that’s the key where a lot of artist lose their way. they don’t make stuff for them and hope a lot of people dig it too.
they try to cater to an audience that’s waiting to be exposed not catered to.
The Coli's Screenwriting/Filmmaking Thread [Share tips, etc]
- Thread starter CEITEDMOFO
- Start date
they try to cater to an audience that’s waiting to be exposed not catered to.
Poetical Poltergeist
Precise and cold hearted
Might be true but I do the same thing when I make beats, if I like it then that's what I do. I don't make an off the wall beat that I think some dude in Nebraska is gonna dig. I have to trust my instincts and taste in things.
Doesn't mean you're wrong tho.
steadyrighteous
Veteran
Honestly, I don't think there's a wrong or a right way - there's only the way that works for you. You can still write something to purposefully fill a gap or cater to an audience and still make it good, and still make it you.
Sometimes (sometimes, not all the time) I feel like the idea of writing from a personal place or writing based on your experiences is a bit of a cop-out and stops you from stretching yourself as a writer or creative (or beatmaker, painter - whatever). It's good to do it once, but I feel like your very next thing shouldn't be that. Sometimes you see writers or filmmakers and it feels like their next project is about similar character types in different bodies and in a different place. A different time in their lives? Eh, that's cool, but it's still along the same lines.
There are ways to write about things outside of yourself and still imbue them with your voice. I feel like that's the difference between writing that's "about" you, and writing something that's "of" you.
In a perfect world you should be able to write a pilot about your experiences in the fast food industry and write a pilot about... a girl's volleyball coach, but someone who knew you (or eventually, an audience) should be able to tell that it was you who did both.
Just my BS thoughts on you guys' comments
but good topic though
Poetical Poltergeist
Precise and cold hearted
Just depends on how much you want to inncorporate in your ideas.Honestly, I don't think there's a wrong or a right way - there's only the way that works for you. You can still write something to purposefully fill a gap or cater to an audience and still make it good, and still make it you.
Sometimes (sometimes, not all the time) I feel like the idea of writing from a personal place or writing based on your experiences is a bit of a cop-out and stops you from stretching yourself as a writer or creative (or beatmaker, painter - whatever). It's good to do it once, but I feel like your very next thing shouldn't be that. Sometimes you see writers or filmmakers and it feels like their next project is about similar character types in different bodies and in a different place. A different time in their lives? Eh, that's cool, but it's still along the same lines.
There are ways to write about things outside of yourself and still imbue them with your voice. I feel like that's the difference between writing that's "about" you, and writing something that's "of" you.
In a perfect world you should be able to write a pilot about your experiences in the fast food industry and write a pilot about... a girl's volleyball coach, but someone who knew you (or eventually, an audience) should be able to tell that it was you who did both.
Just my BS thoughts on you guys' comments
A moment here and there, a specific confrontation, or just a witness to hilarity and or violence, spectacle, whatever. Stuff that you couldn't make up.
It's a tough gig tho, wish I had the patience to write a full fledged script. Family life makes it hard. Ideas come and go.
okgoodnotgreat
Pro
I feel like I asked this before, but I'll ask again: You have to be in LA to truly make it, right?
Which are the best ones to cop?these are the books I have (disregard the dumbass stickers - it's an old out of operation desk so it's basically tattooed with any sticker I could find)
(the unlabled ones are a little book called "Writing the Pilot" and then the other 2 are little books of tv scripts i got with DVDs)
not saying all of these are mandatory or even good, but I've read them all for the most part. Scriptshadow (who everyone seems to hate) posts some good articles every Thursday and I've read a few books on a Kindle. Also the blacklist "go into the story" blog has a ton of shyt.
Edit:
Breh really embarrassed bout his skater stickers lol. Think he gonna get called a c00n by a washed up coli breh who works in IT if he don't put a diaclaimer lol.
Last edited:
Can I read y'all shyt? Since it's pure labor of love and not tainted by hacky executives. I ain't trying to steal no one shyt. Hope you boys have gone to city hall and got y'all shyt copy righted.
As an actor? Your odds are better there than anywhere else. People misunderstand that there are plenty opportunities to make a decent living acting while waiting on that big break. Even just being an extra.
People quit if they’re not in a theatrical release or costarring with a known star. The epitome of ascension is Michael B Jordan. Gotta grind to get a check and use it wisely to hold you over so you can be more selective with roles.
As far as being a director and/or screenwriter for film then you can split time there. Like me, I will stay between Miami and LA. Reason is your agent will likely deal with studios and money people. When it’s time to shoot, then you’ll be called.
Count me in, I got fair amount of free time. I'd write a pilot in a week
okgoodnotgreat
Pro
I would like to be a TV writer. I'm 25 in Buffalo. I'm considering moving to NYC for a bit just to adapt to a big city, possibly make connections and stuff like that for two years, then move to LA. What do you think?
MenacingMonk
Tranquilo
That shyt flopped. Had a bunch of heads saying they'd participate, yet they never did.
easier to just get out in front of anything, so you don't have to answer "yo, what's with the stickers? Why you got that sticker? etc."
I don't even know which book to recommend anymore to be honest. just go read a shytload of scripts on the net and bite their shyt.
Drew Wonder
Superstar
Finishing up another rewrite, as soon as it’s done I’ll send it to you. And yeah I made a script feedback thread and it was a flop lol. Figured PM’ing people who are interested in this thread is the best way to get some feedback.
Drew Wonder
Superstar
Figured I’d share this with y’all. Made the quarterfinals of the sci fi contest.
Disappointed I didn’t make the semis but overall it was a good learning experience. Probably most frustrating part was the professional feedback. One judge told me it was too confusing and I didn’t explain enough. Another judge from the same contest told me it was too wordy and I explained too much
There were basic critiques that I definitely agreed on and kept in mind with the rewrites but it definitely made me realize how subjective feedback is, even with the professionals.
Disappointed I didn’t make the semis but overall it was a good learning experience. Probably most frustrating part was the professional feedback. One judge told me it was too confusing and I didn’t explain enough. Another judge from the same contest told me it was too wordy and I explained too much
There were basic critiques that I definitely agreed on and kept in mind with the rewrites but it definitely made me realize how subjective feedback is, even with the professionals.
Last edited: