Ok, i just found out Im not a writer...

Beat Takeshi

Beat Takeshi

Two-Hip Shakur
I have this idea in my head and I can see some of the scenes clearly and I know exactly where I want to take it but I have had this word document open for a few days now with exactly 3 words on it. I can talk about what I want and I can explain the details but WTF, I cant write crap. My normal style of writing is first person narrative and descriptive but to change that to scene one... late morning, fade from black to blah blah blah is proving very difficult. YIKES!
 
Re: Ok, i just found out Im not a writer...

So write the treatment in first-person narrative. It's a place to start.
 
Re: Ok, i just found out Im not a writer...

:D Love the Sig!

Sigh...

Writing. The mere thought of writing always brings me back to the saying "I hate to write, but love to have written".

It's simply torture. I am a huge believer in Knowing where you need to go before writing. It's like sitting in the driveway getting ready for the road trip but no one knows where they want to go.

You just gotta get through it. Sometimes, when I'm stuck in a scene (Usually around Page 40 I feel the need to go beat the dog) I'll jump down the road and write a scene that I already know is coming. I find it the hardest in the middle for some reason.

Sometimes, you just gotta walk away and free your mind up. Go do something completely not film related and get out of the house. Suddenly, it hits you and you have to tell the hooker you gotta go.

Are you using any Scriptwriting software or just going WORD DOC style?

Just take it one page at a time. How do you want to open it? Do you have a HOOK scene?

It doesnt have to be perfect; there will be inevitable re-writes, so dont worry if it not perfect.

We are here to help! We are your DVX MUses!
 
Re: Ok, i just found out Im not a writer...

"(Usually around Page 40 I feel the need to go beat the dog) " another to-be-famous quote? Haha, I should be able to get it done twice as fast then since I have 2 dogs to beat.
You should see the John Hudson quote tattoo in old english letters across my back.
I am using word to start the idea flow, I have final draft or what ever the name of it is but I figured I want to get a flow first plus I have to dig around to find the box. It seems the opening shot is the hardest to figure out. I know once I jump this hurdle it will be all down hill from there. Well maybe not downhill, uphill with a motor. This will be my first attempt at a short on my own so I dont know what the logistics are with film festivals and giving out info on what you are working on. I kind of remember reading somewhere that once you work has been publically viewed anywhere, some festivals wont except it. I do need the help though it seems to get me going. Whats the standard with this?
 
Re: Ok, i just found out Im not a writer...

Well, if you need help from us cohorts, PM the info and I'd love to help (If that is what you are saying). :)

Are you worried about CAMERA/SHOT descriptions? At this point I wouldnt stress to much on having it all blocked out. Although when I write and something comes to mind regarding a SHOT DESC I'll definatley make note as not to forget.

Then again, I am huge on Storyboarding, so after a final draft Im all over the Storyboarding Preproduction part.
 
Re: Ok, i just found out Im not a writer...

I wouldn't worry too much about shot or camera descriptions, anyway, unless they're critical to the story (like a necessary close shot on a TV screen or something). Now, if you're going to be directing it yourself, it might be OK for reference purposes, but any director making a movie from your script is most likely going to ignore your shot or camera descriptions anyway. And, even if you're directing it yourself, you might do the same once you get to storyboarding. Better to describe it as you would a medium shot. It's the story that's crucial at this stage, not the camera angles.
 
Re: Ok, i just found out Im not a writer...

I have the perfect book for you.

"How To Write A Movie In 28 Days" by Viki King.

It was written for someone exactly like you, someone who has a story burning in their heart but don't know what to do with it. It's a great book, might help you quite a bit.
 
Re: Ok, i just found out Im not a writer...

Thanks Barry, I will take a look at that today if I get a chance to stop in B&N.
Thanks John, the PMs are helping getting me started to lay down the foundation.
 
Re: Ok, i just found out Im not a writer...

my wife said she saw that book in a bookstore the other day.. and i said.. "bah" ..well basically thats what i said anyway. im pretty hardend to anything claiming to teach somthing in 10 easy steps or whatnot, but now im inclined to give it a look. :)
my screenwriting skills are ok already, but in everything there is room for improvement. thanks for the tip barry!
 
Re: Ok, i just found out Im not a writer...

I found the book utterly amazing, because a) I was very skeptical based on the title, and b) it takes such a different approach. It teaches the basics of structure and story layout, but basically it teaches you how to get your head (technical thinking) out of the way of your heart (creative/right side thinking) so you can "channel" the story that's burning inside you onto the page. Then, it goes through and re-engages the "head" (left side/analytical) to do the rewrite.

Trust me, I was skeptical, but after reading it and employing its methods I think my writing got much, much better. I found it fascinating, although I have yet to complete a full script in just 21 days... usually takes six months or so... but even so, especially for someone who's stuck like Oppressor, I think it might be the ideal approach.
 
Barry_Green said:
I found the book utterly amazing, because a) I was very skeptical based on the title, and b) it takes such a different approach. It teaches the basics of structure and story layout, but basically it teaches you how to get your head (technical thinking) out of the way of your heart (creative/right side thinking) so you can "channel" the story that's burning inside you onto the page. Then, it goes through and re-engages the "head" (left side/analytical) to do the rewrite.

Trust me, I was skeptical, but after reading it and employing its methods I think my writing got much, much better. I found it fascinating, although I have yet to complete a full script in just 21 days... usually takes six months or so... but even so, especially for someone who's stuck like Oppressor, I think it might be the ideal approach.
Click to expand...

Okay, so I know I dug this one up out of the vault...but I thought your recommendation and comments were worthwhile to bring back. Its a book I'll be looking for this weekend. :)

Thanks,
T
 
Every writer goes through the same thing. We sit and stare at a page. We
want to feed the page, give it life, but alas, our brains struggle to express
the visions we have in our mind's eye. So what do we do? We get on
screenwriting message boards and discuss how we have writer's block.

A gathering ensues in which others share their similiar plights. Then in the end,
we return to our page, and stare at it for a long good while, then we go watch
t.v.

You'll get it down, eventually.
 
i dont believe i've seen so many moderaters comment on one thread before =)

i'm checking out the book barry suggested, myself. looks promising!
-kyle
 
Sometimes I think people should just admit they're not writers and just hire one. I'm all for trying to learn and reach and stretch our abilities. Hey, if someone tells me that I can't be a director I'd say, screw off and just watch me. But writing is a weird weird ability, and I've seen lots of people who can't do it and won't ever.

Nevertheless, I would say that someone who stares at a blank page and questions whether they're a writer sounds a lot more like a "real writer" to me than thes guy who never question it. It's not easy. Until you've really tried (and suffered) you won't know. Too early to give up yet man. You could surprise yourself.

EDIT: Oh! I just realized the original post is from 2004. Okay, well if you still only have those 3 words on the page, you're not a writer.
 
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Kyle Stebbins said:
i dont believe i've seen so many moderaters comment on one thread before =)

i'm checking out the book barry suggested, myself. looks promising!
-kyle
Click to expand...

I was thinking this same thing...

I wonder if it's because, A: There wasn't as many threads rolling around and B: Most Moderators were probably a lot like you guys, just helpful folks that always wanted to help out and leave a comment and then later on they become moderators.

...and now there too busy making there own production companies and taking over the world with Jack Stanley:laugh:
 
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