The Coli's Screenwriting/Filmmaking Thread [Share tips, etc]

[Master Teacher]

im that AND i can write (i think). I want to write with a room, b/c I know I'd fukkin kill it in there. I got 5 notebooks full of jokes in front of me that could be worked into scripts for a fukkin decade

if you can do comedic writing I'd partner up with you, i made a one-shot on the fly when I was at pitch fest, and the producers loved it, only problem was I hadn't written the script yet i just came up with the shyt on the fly because they were looking for comedies in particular, but I have their direct numbers, and these are the dude who cut the check, he said my script would be worth 300,000

I can give you the outline, if you can come up with the jokes for each scenarios, I'll do the rest, I'll email you the one-shot, but first we gotta do a non-disclosure contract

 

[Ghost Utmost]

I wrote a screenplay a few years ago. You gotta know somebody who know somebody. Period. I read that they have football field long hallways lined with dumpsters on both sides filled to the top with unread screenplays.

One important thing I learned while trying to network: an unknown needs to write a cheap movie. Don't have a bunch of cars getting crashed up because that's money. One idea I had was to write a really small intimate story that can be told mostly through dialogue. Two or three people. A few different locations. Cheap. Another idea is to produce some kind of visual representation of it - something akin to storyboards - and serialize it online.

Bottom line: writing a good screenplay will be way easier than getting someone important to read it. Get creative. I can see a lane where you make enough buzz online that the studios come to you - sort of like the YouTube music superstars.

 

[Conz]

if you can do comedic writing I'd partner up with you, i made a one-shot on the fly when I was at pitch fest, and the producers loved it, only problem was I hadn't written the script yet i just came up with the shyt on the fly because they were looking for comedies in particular, but I have their direct numbers, and these are the dude who cut the check, he said my script would be worth 300,000

I can give you the outline, if you can come up with the jokes for each scenarios, I'll do the rest, I'll email you the one-shot, but first we gotta do a non-disclosure contract

I'd be more than happy to read it, and give my opinion on it if nothing else

 

[Conz]

I wrote a screenplay a few years ago. You gotta know somebody who know somebody. Period. I read that they have football field long hallways lined with dumpsters on both sides filled to the top with unread screenplays.

One important thing I learned while trying to network: an unknown needs to write a cheap movie. Don't have a bunch of cars getting crashed up because that's money. One idea I had was to write a really small intimate story that can be told mostly through dialogue. Two or three people. A few different locations. Cheap. Another idea is to produce some kind of visual representation of it - something akin to storyboards - and serialize it online.

Bottom line: writing a good screenplay will be way easier than getting someone important to read it. Get creative. I can see a lane where you make enough buzz online that the studios come to you - sort of like the YouTube music superstars.

this is what im going now... hopefully. I did a little research and I'm writing a script that I think can easily be made for anywhere from $5-20 mil. Basically Kevin Smith budget.

I have a really stupid romantic comedy idea that can honestly be made for pennies, but I'm not rushing to write that. it doesn't have enough of an angle I don't think. It's got a killer title and logline though imo.

 

[tonyclifton]

Subs

A lot of good info here ill dal when i read through again

I have a lot of ideas down but i havent gotten past the outline process
I would love to write a comedy or an intense drama anyore info you guys got would be awesome

If anyone ever wants to fukk around and throw out ideas or anything im down

 

[ghostwriterx]

When? While writing? Before writing? After you've figured/heard from respectable opinion that your stuff is good?

Depends on your situation. If you have the finances to do so I say the sooner the better. Getting acclimated to the personality of LA takes some getting used to, but once you're out here meeting the right people really isn't that difficult. Probably not a bad idea to have at least one solid script before you move so you can hit the ground running.

There's also a lot of people out here with similar interests so there's a ton of resources, seminars, workshops, writing groups etc. that can help you.

 

[Wise]

1. Network and get a writer's assistant job. (My boy got a job a writer's assistant on Two and a Half Men a couple of years ago and now he's a writer on Suburgatory.)

I was always curious, how much do writers cake on shows like that?

Also, any of you guys ever try writing plays before as well?

 

[ghostwriterx]

I was always curious, how much do writers cake on shows like that?

Also, any of you guys ever try writing plays before as well?

Not sure how much my boy makes, but found this.

Televisionista: TV Salaries: How Much Money Writers Make?

 

[steadyrighteous]

Depends on your situation. If you have the finances to do so I say the sooner the better. Getting acclimated to the personality of LA takes some getting used to, but once you're out here meeting the right people really isn't that difficult. Probably not a bad idea to have at least one solid script before you move so you can hit the ground running.

There's also a lot of people out here with similar interests so there's a ton of resources, seminars, workshops, writing groups etc. that can help you.

Ugh...I'm from London.

I have little to no interest in British TV, I appreciate the good stuff but I don't think I could/would write it.

I'd love to write TV (staffing), and if not I'd love to develop and script video games

For some reason movies don't interest me. Love watchin' 'em, don't want to write 'em

 

[ghostwriterx]

Ugh...I'm from London.

I have little to no interest in British TV, I appreciate the good stuff but I don't think I could/would write it.

I'd love to write TV (staffing), and if not I'd love to develop and script video games

For some reason movies don't interest me. Love watchin' 'em, don't want to write 'em

That's tough. Best bet would be to send a query letter to an agent or manager. Do you have any finished scripts yet?

 

[Captain Crunch]

whats your tv show and who's releasing it? are you the guy from sohh who used to post youtube clips of you and your friends?

It's going to be a comedy-drama on youtube/web(independently made), and I have never posted on SOHH. Lurked though

 

[steadyrighteous]

That's tough. Best bet would be to send a query letter to an agent or manager. Do you have any finished scripts yet?

I'm just in the beginning stage of tryin' this out (shout-out to Conz for the info)

Right now I'm just trying to absorb what those who are further down the line are saying. I don't see myself Freelance Copywriting and writing shytty commercial scripts forever.

 

[Conz]

btw, Tar, if you're planning on writing a TV show, apparently they are looking for 4 acts now. fukkin horseshyt, but apparently all comedy shows are either written now, or going to be written in 4 acts to allow more fukkin commercials.

I just saw this pic breaking it down (on the bottom, i guess)

So now after spending so much time nailing down a 3 act structure, I have to try and "master" this crap. Just another reason why Conz hates commercials.

 

[pete clemenza]

btw, Tar, if you're planning on writing a TV show, apparently they are looking for 4 acts now. fukkin horseshyt, but apparently all comedy shows are either written now, or going to be written in 4 acts to allow more fukkin commercials.

I just saw this pic breaking it down (on the bottom, i guess)

So now after spending so much time nailing down a 3 act structure, I have to try and "master" this crap. Just another reason why Conz hates commercials.

more commercials? so were lookin' at 20 minutes per half hour comedies and 45 minutes for hour long dramas

 

[2 Up 2 Down]

btw, Tar, if you're planning on writing a TV show, apparently they are looking for 4 acts now. fukkin horseshyt, but apparently all comedy shows are either written now, or going to be written in 4 acts to allow more fukkin commercials.

I just saw this pic breaking it down (on the bottom, i guess)

So now after spending so much time nailing down a 3 act structure, I have to try and "master" this crap. Just another reason why Conz hates commercials.

writing for premium cable channels like HBO an option?