I finished writing a feature film script this month, which is about a secret agent, who is hunted by his corrupt CIA superiors. Since the S32 pitch template requires a comparison to other movies I pitched it as a mixture of "The Bourne Identity" and "Man On Fire". Anyone here, who also recently wrote an action-thriller? What are your role models in this genre? Any scripts online? Any pitch experiences?
Screenwriting : And action... by Olaf Blunk
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I used DIE HARD and RUSH HOUR as examples of my action-comedy and sent an unsolicited email query to one of the biggest box office success Prod Companies in Hollywood. I wrote a brief paragraph about myself- either stupid or clever- I said in my email "I want to be the next Shane Black" . 5 hours later the VP of Company emailed back, "Send your script."
Congratulations, which production company did you send your query letter to? Is there a sample of your script anywhere online?
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I ll let you know when I get the rejection email. Could be today. tomorrow. Next month. Year. 5 years. Hard to gauge who and when it gets read. Im passed the "request" stage in my career. Want job assignment or check stage. My stuff is "B" low-brow material for "A" List talent. But I do know how to write a catchy query. Maybe start charging Writers $50 a pop to write their queries.
@Dan, having read your work, I can attest it is catchy, funny and well-written. I would not say it is low-brow at all (either that or maybe I'm low brow too, lol)
Jody Thks. But forget it from your memory. I moved on, full page 1 rewrite since. Evolved! Madonna doesn't sing "Like a Virgin" anymore! Im an Artist! I heard Antoine Fuqau found "Olympus Has Fallen" script on a dusty shelf.
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Dan M. As you may know my friend Charlie Picerni worked on some of the Rush Hour and Die Hard movies. I hope you receive a positive response from them. They have a lot of producers there and some are good and some are slower than shit so you may have to give them a follow up letter in a few weeks.
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@Dan M if it's the same script I hope you kept the title. Best. Movie. Title. Ever.
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Thanks Dan G! It's the "Hurry Up and wait game." Executives get fired every 4-5 years. Who knows! :)
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That is true about execs. They don't normally take scripts from outside their circle or unless submitted by an agent so they must be interested or they wouldn't have requested a read. I take it is the one you sent me. I'll definitely keep my fingers crossed for you.
Dan, that's awesome news. I would definitely use your services for log lines and query letters, I've seen the magic that you can work with words.
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Me too. I am going to have to fire my agent and hire Dan M.
DanG Only accept Cash or Diamonds. Learn that from Michael Mann's Thief, probably top 3 best American "Heist crime" movies. Olaf- checkout Stage 32 member Bill Martell. He wrote a great book on Action screenwriting, sorta like "save the cat" tricks of the trade for action genre. I re-read his book in between rewrites and one key test of a great action story-- remove your main character from the story and just have the villain's story. Is your villain's goal exciting without the Hero? Thats a good checkbox to ask yourself as a storyteller.
Bill Martell isn´t on the Stage 32 members list.
William Martell
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Dan: I saw Thief Wednesday night (for like the 50th time). Kinda hard to believe that film received an "R" rating. It shows you how much times have changed since the early 1980's. I love that film - Michael Mann is definitely one of the best.
Bill Mann is hardcore, no BS. (well, Black Hat was meh ). Thief is a movie to study and rip-off. I think James Caan's character speaks 3 words in the opening 12mins.
Miami Vice. My two cents.
The only advice I can give is make sure they are films people know.