The New Guy

[Write4Fun]

I am the New Guy here, and im an aspiring screenwriter. Im currently looking for a writing partner to help me get along and toss around ideas. I'll say right off the bat I lack experience, but I do not lack the education. I've been studying scripts and writing for a few years now.Im also a night owl. Feel free to email me. Thanks

Truthfully my name should be Write4food

[Aldenard]

Hey nice to meet you. Along with pretty much everyone here, I am an aspiring screenwriting as well. Unfortunatly, I'm still in high school, so a lack of knowledge concerning the process and field of screenwriting has held me back until recently. Just now I am begining to fully comprehend this wondeful art form, with no small thanks to the invaluable advice on these message boards.

I'm not sure if I could help you at all, but if you ever need someone to just bounce ideas off of or proofread drafts, I will be more than willing.

[triceretops]

Welcome aboard Write4fun. Great screen writing board here at AW.

triceratops

[StephieM]

:welcome:

Glad to have you here!

Steph

[Randomness]

hey yeh
im new here too
dis forums relli great, got everything a writer wants 2 talk about

ive been writing a few scripts, got loads of ideas, but like Aldernard im only in high skool ... so i suppose im not nearly as good as the rest of u, but i still wanna learn loads

enywayz yeah ... just introducing myself

cyaz

[dpaterso]

Welcome indeed, hope y'all have fun and find enlightenment.

Methinks the possibility of a writing partnership is more likely develop as you come to know other writers and find out who has similar tastes and a compatible style. Perhaps until then, posting sample pages and receiving varied feedback might get you more.

Read more scripts -- secret of the universe.

-Derek
My wittle web page - hack stories, failed novels, dud screenplays, terminal writer's block. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57)
The fool, the meddling idiot. As though his ape's brain could contain the secrets of the Krell.

[Write4Fun]

Well for starters, I like to write period. I write anything that comes to mind, but right now Action Adventure, Horror, Sci-Fi, and Comedy stuff is what is coming to me. I will try to post a sample sometime soon. What do you all usually write?

[WritingFool]

Just like the Greeks had Achilles, the trojans had Hector, we have Joe Calabrese.
Hes the fearless moderator here.

Although he might be a little slow on the draw right now (we all wish him a speedy recovery), hes an invaluable source of knowledge in screenwriting.
If youre a newcomer, you could learn tons by clicking on all his past posts, for he truly has all the info you need to know about this business, both good and bad.

So welcome, and good luck to ya!

[September skies]

:hi: Welcome to the forum

[Randomness]

well i just finished my sci-fi script, so im gonna polish it up real nice, then go submitting to competitions and stuff, while starting on this romantic comedy idea i just had. i write loads every day as well ... didnt take me long to finish the first draft.

but enywayz, does enyone know wats the general format of numbering pages? like do i put it at the centre bottom? or left? (asking this cuz i heard formatting correctly is really important) and also do i need to put a page number count on my cover page?

thx

[Joe Calabrese]

Page numbers go on top right (just numbers, no "page," like 1., 2., 3.), not on cover or first page (start on page 2 with a 2.) and do not indicate a page count anywhere.

[scripter1]

I'll second what D said. Ask some questions, post some pages, tell us a bit more about yourself, and see what kind of cyber connections you can build.

You and a writing partner kind of have to click.
It's like dating. You have to have enough similarities and believe the same way enough to get along and feel compatable but with enough differences to create growth and excitement.

You'll learn quite a bit by reading back posts, posted pages and the responses, and by recieving feedback on your own work.

[Green Chair]

And I'll second the "like dating" comment, maybe even up it an ante - it's almost like getting married for the duration of the scripting process, or at least like entering into a close business partnership. Even afterwards, as the script moves from one production company to another and rewrites are sought after, you must still be able to work with that person you originally started with. It can be fun and exhilerating. But you've really got to click. And have compatible schedules and what not.

My advice is to not look for a writing partner, per se, but to just find some like minded writers - people who you can bounce ideas off of and who are there for a script critique and who value your feedback, too. Eventually, the relationship may grow into the kind of partnership you seek. In the meantime, you get to write some scripts, read some scripts, learn, and meet new people....

Or, what do I know? You could have already found that perfect writing partner and be to Act II even as I type this....

BTW: for the earlier page number question, just want to add to Joe's top right of the page - make sure the page numbers are also in Courier New, point size 12, like the rest of the script.

[Write4Fun]

Thanks, so would this be an okay board to post some samples on, Or is it imperative that I do that on the Critiquing board? Also how many of you have found partners here?

[StephieM]

Go ahead and post on the critique board, no more than 10 pages, more than that can get a little overwhelming. :)

Steph

[dpaterso]

Randomness, I dunno what software you're using, if you haven't already then consider downloading screenwriting software (links to major packages below, they all run OK in demo mode, with limited save or print options) and check how they handle formatting and page numbers.

