Master Class in Filmmaking

[Roderick Usher]

I started a thread last month about trying to chose between a young, up and coming director and an established genre giant. Well, we're going with the giant, but he has quite a few script notes and want to "kick our ass" for a couple of weeks or rewriting.

Normally I'd tell any number of people to go screw, that we know how to write and they simply don't get it. But the man giving us these notes is none other than XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

That's right. I'm going to be spending a great deal of time over at XXXXXXXXXXXXX's house as he helps us whip this script into shooting shape. We'll be learning from the creator of xxxxxxxxxxx, xxxxxx, xxxxxxx, xxxxxx, etc. I'm ecstatic! People would pay good money to learn from a master of the craft, but he's going to be working us over because he likes our writing and wants to direct our script titled LA GOTHIC!!!

I'll be keeping a journal of the experience and will keep you all posted. I'm such a geek.

[zwoti]

I'll be keeping a journal of the experience and will keep you all posted. I'm such a geek.


pictures, man, pictures!!!!

[Roderick Usher]

pictures, man, pictures!!!!

I need to get a camera phone so I can be sort of discreet about it.

[zwoti]

I need to get a camera phone so I can be sort of discreet about it.

i'm sure if you ask the great man, he wouldn't mind the odd one.

[Roderick Usher]

i'm sure if you ask the great man, he wouldn't mind the odd one.

Yeah, but I'm trying to meet him on his level - not look like a novice or a startstruck kid (which will be a tough one to supress:o )

As our relationship progresses, I hope We'll be able to snap a few pix together - but until then I plan on snapping quite a few clandestine shots to document the process. This is so once-in-a-lifetime I can barely stand it.:D

[bwind22]

Fucking awesome. Congratulations dude! This is huge for you!!! I can tell how thrilled you are about it (rightfully so) so I'm really happy for ya. I can't wait for the updates!!!

Who was the up-and-comer that was also in consideration? Aja?

[Roderick Usher]

Fucking awesome. Congratulations dude! This is huge for you!!! I can tell how thrilled you are about it (rightfully so) so I'm really happy for ya. I can't wait for the updates!!!

Who was the up-and-comer that was also in consideration? Aja?

Thanks.

No it wasn't Aja - whew - it was Scott Glosserman who's Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon comes out next month. He would be a fine choice as he is really smart, really cool and totally loves the genre. I'm hoping we'll get to work with him in the not-to-distant future.

[alkytrio666]

Holy shit! Congratulations!

[cactus]

That is so cool! Congratulations, man!

[bwind22]

But Carpenter...can't turn that down.

No doubt. When you meet him, make sure to let him know he's responsible for 2 of HDC's top 5 horror films of all-time, but if he has to ask which ones... Tell him Ghosts of Mars & Vampires. haha

[Papillon Noir]

That is so cool! Hopefully he'll write the music too (I know he did on a lot of his movies).

And I actually really liked Ghosts of Mars.

[Ash's_evil_hand]

Congratulations! So any idea what sort of timescale you'll be working to? Will it be out next year?

Everyone should see this thread. It would serve as an inspiration to all those aspiring writers out there.

[Roderick Usher]

Congratulations! So any idea what sort of timescale you'll be working to? Will it be out next year?

Everyone should see this thread. It would serve as an inspiration to all those aspiring writers out there.

No concept of when this will be made, let alone released. I'm just looking forward to the process.

[Roderick Usher]

Just got this email:

"You four are TENTATIVELY set to meet with XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX regarding LA Gothic on:
Thurs. March 1st @ 4 PM

You will meet at the office"

So excited!

[bwind22]

The countdown is on! I assume you & your writing partner are 2 of the 4, but who are the other 2? Your agent & manager?

[Roderick Usher]

The countdown is on! I assume you & your writing partner are 2 of the 4, but who are the other 2? Your agent & manager?

yep

it's my managers

[Doc Faustus]

Your name is gonna go through the roof on this. It's been six years since Carpenter directed anything feature length, so the work will get a ton of attention on those merits alone.

