Hi Everyone, My name is Becky, and I've been writing for as long as I can remember, and I've loved films for just as long. I've been on Stage 32 for only about a month, and I don't know what took me so long to find it! I started screenwriting about two years ago when I lived out in Salt Lake City (I now live about an hour outside of Philadelphia). I drove to L.A. just to be there during the Academy Awards, and I was so inspired, standing in the vicinity of such amazingly talented artists. When I got home, I bought every screenwriting book I could find, taught myself how to write a screenplay, and I haven't looked back since. I'm still finding my voice as a writer, although after six scripts, I feel like I'm definitely getting closer. I look forward to meeting all of you and hearing of your future success stories, and I can't wait to be able to share mine!
Introduce Yourself : Screenwriter/Dreamer by Becky Fink
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The more you pursue Rebecca, the closer you will get and the sooner you will succeed. I also taught myself how to write a screenplay. I wish you the best of luck with your projects.
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Wishing you good luck :) I have taught myself screenwriting too. I found Story by Robert McKee best. :)
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Thank you, Antonio and Varun! I think Robert McKee is essential for anyone trying to learn about screenwriting. I do like the Save the Cat! books, but lately I've been finding the strict structure of it limiting, especially since the story I'm working on now doesn't exactly follow it. But I like the advice that you should learn the rules so you know when to break them!
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Add me to the "Self Taught" list. My advice? Learn proper structure and then read screenplays of successful films. Best education you can get.
I have been reading screenplays of produced films and finding them useful...
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Me too. I read so many when I was first starting out, and I try to read at least one a week. I find that I'm most productive in my writing when I've been reading a lot. I guess it just flows easier.
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Reading was what inspired me to write...I am basically a novelist and I write a lot of prose. Screenwriting is something relatively new for me. Been eight months working on my first script....Before that, I spent learning the structure and technicalities involved. With my novels and other writing assignments, time is what I hardly find. I am also looking to get published which is actually my primary goal.
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Well, I wish you all the best in whatever you do! I originally thought I wanted to write novels as well, and short stories. I dabbled a little, but didn't get very far, and I was incredibly frustrated. Then I discovered screenwriting, and I realized that my style of writing is better suited for writing movies, the whole less is more thing. It's a little tricky at first if you aren't used to writing that way, which I'm guessing you've figured out. But I look forward to reading some of you writing in the future. Good luck to you!
Thank you, Rebecca. I am much more comfortable writing novels and shorts. In fact, I have given book for publication to CAPE and TOR. Waiting for either response. God bless, it will turn out well. The novels are a series, so I intend to someday convert into a TV episodic format. though :D
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It sounds like an exciting time for you! Now it's just the waiting game, so hang in there. Let me know how it all comes together!
yes, its the waiting game, and sometimes it sucks...but well, they gotta take their time as is their rule...
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Wishing you luck! Always fun to chat with a fellow writer!
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Keep up the good work! I did some theatre out in SLC about 5 years ago with an indie company that has now disbanded. It was so beautiful out there. All best wishes to you!
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Amy, Utah was a beauty like I'd never seen before, and it must have inspired me some how. Thanks for the well wishes! Alle, my scripts need a lot of work. I wrote and rewrote for months on two of them, and then I got coverage and realized how much more work I needed to do. I would love to send you something as soon as I feel like it's ready again for someone else's eyes. Thanks for the offer!
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And thank you, Mary-Helen! I agree. I don't know two many writers outside of Stage 32, so meeting everyone on here has been great. Writing is such a solitary activity, so find someone who understands what you're going through is important. Best of luck to you as well!
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I especially like the part about buying every screenwriting book you could find and teaching yourself. Although I had taken some acting and film studies courses, screenwriting per se was not in the mix, so I, too, got my hands on several books on the subject and taught myself. Interestingly, I thought that having published an academic book and having written several academic articles would have helped in terms of writing, but I have come to the conclusion that writing a script is quite its own animal. So I think at some point I will try to take a course or two specifically on screenwriting. Anyway, I admire your initiative.