Authoring & Playwriting

Peter Greenway is a MORON to say that. We all know it.

Yeah, I feel where he is coming from, but as a content creator and someone whose tried to write full length stuff before, I feel as long as I give credit where credit is due ( if the script is a screen play of a book, involve the writer ) books are like gold mines for material. A quarter of my job is done!

Michelle, you are very right. Books give more details than written scripts. Please, add me to your network.

Books are essentially stories. Screenplays are stories in a different form. Movies are the telling of stories. Why would someone suggest that which Mr. Greenaway does? There have been many books that have been transferred to the screen and have been pretty good interpretations of those said books - even "unfilmable" books like American Psycho. There's also been some dreadful transfers - Dune for example. Mind you, I never thought much of Greenaway's work - it seemed, from the stuff I've seen, somewhat arty and self-indulgent and wasn't great story-telling IMO.

Old thread, but I agree that it's a pretty ill-informed opinion. Broaden "Book" to include any preexisting IP, and suddenly you've identified where Hollywood gets most of its profitable ideas.

Best known for his nausea-inducing The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989), Mr. Greenaway has evidently not written any novels, nor adapted anyone else's, so when he made that profound comment he was displaying a willful lack of understanding of the differences between the two forms, and of the lucrative nature of successfully adapting books for the motion picture screen.

Hi Daisy. I saw the ad too and figured I'd go for it. I don't know if it's legit or not (I signed up less than a week ago)...but I did make a mistake with my Logline. I emailed support, and they instantly fixed it...or so they said. It's a fair amount of cash to just throw out there...and I haven't heard anything about them...but I took the plunge because, well, no one appears to want to read about living in Atlantis...I suspect they would rather see it (Shameless complaint). Good luck...I'll let you know what happens.

They claim to have routes directly to getting films made. A producer is involved.

"includes an introductory one-time single-level fee of $88 to cover curation, which makes the content available for one year on the company’s website. Authors will retain all rights to their books, but will give TaleFlick the chance to bid on their dramatic rights and present their stories to studios and production companies."

Here's some links: https://variety.com/2018/film/news/marjorie-prime-producer-uri-singer-taleflick-platform-1202919081/

http://www.bionicbuzz.com/film/marjorie-prime-producer-uri-singer-former...

Thanks so much for the info - I'll think on it ;-)

Thanks Malc, the thing is all my stuff's in electric, I don't have anything in hard copy. But great to see you're doing so well, keep it up mate.

I wrote a script for a movie, decided it was too one dimensional, began rewriting it as a novella, and realized it would be great as a TV pilot, now trying to rewrite it in television format, even though I'm only half way finished with the novella.

Amazing news! Do you have a link to it? I'll give it a read.

High Ruben, Who's work do you want a link to? David, Malcolm, Cathy, or Phil's?

I realize this comment is very late, but I just want to point out to those of you writing novels that legitimate book agents don't charge you money. And there are a lot of scammers out there right now posing as legitimate publishers, too. Be wary and do your homework. End of unsolicited PSA ...

I am literally about to start writing a book. I finished an odd ten minute play for radio ... It won't get accepted but I'm glad I did it, interesting practice writing something as tame as possible. I won't do that again. Anyway, finished that this morning. Tomorrow I'l be considering how to approach an old idea and write it as a book.

I'm far from a debut novelist, but I am working on a new book in a new genre. Good luck with yours! Self-doubt is an evil beast, but the excitement and enthusiasm of something new can conquer it. Try not to overthink :). I was at a conference recently and one of the things my favorite presenter talked about was why so many debut's break out. Her theory is that despite "mistakes" those debuts often reflect an unrestrained id. So trust your gut and don't overthink your first draft! Have fun!

Students of editing who'll do it for the experience? Approach professionals and ask for an instalment plan?

Thank you Jane. I think that's a great idea.

Jane, where do we connect with those students? It seems im in the same hole.

Google? English students? Creative writing students? Those doing their Masters? Your local unis and colleges? It was just a suggestion since students in other fields do things for free sometimes.

