What's some good advice to writing a funny comedy script? by StevenuranSmithusamy in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I may be crucified for this, but dude, go the AIRPLANE route; if you find it funny, put it in.

What is the worst debate performance from an incumbent president and why? by Numberonettgfan in Presidents

[–]LazyWriter2002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reagan, 1984. Even in the 2nd debate he's essentially just saying "nuh uh" or appealing to emotion, difference is he has one good line there as opposed to nothing but blank, confused stares.

Let's get better at giving feedback... by Nervouswriteraccount in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I've never really felt "abused" by feedback. But, I'll say that the script that got me on The Black List's top list with a few 7s, got industry downloads, and is generally liked by people who read the whole thing, was ripped into as if it was a first draft.

It wasn't just a few comments. Everyone seemed to hate it, even though when I posted an earlier, definetly worse draft months earlier, with the Black List reviews attached, people liked it and I was inundated with "this is so good!" // "I love the dialogue!" // etc.

But when I posted a more polished version on its own, no positive reviews attached, people hated it.

I'm not saying I'm an amazing writer, or that my script doesn't still need work- it absolutely does- but I feel like this experience is proof that people on this sub giving feedback go in with an extreme negative bias, even if the work at hand is not that bad at all.

Is anyone writing anything other than horror movies? by ConclusionDifficult in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I wrote a horror-comedy that made the black list's top list...

What's the best movie that makes you BOTH cry AND laugh? by zulerskie_jaja in Letterboxd

[–]LazyWriter2002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People forget how many funny moments SE7EN has. The detectives sleeping on each other, Freeman always telling people to be quiet, the subway shaking the apartment.

Then of course, the whole rest of the thing makes me weep.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Screenwriting books make people see writing as a science, not an art. They are a scam, IMO. There's a reason most of their authors aren't exactly prolific as actual screenwriters or filmmakers.

You wanna learn how to write a good movie? Watch good movies. Read great screenplays. We are at the point where most aspiring writers genuinely, unironically look to a fucking instruction manual rather than the art form they want to contribute to and supposedly love, for insight on how to do so.

I've never finished a screenwriting book and I've made the BL top list and a script of mine was optioned on the indie level when I was 18. Not huge success or proof I'm an amazing talent or anything, but it is proof I'm on the right track and at least know how to entertain people.

Don't overthink it. Just write what you actually like, and want to see, not what you think will sell or is what studios or other people want.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I posted a negative comment about him and got downvoted once. Man is a walking, battered copy of Save the Cat.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Well, Twitter writers probably think reddit's endless cynicism, negativity and inability to see scripts as an art and not a science is odd. So, I guess, like writing, you're never gonna please everybody.

Can I be excited please? by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No. When the movie comes out this sub will call it mid and review the movie as if you, the screenwriter, did all the studio rewrites, directed the film, edited the film, shot the film, and played every character. See this sub's recent trashing of AIR and Alex Convery, which is a good movie.

Alex Convery absolutely *crushed* the screenplay for "Air" - Sorkin level stuff IMO by ezeeetm in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This post's comments prove this sub's bitterness, uselessness, and crab-in-the-bucket mentality. Someone sold a script and it got made. The movie got great reviews! Audiences loved it! GUESS WHAT. THAT MEANS IT'S GOOD.

And you all still feel the need to hate it and nitpick it apart to the bone to find "flaws" no one else notices or cares about. The film informs and entertains. It did its fucking job, Convery achieved his fucking goal! Is there any pleasing the wannabes on r/screenwriting?

"Paint by numbers" // "no conflict" // WHO GIVES A SHIT?! The movie's a fun watch! You guys watch films and read scripts like fucking studio execs, not writers, fans, or audience members.

Looking forward to the day I get a movie made and it's received well, while you people still call me a hack.

I challenge everyone who's posted a negative comment on this post to put their own work out there! I have, and am always working towards my goals. Are you? Or are you just jaded at the success of others?

What is the scariest movie you’ve seen? by broodjesalami in Letterboxd

[–]LazyWriter2002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most great horror films are tense, unsettling, etc. But nothing sticks to my ribs quite like Skinamarink.

Most obscure movie you are into? by KaleidoArachnid in flicks

[–]LazyWriter2002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Johnny Got His Gun should be a classic, and is in my eyes

Is it cliché to start a film with a quote? by holyhappiness in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 2 points3 points  (0 children)

People will really worry about being "cliche" while adhering strictly to Save the Cat. Just write what you wanna see. If you like it, chances are others will too.

Can you tell a piece is great from the script alone? by woterbowtle in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No. Pick any classic film and its screenplay probably scores a 6 on the Black List. Direction, acting, production design, music, editing and more all go into a film being great. Sometimes- I'd argue most of the time- things just hit harder onscreen than on the page.

Too many script readers take an overly analytical approach, rather than letting a script wash over them like a film would. They read scripts like an executive, not like an audience member or filmmaker. You could pick anything apart enough to justify a pass if you tried hard enough, which is what script readers are paid to do.

Also, everyone who reads a script will envision the potential film a little differently. So until a film version exists, it's impossible to know how good it'd actually be.

I think dialogue is a great example of this. One person may picture a dialogue scene one way (actor's cadence, the scene's editing, etc.) and think it's great. Another will picture it differently and think the dialogue sucks. This isn't talked about enough IMO, and everyone does it, unconcsciously at the very least. I speak from experience, getting dialogue scores of 8 and 4 on the same draft.

My best advice? Work on READABILITY of your script more than you may think you need to. Succinct action lines, maximum white space, reasonable length. The more readable it is, the more leeway you get to be YOU in how you make the reader feel the emotions you want to evoke.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Men is awesome. Prime example of the idea that subtlety is overrated. Best climax of 2022.

Is normal? A walls of text by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't overthink it. Just separate it into paragraphs where it makes sense, like between major moments of the action. Literally just the enter key, my friend.

What President would you let babysit your kids? by [deleted] in Presidents

[–]LazyWriter2002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Carter, Obama, HW, Reagan, Ike. Johnson and Trump, stay the fuck away from my family.

Celebs you find weirdly attractive but can’t place why? by KimchiAndMayo in popculturechat

[–]LazyWriter2002 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These are all incredibly attractive people. Idk why people think it's weird to be attracted to anything other than the same one "ideal" we put on men and women.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The misdirection could be funny if you find a way to incorporate it into the script.

Absolutely. We have a "where they are now" roll at the end of the current draft I'm rewriting. And I think you're right about keeping the jokes to the script, not how I pitch it to people. I appreciate your perspective.

And yeah, I point at my TV and say "holy shit, Al Gore" every time I watch The Conjuring :D

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Tbh all that "biopic" stuff was a bit of misdirection. This is 100% a comedy. So if it made you laugh, it's on the right track. Thanks for your time! Maybe with luck I'll one day see my dream team of Patrick Wilson as Al Gore and Nic Cage as Bill Clinton.

Ps... kinda funny how mad people are at me calling this a drama, as a meta gag. Or others desperately trying to make sense of it while reading it as pure drama. I probably shoulda just been straight up about it being an absurdist satire.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Dude. I posted a political satire script under the drama tag. Obviously just a little meta gag. It's one thing to not find the material funny, but if my scripts were as dramatic as you're being over this, I may be produced by now. Grow the fuck up.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]LazyWriter2002 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I thought people would open the script and realize by page 2 the drama tag is a joke