Hi Woody, thank you!
Hi Woody, thank you!
Have written a pilot script for a TV comedy/mock-umentary. What is the best way of getting this seen by the right people? Or do I need to copyright it? (I am in the UK)
Hi Phil, I`m pretty much where you are now, still trying to get funding - but ever hopeful
Rewrite it a few times. Get some input from friends and peers. Craft your series bible as well so you know your characters and where your series is headed.
Thanks all, some great advice.
Why the characters of american TV series and films always ask for permission when they are about to ask a question to another character?
Fleurette - I don't believe Mr. Bond bothers with the niceties. It's simply: "Martini. Shaken, not stirred". No please or thank yous. Which is pretty much the same technique he uses with the women he beds. "Come here, Pussy" springs to mind from "Goldfinger".
On point, Michael .
It will also depend on the genre. And yes, it is a popular expression everywhere. You won't see it used in every movie but there is a place for it when appropos.
Hi I'm Rafsan. I'm 22. I have stories of my own. I have written 4 stories for Hollywood. The problem is I'm from Bangladesh and I don' know secure way to do that. If someone there to help me I would really appreciate that. Once I asked in yahoo and I find out that I could try Literary agent. So, what can I do?
adding to Orianna's post - you could also send you stories to the Library of Congress for a fee.
I agree with Orianna, the poor man's copyright does only one thing, it establishes the date you emailed/mailed it to yourself. Or as it's put, it establishes a date of concept and actualization only a...
Expand commentI agree with Orianna, the poor man's copyright does only one thing, it establishes the date you emailed/mailed it to yourself. Or as it's put, it establishes a date of concept and actualization only and does not establish ownership or who actually wrote the stories. Also the only real copyright IS a copyright with your copyright office in your country or another country, such as the US copyrights office at the Library of Congress. http://www.copyright.gov/ Good luck! :)
Thanks to everyone for the help.
I've read a lot of websites that paint a very negative picture about this. They strongly discourage anyone who would ever thinks about writing and sending screenplays. They say it's an impossible thing to do. And it's a very bad, offensive thing to wish to do. Is the reality so discouraging? Thanks for answering!:)
Unique material is king...and every so often, a screenwriter on the outside gives birth to a brilliant idea...so why not?
Everything has good and bad. If you want it bad enough, you can make it happen. However, I will say that you wear different hats. I wore 3 or so just today including my networking hat.
Did you live for movies as a kid? We all watched movies, but a small minority would watch 4 or 5 movies back to back and have seen certain films countless times. If you are not in that camp, I would say don't pursue it, it's not your calling.
Privileged to be part of the creative team behind this show. Please watch "Gang Related" Thursday nights on Fox. 9PM pacific and eastern/8PM central and mountain. Another new episode airs this week. You watch the first three episodes on -- http://www.fox.com/gang-related/...
Expand postPrivileged to be part of the creative team behind this show. Please watch "Gang Related" Thursday nights on Fox. 9PM pacific and eastern/8PM central and mountain. Another new episode airs this week. You watch the first three episodes on -- http://www.fox.com/gang-related/
So excited for you and your team @GangRelated. Much success.
Thanks, Orianna!
I'll say that again. IF YOU CAN AFFORD COVERAGE/FEEDBACK, GET IT!! PLEASE!! Now I understand that when it comes to these contests that offer coverage or individual who do, it can become costly. I've been fortunate enough to be able to afford getting coverage multiple times and I've learned a lot fro...
Expand postI'll say that again. IF YOU CAN AFFORD COVERAGE/FEEDBACK, GET IT!! PLEASE!! Now I understand that when it comes to these contests that offer coverage or individual who do, it can become costly. I've been fortunate enough to be able to afford getting coverage multiple times and I've learned a lot from it. When I began this early last year, one of the most discouraging aspects I found out in the early stages of my research was that I would NOT be able to get feedback. The one thing I wanted the most was to receive professional feedback. I didn't expect my work to be a "blockbuster" right out of the gate, but I also was very desperate to be able to know what my mistakes were. In the beginning, all I saw was that my only option was to write and send to agents, most of which would not have time to respond to you or will not respond simply because they aren't interested in your work. That was frustrating, because with something like this, I know that I NEED the feedback. I was surprised one day when feedback from a contest was e-mailed to me. I can't remember which one right now, but the feedback was included in the cost to enter, so I had forgotten by the time I received the feedback. When I did see it and go through it, it made my whole day. My screenplay was sort of a mess, but I knew that already. I also knew that professional eyes would help. English and grammar have never been a problem with me, so I didn't need THAT kind of help, but it was many of the other aspects as far as writing a screenplay goes. It seems to be this undying belief that there are a ton of writers out there who write just ONE screenplay and think it's the best thing since sliced bread and this may actually be true. However, that isn't me. Of course...I say that just like everyone else does, right? Well, I'm not on trial here, so I don't need anyone to believe me. What I do know is that my goal is to take the time I need to improve, since I know I'm not quite where I'd like to be or need to be just yet. I have no intention or desire to strike a one-time payday. I would like to do this as a career when I retire from the Army in three years. Until then, I will work this craft as much as I can and get as much feedback as I can as well. Whether everyone does this or not is not my concern. I can only speak for myself...and I'm very thankful that I've been able to receive feedback for my works so far. I've learned a lot from the feedback I've received. If you're able to do it and can absorb the cost, please do so. I'm relatively new to this, so I don't expect to rival Steven Spielberg or anybody else. I'm willing to pay my dues to get there. Right now, that means writing AND learning to improve so my works gets BETTER as time goes on, not remain stagnant because I've never learned of my mistakes.
