I have a script up for grabs

tpludow

tpludow

Member
Hey there!
I had a buddy who wants to enter this contest so I wrote him a script but he felt it was too long.

The script is 9 pages long
probably has room to be cut down even more. Some pages are consisted of mainly character description, or actions for the actors to do, so I don't feel that it's too long as far as dialogue.

I have the script available, edited fairly well, and ready to send in a pdf document.

It was created on Final Draft 8 so the structure and organization should be sound.

If you want a copy let me know, either PM me or email me at couz_taylor@hotmail.com

If you do decide to use the script there are 4 conditions (nothing major) that need to be followed to the letter.

1. any changes to the original script requires informing me (I relinquish creative control over your film but I want to be informed of any changes to my original material)
2. credit in the film for writing the script
3. a copy of the film after it is completed
4. After the script has been sent to you, you do not own the material but are allowed to use it, the distribution of the script is at my discretion (meaning I can send it to whomever I like and how ever many times)

I believe these 4 conditions aren't anything major, and I'm not asking too much.

So good luck to you, and let me know.

I wanted to finally post something on here as the whole issue went completely haywire due to an error on my part; an assumption that we are artists. Artists are or can be a collective, a force of creativity, a force that wants to share information and create an experience with one another. I know that we are the independent field, we are independent filmmakers, but we rely so much on one another and of course our loved ones to accomplish even the smallest of projects. Lately I feel that this strange cloud of elitism has struck the community of independent film making and this forum as a whole, which seems to be the most common symptom of the internet (sadly). It seems that one now must approach every idea, every festival, as though this was a studio produced film and therefore provide legally binding contracts, stipulations for every caveat, and everything must be as cut and dry as everything before it, because that is how it is done. This script or the idea behind it was to allow more than one director, actor, crew, etc to create a short film, and to see how the different the visions of many could create a multitude of different feelings, story arcs, just possibilities in general, out of one small script. My goal, my motive, was to send something out to the digital world for free in hopes of assisting the catalysis of the creation of original film. It appears that I failed miserably. I should apologize for my assumptions and ask for forgiveness from most of you. I assumed that we could trust one another and were not all looking for our own 15 minutes and ergo did not need to produce fine print, but it appears the professionalism calculated by me was underestimated. I did not realize how corporate we were in this community and thus again apologize for assuming otherwise. I must have been nostalgic of my wonder years when I, friends, and acquaintances could draft up a small project and want nothing more of it other than to watch it and marvel at the beauty of what we were capable of doing together, and hoped that others would enjoy it as much as we did.

That is all, thank you.
 
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Rewrite AND rethink stipulation #4. That's a major bar against ever producing anything you write. It sucks for a filmmaker to put a lot of effort into making a film only to find out that the writer has been double dipping and someone else has made the same movie. Not kosher.
 
Well since most people aren't relying on this contest as means of economic survival i.e. food, clothing, shelter, etc... And as I said you're allowed to alter the script, I'd just like to be informed, and I don't expect people to completely follow the camera direction and settings I placed within, therefore I leave the feel of the film, and the overall story, to the director, actor(s), and cinematographer, or even sound composer.

Shakespeare I believed said there's only 16 plots, some say there's only 3, some say there's 7, either way I don't think everyone here is looking to shoot the next Star Wars, or Schindler's List, by entering this contest, so I think by giving out a script to whoever I care to I'm doing a service rather than a disservice.

And as far as "double dipping" I feel that has some sort of connotation that I am taking advantage of filmmakers, I'm not exactly sure how? I'm asking for credit and some basic information, not asking for money, not asking them to sign anything, so double dipping?

Also I could have sworn there is a section of this forum dedicated to script writing and those members are allowed to do whatever they wish with their material, give, share, express, etc... So me telling you that you cannot own my writing even after I e-mail it to you I would say is kosher.
 
I believe I could probably knock it down to about 7 and 1/2 pages, I wrote this in 6 hours on a whim, life is complex, life is busy (like everyone else) but I do not have the amount of time I would like to dedicate to film, so I'm leaving a portion of the 'cutting' to interested parties who would bring it to life.
 
tpludow said:
I believe I could probably knock it down to about 7 and 1/2 pages, I wrote this in 6 hours on a whim, life is complex, life is busy (like everyone else) but I do not have the amount of time I would like to dedicate to film, so I'm leaving a portion of the 'cutting' to interested parties who would bring it to life.
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In my experience a 5 page action script will come in at 6 minutes. If it's dramatic then 4 pages. So 7 pages would need heavy redacting to squeeze into 6 minutes and not many stories can survive that.

Also you shouldn't have camera directions in your script, that's for the director. You just paint the picture and hopefully you do that well enough that they SEE exactly what you intended.

Oh and this thread should be moved to the collaboration thingy, not sure, but I think only the mods can do that.
 
