I need resources for crime movie

[Hannibleking]

I have typed out a script for a feature about a hitman. Its a preliminary draft and will need several revisions. But for my second revision I want to work on specifics and details. For that I need resource sites. Does anyone have any resource sites because I have scoured the net and get nothing in google search and so I checked out barnes and nobel (the store, havent checked the website) and still nothing usefull. So im sure there are some scriptwriters here that have had to do crime research. So I was wondering if anyone has any links. Im looking for storys of modern(post 1980's) successful hitmen (dead or alive) but, other research would be helpful as well. If not then mabey if someone had alternative ideas that would be nice.

 

[McLeish]

I dont know how reputable it is, but theres http://www.crimelibrary.com/
But check your local library (i think i aged 40 years just typing that), but because you can have any book in the system sent to your closest library, its convenient but most of all its dirt cheap.

 

[mrblue1022]

Check out http://blackmarketpress.net/info/books/HitManOnLine.htm

This is a book originally published in 1983, but after it was claimed to have been used to commit a triple murder in the early nineties the publisher surrendered all the rights to the book to avoid further law suites. The original author still owns the copyright but since the book was written under a pseudonym, the book has been reproduced over and over on the internet and the author doesn't speak up assumingly to avoid law suites as well.

 

[Jim Brennan]

Authenticity is important (and I applaud your diligence), but I would suggest a couple of things.

1) Be careful how much you focus on methods. Obviously if a certain point is essential to the plot, then it should be valid. But don't get too wrapped up in it. Facts support story telling, but are not the foundation of it. Even today's sophisticated audiences are willing to suspend a certain disbelief about exactly how thngs are done, and most prefer a good story over meticulous authenticity. Creating believable, interesting and sympathetic characters in a believeable universe will go a lot farther in hooking a viewer than using the right caliber of bullet.

2) Imagination is key. Did we need to know how the horse head got in Jack Woltz's bed? No. In fact not knowing made it more interesting. Naturally, some facts have to be brought to light, but don't overdo it.

3) All that being said, I have a bunch of books from Writer's Press about poisons, police procedure, scams, forensics, etc. that talk about a lot of that stuff. They have been helpful, but to be honest, not nearly as helpful on the whole as reading a lot of Elmore Leonard novels.

I hope I am not coming across wrong. I am going through a similar challenge trying to figure out ways to poison people who are patients, and have it easily mistaken for something else. So I know what you mean. But I got really wrapped up in the facts and found myself contriving things to fit, and began to lose my story in the process.

Hope that helps, but feel free to ignore it.

 

[Bleepthis]

Hi its hannibleking here my accounts messed up, I can log in but I just get a message that says I cant access this page. So im having to use an alternate account. I've heard of other people having this problem when trying to upload files and thats what I was doing when it happened, but I havent found out how to fix it.

So anyway yes I agree a good plot should not be sacrificed for the sake of complete realism. Also who are we especially as filmmakers to say whats real and whats not. Its all about perspective, whats real to me may not be real to a viewer of my film. A very matrix like take on things but non the less true.

 

[kimko]

go into the iceman he was on 60 min.