On Writing : Is there such a thing as an idea creator/non-script writer? by Alden Tan

You're essentially talking about writing spec scripts. I will tell you, script writing is a layered process. Essentially, it's not that hard. And when done perfect, a story is simple, it's got a conflict, climax and resolution. The king of simplicity is Neil Simon. Stuff happens in a room, usually between two people and it's perfect. Then you have similar stuff like Edward Albee and his Zoo Story. Again, 2 people, but different stuff going on. I always think that if you need to start adding explosions and transformers, it's most likely not a good story and you are trying distract me from that. I'd say, spend $45 bucks, get Scrivener and just write one out. Or Celtx. I think that's free. Or even pen and paper (Neil Simon did it that way). Just write your script out. Type it up and then learning formatting and this and that as you go.

Thank you! So you think I should just go all out and learn how to write scripts? Writing spec scripts don't have much of a place in the industry?

The "industry" isn't something I think about. Personally. I am far outside of it and somehow in it at the same time. But for me, writing my own plays, that I got to cast, be in, produce, put up etc was rewarding. I have film scripts I write because I feel the urge to do it. Same as I have novels that I write because I simply felt the need to do it. But there is this... I'd say, wall. That people constantly feel they can't do something because they didn't get this degree, they don't know this person, they didn't take this class or read this book and pay $49.95 to subscribe to this... whatever. I say screw it. Sit down, write your script. Just use pen and paper. Then when you type it out, use celtx or word or final draft or whatever. They're all similar. Scrivener is what I use. But I wrote a novel in Microsoft Word. I wrote my last play all by hand and then typed it up in scrivener afterwards. People use final draft because they love paying $200 for a program that when you push tab, it automatically indents to the next character. Wow. Amazing. That's worth $200. In word, you'd have to click the center key. In Scrivener or celtx, it's the same as Final Draft. And then they say, it's the industry standard, you have to use this or that. Meh. They all export to whatever format you want them to. The most important, and only important thing, no matter what, how, who. Is that you get it out. Currently, whatever story you have is a day dream in your head that after a night of hard drinking might be gone. After that, you write it out, it's a 0101010101010101010 on a Hard drive. So make back ups, because you're one lightening strike or flood or computer crash from being out of that. In terms of industry, you'll find more and more there are a ton of people sitting around getting paid and you have no idea what they do. Some are people from "think tanks" they kind of, just throw idea's around and someone else writes them. (those people are the worst, unless they're a 5 year old, then they're cute) they're are spec script people. That's essentially me saying, Hey Alden, I am a think tank guy, big idea's, but I don't want to be bothered, I need you to write me a spec script, (spec-speculative=first draft there will be changes and I'll probably take the credit). Here's my idea.... Slavery seems to be a popular movie theme lately... And boxing.... And... Star wars/Super hero stuff... So.... How about you write me a story, where a slave race is forced to box on some planet until they develop this super fighting style and escape. SHAZAM. And then you'd go write that. bring it back and they'd say, awesome, let's throw it in a drawer and never talk about it again, here's your money (if it's a paid job) if not, they would take it to... Someone... Someone would say, yes, this is good, this isn't, needs this... Let's change 21% so we can take the writer credit. Essentially, that's "the industry" so I usually think, I write this. I find a group that does readings, I see how it goes. And then I see if I can make it.

Interesting man. Thanks! That's a lot.

Yeah no one is going to write your ideas for you. All writers have literally hundreds of ideas. Ideas are worth nothing. Do this as an experiment. next time you're in a taxi tell the driver you're a writer or a producer. Nine times out of ten the'll pitch a script idea to you. There's even a joke in Shakespeare in love about it. I've never met a single person who didn't have an idea for a movie, and I've never met a single person who didn't think their idea wasn't golden. Some of them even are brilliant, but those ideas will never be made into films. Ideas are worthless. A person can read a newspaper or a blog and get literally a thousand ideas for a movie. In the film the Player the producers look at a newspaper and get movie ideas from it. No one is going to write a script based on your idea unless you pay them, it's got a really good chance of being made (IE you have a deal almost guaranteed in place), they're one of your best friends, or they're naive and desperate (in which case you don't want to work with them anyway). Either learn to write the script yourself, get a decent amount of money saved, or become really close to a screenwriter (and the last one don't expect your story to be a priority)

I've worked with someone who only came up with the ideas and I wrote the scripts. It was a good collaboration because they had the industry connections. One of my upcoming meetings with a TV Producer is based just on an idea I developed with someone who has industry connections. Where there's a will there's a way.

P.S. screenwriting is fun. I use Screenwriter 2000 software and as a back up Final Draft, but Screenwriter 2000 is really easy it'll even read back to you.

In that case that person had a reasonable chance to get the films made though. I'm not saying it NEVER happens, but most writers see it as a waste of time.

Ehh, yes, Alden that is precisely what I do. To be honest, my screenwriting suck, as my English does. So what I do is gather people around me to give my ideas a face. The thing you have to get really good at is writing a kickas logline.

Your description is of a Producer. Come with the idea, hire & fire Writers. Good Luck. Please pay reasonable$$$ for quality writing.

Thanks guys! If I want to start learning how to write scripts, where would you all recommend I start? If I just want to pitch ideas, where can I go to?

You don't have to "go" anywhere. If you want to learn to write a script there are literally thousands of resources that can help you learn, everything from screenwriting books, to websites, to seminars, to film school. My advice is never take one source as the single answer And you will NEVER be able to "just pitch ideas".

What it really means when someone says I want to come up with ideas but don't want to write the script: I want all the fun and credit for a movie, but don't want to do any of the work.

.... Ah yes, almost Joseph, but not quite. Nothing is always the same!