New Writer [Archive] - Absolute Write Water Cooler

dpaterso

11-25-2005, 01:35 PM

Welcome to the forum!

You'll find some helpful tips on Absolute Write's (http://www.absolutewrite.com/screenwriting/screenwriting.htm) own screenwriting page.

Visit screenwriter Bill Martell's Script Secrets (http://www.scriptsecrets.net/) site every day to soak up Bill's screenwriting tips. Take a look at the various links to his classes, seminars, CDs, blue books, etc. Bill has also made many of his produced scripts available for educational purposes.

Site link removed per request of other site's Webmaster
Another site that comes highly recommended by users is Chris Lockhart's TwoAdverbs (http://www.twoadverbs.com/) which offers industry insider information and much more.

Go to the following sites to download free-for-educational-purposes screenplays. Pick your top 20 favorite movies, read the scripts and discover how the words translated to the images and dialogue you loved!

http://www.script-o-rama.com (http://www.script-o-rama.com/)
http://www.simplyscripts.com (http://www.simplyscripts.com/)
http://www.imsdb.com (http://www.imsdb.com/)

The following books have been recommended by board members and will aid you greatly (listed in no particular order of preference):

The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier (http://www.keepwriting.com/)
Screenplay by Syd Field (http://www.sydfield.com/products.htm)
Screenwriting 101 by Lew Hunter (http://www.lewhunter.com/)
The Writer's Journey by Chris Vogler (http://www.thewritersjourney.com/)
Story by Robert McKee (http://www.mckeestory.com/homepage.htm)

As well as the authors' sites, you might want to search for these on Amazon or other book sites or stores for price comparison.

Screenwriting software - you can download trial versions for the following industry standard products, each of which will go some way to teaching you correct format. Also take some time to read their onboard help panels and tutorials. Note that some functions may be limited, e.g. you can only save 15 or so pages, printed pages will have a TRIAL VERSION watermark, etc. Other than that, they're useable. Start saving your pennies now! If you're a student, you could be entitled to discounted software.

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

Recently a couple of folks have said good things about Celtx (http://www.celtx.com/overview.html) which is freeware, as far as I know.

The Rough Draft (http://www.rsalsbury.co.uk/rd.htm) word processor has a screenwriting mode that's not bad once you get used to it, but may not be as intuitive as other software written specifically for screenwriters (that's my opinion). Rough Draft is donationware -- if you use it and like it, you're invited to make a donation to the author.

If you're a Microsoft Word user, screenwriting templates are available here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scriptsmart/

I've seen a few posts lately on various forums commenting on the "Hero's Journey" template for storywriting, which makes for interesting reading:

http://www.jitterbug.com/origins/myth.html
http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~sparks/sffilm/mmswtab.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00800/worksheet.htm

Hope that helps you get started. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask 'em.

If anyone has any other recommendations or suggestions, let me know and I'll add them to the above list.

-Derek
-> * (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57) <- Click on this magic star to be transported to my website. Ruby slippers optional.
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Lancelot, just a thought. A man who fears nothing is a man who loves nothing; and if you love nothing, what joy is there in your life? I may be wrong.