MenacingMonk
Tranquilo
Ah, all right. Making Da Band 2.0.
The Coli's Screenwriting/Filmmaking Thread [Share tips, etc]
- Thread starter CEITEDMOFO
- Start date
MenacingMonk
Tranquilo
I started to write a movie I have in mind. I only did the intro because this is my first attempt at writing a movie. I need to read scripts and finish reading my screenwriter’s bible to help me out. This is a whole new beast. 
Drew Wonder
Superstar
I started to write a movie I have in mind. I only did the intro because this is my first attempt at writing a movie. I need to read scripts and finish reading my screenwriter’s bible to help me out. This is a whole new beast.
I'm working on a new sci-fi script. Let me know if you wanna take a look and if you want any feedback.
Isnt there an easier way to transcribe a novel format into a screenplay format using a program instead of writing the bytch out?
Sorry bro, completely different medium.
steadyrighteous
Veteran
Isnt there an easier way to transcribe a novel format into a screenplay format using a program instead of writing the bytch out?
Not to laugh at your situation, I respect writers of any medium, but this screen shyt is a whole 'nother kettle of fish
But still :woahphillip:
Sorry bro, completely different medium.
Not to laugh at your situation, I respect writers of any medium, but this screen shyt is a whole 'nother kettle of fish
But still :woahphillip:
I'll figure this shyt out even if I gotta hire someone to help me write this shyt out page by page...
steadyrighteous
Veteran
I'll figure this shyt out even if I gotta hire someone to help me write this shyt out page by page...
How many scripts have you read?
If you've written a novel and it's even half-way readable you should be able to write a half-way readable script.
What exactly are you having problems with? Is it just formatting or is it plot/structural problems?
I have the concept in my head, wrote a few pages in a novel format like I usually do...
I'm just having trouble getting used to the screenplay format because it's so barebones and it feels like I'm missing vital details... I'm not used to writing things in a screenplay format...
I look at all these screenplay examples and I'm like...
where's the emotion, nuance, descriptive scenes I usually have in my books??? that's all I'm saying... shyt i might need to partner up with a seasoned screenwriter on this one anyway...
steadyrighteous
Veteran
I have the concept in my head, wrote a few pages in a novel format like I usually do...
I look at all these screenplay examples and I'm like...
shyt i might need to partner up with a seasoned screenwriter on this one anyway...
Here's how I see it, and I could be wrong and probably am wrong, but it's just my opinion since like most of us (I assume) we're all just trying, not actual pros...
Screenplays are read faster than novels (obviously) but good ones don't lack any of the things you mentioned and the things I quoted in bold. All of those things are there, they're just condensed. You have fewer words to set a scene, portray emotion and fill a moment with nuance, but to me, a test of a good writer is if you can take 3 paragraphs worth of 'novel' and set that scene in let's say, 3 blocks of screenplay/action description that are two lines each.
Because its read faster, a good screenplay can kind of suck you in and give you a heart-pounding feeling because it's like speedballing a book.
You can take a paragraph or two or even a page to describe a new character, everything about them, but a great screenwriter can tell you everything you need to know about a character in 15-20 words and in the first thing they say.
Every detail you think you're missing in the screenplay format can be fixed by picking the right singular word instead of taking a whole sentence.
MenacingMonk
Tranquilo
Do readers have issues with lack of emotional and descriptive words in scripts? I have issues with that. Or maybe not an issue, but I keep it simple. For example:
“A look of fear overcomes Janet’s face as she screams in terror. A sinister Jean raises the sharp, stainless steel knife high above his head. With one motion Jean lashes down with force as he penetrates the knife deep into soft flesh.”
I would write this:
“A terrified Janet screams as Jean raises the knife and stabs her deep in the stomach.”
“A look of fear overcomes Janet’s face as she screams in terror. A sinister Jean raises the sharp, stainless steel knife high above his head. With one motion Jean lashes down with force as he penetrates the knife deep into soft flesh.”
I would write this:
“A terrified Janet screams as Jean raises the knife and stabs her deep in the stomach.”
steadyrighteous
Veteran
Definitely more B than A, but there'd be a way to spice up B a little if it was a really pivotal moment in the script. If this is one of 5 or 6 kills then that's perfect. But if this is husband killing his wife outta nowhere then a little sauce wouldn't hurt.
MenacingMonk
Tranquilo
I mean, it’s the actors who do the emotional parts, right? The writer just lays out the scene and add a quick emotion to it.
But yeah, I feel you on the big moments.
MenacingMonk
Tranquilo
Does anyone know where I can get movie treatment and outline PDFs? I think I only have 1. I’d like to grab a few more.
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Sunalmighty
Superstar
I'm working on my shyt right now. Screenwriting is a fukking discipline man. Scene descriptions, exposition, AUTHENTIC dialogue, consistency in the story and making shyt connect takes practice. I've had to rearrange my shyt. I was 80 pages in and had no connection established. I would have been damn near 200 pages before. Epic is one thing but my shyt was headed towards God knows what. I went back, subtracted some shyt and applied the recommended techniques and the shyt is coming together lovely. I'm on page 22 and I've got things established and the story is developing, characters are developing. I just wish I had immediate access to the city skyline in Atlanta that shyt helps me think.