screenplay EXERCISE

[mjtate]

Yeah, why not?
Instead of a set idea, like those suggested, why not have an avent, such as man wakes up one day with a donkey in his bed, or a case full of money, or another man, then everyone can have a go at telling us how it/he got there.
W

[spaceham]

sounds good. if we could agree on one subject that could work pretty well. i think i'd have to go with war eagle's suggestion of the 'relationships' type thing just because it's a simple but universal premise everyone would be able to relate to. if we can find a topic, i'm in.

[GREATwarEAGLE]

It's nice to see a bunch of our amateur, original scripts popping up on this forum. I had one listed myself, but because I failed to update - Poof - it's gone. I don't have it in me to transcribe it again.

Oh well.

But because of the amount of scripts showing up, and the other topics about "how to write", "techniques", etc, I thought of a simple exercise to try.

At first it sounds like a contest, and perhaps if you look at it that way it may encourage more quality. But it isn't meant to be a contest. Just an exercise.

Those of us interested - we each write a 10 page screenplay based on the exact same subject. Post it. Read everyone's different version. And learn.

It's that simple.

We observe everyone's different way of handling the exact same material. It's like a screenplay class for free.

I know some of you will say,"Oh I don't have time to waste with your petty exercise. I've got projects of my own to worry about."

Hey. 10 pages. It ain't gonna kill you. And I think it will help all of us who are serious about improving our screenwriting skills.

The only problem is agreeing on the material. I think perhaps we should choose a true story we are all familiar with. Or maybe a specific scenario. Like:

-boyfriend caught cheating, tries to explain to his girlfriend

-girlfriend caught cheating...

-drug addict or gambling addict or alcoholic betrays family to get his fix

I don't know. These are just some basic ideas. Whatever it is, it's gotta have conflict.

Then set a deadline. I think a month is fair.
Anyone interested? Any ideas? Suggestions?

[GREATwarEAGLE]

3 people interested so far.

GREATwarEAGLE
doogie
spaceham

I'm sure there's a few more of you out there.

[deanl]

Hey there.

I'm up for it. I just dont think much of the ideas so far.

Despin out.

[emjen]

I'm in. I think this is a cool idea, it was mentioned before though. If we're going to do this then we'll have to make some rules.

- maximum 10 pages
- you hear the subject on (lets say friday) and have it finished one week later
- each week someone else determines the subject we write about

that sounds kinda right, doesnt it?

[Generic Skinhead]

I'll do it too, but as Despin alluded,it might be hard to agree on a subject matter...I could give you one of the screenwriting exercises from film school if you're really stuck. We get a premise and some charachters and then of we go. [img]frown.gif[/img]

[ac_01]

I'm in. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[emjen]

and of course, as a rule, we all have to comment on eachothers screenplays. It would be kind of useless if we didnt, eh?

things we still have to determine:

- the time we get to finish the screenplay
- the subjects

I think 2 weeks is more than enough. If we're going to do this more times (and i think we will) then we shouldnt make too much a fuzz about the subjects. One person makes up something, and everything agrees. It's not possible to make an idea perfect for everyone, but thats life.

[GREATwarEAGLE]

GREATwarEAGLE
doogie
spaceham
Despin entertainment
emjen
Generic Skinhead
ac_01

...the usual suspects.
Anyone else? Even if your new to the forum - jump in. Won't cost you anything.

Alright. Well, as far as the subject matter. I've made a few suggestions, as did doogie.
Anyone else have ideas? I'm pretty much willing to do whatever.

The sooner we agree on something the sooner we can write. Come on. Speak up. Look alive.