Ok so im fairly new to filmmaking. Im not very good at writing screenplays but want some kind of story to film. Do you think id be better off trying to find some one that would write a short script for me or just use my own even if its not that good just to get more practice? btw im on zero budget
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what to do when it comes down to scripts?
- Thread starter brettzdamn
- Start date
If you're primarily interested in filming, and you're at the zero budget level, just write your own. If you're filming it yourself and you have a small crew of people who want to work on it, just get a script together and try it. You don't need to stick to it 100% and you'll learn a lot about production from things you didn't consider at the writing stage.
I'm very much a practical man, and when you're just learning, I'd heartily advise doing something, and doing it as soon as possible, over thinking about it and trying to work out the best approach. I may be wrong, but it's working for me
I'm very much a practical man, and when you're just learning, I'd heartily advise doing something, and doing it as soon as possible, over thinking about it and trying to work out the best approach. I may be wrong, but it's working for me
I think that if you want to be a filmmaker, you need to learn how to write screenplays.
Even if you think it's not your thing, it's essential to understanding cinematic storytelling. Good filmmakers try to have working knowledge about every job related to making movies. You'll not only make better movies, but you'll better be able to communicate with crew and collaborators.
Even if you think it's not your thing, it's essential to understanding cinematic storytelling. Good filmmakers try to have working knowledge about every job related to making movies. You'll not only make better movies, but you'll better be able to communicate with crew and collaborators.
I faced the same thing - I bet most of us here can relate.
I did two things that really helped. I shot a few one act plays
and I adapted a few short stories. Now I did this before the
internet age so there was no way I could show my films to anyone
outside of my small circle of friends and family. So I offer this
advice with a warning - you are technically violating the
copyright by doing those things.
That said, I found it really helped me. Not only as a director but
as a writer. It might be worth trying. Do NOT post the finished
project on the internet - just use the movies as good experience.
Even if you decide to give that a try, you really should write a
few scripts yourself and look around for writers who may not have
the means to make a movie.
Thanks guys. Yeah so i guess im going to attempt to write a short script maby 10 minutes long and see how it comes out. I just have the hardest time comming up with a concept. Maby if my script isnt any good ill try what directorik said and adapt a short story or one act plays just for practice.
Start with character. A person who wants something that's not easy to get. What's their goal or desire? What's their obstacle (could be a person or situation)? What happens if they don't get what they want?
Also, try and use as little dialog as possible and instead think of what physical actions are involved to get the goal. For shorts, using as little dialog as possible is an important key to learning visual storytelling.
Also, try and use as little dialog as possible and instead think of what physical actions are involved to get the goal. For shorts, using as little dialog as possible is an important key to learning visual storytelling.
I am biased because my reason for going into filmmaking was partly to bring my stories out into the world without having to suffer print editors' rejection notices. With me the stories came first.
I would not waste time on a story you are not excited about.
There are very simple, well-known plots you can use. For example -- an excellent little sci fi film called Outland, with Sean Connery, post-Bond. Another sci fi called Soldier with Kurt Russell. Both of these are variants on the plot of the 1960's movie, Shane, with Alan Ladd , which was an American copy of a samurai plot used by Akira Kurosawa:
THE LONESOME HERO PLOT
1. a place has a problem
2. a warrior hero comes
3 he solves the problem after opposition
4 he leaves triumphant but alone.
Shakespeare's plot for Romeo and Juliet was an adaptation of the Greek myth of Pyramus and Thisbe.
While the above seem like good points - there's a lot to be said for having a collaborator. Having someone else involved is a good motivator for finishing a project. And it's never a bad idea to network.
I think I'd suggest doing both. Work out your own script - and seek any kind of local no-budget film scene.
I think I'd suggest doing both. Work out your own script - and seek any kind of local no-budget film scene.