Unpaid, Challenging writing practice opportunity.....

D

dude

Member
Hi all,
I'm in NYC, and I need help writing a screenplay. I have the story, such as it is, worked out in concept. But - I need help from someone more versed in screen grammar and storytelling to help me as to what will actually "fly" on screen.

First thing's first- (as the thread title suggests:)), this is completely unpaid, the production is No/Lo Budget. So this is for you guys/gals that are at the moment interested in writing for practice or just aching to write=)

Secondly, it wil be challenging, as the story will be told with little to no dialogue, a la Terrence Malick=)

Thirdly, and perhaps thankfully, it will be very very short (a few minutes long, perhaps 3-5). Taken together, to anyone interested, (even though it is unpaid) it might constitute a nice opportunity to flex your writing muscles. And it does not demand a huge time commitment.

The concept is ridiculously simple (I can fill you in if you're interested), but and I feel like if it is treated correctly, and we avoid a couple of cliched pitfalls, it could be something very nice.
Is there anyone interested in trying their hand at something like this?
 
A 3 to 5 page script in the vien of Terrence Malick ?

-

So, like one page of dilalogue and then a ton of insert shots of bugs, plants and the sky ?
 
A few responses:
I can understand the criticism, especially given the nature of several current threads. But I do not feel it is entirely warranted in this case.

I do not expect to receive something for nothing. This must be interesting/worthwhile to the person involved. I am not a screenwriter, so all I can compare this to is my limited experience with camerawork. As someone just starting out, opportunities to practice are worth very much. If I am looking to improve, and gaining experience is paramount, I cannot afford to be terribly selective about where I choose to gain it. I know that if someone with few (read: no) credentials, like me, asked me to shoot for him/her-- and wanted me to achieve a "Matrix" look for them, no matter how silly this sounded to me-- I might be interested in helping. For the experience. Or for any reason I found the project worthwhile. Maybe this is just for directors and DP's, and maybe it is just me. But I don't think so. I am not looking, as is suggested about other cases in other threads, for a screenwriter to lock in a dank basement to write a feature for me, bound by arbitrary constraints. I am looking to collaborate with someone who is in a position similar to my own, most likely starting out. Someone whose skills might complement mine. I'm not interested in deluding anyone, and so made it very clear that this would be unpaid. This situation is not unique in indie filmmaking, especially for very small, learning projects. I am not remaking Ben-Hur.

As for the Terrence Malick comments (which were indeed funny), my reference was meant partially as a tongue-in-cheek remark. But only partially. I harbor no pretension to making the next The Thin Red Line. But, while you may or may not like Terrence Malick, there is nothing wrong with trees and bugs and sparse dialogue, IF they help you get your point across. Which I think they might well in my case. And as you know, you can pack a lot of purposeful, powerful imagery into a few minutes (e.g., the music video). While there may or may not be trees or bugs here, this story is suited to a very visually-driven representation. Also, given that it is not Ben-Hur, and that I have not yet managed to secure Brad Pitt for the lead role, (and that there will be one child actor) the film may well benefit from the use of little dialogue. Put simply, (while there are no guarantees, and while there are other strategies available), this factor alone could prevent the film from becoming patently unwatchable (which, sadly, so many Indie films are). Some evocative, even meditative/Malickian, purposeful imagery never hurt anyone. Especially if it suits the story. (This is not to mention the various filmmaking courses out there that stress the students' understanding of visual storytelling before any sound use is permitted).

My simple story, as an idea, has been planned out rather thoroughly. But since it involves showing the characters in a few different times and places, can easily be rendered improperly. As you all know better than me, screenwriting is not only about dialogue (of which there may be some), but also about temporal ordering, 'narrative exposition' (I don't know the appropriate technical term) and stage direction. We have all read those screenwriting manuals that stress some mantra akin to "don't tell the audience, show the audience." This is what I need help with.

I do not expect to make any money with this project (though of course if I were to, I do not have any problem sharing this with anyone involved). Given everything mentioned above, I do not feel the constraints associated with this project are unrealistic or unfounded. Is there really NO ONE out there who is interested in writing for the sake of writing and experience, in spite of the specific requirements of this project? I would be very surprised if this were true. I know that when I am able, I am usually quite eager to collaborate on projects like this. But, if it is indeed so, and no one would take this project on unpaid (even given the relatively small amount of work involved), then I recognize that I should stop what I am doing and raise money to pay someone.

Perhaps I should have made all of this clearer in my first post, and perhaps I should have made it clear that I do not claim to have any experience, and that I do not plan to make demands of anyone. My silly 3-5 minute film probably does not merit this bumbling, long winded answer. I just did not find my request that outlandish. I am trying to get something off the ground and was a little perturbed that some should be so eager to shoot it down. But I may very well be wrong about all this. I welcome any constructive comments on this-- and, is anyone interested in helping with this project?
 
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It sounds like you have the story pretty well fleshed out. If it really is only a 3 to 5 page script, I would think that would be a perfect opportunity for you begin learning the craft of screenwriting.

Short scripts are IMHO the best way to learn and concentrating on imagery over dialogue can be very powerful. I have written and filmed 3 silent short films and learned a ton along the way.

Best of luck,

Chris

p.s. If you do decide to tackle this yourself, I think you will find the writers here are very happy to help you.
 
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Ill help if you want. I have got WAY to much time on my hands now that Ive finished. at least 4 months off before I do anything almost resembling work...I think. Hit me up on Instant Messenger If you need me - =).
 
i got a whole lot of time on my hands also, I'de like to give it a shot and see how it comes out, I'm no professional, but hey, it's practice. send the idea to me please
 
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