You have to have some money. Get a PT job and save. You're cheating yourself and your craft.

I've published over 100 novels and novellas, most traditionally published through NY publishers, and for the vast majority of them, I wrote a synopsis, the format of which is much like a treatment (primarily because I would sell the on synopsis and/or (if I sold the book blind) then the synopsis would be a marker for payment of one portion of the advance. The nice thing about a synopsis is that it gives you a chance to work through story issues. Once you have it, you can leave it aside and just write, or refer back. I tended to leave it aside and only refer back if I hit a snag. I'm often surprised how frequently I'd anticipated the snag, but had just forgotten that bit!

Now that I write primarily indie and am not dealing with a NY publisher, I still prefer to write a synopsis. When I don't, the process is inevitably more rocky.

But, of course, YMMV.

Thank you for your post Julie Kenner. Very insightful. I sent you an invite.

Write the ending first so you know where you're going...

Thanks, James Drago - accepted! And James Walsh, I agree you need to know the ending. Disagree that you need to actually write it. But a map is definitely key. Know where you're starting. Know where you're going. And then if you detour, you know how to get back on track :)

I have spent more times spent on the outline than the script.

I start with a 90-120 bullet point outline.

I make sure each bullet point leads to the next and vice-versa.

Then I add sluglines.

At that point the script almost writes itself.

BUT... I usually find by the "page 80 crash" my ending sucks... So by page 90 I end up on my own.

I'm considering (no kidding) trying to write my outlines BACKWARDS (sort of like what J Walsh) is saying, but IDK.

I ran into this, seems they're pretty well on it. http://www.producers-group.com/about/

Thank you but thats a bit premature to try and work on getting producers and a staff when I dont have a full script or concept yet.

I see what you mean. But I doubt if anyone would write for spec on your venture. Nevertheless, there are many writers here on Stage32, so with a little networking it should be possible to get connected with one or two. I am new to this, but it seems to me that with a concept you would need producers and financers first.

I like this idea very much. I once did a workshop where one of the participants was writing a horror play and we had great ideas to make the bar haunted during the interval. ... Really should follow that up.

I am not a professional by any stretch of the mark? But if you do want to produce a radio play do it on cast box. My late father was an audiophile. Reel 2 reels was how he recorded many radio play's. However my Father loved all formats. He left me a lot of sound effect albums and also Vinyl in regards to producing the best sound for all aspects of Radio. Eg. Musical theatre. Serious drama. Personally I loved the Archers. The sound effects are timed impeccably as well as quality acting which is all part of believing the story. Nothing better than a well produced radio play as it makes us create a picture better than T.V. Try Producing on Cast box as it is free and great for up and coming Artist to shine. All the best for the future? Hope to hear your play on Radio

I'm having a bash at radio plays myself. First, got to get back into the habit of listening to the radio! Second, when I hear a production I like, note the producer, and hopefully they're looking for new stuff. I want to do a horror for radio - no danger of spoiling everything by showing the monster. The audience will never see it and their imaginations can run riot!

I do. It's a musical called "Medo" ("Fear"). I'm not sure if "do" is the right verb, because it's in production right now and I'm stuck with the rewrites and reunions with the director and producer. So, it's more like "I'm doing it." I'm loving it, although I must say I'm more of a movie guy. The big advantage is that it's cheaper and quicker than movies, so you can see your work being performed right away.

one with my mother years ago, I have several radio plays but mainly I enjoy acting other people's work on stage when it comes to plays.

I wrote a play. Everyone told me I'd written a film, so drowned was I in scriptwriting technique. I still long to write an actual play ...

Hey I would love to collaborate with you! I'm always full of ideas!

Always up for brainstorming!

Children are despicable little monstrosities, insufferable curiosity and display a unique gift at emulated behavior ….usually from another child or adult who we whole hearty disapprove of….. I know because I raised 6 of them, who have blessed me with numerous grandchildren.

Aha the US election feels like something out of a movie! Are you still writing it?

I do. Check out my page on this site. Also my facebook.com/superciliouscomics1

Thanks.