Question:
Script writing/screenwriting question....?
bueller82
2008-04-16 05:35:39 UTC
Hi there

Do you think anybody who is a) good at writing and b)has a really good idea for a script can become a scriptwriter for a successful film without previously having any training in the art of the scriptwriting? Say someone just has a natural talent, writes an excellent script with a great film idea and sends it away. Will the big bosses so to speak dismiss the script straight away because it wasn't written by anyone they knew?

I have a really good idea for a film script and wandered this before i started to write the script itself, is this just going to be a waste of my time. I have no problem with a script being rejected for being not up to par in one way or another but for it just to be sent back immediately without anyone showing the slightest amount of interest in it, that to me would seem to be a huge waste of time.

For anyone who knows more than me as it regards scriptwriting or similar, please spread your pearls of wisdom to me if you would be so kind.

Thanks
Four answers:
2008-04-20 05:30:47 UTC
ive read the book story and yes its good. what you have to do first is write a spec script. this is a script that usually never gets made its to just show off your talent. then you will be asked for more scripts or to write a script with a story they already have. most times if you do get a script sold they will dumb it down so it will appeal to the masses. anyways if you want you're "great story" to stay great you have to go the independent way. why not save up for equipment, get funding yourself (maybe find a friend to help with the business side) and shoot it yourself. if you really are a good writer it will work, and you wont have producers (who are not filmmakers) having a bigger say in the film.



if you really are talented and by that i mean creative (writing is a skill that is learnt!) you will succeed. all you need after that is motivation. good luck!
burntumber
2008-04-16 05:49:44 UTC
In honesty, unless you're an extremely lucky person, you will have to have some sort of experience. I know it's very irritating, especially when you have the idea already thought up, but unfortunately that's the way things are. And maybe there is a specific system for script writing, something the 'big bosses' will be looking out for and expecting from script writers that you may have yet to learn. What I'd recommend is that you build on your ideas for the script, and try to get a work experience placement, it could be journalism or at least something media related. I wish you all the best of luck.
2008-04-16 06:26:25 UTC
I have some experience of writing short film scripts, radio plays and corporate videos at a media student level.



Like you I have a talent for this kind of thing.



The facts are as follows,



If your idea is good enough then Hollywood agents will fight for the privilege of selling your script for you to a producer for ridiculous sums of money, ridiculously large that is. The reason for this is simple. The overwhelming majority of scripts that are presented to producers are very poor, and that includes some of the ones that actually get made into films. Really good scripts will make millions.



If you don't know the correct format with which to present your script they will simply pay a script doctor to whip your script into shape, it is the idea that counts and the quality of the script, not the format it's in.



You do not need previous training to become a good script writer but if you do have some training it will help. I trained in advanced media studies and communication. I also directed, acted and produced at a student level and that is also useful.



Although you do not need training, you do need more than a natural talent, you need to know how to write a script. That means how to arrange the plot, how to create realistic characters and story lines, how to create the right pace, tension, feel etc etc etc. you need to know how to avoid cliche, how to provoke viewers emotions, how to draw people into your story etc etc etc. There is a hell of a lot to learn and if you learn it all you also need other things.



You need to be in a position where you have time to write it. The idea situation is if you have no children and live with a woman who keeps you, then you can dedicate yourself totally to your task. If you can not place yourself in that position you have to be as close to that position as possible because if your task as a non experienced and non trained scriptwriter is to do that which hundreds of thousands of trained and experienced scriptwriters often fail do. eg write an exceptional script that will make you a huge amount of money you have to pull out all the stops.



To achieve this you are looking at total dedication for maybe a couple of years. No going to pubs and clubs, no other hobbies, neglecting your girlfriend who will have to do all your cooking and washing because you will be too busy.



If you can put all that in place then all you have to do is to learn how to actually write a script and that is simple, not easy but simple.



Just buy a book that will tell you all you need to know. There are thousands of them available and most of them are simply not good enough. There is one book I know of however, that is exceptional and will tell you everything you need to know. Read it, learn it and do it and you will make money at it. The book is called:-



STORY by Robert McKee



This man also does seminars on the subject in UK and USA, here is a link



http://www.mckeestory.com/
?
2016-10-05 07:15:17 UTC
I initiate a narrative in keeping with character. whilst i think of of it, that's purely a variety character plus a difficulty. as quickly as I say "variety character" I propose God, Angel, Vampire, Demon, Witch, Serial Killer. purely a user-friendly theory to construct from. Then I take the region that they are in. I presently have an theory i've got no longer outfitted on a pair of witch in a variety of recent-day witch trial. what form of character do i choose her to be? for sure she might opt to be careful, and doubtless somewhat proud and self reliant. What might her weak point be? ought to I provide her a son or daughter? Will she have a love pastime? a usually happening? How might she act by contrast unfavorable tension? basically I shop asking myself questions based on the region that the character is in. From those questions I do 2 issues: a million. build my character and their character and a pair of. build the plot out of the region that I created. If I even have hardship construction the character, i will take on line character exams in my character's voice.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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