[Roderick Usher]

Your name is gonna go through the roof on this. It's been six years since XXXXXXXXXXX directed anything feature length, so the work will get a ton of attention on those merits alone.

from your lips to God's ear:D

Word is already spreading through town even though we haven't gone public with the news yet. A producer friend over at Disney emailed me yesterday with congratulations - felt pretty cool to know we're being talked about.

[Doc Faustus]

Glad to hear it. Sets a good example on the forum. There's a lot of real world nay-saying for creative people nowadays. It's great to see a real person able to prove the raw potential of getting off one's ass. In the last four days, I've written a pilot and three outlines on account of realizing that people can make it in the genre.

[Roderick Usher]

Glad to hear it. Sets a good example on the forum. There's a lot of real world nay-saying for creative people nowadays.

When I started acting I got a few horrible reviews and I loved them. Other cast embers always got bent out of shape of the negativity, but I told them...

A critic is just someone who wishes they could do what we do - but either can't or won't because they're too damned afraid of wat some critic will say about them.

Negativity has no place in creativity - it kills the spirit. I'm really glad to hear you're cranking. Nothing like a nice bout of creative diarrhea...crapit all out, then go back and clean it up:p

What's your pilot about? Have you looked up American Accolades yet? They have pilot competitions on a monthly basis.

[Doc Faustus]

I have two. One's for a Gothic noir set in a quarantine 1939 American midatlantic where vampires are a wave of immigration and necromancers have replaced the lower class with zombies. It deals with the formation of America and immigration debates as well as contemporary humanity. The other pilot is for a series animated show about giant monsters awakening in the modern world because the earth has been given a cleansing prerogative by an insane psychic who can speak to the gaea. It's mostly centered on mankind's will to survive. Imagine Joss Whedon meets Jack Arnold with a serious message.

[Roderick Usher]

sounds ambitious as hell. period tales are a tough sell, but I love 'em and have a couple under my belt... too bad I can't get anyone to read them.

Good luck, man

[Doc Faustus]

The noir story isn't so much period as alt-history. It's a German Expressionist New York, with kind of a pulpy vibe. I decided the latter should be animated because tv stations probably don't want to make a big budget 44 minute dramatic monster film each week.

[bwind22]

yep

they like to tag along when we meet someone cool. I've said it before, but Hollywood is just like a junior high cafeteria, everyone wants to sit at the cool kids' table...and just who's cool changes from week to week.

That's funny. Have you told them you have a foreign investor interested in the script they called unsellable yet?

Enjoy your week at the cool kids table! Hopefully you can stretch your week there into a semester or two!


And by the way, no matter how HUGE you get, I'm still gonna hold you to that beer @ the Beanery when I get out there. :D

[Roderick Usher]

That's funny. Have you told them you have a foreign investor interested in the script they called unsellable yet?

Enjoy your week at the cool kids table! Hopefully you can stretch your week there into a semester or two!


And by the way, no matter how HUGE you get, I'm still gonna hold you to that beer @ the Beanery when I get out there. :D

We'll certainly ahve that beer. and the other script...I'm not saying a word to the reps until we have a deal in hand - but things are moving in that direction very quickly.

[bwind22]

Imagining the looks on their faces when you tell them just made me laugh out loud & that's ironic since I don't even know what they look like.

[Papillon Noir]

I have two. One's for a Gothic noir set in a quarantine 1939 American midatlantic where vampires are a wave of immigration and necromancers have replaced the lower class with zombies. It deals with the formation of America and immigration debates as well as contemporary humanity. The other pilot is for a series animated show about giant monsters awakening in the modern world because the earth has been given a cleansing prerogative by an insane psychic who can speak to the gaea. It's mostly centered on mankind's will to survive. Imagine Joss Whedon meets Jack Arnold with a serious message.

Both those stories sound really cool and interesting, especially the first one. I would love to read those when they are finished.

[trick]

you are fucking genuies man you are so lucky

[Roderick Usher]

So we met with XXXXXXXXX last week. Really cool. First off his office is a house. Not his house, mind you, but a small craftsman house in a nice neighborhood in Hollywood that is a dedicated office. Pretty cool.

