Movie Scripts...

There is a standard format - I liked "How To Write a Selling Screenplay" by Keane.

 

"I wrote a script. A guy read my script and said he liked it, but I needed to rewrite it. **** that, I'll just make a copy..." -- the late, great comedian Mitch Hedberg

 

I wrote a short one not long ago, and was in the process of writing a full one just a few weeks ago.

If you want a brief outline there's some on Wikipedia at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenwriting

Or if you need more indepth, you can buy screenwriting software like Final Draft (http://www.finaldraft.com/?gclid=CO2FyM_NoI0CFQIPYwodmgXM6w), but it's not too cheap.

There's also a free program called Celtx that you can download, and (I haven't used it) I think it has some basic script format software built in.

Hope this helps.

Edit: Oh! What's your idea?

 

final draft is the industry standard I believe.

 

Yeah, Final Draft is very widely used.

However, before you write a full script, you should probably write a 2 to 3 page treatment. That'll give you something to pitch from.

 

Yeah - don't spend 120 pages on a crappy idea!

 

You should download a bunch of good screenplays in the genre you will be writing and study them. That will teach you a lot about proper screenplay structure.

And as everyone has said..you should use Final Draft. Its worth the price.

 

I really do have a great idea for a movie that I have been meaning to sit and write out. What is the process after that? Just shop it around to producers?

 

This is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences guide to the screenplay format: http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/script.pdf

Can someone tell me what are the benefits to used programs like Final Draft over programs like Microsoft Word?

Not to hijack this thread but is there anyone on her who is a sucessful director or producer. Like many I aspire to be a director and would like to know how you got into the industry and what advice you could give.

 

Make it yourself. Show the world you can. Auteur the movie.

I think user "anunakki" has some experience in that field, but I'll let him speak for himself.

 

Ya and end up like that guy from RedLine???

I could though I guess... I think the concept is great and very original, and it wouldn't need a big budget to make. I would consider it a Michael Douglas type of movie. You've really got me thinking now.

 

He seems to be doing alright...

Good!

 

so a guy cheats on his wife?

 

Define 'successful' ..lol

Theres actually a couple of VERY successful producers on this site..though I dont think they want anyone knowing who they are.

Myself..I produce lower budgeted horror movies...so I dont know if that counts

Success in the film industry is a combination of luck, talent and socializing skills.

I suggest film school not because you learn a lot ( truthfully you can learn just as much working as a PA or intern of a few films AND get paid ) but because of the networking that goes on as well as the recruiting.

If you dont want film school then you just jump in and start working. getting an entry level job on a film is easy. Grab some of the weeklies and offer to work for free on some low budget or student films. Build up a reptuation for being the smart 'go to guy' for getting tough jobs done and eventually people will WANT to pay you.

People with a strong sense of responsibility are in short supply and they are key to getting fillms made.

Then work your way up through the ranks. Lots of 1st ADs make the transition to director.

Most importantly...shoot stuff...make some videos..bands are always looking for people to shoot videos for free ( make them cover expenses only ). Shoot a short film. Dont count on someone financing your first couple projects...do it yourself.

keep in mind pursuing a directing career is not very different than wanting to be a rock star. There is no safe and conservative path and odds are you will fail. Having said that, you should never think you can fail and you have to jump in with both feet and throw caution to the wind.

I can always see the people who have little chance of making it because they arent obsessive about it...they turn down potential opportunities because they get in the way of their regular jobs and financial security. My fav are the people who live out of town and say they will move to LA as soon as they can find a job..lol..okay, you do that !

If your future financial security is your main concern dont consider being a director.

The DGA ( Directors union ) has , according to their site, over 10,000 members...I would be surprised if more than 10% make over $100k a year directing. Before i was a producer I was in Special FX and I remember many directors asking me how I could afford a Viper when they could barely pay for their 3 series BMW.

Thing is being a director is desirable so people will do it for virtually free...its not until the producers want YOU that you start to make money...and that doesnt happen often.

::stepping down off soapbox now::

 

Final Draft has all the formats programmed in... makes it much easier. You can also set up character names to drop in and it allows you to focus on your story and not how fast you can type or tab. Very intuitive.

But its not absolutely necessary..Im sure if you know enough about Word you can program it to do most of what Final Draft does (Im not Word expert ).

 

I've found that different companies {once you worked with them for awhile} can prefer slightly different scripts. Depending on the movie/ show the scripts can be very different.