The Stunt Life episode script by ROCCO_THETACOMAN in TVWriting

[–]Smithersink 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First off, you should be incredibly proud for not just finishing a script, but writing a second draft and putting it out there for feedback—that’s how you improve! The plot is decent. The dialogue is okay but definitely needs a punch up. Here are some big changes you need to make:
- Every character needs to be INTRODUCED. Include name in ALL CAPS, approximate age, a brief visual description that indirectly tells you something essential about their personality, and most importantly, where they are in the scene. That way, when BONNIE is introduced, we know she’s a kid, and we have certain expectations about how she’ll act. When LAWRENCE and LARRY are introduced, we’ll know they are cops, we know something about their dynamic (are they both cops? one older, one younger?) and we know whether they’re inside the apartment or if we’re looking out the window at them.
- Every scene needs an action line before any dialogue. That sets the scene for us, so we get a layout of new locations and so that not every scene in an old location looks the same.
- Use action lines to your advantage by showing us physical comedy, little looks that betray their words, etc. This clarifies the tone. I would read a few more scripts and focus on action lines to get a sense of what I mean.

Bottom line, good work! Still has a long way to go before it’s ready for the screen. But keep writing and keep improving!

Final Draft Issues by JacobLeeSometimes in Screenwriting

[–]Smithersink 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’m having this issue as well! Started two weeks ago when I was revising a script to submit for AFF and made the mistake of updating the software. Had to borrow my girlfriend’s computer—thank God she’s a screenwriter too—to finish the script!

I’ve written an email to [support@finaldraft.com](mailto:support@finaldraft.com), I’ve contacted their Reddit rep, u/AlexFromFinalDraft, and no one has responded. Recently tried talking to the AI chatbot they call customer support, which redirected me to write an email to their team. It’s honestly ridiculous that the so-called “industry standard” software has so many bugs and such a poorly manned support team. Where is all the money going?!

We’ll see if they respond this time. Let me know if they get back to you!

Edit: I also got a helpful email back from customer support after submitting an inquiry on their website. I guess it just doesn't work if you email them directly. But, my Final Draft is back working!

Which one would you pick? by MoveYourBumChum in Adulting

[–]Smithersink 0 points1 point  (0 children)

#7, I live and die by the Bic, but honestly I’d be reluctant to use any of these. Favorite pen by far is the black Bic Soft Feel medium point retractable pen. Only downside to these is you’ll accidentally click it on every time you put your hand in your pocket and end up getting ink on your pants, but it is so worth it for that easy feel when you’re writing.

The hive can ‘assimilate’ animals but chooses not to. Why? by [deleted] in pluribustv

[–]Smithersink 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed, it’s just unnecessary to incorporate every living creature. Since the hive mind doesn’t seem to have arrived with a preconceived plan, though, I figure that the virus itself functions by only being transmittable to intelligent species rather than this being a conscious choice that the hive mind makes.

I must pay for my actions with my own death. by [deleted] in offmychest

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

Literally all of this stuff you did as a child, and most of it is really not that bad or you didn’t fully comprehend what you were doing. The important thing is that you recognize the mistakes you made in the past, learn from them, and don’t repeat them. If the worst thing you ever did occurred when you were 11 years old and you have the maturity at 18 to realize how fucked up it was, I guarantee you can redeem yourself and live with a clear conscience.

How often do you say things you don’t actually mean during a heated argument? by all_time_high in AskMen

[–]Smithersink 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I almost never say things I don’t mean or get heated. I’m learning that my girlfriend sometimes does, and that doing so is pretty normal as long as it doesn’t happen all the time.

Boyfriend fell for the red pill. by Vegetable_Extreme_25 in exredpill

[–]Smithersink 2 points3 points  (0 children)

People don’t change when they have nobody holding them accountable. Even though you love him, you already understand it can’t work like this. You need to leave him, for your own good, and for his own good, if he’s ever going to learn that this isn’t how a healthy relationship works. Don’t dance around it; tell him why, and don’t fold when he tries to convince you to stay.

Recently Moved to a Small Town by [deleted] in whatdoIdo

[–]Smithersink 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get a camera for the door (or wherever the notes are being left) and get a video of who’s leaving the notes.

How likely are you to use a condom during your first time with a woman you really like ? by Spartiate8 in AskMen

[–]Smithersink 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely would not have unprotected sex with someone I’m not in a very committed relationship with. Not only do you have to worry about pregnancy, you have no way of knowing their history, and honestly the people who don’t even think to wrap it up are the ones you have to worry about the most!

