just an observation.....

Overkill · Jan 17, 2015

As per suggestions in another post, I went and downloaded the screenplay for one of my all time favorite horror movies, 30 Days of night, to study and break down and so on.

One of the first things I noticed is that the scenes are described in great detail, yet done in only a few sentences loaded with colorful adjectives; and not just normal, run of the mill ones you would use in regular life. So it seems to follow that, for instance, when describing the earth from above, you wouldn't just say "We look at the earth from above." Seems to me like a little more than that is needed to convey the visual you are looking for.

Just my initial observation. I cant wait to do some more reading to get a better handle on how the process works. I do intend to take my first novel, Preacher's Blood, and adapt it for the screen. I have already downloaded CELTX and Trelby as writing programs to use until I am ready to get the heavy duty things like Final Draft.

thanks guys and have a wonderful weekend

Greg

Maryn · Jan 17, 2015

It's worth remembering that a screenwriter with a solid track record of scripts which lead directly to moneymaking movies gets a whole lot of latitude with things like that. Your spec script should continue to be lean, action lines including only the detail which affects plot or character.

Say we're looking at the earth from above. The big blue-and-white marble image is pretty much standard because it's fact-based. Is there something more we need to see--a vast power outage, signs of a volcano, an evil-looking spacecraft in view, anything like that which affects your plot or characters? If not, then don't take on the job of the graphics designer who will create the image which appears on the screen. Stick with your job, telling the story.

Minor point: Among the things I often see as advice to those who write on spec is to kill "We see." We're the audience. The fact that we see something is understood and need not be stated in action lines, even though many excellent screenplays use it. Save the space for more necessary things.

Maryn, who lurks screenwriting sites

Bergerac · Jan 17, 2015

That script is nearly 10 years old -- styles have changed, and become leaner.

Also, it's based on a successful graphic novel and wasn't done on spec.

Read for fun but unless your novel is a bestseller, focus on current spec scripts for HOW TO.

Overkill · Jan 17, 2015

Newer Scripts

Okay, guys, thank you. So, then, it in some ways is just like a novel; where they want you to say enough, just enough, to set the scene without bogging the reader down in details that are unnecessary to the story, or in this case, the visual you are trying to create. Just like novels, leaner is better.

I would like to read something closer to today, then. Would someone be able to suggest possibly one action/thriller script and one horror script that I can look at to get a better judge of what today's scripts are like.

thanks again, guys

Greg

Bergerac · Jan 17, 2015

Overkill said:
Okay, guys, thank you. So, then, it in some ways is just like a novel; where they want you to say enough, just enough, to set the scene without bogging the reader down in details that are unnecessary to the story, or in this case, the visual you are trying to create. Just like novels, leaner is better.

I would like to read something closer to today, then. Would someone be able to suggest possibly one action/thriller script and one horror script that I can look at to get a better judge of what today's scripts are like.

thanks again, guys

Greg

Aaron Guzikowski's thriller script PRISONERS is a brilliant representative of the contemporary style. Keep in mind, though, it is long at close to 140 pages. You want to stay within 90-110 pages for these genres for a first spec.

As for horror? Find a film released in the last two years that's not a sequel or an adaptation of a novel or graphic novel or anything else. The best ones to look at would be a non-assignment spec, preferably a screenwriter's first sale. There's lots -- it depends on what you're looking for specifically.

Throw up your first couple pages in SYW so we can be specific about formatting.

Overkill · Jan 18, 2015

buying scropts

I cant really seem to find any of the ones I would want to use on the free sites, so are there any places you can buy them? I would love to get the one for this movie mentioned above the Prisoners, and I would also like to get my hands on a copy of the script for Godzilla, which is not all that old and would be a decent one for me to read.

Locke · Jan 18, 2015

This has me curious...

Somebody one recommended I read Snyder's Save the Cat which postulates a very strict three-act story structure that pins down the page (within a page or two) where each beat should happen within the story. If studios are looking for something along the lines of that proven structure, then padding out scene descriptions can be what pushes your midpoint to land neatly on page 55. Sure, it'd be gaming the system, but Hollywood is a silly place.

odocoileus · Jan 18, 2015

Overkill said:
As per suggestions in another post, I went and downloaded the screenplay for one of my all time favorite horror movies, 30 Days of night, to study and break down and so on.

One of the first things I noticed is that the scenes are described in great detail, yet done in only a few sentences loaded with colorful adjectives; and not just normal, run of the mill ones you would use in regular life. So it seems to follow that, for instance, when describing the earth from above, you wouldn't just say "We look at the earth from above." Seems to me like a little more than that is needed to convey the visual you are looking for.

Just my initial observation. I cant wait to do some more reading to get a better handle on how the process works. I do intend to take my first novel, Preacher's Blood, and adapt it for the screen. I have already downloaded CELTX and Trelby as writing programs to use until I am ready to get the heavy duty things like Final Draft.

thanks guys and have a wonderful weekend

Greg

Good observation.

