Ah, the writing stage...

Watching some of the HorrorFest films that had bad, confusing, or no story was painful. But at least there was cool stuff to look at. This is a drama competition. Nothing to fall back on like blood or scary elements or cool sci-fi stuff. You have to have a great story.

Why spend a ton of time and money with production to end up with a film that you think is "just okay" writing wise? Don't feel pressured into having to write it yourself, especially if writing is not your strong suite. A lot of your big directors don't write. They direct. They leave the writing to the writers. If you're not a writer, focus on the directing and leave all that fade in stuff for the people who want careers in screenwriting.

You can check out a great screenwriting site called DONE DEAL and read through the Script Pages board. See if you connect with any of the writing there and then send the writer a PM tell them about the DVXUser fest. See if you can get them to write you a six page script. The best part for the writer is that the script WILL be produced. There are a lot of great writers who would do it just to for the credit and to see their writing come to life, me included.
 
That's good advice, and I should heed it. I really just want to become a better writer myself, and the best way to do that is to read books, listen to advice, and write material. In the end, there is just something about directing the film that YOU wrote that just feels fantastic.

Thanks, StormFactory for chiming in! I appreciate it.
-Kyle
 
The script is finished. Now comes the fun part of going back through it and marking sections with the "What the heck was I thinking?" checkmark. Then do some fine polishing and what not, and see if it's going to make sense.

Since most drama is character driven, how much direction are you giving the actors in your script
(aka
ERIC (with anger and remorse)
Why Lord, WHY?!)
 
The script is finished. Now comes the fun part of going back through it and marking sections with the "What the heck was I thinking?" checkmark. Then do some fine polishing and what not, and see if it's going to make sense.

Since most drama is character driven, how much direction are you giving the actors in your script
(aka
ERIC (with anger and remorse)
Why Lord, WHY?!)
 
The script is finished. Now comes the fun part of going back through it and marking sections with the "What the heck was I thinking?" checkmark. Then do some fine polishing and what not, and see if it's going to make sense.

Since most drama is character driven, how much direction description are you giving the actors in your script?
aka

ERIC (with anger and remorse, feeling guilt and shame for what he did)
Why Lord, WHY?!)

I think you have to find a good balance. You have to be able to convey how they are supposed to be feeling in the script, but you also want some room for the actor to interperet and come up with something that they can work with.
 
I have not put all of the (crying) kinda stage directions in mine. But, I am acting in it, so... I kinda hear it in my head already, so....

Jason
 
MiataFilmSomething said:
Since most drama is character driven, how much direction description are you giving the actors in your script?
aka

ERIC (with anger and remorse, feeling guilt and shame for what he did)
Why Lord, WHY?!)

I think you have to find a good balance. You have to be able to convey how they are supposed to be feeling in the script, but you also want some room for the actor to interperet and come up with something that they can work with.
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Actors, in general, don't want to see direction like that. It should be fairly obvious from the screenplay. If they don't pick up on it, then that's a direction you (or the director) will give the actor either a) during rehearsal or b) on the set.
 
My aproach to writing is this...I take long baths with one candle and I listen to cuts of music mostly orchestral from other films or from Edgen, real mood music. During the bath I let the music just sort of spark my imagination until something pops out. Sometimes a glass of wine or beer helps put me in a more relaxed state. I have now got my rough draft done with exception of the final scene which should take one mpre bath:)
 
I really want to enter this fest but have no idea yet.

Im going to spend this weekend doing some serious thinking..... with xmas around the corner i sense people are going to be pushed on this one..
 
Here's a little tidbit to spark the creative juices (I can't remember where I read it, but it always comes in handy). Here it is:


We see Character A and Character B. The last person they want to see at the moment is Character C.

In walks Character C.



John G.
 
Darkline said:
I really want to enter this fest but have no idea yet.

Im going to spend this weekend doing some serious thinking..... with xmas around the corner i sense people are going to be pushed on this one..
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Please don't let me down, Darkline... I want to see your follow-up! That last one scared the crap out of me. I want to see you hand at drama!

Feel free to bounce ideas. I would love to help! But you HAVE to enter in dramafest!!!

Ted
 
cinealma said:
Here's a little tidbit to spark the creative juices (I can't remember where I read it, but it always comes in handy). Here it is:


We see Character A and Character B. The last person they want to see at the moment is Character C.

In walks Character C.



John G.
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Hey John, are you entering DramaFest?
 
tommyinla said:
Hey John, are you entering DramaFest?
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You betcha. I'm trying to decide between a couple of story ideas. One's pretty much together, the other isn't but it intrigues me a bit more. Hm, maybe I'll make two.:)

Decisions, decisions, decisions...


John G.
 
cinealma said:
You betcha. I'm trying to decide between a couple of story ideas. One's pretty much together, the other isn't but it intrigues me a bit more. Hm, maybe I'll make two.:)

Decisions, decisions, decisions...


John G.
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I say go ahead and do both! :)

Either way, I think you've got a great film style and look forward to whatever you come up with... :)
 
Kyle Stebbins said:
I second all of that! You are truly an auter, my friend! I say enter both, without a doubt.

-Kyle
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Um.... Kyle, I'd hate to have to say this but... "Auter"... no, no, I think you mean... "Auteur", I mean honestly, I'm sick of your spelling mistakes. It has to stop, okay.:grin:
 
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