How to start?

[Lord_Galvatron]

Hi,

First time here and this place looks very good :)

Well, I hope that one day, I can be a movie director, and I think my best bet would be to become a screen writer first. I have many ideas, but it has been very difficult to either express myself as a writer and to be able to sit down and do it. It feels like I'm having many difficulties trying to get my ideas organized for me to start and WRITE.

What can I do? What would be the best thing for me to do?

This is a test scrip that I did as a "joke/gift" to a friend of mine. (He is a huge Japanese "MAN-IN-SUIT" monster movie fan. Is my style ok?


EXT. TOKYO - MORNING

GREG (26) and EDDIE (32) are walking Downtown
Tokyo. Greg is holding a map of the city, trying to
figure out were they are supposed to be going. Eddie
doesn't look happy at all.

EDDIE
Ok, Greg... Where the hell are we?

GREG
(sounding annoyed)
Listen... I don't know, ok? I've been
trying to read this stupid thing but
it's in freaking Japanese! And you
had to get cranky and scared our
guide away...
(pause)
And she was cute.

Eddie gives Greg a nasty look... suddenly he reaches
and takes the map out of Greg's hand.

EDDIE
Gimme here!

GREG
(surprised)
Hey!!

Eddie starts to read the map.

EDDIE
Ok... let me see... if we go down this
way... I think Shinjuku is straight
ahead. The G-Research Lab is...
(pause)
Gotta be 10 blocks that way.
(points at his right

Eddie smiles at himself.

EDDIE (CONT.)
And you never had a chance with the
cute Japanese tourist guide.

GREG
Should I hurt you now, or when we
get to the lab?

EDDIE
On the lab, that way we collect our
money the government is paying us
and I could afford the hospital bill.

GREG
Good point.

EDDIE
Thank you!

Greg and Eddie start walking in direction to the lab is
at when suddenly people start running in a panic.

GREG
What's going on?

EDDIE
The hell I know...

Suddenly a bystander stumbles on Eddie.

BYSTANDER
(screaming)
Gojira!!! Gojira!!!

The bystander runs away in panic.

EDDIE
(upset)
You *******!
(pause)
Geez whatta moron...

GREG
(concerned)
You ok?

EDDIE
(rubbing his shoulder)
Yeah... he just clipped me good on
the shoulder. What was all that
about?

GREG
No idea...
(pause)
What does "Gojira" means?

EDDIE
I ah... don't know. Hey, you have
that pocket dictionary, right?

Greg digs around his backpack and finds the book,
flipping through the pages.

GREG
Ok... let's see...
(flipping the pages)
"Gogira" "Gojira"

EXT. DOWNTOWN TOKYO

Greg and Eddie enter the Downtown Tokyo district
as Greg keeps his eyes on the book, Eddie notices
the giant monster standing right next to them.
Eddie's face turns to an expression of panic.

GREG
Hey! Check it out... "Gojira" means...

EDDIE
(screaming)
GODZILLA!!!

GREG
(surprised)
Hey, how did you know?
(looks up in front of him)
Jesus Christ!!!

Godzilla screams his mighty roar, some windows on
the nearby buildings are shattered with the force of
the roar.

EDDIE
(trying to stay calm)
Ok.... I don't think it saw us yet...
(pause)
I suggest we start moving slowly...

Eddie looks at his side and notices that he is
standing alone. He looks back and sees Greg running
away like hell. Eddie looks at Godzilla, who noticed
the small humans in front of him, and starts running
in the same direction Greg disappeared into.

EDDIE
(screaming)
You freakin' traitor!!!

Godzilla starts pursuing the two men. As Greg enters
inside an alley, Eddie stumbles and falls in front of
the alley.

EXT. ALLEY -DAY

GREG
(screaming)
Eddie!!!

EXT. FRONT OF ALLEY - DAY

Eddie glasses are in front of him. He looks dazed and
confused as the monster is almost in top of him. He
looks in front of him, his vision blurred but he sees
blurry image of the twin fairies, custodians of Mothra.
Eddie puts on his glasses back, looking at them
sharply as they smile to him.

EDDIE
(amazed)
Y-you!!!

EXT. TOKYO - DAY

Godzilla is about to use his atomic breath attack as
suddenly a giant butterfly hits him at supersonic
speed, sending the monster flying a few blocks away,
smashing some building, saving Eddie's life in the
process.