Hey I'm just pointing out that you significantly reduce the possibility of actual production by not granting exclusive production rights. That IS double dipping and no producer or director would agree to it. Just pointing out a flaw in your thinking but if you don't want help we can already see how difficult it would be to work with you...

Good luck to ya,
 
You didn't seem to just be "pointing out" anything when you tell me and start off your response with, that I HAVE TO "Rewrite AND rethink" my posting and you're not a moderator. That doesn't sound like advice that comes off as a command.

and I love how you say"we" as if you speak for everyone.

You come off as a control freak on this board.

And hard to work with me?...Idk, I could of sworn I was just posting a script up for grabs for anyone who asked...so difficult to work with by giving out writing? Strange that doesn't sound like difficulty. I don't remember being difficult until you came around 'trolling' off to me as to what I am and am not supposed to do.

and damn this whole double-dipping thing


Imagine someone wrote the Schindler's list the script ok? Then someone gave it to Michael Bay to make, then someone gave it to Spielberg...do you think those films would be that similar? POINT BEING, directors, actors, everyone have different paradigms, therefore when they attempt to interpret and create something, that something tends to be shaped differently. IS there a strong likelihood that the film's overall story arc would be almost identical, yes of course! Would the two films feel completely different? Probably so. As a matter of fact I'd put money on it. So maybe you're not understanding what I'm doing exactly, or maybe you simply can't understand, or won't because it's not the way things are done. If film has taught people anything it's to be innovators, and that it is subject to massive interpretation as a moving art.
 
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Chris_Keaton said:
In my experience a 5 page action script will come in at 6 minutes. If it's dramatic then 4 pages. So 7 pages would need heavy redacting to squeeze into 6 minutes and not many stories can survive that.

Also you shouldn't have camera directions in your script, that's for the director. You just paint the picture and hopefully you do that well enough that they SEE exactly what you intended.

Oh and this thread should be moved to the collaboration thingy, not sure, but I think only the mods can do that.
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You're right I shouldn't of had that in there as part of standard formatting that is true. I tend to write feature length scripts though with the mindset of directing them someday so i include the camera direction in order to remind me how I want a scene played out. But good tip next time I post anything here or send a script to somebody I'll edit out the directions.
 
maybe I should preface with IMHO but I tend not to. Take it anyway you want. Since you choose to take offense, well that sucks but my "suggestion" or command still stands.

Once again good luck to ya.

tpludow said:
You didn't seem to just be "pointing out" anything when you tell me and start off your response with, that I HAVE TO "Rewrite AND rethink" my posting and you're not a moderator. That doesn't sound like advice that comes off as a command.

and I love how you say"we" as if you speak for everyone.

You come off as a control freak on this board.

And hard to work with me?...Idk, I could of sworn I was just posting a script up for grabs for anyone who asked...so difficult to work with by giving out writing? Strange that doesn't sound like difficulty. I don't remember being difficult until you came around 'trolling' off to me as to what I am and am not supposed to do.

and god damn this whole double-dipping thing
ok look you simple minded know it all internet god

Imagine someone wrote the Schindler's list the script ok? Then someone gave it to Michael Bay to make, then someone gave it to Spielberg...do you think those films would be that similar? POINT BEING, directors, actors, everyone have different paradigms, therefore when they attempt to interpret and create something, that something tends to be shaped differently. IS there a strong likelihood that the film's overall story arc would be almost identical, yes of course! Would the two films feel completely different? Probably so. As a matter of fact I'd put money on it. So maybe you're not understanding what I'm doing exactly, or maybe you simply can't understand, or won't because it's not the way things are done. If film has taught people anything it's to be innovators, and that it is subject to massive interpretation as a moving art.
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Writing for dvxuser fests is a great way to get started in this community, and it's one of the ways I got involved here. I've been lucky enough not only to have numerous scripts of mine picked up and turned into films for several dvxuser fests, but through those projects have created valuable relationships with filmmakers and writers.

You are certainly correct in saying that you can create any conditions you want relating to the use of your work, but I totally agree with Rodney that your conditions should be a major stopper for a member that's out there looking for material for the fest. I certainly wouldn't want to make a film just to find out that others are using the same script, regardless of the artistic and interpretive differences that would result from different directors and actors. There is a festival circuit out there after dvxuser, and many members will put their movies out there. I wouldn't want to bump up against the same script in a festival later, or even worse end up not being accepted because the script was too similar to another film in that fest.

It's hard enough to make an original short film. We're all struggling to make movies, and I've found that the membership here for the most part very freely gives help to each others' projects in an effort to learn, grow, and create relationships.