We enter the living room/lobby and the walls are covered with movie one-sheets from XXXXXX & XXXXXx & XXXXXXXXX there are maquettes and figurines of XXXXXX, XXXXXXX, XXXXXXXXX and a few Chinese take-out boxes with "XXXXXXXXX" printed on them. I'm already getting geeky.

One of the three assistants comes in and offers us something to drink. I take a coffee - those of you interested in doing the Hollywood thing, always take the drink that's offered, seriously - and we wait while a yappy little white dog tugs at my pants lag.

After a minute of two we are escorted into a back bedroom that has been converted into Mr XXXXXXX's office. Bookshelves line the walls. More toys, more movie posters...including Howard Hawkes' The Thing. There's a spread on the table, an actual spread - grapes, brie and crackers, coffee, sugar, cream - and behind the desk is THE MAN.

He smiles we shakes hands. He dives right in, asking us our ages. My partner Jim replies "medium", so John flips him the bird. He does this a lot, three times actually throughout the course of the hour-long meeting. He is awesome. Super cool and not at all pretentious. We talk about the script for twenty minutes in which he tells us that "we did it wrong" that we were imitating. He believes there is something good, maybe even something great here, but we're going to have to dig and work to get it to the right place. He wants us to come back and go over the script page-by-page and work together as long as it takes to turn this into the movie he wants to make. He also tells us he doesn't work in the mornings and he only works here in his office.

I'm in heaven.

Then it gets fun. We start talking about our favorite films. A half hour passes with us discussing the merits and weaknesses of John Ford films. This is Hollywood cool at its best.

We go back to his office again tomorrow for the first full day of work. I can't wait!

[Doc Faustus]

That's amazing! Particularly the John Ford debate and that there WAS a John Ford debate. It's also good that he's pushing for the script to innovate. Some people would go the other direction and that would suck.

[bwind22]

Woohoo! Update numero uno was every bit as fun to read as I was hoping it'd be! Man, that sounds like a blast. I'm green with envy. I bet JC has a pretty rad toy collection.


Does he smoke the herbs or haven't you guys gotten to the joint sharing stage yet? I bet he smokes....

[Roderick Usher]

Woohoo! Update numero uno was every bit as fun to read as I was hoping it'd be! Man, that sounds like a blast. I'm green with envy. I bet JC has a pretty rad toy collection.


Does he smoke the herbs or haven't you guys gotten to the joint sharing stage yet? I bet he smokes....

He made a specific point of saying he doesn't work in the mornings.
But he smokes cigarettes constantly.

[The_Return]

....Leads one to thing he's a bit of a drinker....

Or maybe he just likes to sleep in. Lord knows if I was a successful director like him I'd never get out of bed before noon, and I almost never drink:p

[Roderick Usher]

Or maybe he just likes to sleep in. Lord knows if I was a successful director like him I'd never get out of bed before noon, and I almost never drink:p

Fair enough. I shall endeavor not to speculate into or allow myself to succumb to rumor. I officially and legally renounce all sinister innuendo and/or slanderous remarks, expressed or implied.

That should keep me clean, right?

Met with him again today.

God I love him. This could turn dark very quickly...

[Despare]

Fair enough. I shall endeavor not to speculate into or allow myself to succumb to rumor. I officially and legally renounce all sinister innuendo and/or slanderous remarks, expressed or implied.

That should keep me clean, right?

Met with him again today.

God I love him. This could turn dark very quickly...

Oooo so before we see the Damned we could see the real life story of Carpenter's stalker!?

[Roderick Usher]

Oooo so before we see the Damned we could see the real life story of Carpenter's stalker!?

in the immortal words of PJ Soles' Linda Van Der Klok, "totally":D

[Roderick Usher]

So we've been working with Mr XXXXXXX of the last couple of days and it's still a blast. We're becoming friendlier each day. The rest is probably a bore to all of you. Just reading the script aloud and figuring out what works and what doesn't. We're hitting a particularly weak spot in the script, so much tuning will be required. We got to discussing our weekend plans and when I asked him what he was getting up to he says "four words for you...God of War II"

So he's a gamer.

