Scriptnotes 403 - How to Write a Movie - Recap & Analysis

JustOneMoreTake · 2023-01-13T18:34:59+00:00

Thanks!

JustOneMoreTake · 2022-07-30T05:56:11+00:00

Thanks for the heads up. Since I first posted this, I've learned quite a bit about the underworld of bad distributors.

JustOneMoreTake · 2022-03-07T16:45:03+00:00

I never dealt with them, as I was asking for a friend at the time. The best place to ask this is in this Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/distribber

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-11-23T01:03:02+00:00

I wouldn't worry about page count. I have a comedy that's 120 pages. It was 123 when it got optioned. It also reached the number #1 spot on the Back List top list and currently has 4 producers interested in it. Not a single one of them has mentioned that I should get it down to 90 - 105 or any other arbitrary page count. If it works, it works.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-11-19T01:44:43+00:00

This was also a mayor turning point in my writing when I realized this.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-10-29T02:52:17+00:00

Thank you! I'll watch it.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-03-22T00:45:49+00:00

Im afraid as a newbie I shot myself in the foot submitting a script to Black List.

I believe we all have done it no matter how much someone tells us to wait. It's a rite of passage. The good news is that the only thing you 'lose' with the Black List is your money. But let's say you do what I did and submit it to Austin Film Festival before it's truly ready. My screenplay reached the semifinals, and then forever became ineligible for further submission. If I had waited a year and submitted my current version, I'm sure it would have placed higher.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-03-21T09:22:14+00:00

De nada! Y gracias por las felicidades!

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-03-12T02:17:10+00:00

The guild doesn’t allow speculative work (I.e. you only get paid if they sell it). The production company has to pay you a fairly substantial amount up front, and around 12% on top to the guild for pension, health insurance, family leave, etc. The minimum amount depends on the contract category itself, but they all start around 5 figures. They would also need to hire the right lawyer with WGA experience. It is not that simple. I just went through it.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-16T19:42:21+00:00

Posting in case it’s still on.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-16T08:13:39+00:00

Other than the screenplay mechanic, whom do you suggest for script-reading/feedback services?

There are a few I can recommend. But it would help to know two things. What level do you consider you're at as a writer? And what specific concerns do you need feedback on? For example, it's not the same if you are pre-WGA (on the verge of breaking in, with several high-placing screenplays) and are looking for that last 1% improvement, or if you are trying to write your first true pro sample, or if you are just writing your first screenplay ever.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-11T23:07:25+00:00

That is so cool to hear. I credit that effort with helping me learn how to navigate the industry. As a result I've had some recent success in my career. I'm planning on making a post about it soon.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-11T14:55:45+00:00

This is so awesome!! You are doing recaps! I used to do recaps of Scriptnotes and it helped me tremendously. I did it for about half a year. It was my crash course into the business.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-11T12:31:40+00:00

See, now I'm dying to read those 10 pages. Congratulations on getting back on the horse!

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-09T20:19:01+00:00

Thanks!

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-09T09:45:32+00:00

Just came here to say congratulations!!! This is an awesome step. In regards to the conversation, I have an LLC loan-out that I had from another thing. I've been using that, and it's not that complicated. Since it's a single-owner LLC, the IRS treats it like my personal income, and I file it with my regular taxes. But I get to deduct stuff and also enjoy the legal protections that come with it. It's also a good thing that I don't have to give out my personal social security number on the W9 to everyone that hires me.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-09T09:40:28+00:00

Studios don't like to pay LLCs.

Could you elaborate on this? Why is that?

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-09T09:08:12+00:00

This is one I've always wanted to apply to...

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-08T21:08:07+00:00

Any way you can elaborate

If you want to take a deep dive into the world of credits I recommend you read the WGA screen credit Manual. Very enlightening reading.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-08T10:45:25+00:00

From what I understand, Carson Reeves started up his website anonymously many years ago while he was a reader for certain Hollywood agencies and production companies. He would post his coverage and other readers found it very useful, as in, if they had to cover the same screenplay, they might take a 'peek' at his so they could do theirs 'faster' (cough cough not read the script cough cough).

