Hi! My name is JD. I just joined a few days ago. I have a feature-length screenplay I wrote for my Master's degree last year, but I don't know much about the industry of shopping it around. I'm looking forward to using Stage 32 to connect with others and to hopefully launch a career in screenwriting. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in the Greater Philadelphia Area for the foreseeable future. I hope to learn much from everybody on Stage 32 so that I can pay it forward, someday. If anybody wants to reach out, I'll be here. The more, the merrier.
Introduce Yourself : The New Kid at Stage 32 by JD Dorfman
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Thanks. I'll definitely check that out. As for being one of the cool kids, I guess after all these years, I finally get to eat lunch at the popular kids table. So far, everyone seems so supportive of everyone else here. I'm glad I have a chance to be a part of that.
Welcome JD
What's good, JD! Welcome.
@Kathryn Rushent Deal! I love pudding! @Everyone else Thank you for having me. It's nice to meet you all.
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Do yo have any interest in directing? The reason I ask is because I really think the best thing a writer can do today is do what they do in television, which is be a writer/producer and find the team to make your film, even if there's no budget. If you also want to direct, that makes the job a whole lot easier!! That being said, you can get amazing camera's out there (like the Black Magic Pocket Camera) for next to nothing, work with available lighting, and find that amazing cast and shoot your film. We did and I'm so glad I didn't wait around for someone to do the work for me. You can see our project here if you're curious. http://www.cinecoup.com/theories/differentiator
You are further than I am. I am still working on my first. I just need someone to help me get the right format down since I am used to writing still panels for comics.
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Hello JD Dofrman
@Mike Tyrell Actually, I would love to direct. Coming from a film background undergrad, I actually have a professional camera lying around the house, waiting for the perfect project. It's a Panasonic AG-HMC70P. I've never created a feature-length movie before (my screenplay is about 108 pages, so we're talking about as many minutes of screen time), so this kind of project feels very overwhelming to me. I've actually been mulling around the idea in my head of an IndieGoGo campaign to fund such an idea. I've never done that before. So, I'd need to know what I'm getting into before I can do a project like that. I've entered my screenplay into three contests right now, so maybe if none of them hit (I won't know about two of them until July, the third one I'll find out about in June), I'll reconsider that idea more seriously. But to answer your question more concisely, yes. Yes, I would like to direct, as well.
@Seth Greenwood It takes a lot of practice to get that format down. If you want a free solution, I recommend Adobe Story or Celtx. If you're willing to shell out a couple hundred dollars, I recommend getting Final Draft (it is the industry standard, after all). Don't worry. I'm sure you'll pick up on it with the right program and some practice. :)
Wanting direct is a good for sure! Why not consider doing a low budget previsualization of your script. Find some actors, workshop it then shoot it, in a rehearsal space with bare minimum props and such, find an editor and see how it hangs together. It's obviously not going to be ready for the big screen, but it's a great way to inexpensively take that next step.
So you're saying, if I understand this correctly, to shoot the equivalent of a"first draft" of my film and use that to get noticed enough to make the "next drafts," so to speak. I like the idea if I'm understanding it correctly.
Hmmmm, I wouldn't shoot a first draft. I would work on it until you think it's great. Then I'd find some actors and workshop the major scenes (rehearse with them) they will likely give you lots of feedback on what's working and what's not working, Then, when it feels like it's really working, video it in the rehearsal space, with whatever you have (even a smart phone) doing coverage (wide shots, medium shots, closeups, etc.) Edit that together.... you will learn so much from this process, and be able to make changes before taking the step to do it a more professional level. It's a previsualization of what you will eventually shoot and should help you prevent costly mistakes.
So it's more of a pre-first draft?
I understand what you're saying. Work it out on camera and edit it to see what works and what doesn't, then make changes. Rinse and repeat until it's ready for the real thing. Do I have it correct?
Hi, JD. I'm a screenwriter who is new to Stage 32. Currently, I reside in the Greater, Greater Philly area. Congrats on finishing your screenplay. I know what an accomplishment it is. It would be great to connect.
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I would say write and rewrite until that's not producing any more improvements, then do a kind of test run at it, by having rehearsals, this will yield more ideas for improvements, identify weak spots, good actors will challenge you, their characters, the motivation, they will help you to see things you didn't. Then try video taping and editing it. You can learn a lot and really get your story to where you want it before actually spending a pile of money.
Ok. I see where this is going. Sounds like something I might want to try.
Welcome aboard! I've only been here a week too.
Nice to have you here.
Welcome, JD!
Welcome JD. I think it's great to have a formal education about a craft this deep and broad. I'm struggling with learning the basics that you might have learned in SCREENWRITING 501.
Hi Kid! Welcome aboard.