From structure to content to representation to industry trends, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice on the craft and business of screenwriting
If you post your work online and particularly at a screenwriting forum, it should be no surprise that you'll probably get feedback/remarks about the work whether you want it or not. So if it's not, I suggest not posting your screenplays. Otherwise, if you're seeking affirmation or a pat on the back,...
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Article by Stage 32's founder and CEO RB (https://www.stage32.com/rb)
There's a link in the article about the Stage 32/Netflix webinar "Stage 32 + Netflix Present: Television Pitch Workshop" (FREE!)....
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I loathe and despise social media. Of course, I'm a dinosaur when it comes to all that stuff. I am a novelist and nearly finished editing my fourth novel, "Black Lion with a Red Heart." I believe if you are on social media, you're not writing, and that's the whole purpose of our existence. The hypot...
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There is a paradox. People with short attention spans spending hours doing something.
I think the change is culture is people do not want to work for their entertainment. Streamers have proven that. In...
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I'm not particularly active on social media, but I don't quite hold such a negative view of it. There are many active author communities on social media, including on platforms like Twitter, which eng...
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Let me take a step back. I am not against social medica. I think it's this time devouring monster that must be controlled. I was told a back in 2006 at a writing conference by an agent that if I didn'...
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John hearing you load and clear on this social media platform (AKA: Stage 32 forum)
I think the Social media experience reinforces shorter attention spans in people. I also think this is acknowledged by many. At the end of the day though, it is up to the writer to re-invent himself a...
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So, right before the holidays, I had completed my first screenplay "Bentley Maguire An Autistic Mobster Story" and had it registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. I am very proud of this screenplay. However, as many times as I have re-read my screenplay, I feel that it might be better as a limited...
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I use final draft. It has a tv format.
Most screenwriting software allows you to write both. There aren't many formatting differences between the two mediums.
Good luck.
Hello fellow entertainment peeps! I have an amazing idea for this script i have started writing and i would love to collab and incorporate some ideas so please please please lets connect and collab dont be shy!
Yes Story ! I just started my journey at the LA Film School so i have only worked on my own short films and other assignments this is my first script
Welcome to the community, Preshia McNair. Your idea sounds great! I'm working on some projects, but maybe we can collaborate in the future.
Thanks Maurice looking forward to it!
The topic line ‘Female African American ninja action movie’ seems to go along the lines of a blaxploitation film. Is it intended as an action film or a parody?
If it’s action oriented it could be based...
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You're welcome, Preshia McNair.
How do you become an expert at screenwriting? The same way you become an expert at everything else:
Valid Environment
Many Repetitions
Timely Feedback
Deliberate Practice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eW6Eagr9XA...
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A college classmate is a DGA director and I remember us watching movies on dvd and this dude would stop the movie, guess the lens focal length of each camera shot and key lighting of every new scene....
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This is all true and the criticality of a positive reinforcement loop cannot be understated. It's next to impossible to do this if you are trapped in a negative cycle. Just look at how many writers gi...
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In my 22 years (so far) of professional (paid) work I've came to certain expertise in many fields including graphic design, newspaper editing, montage/machinery/metallurgy retail, CS...how did I do it...
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Hans was in a band during Thatcher’s England. Outside of London, life was hard, money was tight. Hans thinks of those people. He has an imaginary character called Doris. She works hard all week, her life is in credibility hard, she is a single mum. She has a few dollars left and she spends it on a m...
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I don’t think of any of this stuff. I just write screenplays the way I think they should be written.
A family member who was in the film business once told me that "no one wants to make a movie that isn't good." (But a lot of things happen along the way). That being said, it is a good idea to keep Doris in mind. Thanks for sharing this.
At its crux, this is all about appreciating your audience and wanting to serve them. That's critical to staying motivated and fulfilled. The mistake a lot of writers make in the early years is seeking...
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That interesting @cj he doesn’t hint at that. But I guess there s so much output he has made a production company of the process.
For me this is the Nike paradigm. Nike’s customers are shoe shops, but they have to focus on the needs of runners.
Craig D Griffiths “So when we write. Should we worry about if an actor will be insulted because we put something in a parenthetical, should we worry if something is happening on a particular page.” He...
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Hey everyone - along with placing as a semi-finalist in the Filmmatic Pitch Now Screenplay Competition - I've won a free pitch! I'm terrified of a verbal pitch due to my speaking phobia - but I'm ready to kill it!! (The pitch, not the fear - I've learned to live well with it). Anyway, Please comment...
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Congratulations Lisa!
If you write down the main points of your pitch you really want to make sure you hit and practice your pitch over and over you will be more confident in your delivery, as you'll know you will cover wh...
