Screenwriting : Write myself or hire a screenwriter? by Jessica Ross

I'd say first of all, ask yourself how this story is more compelling or interesting than other stories like it. Why would it make a good movie?

In regards to writing it yourself vs. hiring someone, are you a writer/screenwriter? If you have no experience and have the disposable income to hire someone, that might be the way to go. You could also consider writing a book on the story, which you could potentially get adapted to a screenplay down the road.

Jody speaks the truth. What makes your story compelling to a bunch of people in a dark room (Audience)? Tell me why I should be interested in your story. They were your relatives so I see that it's interesting to you - write a memoir and pass the story on.

Write it yourself. Right now don't think about the market for it, don't think about the audience for the final product; write it. Enjoy the journey, learn from the process.

Nothing like starting with a screenplay to get a story lean and tight. Then, add production value and voila out pops a novel.

What Jody said, it needs to be a compelling story for anyone (yourself included) to spend the time crafting this into a script.

I agree with Marcus. It might be an interesting story but people aren't going to pay money to watch a movie about a murder and the wrong person accused that took place a back in the 1930's. Plus it wouldn't be cheap make.

I would write it as prose. This will give you the shape of the story. Then when/if you hire a writer you will get a "story by" credit, you'll own copyright and can push for a producer credit, which will get you paid. Now have a go at writing it or you will know you are not the right person to write. Then contact me and I'll write...lol

Jessica: I believe you have a solid premise. Now, you have to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you have a burning desire to join the ranks of the tens of thousands of screenwriters trying to sell a spec screenplay?

2. Do you want to be a screenwriter because you think you have talent?

3. Is this something that you think you'll have fun doing?

4. Are you willing to learn how to write a screenplay?

If yes to the above, then proceed to the next step. Take your premise and mold it into a story. Apart from the real facts of the case, you should feel free, and I dare say inspired, to expand and create a compelling story with interesting, characters facing conflict and obstacles. You may want to consider updating this story to modern times. Otherwise, you're looking at a period piece, with old cars and costumes. However, if you want it set in the 1930's rock on.

You have the articles and facts, so you already have a lot to work with. So now you should begin to write an outline for your screenplay. You already have something at stake, which is your great grandfather was a suspect for a murders. Your grandparents can begin as well-meaning Samaritans that are caught up in an escalating situation. Here's an sample logline for your story:

"On their way home from church, a newly married couple discovers the body of a murdered cabbie and unknowingly invite the wrath of the real killer, as well as the suspicion of a seasoned detective."

In this 35 word logline, you have identified your protagonists (Grandparents) antagonist (killer) and identified and obstacle (suspicion of murder) and challenge/danger because a real killer or serial killer (make him a Zodiac style murder) is coming after young gammy and gramps.

Or you could come at it from this angle. Make grannie the protagonist.

Logline: "After a married couple discover a body, the husband is arrested, the wife searches for evidence to prove his innocence and the real killer begins stalking her."

Let us know what you decide to do.

uncle phil for the win. True Crime stories are HOT right now, but yes, you need a great hook. the time period could be the hook, who the real killer is could be (like, al capone or some well known killer of the time), or what happens to youre great grandfather could be. it has promise if you can push it far enough. id take a crack yourself IF you want to be a writer. if you dont...then hire someone.

Dan G; how can you be sure that people aren't going to to pay money to watch a movie about a murder and the wrong person accused that took place a back in the 1930's? The history of film is filled with story ideas that some said no one would pay to see but became favorites.

Soon as I hear "people won't" I know someone will. It's all in the telling.

D Marcus. I am not sure about anything. I already said why I thought people wouldn't pay money to go see it. It just my opinion. I think the story is too small for a project that would cost a lot to film.

Never say "people wont" as it's been done before:

Although your great-grandfather's story might not be as exciting, but it can be If you choose to write it as a "based-on-true-events" and embellish some of the details.

