• Wondering which camera, gear, computer, or software to buy? Ask in our Gear Guide.

Can one edit and make/direct my very short film?

It is a criminal, and I tried to write it to be short and easy to make.. It is not still in script format and also it is not in proper English. Can anyone help?



Thanks!
 
wake up scene

an empty room.

then you have someone talking. who is talking if the room was empty.
why is it called wake up scene. call it INT. BEDROOM maybe? or living room. what kind of room is it?

is someone supposed to be sleeping on the bare floor and then wake up?
then you need to say that.

all you've got is an empty room on the screen.

When I say OLD WOMAN, it is voice of Jennifer (old woman) in BACKGROUND. No one is talking in the home, but her voice over is heard.
And room doesn't matter.
Yes, Jen is waken, it is evident from beginning of dialogue. I didn't bother to add.


Thanks!
 
It is PDF, but text can be copied. Two pages and in screenplay format. Hope it is okay...

You're getting there!

PHP:
INT. KITCHEN – DAY

A white wooly dog eats cut up pieces of chicken from a plate.

INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY

An OLD WOMAN sits in an overstuffed chair.
Then, as sfoster points out, you use V.O. Under the character name.

There is no Scene Heading “LEAVING HOME SCENE” and everything
you write down is what the director will shot; what the audience will
see. When you write “after a while they come back” what is on screen
during that time? The Old Woman and the dog leave the home and
you want the audience to look at an empty room until they come
back? How long until they come back?

This is a nice story, told by one character. What are we seeing as we
watch the movie? That's what you need to write in a screenplay.

Suddenly there is a character (John) who wasn't inside the home in
the first scene but speaks in the leaving home scene. Where does he
come from? When do we first see him? What is he doing?

A movie is visual. Write what we see on the screen, not just dialogue.
 
You're getting there!

PHP:
INT. KITCHEN – DAY

A white wooly dog eats cut up pieces of chicken from a plate.

INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY

An OLD WOMAN sits in an overstuffed chair.
Then, as sfoster points out, you use V.O. Under the character name.

There is no Scene Heading “LEAVING HOME SCENE” and everything
you write down is what the director will shot; what the audience will
see. When you write “after a while they come back” what is on screen
during that time? The Old Woman and the dog leave the home and
you want the audience to look at an empty room until they come
back? How long until they come back?

This is a nice story, told by one character. What are we seeing as we
watch the movie? That's what you need to write in a screenplay.

Suddenly there is a character (John) who wasn't inside the home in
the first scene but speaks in the leaving home scene. Where does he
come from? When do we first see him? What is he doing?

A movie is visual. Write what we see on the screen, not just dialogue.

JOHN is husband of the old woman (Jen). He is probably in another room or is doing his own works. His first appearance is when they leave home.

No wait, just a second. In that day, AFTER COMING BACK (I did forget/miss it).
In fact, the camera is fixed on the door.


Thanks!
 
He given up, anyone else interested?
I didn't give up. I feel this story doesn't lend itself to a movie. It's a
woman sitting in a chair telling a story in voice over. for me a short
film needs to be more visual. I also choose not to shoot this specific
script because it was not presented in screenplay format. The format
is how writers and filmmakers communicate. It is not a trivial thing.
A short story may be a fine story but if it's not in screenplay format
then it's not a movie.

I will be glad to consider any screenplay you offer.
 
I didn't give up. I feel this story doesn't lend itself to a movie. It's a
woman sitting in a chair telling a story in voice over. for me a short
film needs to be more visual. I also choose not to shoot this specific
script because it was not presented in screenplay format. The format
is how writers and filmmakers communicate. It is not a trivial thing.
A short story may be a fine story but if it's not in screenplay format
then it's not a movie.

I will be glad to consider any screenplay you offer.

I usually like wordy films, though know most make short non-talkative. I have the file in celtx format, can send you, but that's not what you like.
I try another script, but above tried to be short and cheap..


Thanks!
 
Nobody did you say you did software?

Has anyone ever come up to you with an idea for a piece of software to start a business.
they'll say... I provided the idea!! Now you put in 800 hours of work and we'll split it 50/50!

Would you take someone up on that offer? Someone who didn't put any real effort into it themselves?

This is kinda what it's like when you pitch a script that you wrote once and think it's done. Scripts need to be written and rewritten and rewritten. A lot of effort needs to be made. You cannot just spit something out and expect someone to dedicate the amount of time and money it takes to turn it into a film.

Kind of like showing up to a job interview with no shoes, shorts and a sleeveless shirt.
 
I usually like wordy films, though know most make short non-talkative.
I like wordy films, too. Great dialogue, strong banter, thoughtful
themes can make a terrific short film. In this case you have offered
a monologue. And one in voice over. The visual is a woman sitting
and thinking. Not to my liking so I don't want to spend my money
making it. I would make this for you if I didn't have to pay out of
pocket.

It seems simple enough for YOU to make. Have you considered that
option?
 
I like wordy films, too. Great dialogue, strong banter, thoughtful
themes can make a terrific short film. In this case you have offered
a monologue. And one in voice over. The visual is a woman sitting
and thinking. Not to my liking so I don't want to spend my money
making it. I would make this for you if I didn't have to pay out of
pocket.

It seems simple enough for YOU to make. Have you considered that
option?

I understand it, but I am not a film director, can't do it. I never did it and even don't have enough expertise and facilities for it.
I come up with a better script. I changed some, for being costly. For example, the script which was about a film making lover who wanted to make his grandma's stories into film. People said it is costly, as it was outdoor and with some people. So, I think I need a new thing.


Thanks!
 
You need to reword your proposal then, basically you are looking to have your film made, as a writer, so in essence, you are offering a free script to someone that will produce it.

A little different than looking for someone to make your film (you as acting Producer).

Free script! (relinquish any creative control)...
 
I am writing about a Fugitive who hid in a home soldiers looking for him, good?
You have good ideas. What you need to do is learn the screenplay
format.

Do you have access to watching episodes of "Twilight Zone"? If
you do watch 12 episodes. There are many that take place in one
or two locations with three to five characters.

Look AT THIS LINK. It's an old format that includes camera angles
but if you study it it should help you understand format.
 
I don't understand what INT. and EXT. mean. I thought celtix software is for formatting script and I tried to use it for this reason. It seems still I have problem. True?

Do I miss only camera (SHOT)?


Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Back
Top