looking for free scripts

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j

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I'm looking for free scripts for for a film production class I teach. I want the students to direct stories they have not written, as there is a lot to be learned by doing so.

These are student films, so they (of course) have no budget, but if anybody has any scripts ~10 pages that they want to see turned into a short film, let me know.

BTW, I read the stickies and have looked into the leads posted there. Forgive me if I'm posting this in the wrong section, feel free to redirect. Any suggestions on other places to check are welcome as well.

-J
 
Inktip.com? Simplyscripts.com?

If these are film production students, however, wouldn't it be more educational to simply write their own (even if they have to adapt a short story or something)?
 
Shutterspeed,

As for inktip, etc, I will direct the students to those sites, I just wanted to open it up to DVXers that have scripts that want to see them produced (with a full crew and decent equipment)

As for having them write the stories themselves:

1) They do that in other production classes

2) We are on (unfortunately) the quarter system and there is just not enough time to ask the students to write, direct, produce, edit and market (part of the class) the film in 11 weeks. I know people do it in 48 hours, but this class is structured to give the students time to do every step well.

3) Most importantly, there are problems and pitfalls with directing your own script. We all have "holes" in our stories. As writers one of the most important things you can learn to do is to step back and read the script from an audience perspective. Being human, none of us are able to do this 100%. Because we know the story in our heads, we are just blind to some of the problems in the script. That's where it's a good idea to have a director take over the story and use his interpretation of the story to help fill in those holes. More often than not, if it's the same writer/director, those same holes will be passed along in the production process. God forbid if the writer/director is also the editor. Then there is no safeguard against plot, character and story problems. One of the most important exercises we do in film school is to have the directors direct something that they did not write. They learn how to approach a story with a fresh perspective.

As for adapting a short story, there are copyright issues with that as well, so we might as well just use scripts that are ready to go. Also, we don't have the time to sit back an refine the script. Ideally the students would prepare the scripts in a writing class ahead of time, but you know how director egos are, it's hard for aspiring directors to spend weeks coming up with a story, refining it, then to turn it over to someone else, one of their competitors.
 
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It's a requirement that they produce professional results. This is a higher level class, so expectations are high. I can provide student samples if you wish.
 
I have 19 1-5 page short scripts written, most are available and unfilmed, written with a low budget in mind and fall in to the crime and/or horror genres. Feel free to email me at bwind22@yahoo.com if you're interested. I'm generally willing to let them be used for free with the agreement that I retain the rights and receive a hard copy of the finished product.

B
 
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