[Despare]

Sounds like a hell of a movie and you're having quite a time writing it. Good to see somebody who's really having fun with their work still.

[bwind22]

Yeah, I'd go check that film out even if you weren't involved in it. Sounds rad.

[Papillon Noir]

The film itself is a loaded with allusions to the Universal classics of James Whale and Todd Browning, the charismatic acting of Hammer Studios’ Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, the GORE-geous glow of the Italian masters Fulci and Argento and the stark, unrelenting terror of the Romero zombie mythos.


Todd Browning was a genius that was underappreciated in his day. That being said, it really sounds like you picked up on all the best themes from the classic horror genre. It looks like it will be really great. :)

This is off-subject, but out of curiousity, where did you learn to write screenplays? Did you go to film school?

[Roderick Usher]

This is off-subject, but out of curiousity, where did you learn to write screenplays? Did you go to film school?

I learned by doing. No film school, no writing classes. I had been a songwriter, so I was used to being efficient and working in a three act structure. But I started writing because I was an actor constantly auditioning for and reading bad scripts.

I knew that I could do better, so I started writing. The first 3 scripts were pretty bad, but I optioned the 4th and that gave me the confidence to continue.

[bwind22]

Was the 4th one that you did well in a contest with?

And what happened to the 1st 3? Are they just sitting on a shelf somewhere or have you sold them since the 4th one got optioned?

[Roderick Usher]

Was the 4th one that you did well in a contest with?

And what happened to the 1st 3? Are they just sitting on a shelf somewhere or have you sold them since the 4th one got optioned?

No, the 5th placed in a screenplay competition, which allowed me to show the 4th one around. The first 3 were no good at all.

I've now written 18 spec features. 4 feature assignments (3 of which were produced by SciFi Channel - 1 was never produced) and 3 spec television pilots.

Of the specs, 2 have been optioned, 1 is being retooled and is about to go into pre-production, another one has sparked some interest. Amongst the others maybe 2-3 of them are good enough to get made but the old ones are really just the stepping stones which have gotten me here. Looking back to them isn't helpful, it's important to keep moving forward and growing as a writer.

[bwind22]

Here comes another stupid (very novice) screenwriter question...

When you say spec, I am under the impression that is the title given to scripts that are not adaptations or a project assigned to you. Basically, your own original idea. Is that correct?

(Sorry, I told you it was a stupid question.)

[Papillon Noir]

Here comes another stupid (very novice) screenwriter question...

When you say spec, I am under the impression that is the title given to scripts that are not adaptations or a project assigned to you. Basically, your own original idea. Is that correct?

(Sorry, I told you it was a stupid question.)

There are no stupid questions, only stupid people. :p

All kidding aside, remember that you can't go from a Novice to a Master without asking questions. ;)

Anyway, in response to your question:
A spec (speculative) script is one where the writer writes it without being paid and shops in on the open market, as opposed to an assignment, where a script is commissioned to be written by a studio or production company.

As to whether a spec script is original vs. adaptation, I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter, as you don't need to be commissioned by a studio to write an adaptation, all you need is permission by the author (or whoever owns it currently) unless it's in public domain, then anybody can use it.

[Roderick Usher]

From an interview with John Carpenter on suicidegirls.com:

DRE: I heard about this his project that you might be doing next, L.A. Gothic.

John: Well, I’m involved in a couple of things right now. I just don’t know. The script for L.A. Gothic is very good. I’d like to tweak it a little bit, but we’ll see. When it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, there’s always basketball.

There was a link to the interview from Ain’t it Cool News. The whole interview is here:

http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/John%20Carpenter/

Still rolling along. Will be meeting again today.

[bwind22]

Rod, Can you feel you star rising right now?

Like do you walk up to a club with a long line and the bouncer moves people out of your way and sends you in... "Right this way, Mr. Keller. We saved you a table right next to Brad and Angelina." ?

Or not quite to that degree yet? :D

In any event, I, personally can sorta sense that your star probably IS rising right now, just wondering if it's to a degree that you've noticed any changes in your day to day life yet.