I've put conditions on the use of my material as well. But all I ask for is screen credit, the creation of a discussion thread on the board, and a good-faith effort of the filmmaker to make the movie. I give him control over the material and the movie, and give the script to him for his exclusive use. I offer to do rewrites if he likes, or to stay out of the project from that point on. As I said, you can make any conditions you want, it's your work, but I agree that your chances of getting the script picked up for production are greatly reduced given the requirements you've set forth.

tpludow said:
I believe I could probably knock it down to about 7 and 1/2 pages, I wrote this in 6 hours on a whim, life is complex, life is busy (like everyone else) but I do not have the amount of time I would like to dedicate to film, so I'm leaving a portion of the 'cutting' to interested parties who would bring it to life.
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You expect a filmmaker to dedicate the next three months turning your script into a movie, but leave him some major rewriting work to do to fit it into the required time frame, and then you also insist on being made aware of the changes necessary to fix your material. Writing is rewriting; seems to me that if you can find the time to write a script, you can certainly find time to rewrite it to a point where it's usable for this fest.

tpludow said:
You didn't seem to just be "pointing out" anything when you tell me and start off your response with, that I HAVE TO "Rewrite AND rethink" my posting and you're not a moderator. That doesn't sound like advice that comes off as a command.

and I love how you say"we" as if you speak for everyone.

You come off as a control freak on this board.

And hard to work with me?...Idk, I could of sworn I was just posting a script up for grabs for anyone who asked...so difficult to work with by giving out writing? Strange that doesn't sound like difficulty. I don't remember being difficult until you came around 'trolling' off to me as to what I am and am not supposed to do.

and god damn this whole double-dipping thing
ok look you simple minded know it all internet god
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Hey bro, Rodney is THE MAN. His level of success and skill in short filmmaking is at a bar I endeavor to reach, and you'd be better off trying to make him your friend rather than insulting him. It looks to me like he's trying to share the benefits of his experience with you by suggesting ways that would help your script be more appealing to filmmakers. Don't agree with him? That's fine. But throwing insults at him doesn't fly with me.

John
 
tpludow said:
You didn't seem to just be "pointing out" anything when you tell me and start off your response with, that I HAVE TO "Rewrite AND rethink" my posting and you're not a moderator. That doesn't sound like advice that comes off as a command.

and I love how you say"we" as if you speak for everyone.

You come off as a control freak on this board.

And hard to work with me?...Idk, I could of sworn I was just posting a script up for grabs for anyone who asked...so difficult to work with by giving out writing? Strange that doesn't sound like difficulty. I don't remember being difficult until you came around 'trolling' off to me as to what I am and am not supposed to do.

and god damn this whole double-dipping thing
ok look you simple minded know it all internet god

Imagine someone wrote the Schindler's list the script ok? Then someone gave it to Michael Bay to make, then someone gave it to Spielberg...do you think those films would be that similar? POINT BEING, directors, actors, everyone have different paradigms, therefore when they attempt to interpret and create something, that something tends to be shaped differently. IS there a strong likelihood that the film's overall story arc would be almost identical, yes of course! Would the two films feel completely different? Probably so. As a matter of fact I'd put money on it. So maybe you're not understanding what I'm doing exactly, or maybe you simply can't understand, or won't because it's not the way things are done. If film has taught people anything it's to be innovators, and that it is subject to massive interpretation as a moving art.
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Wow. I was going to ask to check out your script but your tone and attitude drew me off. I suck as a filmmaker so I'd probably ruin your script lol but good luck finding a director. I would never work with a writer on those conditions you described. The only right you have to making those conditions (ethically) is if you paid for the production.
 
tpludow said:
4. After the script has been sent to you, you do not own the material but are allowed to use it, the distribution of the script is at my discretion (meaning I can send it to whomever I like and how ever many times)
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this stipulation will be your biggest obstacle in finding someone to take it. good luck.
 
ugafan said:
this stipulation will be your biggest obstacle in finding someone to take it. good luck.
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Not sure what the deal is? I send my script to tons of people. The first one to agree to my terms and signs a release gets it.

If the film is made and sucks arse...after some time I may offer it up to be shot again.

I guess if he means he's allowing multiple people to shoot the script at the same time, then yes I agree that's a pretty dumb clause.
 
I have to chime in here and face wrathful abuse again, but to hell with it: a director or producer comes along and likes your script enough to say that "hey I wanna shoot thing thing. I'm going to put up my own money, hire all the actors, rent the crew and put in all of the time to develop the project, shoot it, and then spend a lot of time in post fixing the edit, the cound, hiring the composer.. getting all of these pieces together that actually MAKE the movie..."

Writers who are never on set do not ever understand how much else goes into the production of an actual movie. The script is only a starting point. It forms the basis of the idea and often needs work before it is even ready to go in front of a camera. So finding a writer who is actually willing to go through the necessary steps to get it to that stage.. even before the rest of production begins... well that's a very useful thing. But to have a writer say that you can't have the exclusive rights to a script that the director now has to go and spend his own money on (or raise funds for, either way he's responsible for it).. well you gotta be literally out of your minds.

Sorry if I'm "trolling" here or being a "control-freak" but an education is in order. We independent film makers do not have money to spare and even if we do, we like to make sure our investment is protected.
 
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