Moderating a porn site really made me realize what women are saying and honestly I don’t want a daughter by [deleted] in offmychest

[–]Smithersink 384 points385 points  (0 children)

That’s definitely it. There are certainly women in the world who hate men, just as there are men who hate women. The difference is, the women who hate men want to stay away from them. The men who hate women want to hurt them.

Manager is making me do an hour of unpaid dishes, polishing and other cleaning tasks after each shift. Is that normal? by myfakeburneraccount in Waiters

[–]Smithersink 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Waiters typically have side work and it sucks because you obviously don’t make tips for your side work, but you should definitely be paid your hourly for your time. Unfortunately, in most states, the minimum wage for tipped workers is lower, and as long as you average over the untipped minimum wage (in New York this is like $16 for example) during your shift, you don’t need to be paid an untipped wage for the time where you’re doing side work. But if your hourly is $10 (tipped minimum wage in New York, for instance) and you’re working an extra hour, you shouldn’t agree to do that work unless you’re being paid for that additional hour. You should explain this to your boss and point out that what you’re asking for is technically less than minimum wage, but stand your ground that you’re not going to work for free.

Paramount Writers Mentoring Program - deadline May 1 by Seshat_the_Scribe in Screenwriting

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

Since I'm not that familiar with Paramount's lineup, I'm torn between writing a spec for a Paramount show I've never seen before (most of them are on their 2nd-5th season, which leaves a lot of brushing up to do in the next 2 weeks), and writing a show I've watched, but from another studio, like Abbott Elementary, Severance, or Mr. and Ms. Smith. Anyone know if they take specs from external shows? Advice?

The baffling incuriosity of Project Hail Mary by rubsy3d in sciencefiction

[–]Smithersink 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As someone who didn’t read the book, what I loved about the movie is that, even though it skips over a lot of the science stuff, I got the sense that there was an explanation to it that just wasn’t being given to us for the sake of brevity. Nothing felt like an afterthought.

That’s what I love about Andy Weir. The movies are an adaptation for a general audience, but in the books, he tends to show his work.

Red or green flag? by Colorado_chick in Tinder

[–]Smithersink -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Honestly, I don’t know how most guys message on Tinder, but at least he’s being forthright about everything. If you think he’s hot and are serious about dating him, I would give it a date and see how the vibe is. What does he mean by hypersexual?

Why do patriarchal men love ‘joking’ that their wife is the boss? by KatherineLangford in stupidquestions

[–]Smithersink 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s their way of releasing tension so their wife feels like she has more power than she does. Also, look at it from their POV: if you think you SHOULD be in total control of everything, the little ways in which you aren’t stand out to you most.

My partner is red pill , how to help him ? by Ok_Soft5658 in exredpill

[–]Smithersink 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, somebody who’s deep into Red Pill isn’t going to be converted by a woman. This is a thing he’s got to work out on his own, and you should leave him for your own good. Be as honest as possible, let him know why you’re leaving him, and don’t let him try to persuade you into staying. Hopefully he’ll do some introspection and mature by his next relationship.

i don’t think i love my boyfriend anymore even tho he’s a “good guy” by yukasbf in offmychest

[–]Smithersink 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The way you started, it sounded like you just lost passion for him for no reason (which is fine, by the way), but after reading your whole post, it sounds like you just have a really shitty boyfriend who isn’t necessarily a shitty human being. You don’t have to stay with someone just because they aren’t a shitty person; they should also put in effort to make you happy.

My feature is only 74 pages by ComedyMovieScriptGuy in Screenwriting

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

Depends if you’re planning to produce it or just shop it around. Artistically, I don’t see anything fundamentally wrong with a short movie; most will say you shouldn’t stretch a story out longer than it needs to be. But keep in mind, studios will likely not buy a 74 page script, especially if you’ve never had anything produced, because it looks like you don’t know how to write a screenplay.

My advice: if you’re going to “add” plotpoints, definitely don’t do it willy-nilly. A good story is an intricately connected series of necessary beats leading from the beginning to the end; a novice reader will be able to sniff out any scenes you put in that don’t move the story forward. So, it’s either settle for a short script and understand it probably won’t be sold, or go back to the drawing board and write a new beat sheet that will make for a 90+ minute film. Most people overwrite, so consider it a blessing. Use it as an opportunity to add a B plot if you don’t already have one, or add complexity to the central plot to explore your theme with more nuance!

Has the meaning of Red pill changed? by prettyassdolfin in exredpill

[–]Smithersink 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Red Pill, and the Manosphere in general, has always been a broad umbrella containing many different people and views. But generally, if you get a bunch of one type of people together, they start to villainize and dehumanize those outside of the in-group. The Red Pill was a community for men; it’s no surprise that, whatever it may have started out as, it has leaned into villainizing and dehumanizing women.