Writing Screenplays...And who does it?

[SethRex]

Kind of a topic about writing screenplays in general, and who actually does it here?

I can tell you that I write. I haven't really completed many but I have done one or two here or there. Like I wrote a supernatural action/horror/comedy kinda screenplay. I wrote a draft of that Star Wars fan film I was plugging here a while ago. I'm currently writing one now called Guardian: To Be a Hero.

I can tell you that it is not necessarily an easy thing. It is complicated to write screenplays, but it can be rewarding.

[Astro Zombie]

I've never written one, but it does sound interesting. I don't know if I would do it however, it sounds kind of daunting. And I don't consider myself the best writer; I'm constantly criticizing my own writing, so it would probably never get done.

Still, maybe someday

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by Astro Zombie

I've never written one, but it does sound interesting. I don't know if I would do it however, it sounds kind of daunting. And I don't consider myself the best writer; I'm constantly criticizing my own writing, so it would probably never get done.

Still, maybe someday

Hey, if i can do it. You can d it. I don't think of myself as the best writer. Why I'm always looking for people's feedback on whether they like it or not.

But as you've told me along with others on here they think it's great for the better part.

[Darth Marcus]

I've got a couple of ideas, and a few outlines written out. I'm using Syd Field's Screenplay and The Screenwriter's Workbook as a kind of instructional tool. It really breaks down the screenwriting process in such a wonderful way. Even if you're not writing screenplays, I recommend these just for reading.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by Darth Marcus

I've got a couple of ideas, and a few outlines written out. I'm using Syd Field's Screenplay and The Screenwriter's Workbook as a kind of instructional tool. It really breaks down the screenwriting process in such a wonderful way. Even if you're not writing screenplays, I recommend these just for reading.

I've heard of that book before in this one podcast that I listen too.

[Darth Marcus]

Originally Posted by Michael Bay Fan

I've heard of that book before in this one podcast that I listen too.

He has a whole series of books, but those two are the only ones I have. He really brings an entire science to the screenwriting process. I definitely recommend checking those two out. I know he has other books simply focusing on characters, as well as books simply focusing on dialogue.

[olivasauce]

I have been 'writing' a screenplay for the last 10+ years. lol. Most of that time was just thinking about writing. I think I will finish it one day, just have to devote time to it and allow myself to make mistakes. I get hung up on things being perfect that I will stop and not start again for a long time until I forgot why I stopped.

Have plenty of other ideas as well, I honestly think I could write plenty of movies, just have to get the craft part of it. Might be better off as a Producer who thinks of the idea and gets writers to write it for me. Still I must at least finish my first one.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by olivasauce

I have been 'writing' a screenplay for the last 10+ years. lol. Most of that time was just thinking about writing. I think I will finish it one day, just have to devote time to it and allow myself to make mistakes. I get hung up on things being perfect that I will stop and not start again for a long time until I forgot why I stopped.

Have plenty of other ideas as well, I honestly think I could write plenty of movies, just have to get the craft part of it. Might be better off as a Producer who thinks of the idea and gets writers to write it for me. Still I must at least finish my first one.

If it takes you that long to do. Then I think this might not be something for you. And be better producing like you said.

I should sell some of my ideas since i have so many of them I don't know if I'll ever get around too, and have some other people write them for me.

[StevenHarvey1990]

I've written about 20 short films. I'm working on a pilot and two features at the moment. It's very difficult, but like others have said... very rewarding. Cathartic too.

[JavaJulien]

I can barely write a small review on why I like a movie. I couldn't imagine going through an entire screenplay.

[SethRex]

Well yeah it is kinda challenging. I never took writing classes in the past, I kinda just do it. And it helps that I have used programs like Final Draft or Celtx which have the formatting already set for you so all you gotta do is the writing.

[Joda0]

I've recently finished my first screenplay. Working on two others now. The proces is very difficult and complex, but can also be very satisfying. The thing for me was rewriting, rewriting and rewriting. It took me 6 months after the first draft until I was (almost) fully satisfied. I also approached it as a learning process on how to write a screenplay, not just from a narrative angle, but also from a technical angle; the formatting and such.

[Member-275053]

I think the better question would be: who here does it professionally?

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

I write them. I've been doing it for close to 10 years. So far I've written 11 original full length scripts. Most of them are either comedies or horror. Sometimes with a little bit of both. I feel that the first script is the hardest. But with each script it gets easier and easier for me to do.