A person with zero screenwriting experience must start somewhere. It seems to me that a personal story that one is passionate about is a great place to start. Jessica didn't ask if this will sell, she asked if she should write it herself. I say yes.

D Marcus. This is a discussion not a deposition so I can answer her question or I can offer her my opinion based on my experience.

Anthony. The FUGITIVE movie was based on the TV series so it already had an audience. If a producer can get actors like Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones to star in it they know people would go watch.

I wrote one that I am producing about a stuntman wrongly imprisoned for murder who breaks out of jail and clear his name. It has below the line budget of $1.5M and I don’t have too many investors interested in it. Being this one is set in the 30s makes it that much harder. However if she can write it or find someone to write it so it can be filmed under a couple of million.

I apologize, Dan. I was just expanding on the conversation. I'm sorry you took MY part of this discussion as asking you to not offer an opinion. I'm a curious person so I ask questions to get a better understanding of your point of view; NOT as a lawyer in a deposition. I will be more careful with you in the future. I'm sorry I gave you the wrong impression.

D Marcus. No problem. I might have misunderstood you as well which sometimes happens. No big deal.

I was really intrigued just reading the short description. Reminded me of the Fugitive. I say go for it yourself. This is your own family. I wrote a short about my Grand parents and have received a lot of positive feedback on it.

Hey, if is not going to kill you, write it, rewrite it, pay for professional feedback and take it from there. Have fun with it, but give it your all, be responsible and respectful of the story, which you have a personal attachment to. GO FOR IT! Good luck.

Write it yourself!

Claude. I am a screenwriter and a producer. I wrote the script about the stuntman breaking out of prison. I'm also one of the two producers.

I ❤️S32 for one reason. This. :). T

Talece Brown I so agree. I love this place.

Vitaly. Are you serious? A real producer is not going to work for someone here unless the person is putting up all the money and you are talking a few million.

If you've never written a screenplay then find a screenwriter, but a writer isn't going to work for free ... or pizza and coke. You'll have to pay them and come up with some kind of deal on your backend (which there never is) to further incentivize them. If a producer options the script the writer created neither you or the writer will probably be attached, and if you are it will be superficial -- the writer will certainly not be involved past your writing assignment. A producer will take the project, rewrite it with new writers and you MIGHT get an invite to the screening. OH YEAH... assuming the producer gets it made ... and that's HIGHLY unlikely. Welcome to showbiz.

Vitaly. Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying. You said "hire a producer." If you said "put up development money" I would have understood. Obviously if they did that they would be part owner and get their money back when the production money comes in or stay in and be a part owner. That is a little different than just hiring a producer.

If you do not have screenwriting experience, you should hire an experienced screewriter. But as Jeff warned, you will have to pay her adequately. Adapting a true crime story, my expertise, by the way, takes lots of time and painstaking outlining, then writing. Aside from the story being true and about a relative, you'll have to figure out why the story needs to be told. Its thematic value: Was your great-grandma an early feminist? What's the sociological import?

Vital. You are probably right. Anyway I just misunderstood is all.

Oh my. This is my "put water in the well moment". Film actor. Lots and lots of TV. Film. Voice work reading lots of scripts. Had a vision of movie. Had money. Had financing. Hired producers and writers. Paid Producers and writers. The nightmare began. Finally just sat down and wrote it. Until you have hired a director to work with everything else is just learning another industry. Let your agent handle that. Don't worry. He gets paid too but only on performance not on opinion. So here is my lesson. Write your story. Pay only on performance. Did they get you to the set. If they didn't. Go back. Write your story. If your pitching learn sales. Now you are a salesman but at least you own your story. Your product. Save your money and put it on the screen. That's the goal right? Sincerely. Luck to you and your project.

Oh. And vet Everyone!!!!!!

Dan G. Well there goes Devil in the White City.

Shhh. Don't tell anyone. We as actors look for real parts in great stories that reflect our experience of life. We'll voice an animated raccoon. But baby we don't want to play one. ✌

Ah. Vetting is easy. Follow the money. Soup to nuts. Budget to profit margin.