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Post by Pharozonk on Aug 16, 2017 11:55:07 GMT -5
I've been dabbling in screenplay writing lately with two features currently in the works. Cool. I honestly have no idea how to write a screenplay. But I've had an idea for one I've always wanted to write. But then again, I'm lazy. Just see my review thread. If it's formatting knowledge that's holding you back, there's actually quite a few resources online on that stuff. I only started a few months ago, but was able to pick up on it pretty quickly. Here are a few sites that helped me out: screenwriting.io/what-is-standard-screenplay-format/www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/As far as software, I recommend using the free version of WriterDuet. It's cloud based so you don't have to download a program and you get 3 free scripts on the free version.  |
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Post by Jesse on Aug 17, 2017 11:59:19 GMT -5
In my script writing class "back-in-the-day" we watched Sister Act when we learned about the Syd Field paradigm and the Fish-out-of-water trope. We had to identify all of the plot points and no one got all of them correct either a tough exercise.
We also learned to write screenplay format by repeatedly watching a scene from My Cousin Vinny over and over again. The scene where they pull their car up to the curb and talk to a guy about mud in their tires. I will never ever forget that scene.
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Post by Pharozonk on Aug 17, 2017 13:48:23 GMT -5
I feel you there, mrp. Act II is always the hardest to write because it's usually the least interesting part of the story. Most of my passion is spent in the first act so I rush through the second act and just kind of skim on the meat of the story.
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Post by junkmonkey on Aug 18, 2017 1:49:11 GMT -5
I can recommend taking a look at How NOT to Write Screenplays by Denny Martin Flinn, the first 2/3rds of which, a whistle-stop tour of commonly seen screenwriting errors, is probably the most useful part.
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Post by Jesse on Apr 7, 2018 12:23:18 GMT -5
Have been trying to write a couple paragraphs every weekend in this short story that I've been working on for the past few years. I've just now been working on the mid-way point and I've also got the epilogue started as well. I will probably publish it on my website when I do finish it and post a link to it because I find constructive feedback pretty helpful.
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Post by Jesse on Jun 24, 2018 12:34:16 GMT -5
So if anyone is still interested I mostly finished the first rough draft of a short story I've been sporadically been working on. It's loosely based on a dream I had and what was unique about it is that it was the only dream I ever had where I was in space. So I wanted to play with that concept as it seemed something ominous was happening around me that I couldn't quite place. The working title is Bleak Moon and it's a science fiction and horror story about mining asteroids in deepspace where something goes terribly awry. I've including the initial paradigm that helped me to continue plotting out the story but will also spoil it for readers. One thing I haven't decided on yet is the name of the corporation the characters work for which I've inserted notes about to remind myself later. I'd like to rewrite this story a few times as I continue to really find my voice as a writer seeing as it's really the first time dipping my toes into creative writing outside of poetry. Any constructive criticism is highly appreciated. Thanks in advance. |
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Post by junkmonkey on Jun 25, 2018 18:17:38 GMT -5
I haven't read the whole story but a couple of things whacked me in the face right off:
One: Present tense. I for one find reading prose in the present tense a real pain. Present tense is for screenplays. Prose fiction usually comes in the past tense. Whichever you chose though you should be consistent:
Two. I would cut all the "opines", "questions", "replies" etc and replace them with "said". (Or "says" if you want to keep it present tense.)
Keep it simple. Let the dialogue do the work. If, for example, what the character is saying ends in a question mark we don't need to be told that he "inquired", "asked" or whatever. It's a question. What else can you do with a question but ask it?
If the character is answering a question he's just been asked we don't need to be told "he answered" or "he replied" it is implicit. If for some story/development reason the character has to answers 'hesitatingly' or 'uncertainly' then tell us - but use it sparingly. Make it count.
I think you mean 'data'. 'Data' is plural. 'Datum' is singular. It wouldn't take long to review a single piece of information.
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Post by Jesse on Jun 26, 2018 17:17:46 GMT -5
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