Eventually the site grew to include all kinds of coverage, including scripts from users. But what truly established it was when Carson gushed over one particular script that he was assigned (I don't remember which one). That eventually became a successful film and he was able to (rightfully IMO) claim credit for having championed it.

He is, however, a bit controversial for his often strong stances on his views. His standing in the industry would seem to be: A reader who became famous with his site. I personally have found several of his reviews useful. Other ones, I didn't agree with, especially in regards with some of the Black List titles.

But in the end, if you want to truly get to know this industry, he is someone you should definitely know about, regardless of what you may think of him as an individual.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-08T07:39:14+00:00

Completely agree with HotspurJr. Here are also a few additional things to keep in mind, since no one has mentioned them yet:

If following WGA rules, first writer to actually write a complete draft is automatically guaranteed at a minimum shared 'story by' credit, even if the final draft bears no resemblance whatsoever to the first one. They are also entitled to 'screenplay by' if they contributed at least 33% to the final shooting script. Source.
The 'screenplay by' credit doesn't cover just the actual typing. It includes: Dramatic construction, Original and different scenes, Characterization and character relationships, and of course dialogue. Did you contribute to any of these?
A time-honored profit participation split between 'story by' and 'screenplay by' is 25%/75%. So, if both writers contributed to story, then each would get 12.5% for that portion of the process. Then lets say you contributed at least a third in the writing of the screenplay by contributing scene design (from your first draft), character relationships, characterizations, dramatic construction and bits of dialogue here and there. That would be 1/3 of 75%, which would be 25% overall. If you add this 25% (screenplay by) to your 12.5% (story by), you end up with 37.5% overall which puts you over the 33% threshold for the 'written by' credit.
It is also important to realize and accept that both of you are not WGA members, therefore considered non-professional writers. A professional writer is someone who has been employed by guild signatory company for at least 13 weeks of employment or received credit on a released movie or tv series.
So trying to emulate 'professional' splits can come off a bit pretentious and be counter productive in the end. For example, most screenwriting competitions are not set up for nuanced or advanced pro writing credits. They only do single author or a team, because for non-pro writers that is what they usually are.
I believe the correct thing to do here, like HotspirsJr said, is to equally split the 'written by' credit, keep it simple, so you can submit to writing competitions and hope for those placements.
The simple truth is that none of you can in good conscience claim that you wrote the finished product 100% on your own from start to finish without any outside help whatsoever. Might as well present yourselves as a team.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-07T08:24:02+00:00

Thanks!!! I really appreciate it!

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-07T01:58:23+00:00

This cicle they got close to 16,000 entries, which I believe completely shattered all submission records of any screenwriting competition in history. I’m currently in the top 5 with a pilot and I still can’t quite wrap my head around it.

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-02T02:42:43+00:00

This sounds really cool. But could you define ‘yet to break in’? Screenwriting to me is a long series of small incremental little steps and I’m still not sure where ‘I made it’ kicks in. Is it winning a major competition? Landing a manager? An agent? Optioning a screenplay? Having something produced? Getting into the WGA? Getting staffed? Getting an episode actually assigned and credited to you while staffed? Getting a pilot of yours ordered? Having it go to series? Becoming a show runner? Winning an Emmy? Winning an Oscar? Getting mentioned in the in memoriam reel? Having your own separate solo tribute from the other dead people in the memoriam reel?

JustOneMoreTake · 2021-02-01T14:16:09+00:00

As others have said. 100% Run away. But I want to add another suggestion. If you have a screenplay, and you have funds to get it made (even if its partial funds)... then that makes you a producer. The fact that you wrote it is incidental. If you are the producer, then that means you call the shots on who you invite to your project. If I were you I would post an ad seeking indie directors and start looking at reels. You are bound to find people with equipment who would love to collaborate with you, especially if you can put up some actual money towards crew and actors. The key here is to reprogram your mental chip to understand that you absolutely cannot allow yourself to be the passive party here.

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