EXT. FRONT OF ALLEY - DAY

Eddie is still on the ground as Greg's hands grab
him. He looks back where the 6 inches twins were
standing, but they were gone...

GREG
(complaining)
Dude, you're heavy...

EDDIE
(weakly)
Did you see them? The creepy girls?

GREG
There's nothing there, you just
bumped your head
(more determined)
C'mon, let's get out of here!

_________________________________

Please, any feedback would be deeply appreciated.

[Optimus]

First of all, sweet name.

Second, welcome to the board.

Third, here are some suggestions for getting started in the screenwriting biz:

1) Buy a good screenwriting book. "Story" by Robert McKee is favored by many people. Also check out "Screenplay," "Screenwriter's Companion," and/or "Four Screenplays" all by Syd Field. Those books will really come in handy and help you to better see how to structure your story and translate it onto the page.

2) Read produced screenplays. Go to www.simplyscripts.com (http://www.simplyscripts.com) or www.script-o-rama.com (http://www.script-o-rama.com) (same thing). There you'll find a ton of produced and unproduced screenplays. Read as many as you can. They will give you a great idea of how it's really done (probably more helpful than the books). Study them intently. These scripts will teach you how the pros do it. This will also help you build up a "description dictionary" of different phrases and ways of writing narrative that you can use in your own writing. Oftentimes you have something you want to say, but can't think of how to say it. When you read other scripts, you'll find that someone else has already found a way to say it, and you can learn how they did it.

3) Write. There's no simpler way to put it. Do 1 and 2 first (or at the same time), but you'll never develop the skills until you take what you've learned and actually write.

And, after you've completed your first script, get some feedback on it and rewrite it.

Practice, practice, practice.

4) If you are in Los Angeles, get a job in the industry. Be an intern at an agency or a studio or anything to get your foot in the door. My best friend is working his way up the ranks at Panavision (he wants to be a director, too) and is learning all kinds of stuff about the mechanics of filming that is hands-on. You could also enroll in a film program in college, but it's probably just as easy if not easier to get a job in the industry and learn on the job.

Anyway, those are just a few tips. Other people will have more.

Good luck.

[maestrowork]

Those are good points. You can also go to school for screenwriting or creative writing (UCLA for me) -- if anything, they teach you how to construct a story and develop your characters. Most important, how to write dialogue and write cinematically.

Watch a favorite movie of yours, then get the script and study (especially a genre you'd like to write -- horror, action/adventure, drama, comedy, etc. -- comedy is very hard, btw, so good luck if you want to do comedy). I write drama, so on my book shelves there are Cold Mountain, Road to Perdition, Magnolia, etc. They're certainly helpful.

[35mm]

I am also an aspiring director too. I have already directed over 20 something shorts.

I totally agree with your aproach. Learning the art of screenwriting will help you become a better director.

You have already been given some great advice and I encourge you to follow it.

If you ever when to chat directing stuff just hit me up one.

35mm

[Lord_Galvatron]

I really appreciate your words, people!

In my case, I'm a 32 year old who works as a graphic artist for a small printshop. I live in the Houston area, so I don't have much luck with finding a film co. here. I got a copy of Syd Field "Screenplay" so I'll be checking into it.

Let's see how this goes.

[kojled]

lord galvatron

you're off on the wrong foot. one doesn't 'become a screenwriter' as in making themselves into one. people are born writers. your attitude is simplistic and linear - become a screenwriter then get a gig as a director.

this is a common mindset. this is akin to deciding, say, to become a genetic biologist so that you can then gain access to and use electron microscopes

if you continue you're likely to become another deluded wannabe. if, on the other hand, you would like to learn about crafting story, 'story' by mckee is the best reference

i would recommend you become what it is you have a talent for not what you think you should be in order to then become a director


zilla

[Joe Calabrese]

I was a director, editor, fx artist who became a screenwriter.

I found that it is not only cheaper to tell my stories on paper, but I am not limited by budgets (unless a producer says differently) and other production restraints.

If you have talent for telling stories, write on. The rest can be taught. So go with what is in your heart and gut.

If ultimately you want to direct, you will be among many pro writer's who helmed thier own projects later in thier careers.

