Writing Scripts

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Writing Scripts

Thanks for the great insight guys. Here are some general questions


When writing a script, you obviously want someone to look at it. Do you go to specific people? What if someone steals your script, such as when you post it online? What do you do to prevent this?

Just right the word "Copyright" on your script somewhere. The thing where people steal scripts is largely a myth. NO ONE wants that lawsuit. People might take ideas, but if you have a hard copy of something, they will behave.

Show your script to anyone who will read it, first and foremost. People not in the industry can't tell you about structure, but they can indicate whether or not your story is entertaining. If possible, you want to find a pro or a teacher to read your stuff. Up and coming screenwriters is a crapshoot, because jealousy and bitterness may influence their input. Not saying don't do it, but always be wary of the signs of a frustrated writer.

For a pretty good script, what are the going prices more or less?There is no answer for this. Prices vary. There is a base price for someone who is in the Screenwriter's Guild, but you're not, so you take what you get, which would be at least enough to by you a car, or the best entertainment system ever. Do you pitch it to Fox, Century, etc, or do you search for specific people?You get an agent or manager before pitching. It protects you, and it also protects the company you're pitching to. If your script is about ninja sheep, and they are already developing something with ninja sheep, you can claim that they stole the idea. With an agent or manager, they don't have to worry about this when reading your spec.

Keywords to know about when searching for info/sites. For instance, if I want to find out how to find offices in Toronto that cater to theis: Where can I get info, talk to people 'in the know' Look for writing agencies. You might just want to call William Morris and ask some questions.

Answers in bold.

[Pappy Knuckles]

Re: Writing Scripts

A lot of good stuff in this thread.

[CMH]

Re: Writing Scripts

To add to Born's post.

1. When you pick people to read your script, I advise you choose people you trust and know will give you real constructive criticism. Sometimes that means you don't show it to friends. Friends a lot of the time are too easy on friends and find it difficult to hurt someone's feelings.

Also, keep that group small. You don't want 20 people telling you this and that about your script. I'd say less than 10, more than 4, so you get enough of a variety of responses. Also, by the fourth person, you'll probably have heard everything you need to hear about your script. That magical 14th person won't be the one to finally realize that your script has a loophole.

2. Do not pitch directly to the studios. There are the rare occasions that someone will be discovered that way, but all studios have script readers and script readers will shove your script to the side (or ignore it completely) if it wasn't forwarded to the office by an agent. These studios get hundreds of scripts a day. They don't have time for the random guy that sends his script in. Get an agent or manager and they'll gladly do it for you.

[mattlanta]

Re: Writing Scripts

I made a script for an English project about this book called One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest... I'm sure many of you have read it before. Yeah.......... I wonder if I can get a B on that project. Hmm...

[bgeno]

Re: Writing Scripts

I made a script for an English project about this book called One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest... I'm sure many of you have read it before. Yeah.......... I wonder if I can get a B on that project. Hmm...

You know that's already a movie, right?

[mattlanta]

Re: Writing Scripts

You know that's already a movie, right?

Yeah, we had to write a script and play it out on camera with a group of classmates... we chose the one where Dr. Spivey talks about having a carnival and play room in the ward suggested by McMurphy... blagh... hate thinking about school during break.