And thanks Pap. So 'spec' just means that the writer wrote it in hopes (speculation) that they may be able to sell it. Is that correct?

When a spec script does get sold, is it then refered to as something else? Does it go from being a spec script to a different titled script?

[Roderick Usher]

Rod, Can you feel you star rising right now?


Nope.

Still broke. Still struggling, or rather "paying dues."

Some days it still fells like I'm never going to get anywhere, but those are the days you have to really knuckle down and get to the reason why I do what I do...love of cinema.

BTW my other flick has been put on hold again. Rough patch of luck on that one, but it'll be back together soon **fingers crossed**

[Papillon Noir]

And thanks Pap. So 'spec' just means that the writer wrote it in hopes (speculation) that they may be able to sell it. Is that correct?

You got it. :)

When a spec script does get sold, is it then refered to as something else? Does it go from being a spec script to a different titled script?

I don't know if the script if gets a special title when you sell it other than "sold". I have never sold a script myself. :o At least not yet :p

Before you sell a script, they are sometimes "optioned", which means that a production company has just reserved your script (for a specific amount of time) until they decide whether or not they want to produce it. You cannot option or sell your script to anyone else during this time.

After the studio buys your script it will sometimes go into "development hell" where there may be rewrites and they are trying to get the budget together and the cast and crew aboard. When they are ready to start production, it becomes a shooting script and usually accompanied by a shot list.

Let me know if you want to know anything else about filmmaking. :)

[bwind22]

Thanks Pap. I do have another question regarding dialect in describing scenes and actions. Please tell me which, if any, of the following examples would be acceptable.

1- The sun is setting at the end of a dusty road beyond a western town. In the distance, two men on horseback are riding in with the sun at their backs.

(It is my understanding that this option is probably the one I should be using, but every now and then I get the urge to write stuff like the following examples. I just want to know which is correct or incorrect.)

2- We see a western town at sunset. A solitary dusty road runs through the center of it. In the distance, we see two men on horseback riding in to town with the sun at their back.

(Pronouns. Is it inappropriate to use terms like "we see" in a script?)

3- The camera pans along the horizon until it settles on a quiet western town. At the end of a dusty road, two riders on horseback approach the town.

(Camera direction. Should it be included or not. I've read that a writer is not supposed to do the director's job for them, but I've also read that a script is supposed to act as an instruction manual for everyone working on the film. Is it inappropriate to use camera directions in a script?)

Thanks.

[Roderick Usher]

#s 1 & 2 are fine. I'd never use the word "camera" in a script, the same effect can be translated by using the "we move" method. But the key is to make the scene cinematic, make the reader feel like they're in a movie.

Here's how I'd write that bit.

EXT. DUSTY ROAD - SUNSET
A small western town looms in the distance. Long shadows fall across the trail with the CLIP-CLOP of horses hooves on packed earth.

Two MEN on horseback pull their mounts to a halt in the center of the road, their faces silhouetted by the setting sun.

MAN #1
Sure as shit don't look like much.

MAN #2
That's the beauty of it, real diamond in the rough.

The Men urge their horses forward with a light kick to the flanks. They ride slowly toward the town, sun at their backs.

[Papillon Noir]

Thanks Pap. I do have another question regarding dialect in describing scenes and actions. Please tell me which, if any, of the following examples would be acceptable.

1- The sun is setting at the end of a dusty road beyond a western town. In the distance, two men on horseback are riding in with the sun at their backs.

(It is my understanding that this option is probably the one I should be using, but every now and then I get the urge to write stuff like the following examples. I just want to know which is correct or incorrect.)

I'm so glad you're asking about formatting, so many people use incorrect formats. Using the correct format is just as important as the characters and plot. The one thing you have to remember when writing a screenplay is that it is not a novel. Whatever you want to relay to the audience about your characters and plot, you must do through actions and dialogue only.

As for your description, some of what you have there will be shown in your slug line.

Example:

EXT. Western Town - DUSK

Two MEN on horseback ride the dusty road into town with the sun setting at their backs.

Or

EXT. Desert - DUSK

Two MEN ride horseback on a dusty road towards the town in the distance. The sun is setting behind them.