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Contrats Lisa!
Lisa:
I suggest leading off with telling the pitch recipient somethingabout yourself. Be succinct on presenting your story idea and allow the listener ample opportunities to engage with you. Nicely off...
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Leave them wishing they had more time to hear more . ..
In the screenwriting world, scores of clowns try to separate people from their hard-earned cash. Unfortunately, pretty much any lamebrain can call themselves a script consultant. For example, I read the first ten pages of the script adaptation of a well-known novel for which I'm about to tackle a re...
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Dan G: I've never discussed anyone"s WGA status in the ten years I've been shopping screenplays. I signed my first option in 2013 when I had no idea which end of the gun fired. For the lower-budget pr...
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Phillip. That is not why I brought up WGA Agents. I brought that up because they could get in big trouble whit the WGA if they ask someone for money to represent someone. Actually, they would keep the parasites away.
Great tips/warnings for writers, Phillip "Uncle Phil" Hardy. Thanks for the line to add to agreements.
Dan: Thanks for explaining.
Phillip. You are welcome.
Hi all, usually I’m in the Crowdfunding/Film Financing Lounge but I decided to visit Screenwriting Lounge today to give you an important message.
Many Writers want to find a manager and/or agent and that’s fine. But some of you are overlooking an easy way to find representation. Want to know what it...
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Hi Phillip "Uncle Phil" Hardy! Thanks for the link. I just read your blog and love how you wrote it- to the point. It looks like a lot of people gained a lot of knowledge from it and I hope they put i...
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Nice of you to stop by the Lounge, Colette "ByFilms" Byfield. :) Great advice. When I read the title, I thought, "She found a secret way to get repped. I gotta find out what it is." Like it's some bur...
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I agree with Maurice and hope to read more about your thoughts and activities about screenwriting. Have a great weekend.
Maurice Vaughan LOL! I’m just surprised how many people say that they are looking for management but don’t read the trades. There’s so much specific information that you won’t find in a regular google...
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You're right, Colette "ByFilms" Byfield (There’s so much specific information that you won’t find in a regular google search for “managers”). I'm surprised sometimes by the helpful info and resources...
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Great interview with Rachel Shukert (writer of "Supergirl," "GLOW," "The Handmaid’s Tale," and Netflix’s "The Baby-Sitters Club")! She shares advice about writing TV spec pilots, writing female characters, and more.
https://www.networkisa.org/articles/view/get-your-script-remembered...
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You're welcome, Jim Boston.
Hope the pitch goes great, Clora Miller. When you say suggestions, do you mean advice?
You're welcome, Abdur.
Thank you, Maurice. Yes advice.
Pitching tips, Clora Miller:
#1) For verbal pitch and written pitch: Make sure you know your story well enough to pitch it.
#2) For verbal pitch: Don't jump right into the pitch. Take a few seconds to i...
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Sorry I wanted to ask something ...
As a humble man who has walked this earth for 50 years, I might know why what I see on television and in the cinema .. 90% is unwatchable, 9% watchable 1% makes sense?
Maybe in the future i will spend a few dollars to get an answer from TV technicians. (and just my humble opinion of course)
Craig. 90% of the movies made lose money for a reason and maybe one 2% turn out really good. There is only one way to get them right a fifty ways to fuck them up.
Obtain an Audience Analysis.
Depends what ure after....most movies are supposed to be an entertainment...but some moviegoers prowl for style over substance...
hello Kiril .. the problem that in this era there is less and less style and 0 substance :) it seems more like a washing machine industry, cinema and television!
A lot of the 90% is watchable to someone somewhere.
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Phillip: You shouldn't have given him back his money ... if a writer doesn't know how to accept constructive criticism and advice ... and above all he doesn't respect your work and only his problem .....
Expand commentPhillip: You shouldn't have given him back his money ... if a writer doesn't know how to accept constructive criticism and advice ... and above all he doesn't respect your work and only his problem ... it's wrong to quit and refuse to teach ... especially if there are any money in between ... I paid a lifetime to fix my novels .. editing, proofreading .. etc.
I will continue to do it as long as I have breath because in life you never stop learning and improving!
Dan : I'm sorry but this time I don't agree with you!
2 people like this
Manuela:
I'm too nice a guy sometimes.
2 people like this
Manuele. It is okay to disagree. Personally, I just don’t like reading screenplays and giving feedback. Some people like to do that and some don’t and some even charge to do it. It’s just not my thing.
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Dan: Well I would gladly pay to get some guidelines from people who have been in the field for years .. also because on their own and without investing anything in cinema you don't go anywhere!
However, always with the utmost respect for you friend!