30 pages screenplay

Re: 30 pages screenplay

Okay, this is about me, I am just averse to starting new threads unledd necessary...

I was revising a 30 page screenplay last night. I had sat down with a guy I really respect, and gone over it page by page. I had never done that before. At least not to the degree I did with him. We beat the crap out of, which is what I believe you should do. You have to be brutal in revision. Nothing is sacred. The stuff that stands up is solid. So I was excited about the revision. I sent it off to him. He says he that he doesn't really see any signifigant changes. I made nearly every change we talked about, lost a whole uneccesary scene, tightened up the dialogue and sharpened the identity of the characters. In the end it was over 4 pages shorter. Now understand that I didn't make theses changes for him, I did it because they made the script better. I just don't get how he doesn't see the changes, as there were dozens and dozens of them.

Anyway, I'm just blowing off steam.
 
Re: 30 pages screenplay

Sounds like you killed your darlings. (The stuff which you like in a script but which is unnecessary to furthering a story) Maybe you need another reader with fresh perspective? It might be good to find someone fresh, have them read it and then compare their comments with the ones from the first draft. If the same issues come up then you know that you're not quite there yet.

I find that some readers have a short shelf life when it comes to helping you revise. Fresh eyes might do the trick.
 
Re: 30 pages screenplay

Yea, I sent the new version out to two sets of fresh eyes this morning. I find myself very open to criticism. I like to have my work challenged. It makes the script better. What I don't like is when people don't listen (or don't read, as the case may be).
 
Re: 30 pages screenplay

so I am finished the short story at 12 pages...

I probably would have written more, but when I went to save it at one point last night.. Final Draft being the unstable program it is for me... likes to crash after I save.. everytime.. but sometimes it crashes before it can save... so poof... 4 pages of pretty solid writing gone...

I was monumently pissed off.. had to re-write those pages.. then just ran out of gas..

we shall see what my teacher thinks of it.. if he likes it.. i will develop it further..
 
Re: 30 pages screenplay

Man I get so pissed when that happens. I am a neurotic maniac now when it comes to saving stuff. WHen I rewrite, I save everytime I make a change, both to the HD and a floppy.

Final Draft has a setting to automatically save as well. You can set it to certain time increments where it will back up the file (or ask you if you want it to)
 
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