Movie Magic (http://www.screenplay.com/products/mmscreenwriter/index.html)
Final Draft (http://www.finaldraft.com/)
Sophocles (http://www.sophocles.net/)

-Derek
My wittle web page - hack stories, failed novels, dud screenplays, terminal writer's block. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57)
Another one of them new worlds. No beer, no women, no pool parlors, nothin'. Nothin' to do but throw rocks at tin cans, and we gotta bring our own tin cans.

[Randomness]

thanks for the screenwriting software dpaterso

to be honest i was just using microsoft word to type out my screenplay

but still ... the demo modes are hard to use ... so i don't really get them ... ill try to learn them enyway

thx

[Optimus]

hey yeh
im new here too
dis forums relli great, got everything a writer wants 2 talk about

ive been writing a few scripts, got loads of ideas, but like Aldernard im only in high skool ... so i suppose im not nearly as good as the rest of u, but i still wanna learn loads

enywayz yeah ... just introducing myself

cyaz

Please, for the love of all that is holy, STOP writing your posts like this.

I, for one, am NOT in high school and it hurts my head to read posts that are written like a 12 year old's text messages.

Welcome to the board to you and Write4Fun but, please, when you're here, write like an adult.

[dpaterso]

to be honest i was just using microsoft word to type out my screenplay

That's how I started off too. Just asking, are you using a template? If not, check out this link, http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scriptsmart/ which has an MS Word template and instructions for use.

but still ... the demo modes are hard to use ... so i don't really get them ... ill try to learn them enyway

They may look that way at first, but the whole point of these dedicated screenwriting packages is that they're actually simpler, not harder. For example, if you type ext. or int. the software automatically changes the element to Screen Heading (inserts extra spaces before the line and capitalizes text). As you build up a list of locations, you can select from this list instead of having to write the same thing over and over. When you hit the Tab key, the element becomes Character Name, you can select from a list of characters, or type a new name that will be added to the list, and when you hit Enter you'll be taken into Dialogue mode. Or if you want to add a Parenthetical before the dialogue then hit Tab again. It's all designed to format your screenplay for you and save you extra typing. Once you become acquainted with the wonders of the Tab key it'll seem a lot easier.

They may technically be demos, but this only means the save and print options are limited. If and when you've decided which package you like best and save up your pennies, all you need to do is purchase a software license to unlock the demo and have access to full save and print options. With Movie Magic and I think Final Draft demos, you can work with, and save up to, 15 pages.

Don't feel obliged to go this way if you're perfectly comfortable with Word. But once I started using Movie Magic I found it difficult to go back. Enjoy.

-Derek
My wittle web page - hack stories, failed novels, dud screenplays, terminal writer's block. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57)
The fool, the meddling idiot. As though his ape's brain could contain the secrets of the Krell.

[Green Chair]

I just want to quickly echo Derek's assertion that the screenwriting softwares are actually easier. They are also learned in pretty short time.

Academic Superstore (on the web) also offers students and educators my favorite - MovieMagic Software - for $89 including shipping and handling.

Good luck!

[Write4Fun]

So is it unanimous that the best software is MovieMagic? If so, Ive been set for about a year now. I have heard however, that alot of agencies prefer their scripts in Final Draft format, so they can be emailed.

[nganok]

So is it unanimous that the best software is MovieMagic? If so, Ive been set for about a year now. I have heard however, that alot of agencies prefer their scripts in Final Draft format, so they can be emailed.

Writers Guild East tends to push towards Movie Magic and West toward Final Draft. I'm in Ohio and use MM. Sounds funny but, just thought you might want to know that before you investigate further.

[Rainy Night]

I use a older version of Final Draft that I bought on e-bay for cheap a few years ago. That's an inexpensive way to go if you are getting started. The older versions still work, they just don't have a lot of the bells and whistles.

Of course I'm hoping to have a new version of MM or Final Draft when Joe announces the winners of the contest . . .

[Joe Calabrese]

Hope flows eternal.

Unless a lot of votes come in by tomorrow night, I can say we have a clear winner, but too close to call for 2nd and third as both currently have multiple ties.

In the case of a tie, I may have to bring in outside industry judges. I know a few people who owe me favors.

[StephieM]

Unless a lot of votes come in by tomorrow night, I can say we have a clear winner, but too close to call for 2nd and third as both currently have multiple ties.

In the case of a tie, I may have to bring in outside industry judges. I know a few people who owe me favors.


Okay. I can't take the suspense any longer. I'm bouncing off the walls here. My kids are ready to send me to the mommy pound.

:Jump:

Just a few more days. Just a few more days. I can do it. :)


Steph

[Rainy Night]

Unless a lot of votes come in by tomorrow night, I can say we have a clear winner, but too close to call for 2nd and third as both currently have multiple ties.

The waiting is killing me...