I've completed my first screenplay, bought MMSW to make it look pretty.
Logline, synopsis and treatments are done...still need to patch up my pitch.
I realize the odds are stacked against me, but there are a few things in my corner that I believe play to my advantage above other first-timers...not to mean any disrespect to any other first-timers.
1) I've been a writer for 25 years...one element of my daily duties isdialogue. I've been rather successful to the point of being recognized as the best in the world at one particular competition in New York.
2) The story is about the business I'm in, but in a different era.
3) I've worked with people who were in the business at the time my storytakes place. They were a great help.
Technically speaking, I wrote, or rather...spoke...the first draft using Microsoft Speech Recognition. What a relief...no lost thoughts, just let it roll. Especially helpful for the dialogue. Then, I imported the file into MMSW with limited reformtting required. The draft imported as 189 pages...editied to 139...limited use of the "cheat" function brings it down to 129.
As for what it's about...gonna keep that close to my heart for a while.
Stay tuned for develments...
ZW
Logline, synopsis and treatments are done...still need to patch up my pitch.
I realize the odds are stacked against me, but there are a few things in my corner that I believe play to my advantage above other first-timers...not to mean any disrespect to any other first-timers.
1) I've been a writer for 25 years...one element of my daily duties isdialogue. I've been rather successful to the point of being recognized as the best in the world at one particular competition in New York.
2) The story is about the business I'm in, but in a different era.
3) I've worked with people who were in the business at the time my storytakes place. They were a great help.
Technically speaking, I wrote, or rather...spoke...the first draft using Microsoft Speech Recognition. What a relief...no lost thoughts, just let it roll. Especially helpful for the dialogue. Then, I imported the file into MMSW with limited reformtting required. The draft imported as 189 pages...editied to 139...limited use of the "cheat" function brings it down to 129.
As for what it's about...gonna keep that close to my heart for a while.
Stay tuned for develments...
ZW
Technically speaking, I wrote, or rather...spoke...the first draft using Microsoft Speech Recognition. What a relief...no lost thoughts, just let it roll.
I produce a LOT of written material. Pleadings, Briefs, Memoranda, Correspondence, etc.
I've tried ViaVoice, Naturally Speaking, and the built-in voice recognition in Windows Vista.
None of them do anything for me.
Anyone else have luck with this technology?
I haven't tried any other program.
Within a week, Windows Speech Recognition was my best friend.
Best part is, I didn't even know my laptop with Vista had it...It wa a total fluke I found it.
If I hadn't, I'd still be writing.
ZW
m it was m
Within a week, Windows Speech Recognition was my best friend.
Best part is, I didn't even know my laptop with Vista had it...It wa a total fluke I found it.
If I hadn't, I'd still be writing.
ZW
m it was m
Students: We have free audio pronunciation exercises.
A problem for any "first timer":
Nobody will read a script over 120 pages it's an automatic pass at just about every Prodco in town. And some competitions, like the Nicholl, are strict sticklers for formatting. Your "cheat" function would be picked up by them and your script would never get read.
A script between 90 - 100 pages moves to the top of the pile.
-ADS.
Nobody will read a script over 120 pages it's an automatic pass at just about every Prodco in town. And some competitions, like the Nicholl, are strict sticklers for formatting. Your "cheat" function would be picked up by them and your script would never get read.
A script between 90 - 100 pages moves to the top of the pile.
-ADS.
A problem for any "first timer": Nobody will read a script over 120 pages it's an automatic pass at just about every Prodco in town. And some competitions, like the Nicholl, are strict sticklers for formatting. Your "cheat" function would be picked up by them and your script would never get read. A script between 90 - 100 pages moves to the top of the pile. -ADS.
I sorta agree. A drama, according to sources, should be about 115 pgs max, a comedy no more than 100m
Readers read the shortest scripts first, this is also according to authority. Meanwhile Star Wars and The Matrix broke all the rules, scriptwise, and made the big time.
I sorta agree. A drama, according to sources, should be about 115 pgs max, a comedy no more than 100m ... also according to authority. Meanwhile Star Wars and The Matrix broke all the rules, scriptwise, and made the big time.
Yeah, but weren't both of the exceptions here also directed and produced by the writers?
RonB
"There's a story there...somewhere"
Students: Are you brave enough to let our tutors analyse your pronunciation?
I've completed my first screenplay, bought MMSW to make it look pretty. Logline, synopsis and treatments are done...still need to ... 129. As for what it's about...gonna keep that close to my heart for a while. Stay tuned for develments... ZW
Some "heart-felt" advice
move it away from your heart and take a much more critical look at it.
Uncheat whatever cheat functions your using, because those cheat things tend to be extremely obvious to professional eyes.
Then really look at it again. Dramatic dialogue, whether spoken or written, can pretty much always be cut. And since your script needs to lose around thirty pages (uncheated) then you need to do some real cutting not that little snippy line cutting but real cutting.
You need to that "beginning and end of scene" type cutting. That "people saying the same thing twice" type cutting but probably also looking for scenes that do the same work that has already been done in other scenes, and which can be cut that type of cutting.
It's relatively easy to cut out the stuff that doesn't work. The trick is to cut out the stuff that's working okay but that you really don't need.
You need a screenplay between a hundred to a hundred and ten pages. Uncheated. Don't look for exceptions that justify doing anything else.
I've been writing and selling for almost twenty years and I'd never, at this point in the game, submit a script longer than a hundred and ten pages.
NMS
"Zomby Woof"
Don't you think we have enough develments on this site?
Martin
Stay tuned for develments...
Don't you think we have enough develments on this site?
Martin
You need a screenplay between a hundred to a hundred and ten pages. Uncheated. Don't look for exceptions that justify doing anything else. NMS
Got it down to 119 and my brain is bleeding.
ZW
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