scripts

[james 1]

does anyone have a script that theyd be willing to donate to me? im having a really hard time writing one.

i was just wondering if theres any script writers that have written something good, but cant make it in to a film. pretty much all my scripts suck and theres no point in starting the long hard process of making a film with a script that i hate and i dont have any friends who could write one for me. i know its a lot to ask but if anyone does have some thing that theyd like to just hand over to me id be very greatful.

[MatJimMood]

I don't think you're going to have any luck.
No one is going to want to just give you a script.

Buy or borrow some screenwriting books. They contain exercises and helpful hints to help get you to think more creatively.

Just practice writing scripts even if you think they're shit. They will start it get better eventually.

It will be a lot more satisfying making a film from a script that you have written yourself rather than relying on someone elses creativity.

[deanl]

Hey there.

I pretty much totally disagree with the above.

If you don't want to write screenplays or don't have any ideas. THEN DON'T WRITE A SCREENPLAY.

There are already a million bad writers forcing themselves to write their own lame stories when they don't even have a story to tell, for the sole reason that it's "cool" or the "in" thing all of a sudden to be a writer/director or a screenwriter.

If you have a burning desire to tell a story then cool. Do it. Or even better hook up with someone who is a good writer and work with them. But if you don't there is nothing wrong with just wanting to direct. There is nothing wrong with telling other peoples stories.

True, you might not find a script on this board. But there ARE a whole bunch of writers that have no interest in directing their scripts. I think what you need to do is sell yourself. Not just ask anonymously and randomly on film making forum (although you never know) for someone to hand over their work.

Tell people who you are, what you have done or are planning to do. How old are you? Do you have any money? What equipment do you have? Do you have actors? Or will it just be you and your mates running around with a video camera?

The more professional and serious you are taking things the more likely a writer is going to allow you to use their work. After all they are writing screenplays. They want to see their stuff on screen.

"It will be a lot more satisfying making a film from a script that you have written yourself rather than relying on someone else's creativity."

But it's not about "relying on someone else's creativity" He may be full to the brim with his own creativity but just not have his own story to tell.

Whatever happened to having great directors AND great writers?

Do you think Spielberg is less satisfied of Schindler's List or Jaws because he didn't write the scripts?

Casablanca, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Rear Window, Psycho, Silence of the Lambs, It's a Wonderful Life, To Kill a Mockingbird, Taxi Drive Chinatown, Se7en.. All FANTASTIC films directed by directors who didn't have their own story to tell and decided to work with GREAT writers to make GREAT movies. Do you think they are any less Satisfied with those movies because they never wrote them? Would you say David Fincher is lacking in creativity?

There is this theory all of a sudden that all the "greats" were writer/directors. But if you look at the truly great movies it's rarely the case. Sure there are genius's out there. But they are not the norm.

Despin out.

[crookedfeatures]

I have to agree with Despin on this one and I seriously wouldn't buy a book on writing scripts. No amount of text books will give you a good story to tell. Besides you can download tons of scripts from the net and learn from reading other peoples work how the technical side of screenwriting is done. Here's a good place to start:

http://www.script-o-rama.com/

Also I believe they have a section where (so far) unsuccesful writers post their scripts. You may find something or someone there who will help you out. I've read a few and some are good and some are really bad. There were two scripts by a guy called mike byrne on there that really stood out. I tried to contact him about 5 years ago and he never responded but there are some talented writers around.
I have a number of scripts I'd donate for a cut of any profits ;-) but without more details about who you are, where you are and what your history/plans/goals/equipment/contacts are like I'll hang on to them and I think most other writers will do the same.

[MatJimMood]

I wasn't speaking about filmmaking in general.

I was refering specifically to the situation that James 1 is in. He may not have the desire to write a screenplay but he does have the desire to make a film.
The fact is that when you first start making films you have to rely on yourself to come up with ideas and get something made because no one else is going to give a shit.

I certainly don't think that great filmmakers are all writer/directors.

[jitesh]

Hey James,
I wud donate U a script or write U one, if U give me
- the details of what U want to do abt it?
- if U want to make a film, why for?
- the details of what U have done so far?

[james 1]

thanks for the feedback. i realise that there wasnt a lot of information in my 1st post i just wanted to see if asking for a script was a fesible idea.

i love making films and i think im pretty good at it, i can get the ideas but never follow it through in script form. its like a chicken and egg thing, i want to make a film but i need a script, the thing is i cant write them. so i dont really mind what the scripts about i just want something to film, i figure the more i do the better ill get. the thing is i have very little money and most of the actors would have to be my friends. Im 17 years old so thats about the age of the actors although some could pass for 20. ive made a 3 short films and a doctumentary and its fairly proffessional, not just some teenagers messing around with a camera. so if anyone is interested in me any scripts my e-mail adress is [email protected]

[jitesh]

James,
Agreed(May be) U are a great film maker. But the ppl on this forum are good too. So when U ask for film scripts, they are the ones who a favor. They wud like to see your work. So no one wud ever ctc on the mail that u gave. So let every one know what kinda work u have done and then get in touch with the members to see what can be worked out abt the script....

- Jitesh

[MatJimMood]

Hey James,

If you're getting good ideas but have trouble turning them into a script you've at least got a starting point.

You could try writing a script based on one of your ideas then post it here. We could all provide feedback and give you advice on how to improve it.

But if you really don't want to write you could give the idea and basic story to someone here who would be interested in writing a script for you. Theres plenty of people who want to write but can't always get the ideas. If your idea was really interesting i'm sure people here would jump at it.

[Tongachud]

Hey James, I've got a script for you.
He's a plumber down on his luck earning a living making house calls, he has a 11" penis. She's a lonely housewife with boiler trouble, she has large breasts.

I'll give you the last shot:
Cum pumps from his throbbing member, bleary c/up of her - spunk bubbling around her lips. She winks to camera, fade to black. FIN

A work in progress but I'm sure it's the right script for you.

tonga