You don't want to be overly wordy, just describe what is necessary to tell your story. You can still be detailed, but you always want to focus more on the dialogue, which is what really allows your story to progress.

2- We see a western town at sunset. A solitary dusty road runs through the center of it. In the distance, we see two men on horseback riding in to town with the sun at their back.

(Pronouns. Is it inappropriate to use terms like "we see" in a script?)

You should make your descriptions as simple as possible. You can you use "we see", but only when it's necessary as it's generally implied. I would stay away from it if you can. I have only ever used it once to describe a montage that happened in one location, to differentiate between cuts.


3- The camera pans along the horizon until it settles on a quiet western town. At the end of a dusty road, two riders on horseback approach the town.

(Camera direction. Should it be included or not. I've read that a writer is not supposed to do the director's job for them, but I've also read that a script is supposed to act as an instruction manual for everyone working on the film. Is it inappropriate to use camera directions in a script?)

Thanks.

Camera direction--not a good idea unless you are writing/shooting/editing it yourself. Camera direction is the Directors/Cinematographers job and they are going to do their own thing.

I would only add camera direction (and edit cuts) if it is imperative to the story, like you really need a close-up of an object so that a character can make a plot turning revelation or something. I would first try to find a way show it through action and dialogue and only do it as a last resort. The "CUT TO:" every other line can very annoying and wastes a lot of space. Remember that it's suppose to be about a minute per page.

Now a shooting script is kind of like an instruction manual. But that's after it's been sold to a production company and the Director and Cinematographer have had their hands through it.

All in all, when writing a script there are "rules" and then there are "guideline". The rules are steadfast, but the guidelines should be followed unless it's imperative to your story.

So, are you writing a western or was that just an example? My first screenplay was a western. :)

[bwind22]

#s 1 & 2 are fine. I'd never use the word "camera" in a script, the same effect can be translated by using the "we move" method. But the key is to make the scene cinematic, make the reader feel like they're in a movie.

Here's how I'd write that bit.

EXT. DUSTY ROAD - SUNSET
A small western town looms in the distance. Long shadows fall across the trail with the CLIP-CLOP of horses hooves on packed earth.

Two MEN on horseback pull their mounts to a halt in the center of the road, their faces silhouetted by the setting sun.

MAN #1
Sure as shit don't look like much.

MAN #2
That's the beauty of it, real diamond in the rough.

The Men urge their horses forward with a light kick to the flanks. They ride slowly toward the town, sun at their backs.


Nice! Thanks!

I'm glad to hear #1 is acceptable because that's what I've been using. haha

[bwind22]

I'm so glad you're asking about formatting, so many people use incorrect formats. Using the correct format is just as important as the characters and plot. The one thing you have to remember when writing a screenplay is that it is not a novel. Whatever you want to relay to the audience about your characters and plot, you must do through actions and dialogue only.

As for your description, some of what you have there will be shown in your slug line.

Example:

EXT. Western Town - DUSK

Two MEN on horseback ride the dusty road into town with the sun setting at their backs.

Or

EXT. Desert - DUSK

Two MEN ride horseback on a dusty road towards the town in the distance. The sun is setting behind them.

You don't want to be overly wordy, just describe what is necessary to tell your story. You can still be detailed, but you always want to focus more on the dialogue, which is what really allows your story to progress.



You should make your descriptions as simple as possible. You can you use "we see", but only when it's necessary as it's generally implied. I would stay away from it if you can. I have only ever used it once to describe a montage that happened in one location, to differentiate between cuts.




Camera direction--not a good idea unless you are writing/shooting/editing it yourself. Camera direction is the Directors/Cinematographers job and they are going to do their own thing.

I would only add camera direction (and edit cuts) if it is imperative to the story, like you really need a close-up of an object so that a character can make a plot turning revelation or something. I would first try to find a way show it through action and dialogue and only do it as a last resort. The "CUT TO:" every other line can very annoying and wastes a lot of space. Remember that it's suppose to be about a minute per page.

