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flames33

New member
Ok, I just wanna put this outthere for fun, I just started a movie script and was wondering if anyone would like to help,the script is about a 60 year old war veteran who has cancer and is losing his fight. So on his bed in the hospital it flashes back and forth from when he was fighting in Germany and in his hospital room. I am only 14 and just want a script to call(partically)my own. This could be made into a film in a couple years but until then I just wanna have me and someone come up with a awesome script, we would both retain rights to the script so each of us could make our own film. The wrtiter that would help me will not be able to sell the script unless each of us agrees to do so. I would prefer if the person that helps is a open minded person but then again everyone on the forum is awesome.
If you would like to help a teen ewith a dream, please pm me or write on this thread. I have already posted a beggening to the script called 30 years later.
Thanks
 
Generally, I think writing partners usually have to know each other and mesh well with style in order to succeed as a pair. As such, I'm not sure if it's wise to pursue a relative stranger as a full writing partner. That said, I'm sure the board could help serve as a good bouncing board for your ideas.
 
Flames33, I admire your spirit and interest in writing, especially at your age. You should definitely give it your best shot.

I do see some problems with what you've proposed here, though.

First, are you by chance an expert on World War II and Germany in that era? To make your script stand out and truly be great, you need to be extremely knowledgable about a lot of things. Like the land, the people, and the customs of Germany at that time in history. Also, you need to know a lot about the military -- who was where, how did they operate, what was the chain of command, etc. There's a reason why novice writers are encouraged to "write what you know". It's hard to convey reality otherwise. And when you're writing about a historical event, reality is extremely important.

The other problem is a legal one. In order to get the kind of protections you're looking for (like neither of you being able to sell the script without the other's consent), you need a contract. But at 14 years old, you can't legally enter into a binding contract. So that makes things tricky.

If I were in your shoes, I would put the WW2 project on the back burner for now. Write a script that is much simpler, and based on people and places you already know very well. You may think your world is boring and wouldn't make a good movie, but others might feel completely different. At any rate, it allows you to develop your skills as a screenwriter. Become a great storyteller. Then work on the challenging projects -- the ones that will require tons of research, like the WW2 storyline.

Just my 2 cents, for what it's worth. Good luck!
 
Well Put Chapel. Im sure that might have sounded discouraging for Flames33 but its true. Write about something you know. Something that wont demand such research needs. Be creative. Some of the best scripts from young writers are about the life they lead and how other people know nothing of it. I just watched a great movie the other day. 'The Wackness" its a great movie about a 17 year old teen from NY. Its about his daily life and his love of a girl and its set back in 1994. So I loved it more cause Im 30 and that was my time. But what Im getting at is Im sure the writer wrote from something he/she knew.
 
fuzzylogic34 said:
Well Put Chapel. Im sure that might have sounded discouraging for Flames33 but its true. Write about something you know. Something that wont demand such research needs. Be creative.
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Very good advice. Especially when starting out, it is good to start small and learn by writing several short scripts before moving onto a feature length script (hint, there are the DVXUSER scriptfests, the current one has a deadline of the 23rd of this month). Once you've done those first few scripts, you then really get a feel for the format and writing style of screenplays...

... but, why not research WWII over the next year or two in addition to starting with a smaller script that isn't research dependent? As for the WWII research, it doesn't have to be all about just reading books on the subject, although that is a great way to learn about it. You could contact your local VFW and see about interviewing some WWII vets. Or, how about talking to your history teacher at school to get some ideas on how to research a historical topic? If you have any WWII re-enactors in your area, you could contact them for some hands on research. Another thing to use would be comprehensive WWII documentaries like Ken Burns THE WAR, and if you can find it at your library, the massive documentary series THE WORLD AT WAR.

http://www.amazon.com/World-War-30t..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1SZSERWPA42GCDGW39G4

http://www.amazon.com/War-Film-Burn..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0X4TKFYQAHV4N2R3K0SZ

For me, the biggest thing is that I write about a subject that I absolutely love and must tell a story about. There is nothing wrong with writing about your life, but many writers either don't have enough interesting things happening to them to always write about themselves, or don't want to be limited solely by that alone. Let's face it, a lot of us writers want to write about things like WWII, or dragons, super heroes, bank robbers, etc... because some of us do in fact lead pretty mundane lives. Writing about adventurous and fantastical subjects is a way to experience some excitement and live in another world if only for a short period of time.

Just to put things in perspective, if I had all the tools (free screenwriting software like Celtx, the abundance of screenwriting books and magazines available now, and sites like DVXUSER) that we have now when I was 14 I'd be way ahead of the game. If you spent some free time researching WWII for the next two years even, you'd be 16 by then, still way ahead of the game. If you know that you want to write a script and are committed to take it seriously, then you have a huge advantage starting out at a young age.

If you are dead set on writing about WWII, then research it until you "know it". Then write about it. Screenwriting is a long and hard road, simultaneously frustrating and rewarding. Don't forget to read the great screenwriting books like Syd Meade's SCREENPLAY, Blake Snyder's SAVE THE CAT, and Robert McKee's STORY. As well as learning the craft from other books, reading scripts online, hanging out at sites like DVXUSER, and reading magazines like Creative Screenwriting and Script. Most importantly though, write. Write. Write. WRITE!!!!

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Don't forget to download Celtx, which is excellent free screenplay formating software.

http://celtx.com/

Also, the DVXUSER scriptfests are a great way to kick start your writing and get feedback on your work. I've studied and written screenplays for nearly a decade and I learn a ton from these scriptfests.

A couple useful sites for screenplays that you can read online or print out (beware that some of them might have the formatting goofed up).

http://www.script-o-rama.com/

http://www.simplyscripts.com/
 
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Starting small is great advice and I wish someone had told me that when I first decided to start writing.

I set out to write a full-length comedy in late 2007 and it didn't turn out very well at all. So, I stashed that away and wrote about 4 shorts over the next year and when I came back to the full-length script I just laughed at what I had previously written. With the new knowledge, I changed the whole thing and now having something pretty solid I think (but it still needs work). So, my advice would be to write some short films first, build your skills, then you'll be able to tackle the bigger stuff.

-TC
 
You could always write a WWII short. That way your research on the subject would apply to a short script, and later to the longer version that you want to do.
 
Play a forum script game, no more then 200 words per contribution. Minimal and as-generic-as-possible formatting, contributor can only post again two posts after his own. (Or not)

The stakes are high, the stage is set and the plot? Nobody knows.
 
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