I have no real formal training. I've never gone to school for this, or had help from people. All that I've learned is from reading scripts of movies I've learned and was inspired by. Watching commentaries, behind the scenes featurettes and making of documentaries of the making of.

Some people on here have read some of my stuff and really liked them. I don't know any of these people personally. I just know them through this site, and feel they are being honest. Cause I asked for their honest opinion, and if they didn't like something i told them to tell me if they didn't.

I'm just a creative machine i like to think. I have atleast 15-20 ideas for other possible scripts. It's like i have so many ideas I can't seem to focus on one lately.

If anyone here is interested in reading any of my scripts and wanna give me feedback let me know via PM. But please only serious people.

[Joda0]

Originally Posted by Michael Bay Fan

I write them. I've been doing it for close to 10 years. So far I've written 11 original full length scripts. Most of them are either comedies or horror. Sometimes with a little bit of both. I feel that the first script is the hardest. But with each script it gets easier and easier for me to do.

I have no real formal training. I've never gone to school for this, or had help from people. All that I've learned is from reading scripts of movies I've learned and was inspired by. Watching commentaries, behind the scenes featurettes and making of documentaries of the making of.

Some people on here have read some of my stuff and really liked them. I don't know any of these people personally. I just know them through this site, and feel they are being honest. Cause I asked for their honest opinion, and if they didn't like something i told them to tell me if they didn't.

I'm just a creative machine i like to think. I have atleast 15-20 ideas for other possible scripts. It's like i have so many ideas I can't seem to focus on one lately.

If anyone here is interested in reading any of my scripts and wanna give me feedback let me know via PM. But please only serious people.

Have you ever tried selling one of your scripts?

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by Joda0

Have you ever tried selling one of your scripts?

Yeah, I have. It's just about finding the right people really. You gotta be careful when you're doing this. And don't end up like what happen to Troy Duffy. He was the writer/Director of The Boondock Saints 1 & 2.

There is a whole doc about him called Overnight. Anyway in it, they say he said a bad deal to get the film made and he got nothing from the home video sales.

A similar thing happen to Wes Craven when he was trying to make A Nightmare On Elm Street. To get the film made he had to sign the rights away. Because he didn't know what it would eventually become. He was just trying to get the movie made to support his family.

So what I'm saying is you need to be careful when trying to either sell your script or get it made.

[PocosuTheCamel]

I write... But do I finish? I have yet to finish one.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by PocosuTheCamel

I write... But do I finish? I have yet to finish one.

I feel that I always need to finish one before I continue on to my next one. Though I have one script that is about only pages into and stopped cause i was so stumped and just moved on to something else. I would always come back too it. But kept getting stumped and moved on to the next.

But I swear I will finish that though. It's a buddy cop, action film. Kinda like if you took the cops from Superbad, and the drug dealers from Pineapple Express.

[Adam_ME]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

I tried to write some. But I'm not good at it. I can't write good dialogue and I never know whether I have enough dialogue or not. Rob Zombie once said that the first 30 pages are pretty easy to write, but then you get stuck. That is exactly what happened to me pretty much every time.

Heh, I'm the exact opposite. I love writing dialogue. It's coming up with the plot and writing the rest of the script like the actions and descriptions that I can't stand.

As far as what I've written, I did a couple of movie screenplays(for kicks, nothing professionally) a long time ago. Like back around 1999 or 2000. I don't even know if I have those backed up anywhere since I've gone through several computers and hard drive crashes in the interim. But that may be for the best since they were absolute crap.

I started writing again late last year and finished 2 movie scripts and 1 TV pilot script. And they're way better than the stuff I did 15 years ago. The key to this is just keep writing. There's a pretty good chance your 5th or 6th script will look a lot better than the 1st or 2nd. Also, I started using Final Draft this time around(I was using MS Word before that) and it's a godsend. I highly recommend it.

I have no idea what to do in terms of going about pitching them or selling them though. I live in Texas, so it's not like I have easy access to agencies or studios. Can you just call or e-mail people and offer to submit them for consideration? BTW, the last 3 things I wrote are registered with the WGA, so there's no potential copyright infringement issues to worry about.

Originally Posted by Michael Bay Fan

If anyone here is interested in reading any of my scripts and wanna give me feedback let me know via PM. But please only serious people.

Check your inbox. I sent you a PM. I wouldn't mind exchanging scripts and giving each other feedback.

[SethRex]

A friend told me that I'm great at writing action scenes, but I'm bad at drama. I'm trying to fix that but in the long shot I know he's right. But we'll see I suppose how it all turns out as I write the current script I'm on.