A starter project?

[LAParker92]

Since I have never successfully finished a good story in my life, I would like some suggestions on topics that can be written short and to the point. I enjoy narratives the most, like sci-fi and such. I can never think of a good storyline that can be short and remain strong. Mostly, I need something so that I can actually have a completed work to call my own.

Any suggestions on such topics?
Or maybe just a few words to help me form an idea?

 

[Uranium City]

Here's one I remember from 5th grade creative writing:

"The last man on earth sits alone in a room. There is knock at the door."

Now, finish the story...

 

[Buddy Greenfield]

Not so much topics, but here are some random ideas that might get the motor going.

*Try the “What If?” game and summon up a premise:

What if - A guy had 24 hours to live?
What if - A girl's dog started talking smack to her?
What if - Some kids ordered a camera from ebay and found stolen royal jewels in it?

What if- A scientist trying to cure himself of some kind of OCD accidentally discovered a cure for cancer, but because of his own affliction couldn’t decide on a name for it?

*Think of a beginning, a middle and an end.
*Start short so you don’t get bored or lost half way.
*Set a page limit so you keep it simple and short.
*Think of a story from the end to the beginning so you don’t not have an ending.
*Try two line step outlines to tell your story all the way through 1st, then write scenes.
*Investigate some genre/plot types.
*Investigate classic tales, myths, fables, stories.

*Try things like:
Attack of the (Bubble wrap!)
Revenge of the (Plankton!)
It came from (Joey’s Sister!)
It came from (The Dollar Store!)

Whatever you do, stay short and finish it come hell or high water.

-Thanks-

 

[Zensteve]

I have never successfully finished a good story in my life

I can never think of a good storyline that can be short and remain strong

Not all filmmakers are writers.

a completed work to call my own.

Close Encounters was written by: (you may only pick one)

Paul Schrader
John Hill
David Giler
Steven Spielberg
Hal Barwood
Matthew Robbins
Jerry Belson

 

[L.I.F.E.]

Since I have never successfully finished a good story in my life

Reading this made me laugh out loud. I just picture a guy at a cocktail party telling a story about work, or his family, or a life story and then just stopping mid-sentence.

 

[LAParker92]

I'm glad I could make someone laugh.

But something at some point has struck a creative nerve and I have formed an idea for a super short film. It may have been something someone said that ultimately led to it, so thank you.

And Zensteve, I do want to be a filmmaker, but my plans are set more along the lines of writing.

 

[Zensteve]

my plans are set more along the lines of writing.

Well, write it!

 

[L.I.F.E.]

Sometimes, you just go out and film something. No plans, no script, maybe not even any actors, just go out with the idea that your going to film something. Come back put all the stuff you just filmed on the computer and then somehow add a story to it and then you got a short. My production company (its not only mine it's me and my 3 friends) did that a few times took a bunch of shots and put them into a story. It eventually just became a part of the group thing. Each one of us has to do it eventually.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c15B3vJ7T4g

^^^ Bunch of random shots cut together the story was added later.

That spawned this quasi sequel...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvRys7Iarrc

Take from it what you will, those were some of our first shorts ever. Started out with no story just filming stuff we thought looked cool.

 

[LAParker92]

A question: Is it normal/reasonable to start a project with a storyboard and build from it?
Does anyone else do that?

 

[Adeimantus]

I use a storyboard when I write feature scripts. It's essential to keep everything organized and makes it easier to see problem areas and fix them.

For a short? *shrug* Depends on how organized you are and how complex the story is.

I suspect everyone is different. I read an interview with an A-List screenwriter who said he never storyboarded a script in his life. He just sits down and starts banging it out.

-Charles


(of course he could be a lying mofo who wants everyone to think he's superman and get you off your game. Competition, baby!)

 

[LAParker92]

Well, now the ideas are flowing and I may finish this thing within the week. It's supposed to be visually pleasing, so the script will probably be a lot more plain than what I see in my mind. Even so, should I post the script to be criticized?

 

[L.I.F.E.]

Just finish the darn thing, and don't worry about what we think!

 

[Adeimantus]

Second that!

For every finished script, there's a thousand unfinished scripts sitting in a drawer somewhere, gathering dust.

 

[LAParker92]

Ok, ok. I'm trying. Considering I have absolutely nothing else to do, it shouldn't take too terribly long.
And it isn't so much that I'm worried what people will think, it's just that they won't see those little details in my mind. I'll try my best to put it on paper though, and I may just post the storyboard as well.

 

[Fernando Smallhands]

I hope you realise the irony of posting asking for ideas for you to use to come with something original of your own??

A lot people shoot without scripts, just brief outlines of characters and improvise from there, I think Lars Von Trier and the Dogme 95 movement sometimes did that as part of their pared down movement of making movies

If you have an idea get a couple of actors and see where it takes you

 

[danjama]

Mike Leigh - doesn't he do that?

 

[Fernando Smallhands]

I think so, I know Curb your Enthusiasm is filmed with only a loose idea for each episode/scene and the dialogue is improvised

So its definitely possible....