Now a shooting script is kind of like an instruction manual. But that's after it's been sold to a production company and the Director and Cinematographer have had their hands through it.

All in all, when writing a script there are "rules" and then there are "guideline". The rules are steadfast, but the guidelines should be followed unless it's imperative to your story.

So, are you writing a western or was that just an example? My first screenplay was a western. :)

Thanks for the info!!! Very informative & helpful. I've read a lot of places that formatting is pretty essential so I want to make sure I have a fair understanding of it. That was just an example, mine is a vampire comedy, but it's weird... Ive reached a point about 1/3 to 1/2 way through my script and for the last few days I've only been thinking about how I could improve everything I already wrote and not able to concentrate on the rest of the story. haha

[Papillon Noir]

Thanks for the info!!! Very informative & helpful. I've read a lot of places that formatting is pretty essential so I want to make sure I have a fair understanding of it. That was just an example, mine is a vampire comedy, but it's weird... Ive reached a point about 1/3 to 1/2 way through my script and for the last few days I've only been thinking about how I could improve everything I already wrote and not able to concentrate on the rest of the story. haha

Sure thing. I love talking about this stuff anyway. :)

If you're going to be doing a lot of screenwriting, you should consider getting a screenwriting program. It formats everything for you and really allows you to write faster. I use Final Draft, it's awesome. It's expensive though, mine is actually a burned copy.

And don't be afraid to re-edit whenever you need to, usually I edit the beginning more than the end. :)

[bwind22]

I plan on buying Final Draft 7.0 in the near future, but I already wrote 1/2 a script with 100% improper format. I knew I'd be getting the software eventually, but I didn't want to put off writing so I just resigned to the fact that I'd have to do some copy/pasting once I got it. lol Oh well, I hear most people's first few scripts usually suck anyways so I'm not expecting much from this one. I may send it in to a cheap contest just to kinda gauge where I'm at, but this script is more or less a learning tool for me, ya know?

[Papillon Noir]

I plan on buying Final Draft 7.0 in the near future, but I already wrote 1/2 a script with 100% improper format. I knew I'd be getting the software eventually, but I didn't want to put off writing so I just resigned to the fact that I'd have to do some copy/pasting once I got it. lol Oh well, I hear most people's first few scripts usually suck anyways so I'm not expecting much from this one. I may send it in to a cheap contest just to kinda gauge where I'm at, but this script is more or less a learning tool for me, ya know?

Final Draft 7.0 has some really nice features (I only have the 5.0 version), I'll probably upgrade eventually.

Yeah, you'll first screenplay usually turns out to be just "ok", but after you have another one or two under your belt you can usually get back to it and re-edit it into something good.

[bwind22]

If I finish the script and still haven't purchased FD7.0, then I was planning on using scriptbuddy.com They let you use their formatting software for free online but I heard you can only save 1 script at a time unless you get the pay service. Know anything about that site?

[Papillon Noir]

If I finish the script and still haven't purchased FD7.0, then I was planning on using scriptbuddy.com They let you use their formatting software for free online but I heard you can only save 1 script at a time unless you get the pay service. Know anything about that site?

I've heard of scriptbuddy but I don't know much about it. I've only ever used Final Draft because I got it even before I started writing screenplays.

Here's a list of screenplay software that I got from wikipedia, it looks like there may be some other free ones in there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenwriting#Screenwriting_software

[bwind22]

I've heard of scriptbuddy but I don't know much about it. I've only ever used Final Draft because I got it even before I started writing screenplays.

Here's a list of screenplay software that I got from wikipedia, it looks like there may be some other free ones in there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenwriting#Screenwriting_software

Oh wow. That's a good list! Thanks. I'll have to look into a few of those.

By the way, does anyone know if Final Draft is Vista compatible, or would it be wise for me to wait for Fina Draft 8 to be released?

[Roderick Usher]

So I'm learning to be not-so-candid about my behind-the-scenes life. Seems most people don't like this sort of thing being made public, but I just had to share this tidbit.

We had received tons and tons of notes on our script from Mr Carpenter and spent the las couple of weeks implementing them. We turned in a draft a week ago Monday (minus the big finale - which we agreed to hold off on until after the bulk of the script has been tweaked) and have been waiting with baited breath for his response.

