In the gold mining industry city where I live, a lot of gold has recently been found in discarded heaps of tailings. Tailings are left over heaps of earth after the main gold vein has been mined out. I am of the opinion that there are fabulous scripts (nuggets) out there that have been discarded because they didn't appeal to the industry "pros" or "reps" or "agents" for some unfathomable reason. You know what? I believe that those "tailings" should be mined regularly. There has to be some really great scripts out there gathering dust. Scripts that were overlooked because they weren't the vogue in vogue at the time or they had grammar errors or structure problems etc, etc. It just does not make sense that thousands of scriptwriters on Stage 32 are failing to produce "nuggets" that have memorable appeal to audiences and should be taken on by the industry. The audiences are getting tired of the same old wonder marvels and computer generated special effects fool's gold. Some of the best scripts never get beyond the tailings heaps because their authors are evaluated on their ability to create great loglines or pitches and their scripts are never read. Let's be honest, some people are good at selling and some people are not. Some people are poor at English structure, but great story tellers but their stories never get read. The Harry Potter series would not be here if it had not been for a receptionist who read the manuscript after it was thrown in a waste paper basket. What's needed is a company that mines the "tailings", reads and finds great scripts, despite poor loglines, pitches, grammar, structure etc, and goes on to make great, memorable movies the like of which just don't seem to be out there at present. Recently I was on two international flights that offered recent movie releases, not so recent releases and dozens of library selections. I was unable to find but one or two movies that had any substance, let alone memorable appeal. Most were merely great money makers for the investors no doubt, but failures as far as memorable entertainment for the audience. Bob
Anything Goes : Treasure trove of undiscovered scripts! by Robert John Chapman
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You should start a Tailings Treasure Hunt! Ask all the screenwriters to send you their best tailings for a small admin fee. If you find a nugget, you could sign an agreement or percentage if it gets optioned/sold.
why not make a movie opening a goldmine up that was never worked out. If you seen what I seen you would quiver! You think they got it all?? Hell no. Pickaxmining.com
Do you know how nuggets are formed? You would be surprised.
Those guys in Alaska(Goldrush) and the bearing sea gold are fools. They are placer mining, that's playing. The money is in lode mining. I'm a geologist and if anyone wants to know just ask me. If you want gold you go right for the source. I'm a professional locator, and can dowse using a set of divining rods.
Robert, I like your line of thought. IT is true there are enough of us 32's to be able to produce 25 movies a year via taking turns on each others product/ projects. However the human greed gland always kicks in, where those who get what they want are no where to be found when it comes time for them to oblige. You are right, I read script or loglines and find myself not interested when someone claims to be a writer and cannot spell the title of their post. I bet there are some sweet nuggets sitting on a shelf due to the ol' "So you think I have something here". mentality. I have found that once someone thinks they have a deal they always want more. Sad but true.
You make some good points, Bob, and I'm in agreement - I had this issue at TriggerStreet where I read/reviewed some wonderful scripts/stories - I still cannot fathom why no one tapped into that talent considering so many average films are forced upon us year after year, the same ol', same ol'.
Hi Chanel, it is the money making engine that drives industry. Bob