Colin Holmes: Screenwriter and storyboard artist in Fort Worth, Texas.

Regina Lee
Why the large proportion of formatting questions?

I'm sitting at my laptop tonight reading a novel for adaptation consideration. And procrastinating by checking S32. I never realized how many formatting questions are in the Lounge. I realize that in some ways, formatting a script properly will help a writer organize his ideas into a screen story. A...

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Pierre Langenegger

Agreed, Dan

David Taylor

We've all asked format questions. In the nicest possible way, format questions make me smile. They are story ambition, hope, and enthusiasm temporarily thwarted by a minor piece of technical info.

Sean Donovan

Celt-X free and good.

Colin Holmes
Hi, I'm Colin

I'm Screenwriter and Storyboard Artist just west of Fort Worth, Texas. I've been on Stage 32 a few years but never snuck in here to officially click the Introduce Yourself box. I'm an animation fan and enjoy comedy that doesn't depend on bodily fluid gags.

Lise Pyles

Hi Colin. Glad to see another screenwriter from my neck of the woods, although I'm a little south of you (San Antonio).

Kristina Garant

Welcome Colin! happy Holidays!

Colin Holmes

My Christmas Card is a script - ELFIS! 1/2hr animated special. Just for fun, rights clearance would be abominable! http://bit.ly/1UNO67z

GENRE: Animation
LOGLINE:

When his big break comes, one of Santa's helpers risks ruining Christmas for his chance to sing at a children's hospital.

GENRE: Comedy
LOGLINE:

After a corrupt state official shuts down her shop, a beautician discovers an ancient Spanish Land Grant that might make her the rightful owner of all of Texas.


Harold Vandyke
Actual Buildings

On occasion I've read screenplays where existing buildings are referenced. I find that, since the writer doesn't know if the reader is familiar with said building(s), and more-so because it might not be possible to shoot in and around the structure if the film is made, it is probably better to keep building descriptions generic. Thoughts?

Colin Holmes

My 2 cents - If it's a recognizable landmark that's integral to the story - include it. Saying that Sleepless in Seattle should end at the top of "a really tall building in New York" doesn't have the...

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D Marcus

Since changing a few words of description (like the details of a specific location) is so simple and writing an excellent screenplay with compelling characters and an interesting story is difficult (a...

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Michael Lee Burris

I will say after recently seeing Birdman ( Or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) I should read it. I'd follow whatever they did descriptively for a template. I think it is a movie to take many crumbl...

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Tony Fisher
Adobe or Avid

Hello all, Im in the process of exploring the various editing programs that are available. The two main ones I have been looking at has been Adobe première and Avid. I have been given the impression that the industry is moving more towards using adobe although I cant find hard evidence to support th...

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Tony Fisher

Hello Robin, thanks for your input. Lots of useful information and plenty to think about.

Dru Holley

FCP homie!!!

Colin Holmes

I came to editing from a design background, moving from Illustrator and Photoshop into motion graphics. Started with FCP and found that Premier and After Effects are a easier to use combination. Adobe...

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Shawn Whitney
Why Great Stories Often Make Bad Screenplays

Based on my experience as as writer and story editor some of the best, richest events in history can turn into pretty meh screenplays. Might be controversial, what do you think? http://fmwbh.tumblr.com/post/120191491178/notes-on-theme-2-the-dangers-o......

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Colin Holmes

Movies aren't about events. They are about the characters impacted by those events.

Debbie Croysdale

Probably an event seen through the eyes if a character, alongside their own life, would dissolve the "reporter account" aspect. This would then bring another question, would the characters own life be the Macro or Micro story, in relation to event.

Shawn Whitney

There are dramatically told histories of great events - told through the eyes of multiple people. The novel Fontamara comes to mind or some histories that are focused on how a population or social gro...

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Colin Holmes

Hi Scott - It's good to see folks from the West-O-Plex on here.

Scott Mendes

Amen

Andrew Munoz
I'm starting to write few of my screenplays, but there's some, that I'm having trouble with:

Subheader, Transition, Action, Parenthetical, Capitalize Action, Screen Directions, Camera Directions/Angles. I might need help.

Sandra Campbell

Hello Andrew. I suggest you read Syd Field, The Writer's Journey, and the Screenwriter's Bible. The Screenwriter's Bible gives you a step-by-step plan on how to format and write your script. I'd start there first, before I'd do any writing.

Sandra Campbell

Richard is right about reading drafts only -- at least in the beginning until you understand screenplay structure. Read screenplays every day.

Will Machin

Find SPs in the genre of yours and see how the writer crafted descriptions for emotion, tension, drama, etc.. It's known as doing your homework..

Colin Holmes

Hey guy - If you're looking for a little quick not-for-anything-but-grins contest - Done Deal Pro has a Writing Exercise Forum with a Halloween Contest. No prizes, but its a hoot to see how warped some of our fellow writers can be in just 8 pages. http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/showthrea...

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Colin Holmes

Hi Carmen! Great to see you on here, I love your stuff! Can wait to see more. Are you in the WTFS II class this fall?

Carmen Brie

Hi Colin! I'm glad I went back to the board for a last look-see or I would have forgotten about this site. I am taking part 2 this fall. I'm hoping that between now and then I can get my Act 1 beats into decent shape.

Colin Holmes

That's a great cat. Thanks for the add, I want to keep track of you and Candi Kinkaid.

Jonathan Ocker

Thanks Colin! Joey (the cat) is quite a character. Looking forward to seeing "The Queen of Texas" progress!

Colin Holmes

Hey Kathy - Glad to see you here. I'm looking forward to seeing how your script progresses.

Kathy Caslin

Same here Colin. That was quite the class wasn't it? We'd get some of those assignments and I'd be like....I have to do WHAT?? BY SATURDAY?? I can only imagine what Screenplay II is going to be like. I have to honestly say I got a lot out of it.

Colin Holmes

Hi Taina - Glad to see you on here. Hope to see you around UCLA!

Douglas Spaltro

Hello Colin and fellow DFW-er. Thanks for the connection and best regards!

Trich Zaitoon

Hi Colin and fellow Texan. I am in the Mansfield area. Thank you for the connection. I look forward to reading and hearing about your upcoming projects. If you ever need an old actress let me know.

Max Restaino

Hi Colin Thank you for the connection. Look forward to reading about your projects. Here's a few links if you'd like to join me on twitter or listen to my music: http://www.twitter.com/maxmusiccouk http://www.reverbnation.com/maxmusic Max...

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Colin's network

Lennon River
Wilmer Villanueva
Blaq Deen
Paul Ruven
Matthew H Emma
Allen Lynch
Jess Waters
Makaria Elixabete
Ifrah Abdi
Marty Chartrand
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