[Lord_Galvatron]

lord galvatron

you're off on the wrong foot. one doesn't 'become a screenwriter' as in making themselves into one. people are born writers. your attitude is simplistic and linear - become a screenwriter then get a gig as a director.

this is a common mindset. this is akin to deciding, say, to become a genetic biologist so that you can then gain access to and use electron microscopes

if you continue you're likely to become another deluded wannabe. if, on the other hand, you would like to learn about crafting story, 'story' by mckee is the best reference

i would recommend you become what it is you have a talent for not what you think you should be in order to then become a director


zilla

Sorry... I haven't explained myself before. I am a writer, and I have had my work published before. I used to write comics in Puerto Rico, where I did a little book called "Changuy" with artist David Alvarez (who currently works for DC Comics "Looney Toons"). Changuy became a cult phnomenon in my homeland since it was created in the mid 90's and it is considered one of the greatest influence on the current comic book movement in that island.

Yes, I want to make it as a director, and for me, who is difficult to go back to college to enter film school, screenwriting would be the best option. Besides, many directors work with their own material... Namely poeple like, Del Toro (his Hellboy screenplay is great), Rodriguez (Sin City, anyone?) Cameron (let me see, a lot of great movies that has his credits as director and screenwriter), Lucas, and let's not forget Tarantino.

Also Schumacker did start as a screen writer (but I'll never forgive Batman Forever nor Batman & Robin)

The point I make is that I believe that working on your own material is more rewarding. I don't want to just limit my way of thinking when working on my script. I think that the best way to write a screenplay is to think as a filmmaker and not just only as a screenwriter.

I will check that book. It seems to be a good reference book.

Thanks and good luck in your projects.

[maestrowork]

James Cameron started as a screenwriter, too. But he loved writing stories as well as directing.

The point is, there are many paths to the same destination. But you do need to do something you enjoy, and not just as a means to the end. You'll only succeed in something if you really put your heart in it. I think that's what others are saying...

[dichucks]

My favorite book for screenwriting is Viki King's "How to write a movie in 21 Days." If you have a story in your head, it really helps you get it on paper. And from start to finish, it's all about the writing process.

When the time is right, you'll stop TALKING about it and start DOING it. Sounds like the time is just about now. Good luck!

[Joe Calabrese]

I try and stay from most books (theory, development and structure ones that is).

McKee's "Story" gave me a massive headache and writer's block that lasted for weeks. I thought I had a stroke after reading it.

The best way for me to learn is by example. If I'm writing an action film, I watch, over and over, the best films of that Genre that's out there. I'd rather analyze them myself without some Gurur telling me how I should think...

IMHO

[kojled]

lord galvatron

i see. that's much more clear. you used to write comics and now you want to make yourself into a screenwriter because it's easier than going to film school, so that you can springboard into directing, especially your own scripts because that would be more rewarding. sorry i got it wrong

i would agree you shouldn't limit your way of thinking when working on your script. can't argue with thinking as a filmmaker and not just only as a screenwriter

thanks and good luck in your projects


z

[Joe Calabrese]

Being a comic book aficionado I can safely say that comic writers can make very good screenwriters.

It takes a similar discipline to craft a story in a short period of time, using very few words and images to convey a series of events and character development.

Comics, like film are visual medium, very popular today, and good stepping stones for writers. Look at Frank Miller. Sin City looks like it will rock...

Kudos...

[MacAllister]

They're making a Sin City movie?! How cool is THAT?!

Frank Miller is a bleedin' genius.

[maestrowork]

Making? They're done, ready to be released. Entertainment Weekly did a feature on it last week (Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Rosario Dawson, and Clive Owen.... looks really good (better than Hell Boy, of course!)

[nikdun]

I just love the idea of someone starting out - a whole new adventure - fantastic.

This whole arena of screenwriting and story telling is still so extraordinary to me, and I've been doing it for nearly thirty years - Ouch!

I would suggest you follow your heart and your gut and make sure you have something to say. Thats the biggest problem in the screenplays I read - they copy previous screenplays and do not instigate style and ideas. Die Hard 11, you know what I mean?

Master screenplay formatting, essential, because if you don't your screenplays will be in the trash can of the producers secretary - and create great unusual characters that no-one has ever seen before. YOU are the only person like you in the whole world - And that is true. So follow your OWN ideas, your OWN dreams and create your OWN screenplays.

Nick Dunning

http://www.screenwriting-on-the-net.com/Post

Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art
Hollywood film Institute
New Producers Alliance