Suggestions

[ac_01]

WarEagle summed it up. You might have something good in there but no one will realise it because it doesn't flow like a proper script. Try not to direct on the page. That will come later. You have location changes that are not indicated in the script the way they're supposed to.

The trouble is what you've got on paper is your ENTIRE film. It shouldnt be. The script is just the blue-print. The story.

And don't forget the first rule... tey to SHOW and not TELL.

Hope this helps.

[Matt Green]

At the moment I'm just writing for fun. Does anybody have any suggestions for film scripts that are similar?

[GREATwarEAGLE]

Well I guess your script is what, a supernatural cop thriller?

FALLEN
Nicholas Kazan

SEVEN
Andrew Kevin Walker

THE FIRST POWER
Robert Resnikoff

ANGEL EYES
Gerald Di Pego

WOLFEN
David Eyre

Of course SEVEN isn't exactly supernatural, but it's close enough.

[Nigel]

I would like to say first off as a D.P. I would never want to shoot a script with camera directions.

In the "Hollywood" model of production that is bad news.

The director can and should sit down and come up with story boards of what He/She would like the film to generally look like--but as far as camera and lighting is concerned that is my side not the director's.

I would never ask an actor a question or ask them to move or hold still--That is the director's job.

As for scripts you can find an exact copy of shooting scripts pretty easily. I bought "Casablanca" and "Chinatown". Like I said they are exact copies of the shooting script and not one of those scripts you buy at the book store--so they have the correct format. You can buy them from Script City www.scriptcity.net

Good Luck

[Matt Green]

Okay thanks everybody, I'm slowly learning everything. Could somebody give me a couple of tips on the storyline ect.?

[deanl]

Hey there.

"why not? Cause its not regulation, or they told you not to in a book? B.S!"

I think people here are talking about spec scripts and the "RULES" You must follow to get them read.

It's not bull **** at all. If you as an unknown write a screenplay and try and get it read. Writing camera directions will hurt the chances of it's succsess.

But if you are writing a screenplay for one of your own productions then write it however you want to write it. It doesnt matter. Put in as much detail as you like. I do sometimes because it helps get the pictures out of your head and on paper.

Paul Anderson and Tarantino can write scripts however they want them to know because they WILL get made no matter how they look.

But for someone who wants an agent or to sell a script there ARE rules that HAVE to be followed.

Despin out.

[redlum]

Yes?

Trivial: Unknowns have very little (tiny) chance of getting their scripts made.

[GREATwarEAGLE]

Well said, Despin.

Even when writing scripts I intend to direct myself, I still never mention camera direction for a few reasons:

Just to get in the habit since rarely will my scripts ever be for my eyes only. And the cast and very minimal crew reading the script don't need to know camera direction since the scripts I do intend to make myself are (extremely guerilla) shorts. I certainly can't afford to produce a full length on my own. Even if I'd like to direct it down the road, I'm still gonna need to shop it around.

Planning camera placement and direction is an involved process on it's own. I might initially have an idea for camera, then change my mind several times, all the while the script remains the same. Also, you'll often need to scout locations or build the set beforehand. How can you properly plan camera when you don't even know the dimensions of the space you're dealing with?

Writing the script and planning camera direction and placement are two separate concerns.

[GREATwarEAGLE]

Camera direction also just gets in the way. Plain and simple. Unless you're part of the camera crew, you're not gonna get anything from reading camera direction in a screenplay.

A screenplay is a blueprint for the story. Written camera direction is a blueprint on how to tell the story.
Reading two blueprints at once is one distraction from the other.

[belovedmonster]

would you say that writing something taking place in slow motion was ok? or would that be directing in the script?