Various working pros, here and elsewhere have cautioned beginners against watering down their distinct voices. Voice is important. It's part of what made Diablo Cody. Part of what made Tarantino. They didn't get where they got by boring the reader, and neither will you.

So lively adjectives are good. Quirky dialog can be good. Unusual scene descriptions can be good. As long as it works. How do you know what works? Taste, judgement, experience.

Basically, anything the pros can do, you can do, as long as you know what you're doing and why. There isn't one standard for pros and one for newbies. If your story and characters are awesome, no one will care if you used unusual adjectives or the occasional camera direction.

odocoileus · Jan 18, 2015

It's also good to study acting, and learn how actors break down a scene.

Read a play and then see it performed by two different theatres. This shows you what's on the page versus what the actors bring to it.

Usher · Jan 19, 2015

BBCwritersroom is also a very useful resource. As well as Celtx (which the BBC accept) there is also Writersduet which is also free and "serious" scriptwriters are using very happily.

My observation so far is the important thing is to be clear and understood - the amount of description varies greatly from scriptwriter to scriptwriter.

LittlePinto · Jan 19, 2015

odocoileus said:
It's also good to study acting, and learn how actors break down a scene.

Read a play and then see it performed by two different theatres. This shows you what's on the page versus what the actors bring to it.

Seconding this.

The best screenwriting class I ever took was acting. It's especially helpful if you struggle with subtext.

Overkill · Jan 20, 2015

ive been searching the web sites listed in the sticky above to find some screenplays to work with, but not really having any luck. It had been suggested to try scripts from the last 2 years or so, but the places I look do not seem to really have anything. I really want to get my hands on a copy of the godzilla 2014 script, the equalizer, and a movie like annabelle, which would give me 3 different things to look at but i am finding no luck whatsoever. anyone have a suggestion? even if not those, does somebody know if one of those sites has some recent stuff and perhaps i have missed it while searching?

thanks all

greg

Usher · Jan 20, 2015

bbcwritersroom has their latest scripts but it sounds like you are looking for more Hollywood Blockbuster? Their scripts include the likes of Dr Who, Mrs Brown's Boys, Inspector George Gently etc

http://www.the-editing-room.com/godzilla-2014.html This is the abridged script.
http://www.the-editing-room.com/the-equalizer.html
http://www.horrorlair.com/movies/scripts/ANNABELLE.pdf - Annabelle's script.

Type the screenplay you want into Google and usually it comes up.

dpaterso · Jan 20, 2015

I'm not sure if screenplays are ever formally released by their owners (i.e. film companies), but they might unofficially find their way onto the 'net via someone in the business who got their hands on a copy. Or fans might produce a transcript that looks pretty much like a screenplay, it's hard to tell sometimes (I knew a guy who did this, he'd watch a movie then write his version of the screenplay, which he said was great practice!). Whichever, you're pretty much at the mercy of the fates when you're trying to find recent screenplays, unless you know someone. When a screenplay emerges it usually pops up on imSdb.

-Derek

creativexec · Jan 20, 2015

This time of the year you can find screenplays released by the studios for awards consideration. Not exactly what you're looking for, but....

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/01/download-read-8-10-oscar-nominated-screenplays-2015-right-now

Overkill · Jan 20, 2015

just downloaded Gone Girl and Nightcrawler, thanks!

Jamesaritchie · Jan 22, 2015

You should describe according to need. Some scenes need more detailed description that others. "We see the earth from above" should be written exactly like this, unless something spectacular is in the scene.

No matter who describes it, or how detailed it is, we all know what the earth from above looks like, and it isn't going to change.

I use more detail when a scene needs more detail because it's an unusual scene that no one can easily visualize without detail.

But no one script can teach you much of anything except basic format. Read at least a hundred scripts. Then you'll get the idea.

odocoileus · Jan 22, 2015

August and Mazin do an awesome breakdown of Kasdan's script. Any writer can learn alot from it.The audio podcast is no longer available except by paid subscription. (Well worth the price if you can spare the bucks.) But you can read the transcript:

http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-ep-73-raiders-of-the-lost-ark-transcript

Raiders of the Lost Ark script

August and Mazin do an in-depth analysis of the Groundhog Day script:

http://johnaugust.com/2014/groundhog-day

Groundhog Day script

The305itself · Jan 22, 2015

bluecat recently made available the scripts of some 2015 "Oscar hopefuls" as they're calling it. Here's a link if you want to read some of them. They've got some really good ones in there.

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact...ec60a&ch=fc5e5740-f712-11e3-a75b-d4ae528ec60a

just an observation.....

Overkill

New kid, be gentle!

Maryn

At Sea

Bergerac

Reading & Writing

Overkill

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Bergerac

Reading & Writing

Overkill

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Locke

Lost the instruction manual

odocoileus

odocoileus

Usher

LittlePinto

Perpetually confused

Overkill

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Usher

dpaterso

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creativexec

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Overkill

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odocoileus

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