Met with him an hour ago. He loves it and repeatedly called us geniuses - which made me really uncomfortable, but I'll learn to live with it.

Now we just have to finish it. I can't believe what an amazing sensation this is, I'm all tingly.:D

[bwind22]

I was kinda wondering why your updates had slowed down. Did someone in Tinseltown see something you wrote on here & call you out on it or something?

Anyways, it's pretty awesome that JC likes your rewrite, but I think I'd feel a little uncomfortable as well if someone I held in such high regard kept pouring on the compliments like that. It's a great thing, I'm just not sure if I'd know how to react or what to say to that. lol


If you don't feel like you should answer this, then please don't, but I am curious... This LA Gothic script... Is it optioned right now or is it sold? Or somewhere in between?

[Roderick Usher]

I'll tell you all about it when it's prudent to do so:)

[bwind22]

I'll tell you all about it when it's prudent to do so:)

Fair enough. Keep me posted. :)

[MisterSadistro]

I'm still catching up on threads I've missed over the last few months I've been away and just caught this now. Many congrats, Roderick. My partner in filmmaking here in NC would kill to be in your shoes (figuratively speaking I would hope). I'm wrapping up sound on his first feature now in his office/spare bedroom and it's wall-to-wall JC posters and books in here. Best of luck on your film.
CK

[AmericanManiac]

Yes I just seen this thread, congrats to you my friend! I wish you the best of luck with this, I can tell that you are extremely happy. *cheers*

[bleeding_angelgirl]

So I'm learning to be not-so-candid about my behind-the-scenes life. Seems most people don't like this sort of thing being made public, but I just had to share this tidbit.

We had received tons and tons of notes on our script from Mr Carpenter and spent the las couple of weeks implementing them. We turned in a draft a week ago Monday (minus the big finale - which we agreed to hold off on until after the bulk of the script has been tweaked) and have been waiting with baited breath for his response.

Met with him an hour ago. He loves it and repeatedly called us geniuses - which made me really uncomfortable, but I'll learn to live with it.

Now we just have to finish it. I can't believe what an amazing sensation this is, I'm all tingly.:D


congrats that is so awsome

[Zero]

congrats rod - you deserve great success!

[irontony88]

hellz yeah

[Roderick Usher]

Thanks for the words of support, they are appreciated.

I'm afraid I won't be able to hang around the ol' HDC anymore. Apparently it's all too easy for anything I say in a public forum to be used against me in my professional life. And as much as I like you guys and gals, the career is a bit more important. So...

Thanks for the laughs. I'm outta here!

And go see my movies!!!!!!!!!!!:D

[bwind22]

Thanks for the words of support, they are appreciated.

I'm afraid I won't be able to hang around the ol' HDC anymore. Apparently it's all too easy for anything I say in a public forum to be used against me in my professional life. And as much as I like you guys and gals, the career is a bit more important. So...

Thanks for the laughs. I'm outta here!

And go see my movies!!!!!!!!!!!:D

It sucks that things work that way, but I understand. Take care & good luck!

[chaibill]

good luck Rod i 'll see your name on the big screen

[Roderick Usher]

Popping back on for a quick update - then I'll be gone for a while.

JC is officially attached to direct!:D

I have another script being shopped at Cannes as we speak and I may soon be scripting a fight film for a UFC star.

Still broke, but things are looking up!

[Doc Faustus]

Nice to hear back. Best of luck.

[novakru]

Popping back on for a quick update - then I'll be gone for a while.

JC is officially attached to direct!:D

I have another script being shopped at Cannes as we speak and I may soon be scripting a fight film for a UFC star.

Still broke, but things are looking up!

Well, that's exciting :) (not about being broke )

[chaibill]

keep on truckin'

[cacuri70]

Any news about L.A Gothic?

[bwind22]

IMDB lists it as 'In Production'. Rod's been kinda mum on this one. Probably because his other film, 'Giallo' (Directed by Dario Argento) is getting pretty close to being ready.