The thing that comes to mind, and it is big, is keep believing in what you have created. IT is possible to get advice that is just the other person's likes/dislikes. Also, I have been told a couple of places not to let non screenwriter friends read your stuff and critique it.
Trigger street.com is a nice way to get unbiased feedback and it's free. I love reading other scripts there as well - gives you more of a perspective on work out there. Just make sure it's registered...
Expand commentTrigger street.com is a nice way to get unbiased feedback and it's free. I love reading other scripts there as well - gives you more of a perspective on work out there. Just make sure it's registered first with WGA. It's just one place - I know there are lot more professional places, but anyway would be a good start, other than family/friends.
Free only gets you so far. If you can afford to write something and spend hours of your life doing so, you can afford to get coverage. Coverage dissects the piece and helps you recognize (and avoid a real) pass. Onlookers don't get you beyond that.
I was wondering how many screenwriters have treatments for their scripts. I see the need for loglines, the pitch on paper and Synopsys but are treatments really needed? Do the readers ask for them?
A synopsis is written AFTER the screenplay is done - a wrap up of what the script is about - 1-2 pages tops. A treatment is written BEFORE the screenplay and is a detailed outline of how you plan to e...
Expand commentA synopsis is written AFTER the screenplay is done - a wrap up of what the script is about - 1-2 pages tops. A treatment is written BEFORE the screenplay and is a detailed outline of how you plan to execute the screenplay including all the beats of each of the acts, opening and closing images, etc. My partner and I just completed a treatment for a screenplay based on a true story and it's 26 pages double-spaced for easy reading.
Well, more to the point, a treatment is a selling piece.
Exactly, I just wrote a treatment with my Co-writer to get investors into our project.
I submitted my drama/action script pitch recently and got back 2 comments -- "Not clear why this guy had to be a .... specialist." and "Why make her a .... woman?" - While I've omitted certain words - they pertain specifically to the supporting characters' CAREERS. To me this critique makes no sense...
Expand postI submitted my drama/action script pitch recently and got back 2 comments -- "Not clear why this guy had to be a .... specialist." and "Why make her a .... woman?" - While I've omitted certain words - they pertain specifically to the supporting characters' CAREERS. To me this critique makes no sense. Why does a character HAVE to be anything? Because that's what we wanted to do; that's what made sense for the locale ....because ... you can go on and on. Why have the lead character a police man, for example ......yikes.... some feedback would be appreciated. Thanks, all.
@Dan - a oral pitch is almost like going through a Ph.D. oral exam. You have to know every detail of your script and be prepared to answer succinctly almost any imaginable question they throw at you - typically in less than 10 minutes.
@Dan - if you have some other way to get your scripts produced, then you definitely don't have to do them!
I started another post a couple of of days ago to show precisely who is reading our scripts. Check it out https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/ShowBiz-Interns-Class-Actio......
Expand commentI started another post a couple of of days ago to show precisely who is reading our scripts. Check it out https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/ShowBiz-Interns-Class-Actio...
People seem to be up in arms about how forgotten the writers were this year at the Oscars. Here's my article on IF they were neglected and WHY. http://www.nobullscript.net/screenwritingtips/were-screenwriters-dissed-......
Expand postPeople seem to be up in arms about how forgotten the writers were this year at the Oscars. Here's my article on IF they were neglected and WHY. http://www.nobullscript.net/screenwritingtips/were-screenwriters-dissed-...
Good point. I guess since I work with people who buy rights off the bat, they're not too concerned as they believe in the adaptation.
Speaking of getting dissed at the Oscars, what's up with this whole John Ridley/Steve McQueen rift? From what I've read, there was some disagreement between Ridley and McQueen about WGA credit. I thin...
Expand commentSpeaking of getting dissed at the Oscars, what's up with this whole John Ridley/Steve McQueen rift? From what I've read, there was some disagreement between Ridley and McQueen about WGA credit. I think a lot of the coverage of this so-called "rift" is just the media stirring the pot. Any thoughts?
No, it was a real rift. One wrote the script, one rewrote the script, one wanted sole credit, the other wanted shared credit. Happens everyday.
Have recently had some magical experiences as a Script Consultant, which has evolved into collaborating and co-writing/rewriting scripts. When that 'creative synchronicity' kicks in...wow! Just wondering whether other writers prefer writing alone, or collaboratively? Or does it depend on the type of project?
Working on a TV pilot which although sometimes borders on madness, has been a necessary solo process. Speaking of collaborations however, mine have mainly been in the songwriting field...some inspirin...
Expand commentWorking on a TV pilot which although sometimes borders on madness, has been a necessary solo process. Speaking of collaborations however, mine have mainly been in the songwriting field...some inspiring, some like getting my teeth drilled. What I like best? When egos are shelved, feeling free to throw all ideas into the pot no matter how stupid you think they may be and voila! A delicious stew...or not, but all great learning!
For me it depends on the project. I'm working on expanding my second book into a "brand" and it definitely requires the collaboration of others. :)
It depends.There are scripts I will need somebody to assist me
Thanks for reach out! Cheers from the Hollyhood.
Cheers Orianna!
Thank you for reaching out! Best in all you do. Cheers!
You are very welcome, Orianna.
A great article by Danny Manus. http://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Were-Screenwriters-Dissed-at...
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