’m purchasing my copy this weekend…and I’m excited.)
O
Thanks for that Weekobiej – it’s getting very close to announcing the winners now, and I’m looking forward to that bit.
I know what you mean about the conflicting advice – that was one of the biggest problems I faced early on, and I know a lot of writers feel the same. Some of that advice is absolutely brilliant advice, but which bit, when? That’s my hope with my book – I don’t tell you how to write every kind of script, but I do tell you exactly how to write ONE kind of script, and it happens to be a kind that the majority of people respond to.
And Oasis, that’s great! I hope the three installment payments does widen the door a little for people.
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