leepback
Well-known member
Ok here’s some comments from a newcomer that missed the fest but was so interested in getting in on the carnival atmosphere that Lawrie mentioned above, that I wrote something anyway, my very first written script (see my sig).
Hell I aint even a writer but this looked like a hoot.
I realise this is a place to learn and hone one’s skills so I hope this doesn't come across as too harsh but as mentioned many times here "candy coating" doesn't help, so.......
Many of the scripts I read and I've now read most, were fairly clichéd (probably including my own) and lacking a real need to be told. Several had a thin premise padded out with actions and some flowery descriptions. As I said I'm new here with a hell of a lot to learn but I thought a lot of these presented more like short stories that may be made into films rather than actual scripts.
I am probably way off target but for example to describe in detail the type of sweat on someone’s brow seems a little excessive as I thought the director of the film would make the call as to how that was presented and a simple line like “sweat develops on his brow” would suffice. I think the writer in many of you tries too hard to make it sound good rather than think about what the audience is actually seeing and how your writing will affect that vision. Hey don’t get me wrong I read some great descriptive wordings and they were cleverly written but I thought that they were only supposed to be instructions for the filmmakers. OK if it gives it a bit of an atmosphere then perhaps so.
As for the clichéd, saloons, trains, bandits and excellent marksmanship that meant every shot was in the middle of the forehead, that’s probably very understandable for a couple of reasons. Firstly the need to include a gunfight often puts us down that path and secondly the only experience or knowledge most of us have of that era is the movies we have seen in the past, all recycled thousands of times. Sure we could do some research but as it looks like most had trouble coming up with the time to even finish it so I doubt many had a lot of time for such research and a new angle. To find something fresh in this well covered genre would be amazing but I think a few people have done a relatively good job in that area.
With regard to these being scripts for later filming, I’m sure many of you are limiting the feasibility of this ever happening due to the extreme costs associated with shooting such outrageous action scenes. Sure the genre once again can account for this but there are only a few here that could be done on a tight budget. I suppose it comes down to what you want out of this. Personally this is just a fun occasional hobby and I have no expectations but even so I try and develop things that could be filmed at a no budget level. Perhaps the freedom of this just being a scriptfest allows everybody’s sensibilities to run away from him or her and maybe I should just join that mindset and write big as well.
Another thing that has been mentioned many times is the grammar and spelling. I’m not so hot myself and do use spell checker when I remember but jeez there were some bad errors out there. Can’t believe how many people use the wrong “there” “their” and “they’re” or “to” and “too” and even “then” and “than”. Sometimes it’s a typo but then it’s repeated several times. I accept typos and word misuse in threads, sms and emails but surely a submitted script should near perfect in this sense.
As for formatting I’m a total beginner and just cherry-picked what looked correct but it does seem a good idea to get this down as best one can. I’ll be looking at CELTEX(?) and having a play with it to get better at this side of things.
OK, I’ve probably been a bit too big for my boots and will get my Comeuppance any minute now and feel the hot lead from somebody’s double barrel. Anyways it has been a fun introduction to your forum and scriptwriting fest and many thanks to those that did take the extra time to read and comment on my script knowing full well that it wasn’t in the competition.
When does voting start or has it already and I just can see where. Do you have to be in the comp to vote?
Good luck to all and I can’t wait for the next fest.
BTW: Lawrie has this post got rid of my “blitheness” yet?
Hell I aint even a writer but this looked like a hoot.
I realise this is a place to learn and hone one’s skills so I hope this doesn't come across as too harsh but as mentioned many times here "candy coating" doesn't help, so.......
Many of the scripts I read and I've now read most, were fairly clichéd (probably including my own) and lacking a real need to be told. Several had a thin premise padded out with actions and some flowery descriptions. As I said I'm new here with a hell of a lot to learn but I thought a lot of these presented more like short stories that may be made into films rather than actual scripts.
I am probably way off target but for example to describe in detail the type of sweat on someone’s brow seems a little excessive as I thought the director of the film would make the call as to how that was presented and a simple line like “sweat develops on his brow” would suffice. I think the writer in many of you tries too hard to make it sound good rather than think about what the audience is actually seeing and how your writing will affect that vision. Hey don’t get me wrong I read some great descriptive wordings and they were cleverly written but I thought that they were only supposed to be instructions for the filmmakers. OK if it gives it a bit of an atmosphere then perhaps so.
As for the clichéd, saloons, trains, bandits and excellent marksmanship that meant every shot was in the middle of the forehead, that’s probably very understandable for a couple of reasons. Firstly the need to include a gunfight often puts us down that path and secondly the only experience or knowledge most of us have of that era is the movies we have seen in the past, all recycled thousands of times. Sure we could do some research but as it looks like most had trouble coming up with the time to even finish it so I doubt many had a lot of time for such research and a new angle. To find something fresh in this well covered genre would be amazing but I think a few people have done a relatively good job in that area.
With regard to these being scripts for later filming, I’m sure many of you are limiting the feasibility of this ever happening due to the extreme costs associated with shooting such outrageous action scenes. Sure the genre once again can account for this but there are only a few here that could be done on a tight budget. I suppose it comes down to what you want out of this. Personally this is just a fun occasional hobby and I have no expectations but even so I try and develop things that could be filmed at a no budget level. Perhaps the freedom of this just being a scriptfest allows everybody’s sensibilities to run away from him or her and maybe I should just join that mindset and write big as well.
Another thing that has been mentioned many times is the grammar and spelling. I’m not so hot myself and do use spell checker when I remember but jeez there were some bad errors out there. Can’t believe how many people use the wrong “there” “their” and “they’re” or “to” and “too” and even “then” and “than”. Sometimes it’s a typo but then it’s repeated several times. I accept typos and word misuse in threads, sms and emails but surely a submitted script should near perfect in this sense.
As for formatting I’m a total beginner and just cherry-picked what looked correct but it does seem a good idea to get this down as best one can. I’ll be looking at CELTEX(?) and having a play with it to get better at this side of things.
OK, I’ve probably been a bit too big for my boots and will get my Comeuppance any minute now and feel the hot lead from somebody’s double barrel. Anyways it has been a fun introduction to your forum and scriptwriting fest and many thanks to those that did take the extra time to read and comment on my script knowing full well that it wasn’t in the competition.
When does voting start or has it already and I just can see where. Do you have to be in the comp to vote?
Good luck to all and I can’t wait for the next fest.
BTW: Lawrie has this post got rid of my “blitheness” yet?
