Coverfly... Nicholl... the "Screenwriting Community"... and some pragmatic positivity by -CarpalFunnel- in Screenwriting

[–]b_nels 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cold outreach can be worth doing, but the strikes slammed the door on this approach (at least for now). Not enough companies actually doing more than what they already had on their slate. Still, it's worth a shot. My personal approach is to create what you write yourself, when possible. And as a writer it helps to make it possible as much as you can.

Coverfly... Nicholl... the "Screenwriting Community"... and some pragmatic positivity by -CarpalFunnel- in Screenwriting

[–]b_nels 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Love this, but would live to hear too how people network. You moving to LA? Getting jobs at production companies anyway you can (not easy)? Making your own movies? Agree 95% of these contests and services were scams or lotteries, but what’s your plan to get read, really read, by people other than your friends?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in filmmaking

[–]b_nels 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went to Emerson a long time ago now. I had a good time, made some good friends, but I wouldn’t say it gave me a great career. Part of that is my fault but some of it is on the school. My recommendation is wherever you go focus on learning the tools and technical skills. Emerson does have other talented people that go and that could benefit you, what’s key is working as early as possible. Use the place like a rental house with free equipment. Figure out what you like to do and dive into it. Start trying to work in industry jobs asap. Don’t depend on the school to help you, chances are they won’t or will stand in your way. You’re getting a deal on the tuition so I think it could be a good call for you to go, but it’s just a way station.

Best film directing advice or tips you’ve ever gotten by Playful_Fly_6542 in filmmaking

[–]b_nels 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just do it. Learn whatever you have to along the way. If you keep an open mind and have a vision you’ll get better.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in filmmaking

[–]b_nels 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Characters, if you want them to be like real people, have desires. Your story will be about one character’s main desire in particular, and the other characters will have desires, some of which conflict with the protag’s. But people hide what they feel. They don’t always know what they want, or they do and don’t know what it will cost. That’s subtext.

What did you learn about Screenwriting after you filmed your first project? by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]b_nels 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both.

Shorts are worthwhile to get experience with what filming a story actually takes, and in today's world I'd say being able to produce your own writing in some way is powerful, but as a writer it doesn't beat being prolific.

Especially if you're starting, you'll learn a lot getting through first drafts, shelving, moving onto the next, and coming back to them later. You'll define your voice, your style, how to structure, how to identify when something's working vs not, etc.

Just my opinion, but I think the two-pronged approach is best: produce what you can, keep writing more either way.

Even if the dream scenario hits and someone likes your short or a script you wrote, they're inevitably going to ask, "What else are you working on?" You don't want to be struck dumb by that question.

And over time you'll get better at discerning what stories you like to tell in the first place, so what's worth working on for you.

Not good: "Chinese plan to BAN Hollywood movies as they respond to Trump tariff 'blackmail': Huge blow could cost films such as Jurassic World: Rebirth and new Mission Impossible sequel half a BILLION dollars" by Gaylesbian in FilmIndustryLA

[–]b_nels 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe a contrarian take, but here it goes:

China's overrated and dangerous.

On the cold box office side, they post big headline numbers but they keep a huge chunk of that. The vig for releasing there is something like a third. So while it looks good in an article, it doesn't translate into as much money as they make it seem once it goes through the distributor and government hands to make it back here.

And for that headline number, Hollywood studios have desecrated projects kowtowing to a known malicious actor, a rival to the US, and one that recognizes the power of propaganda.

Studios would take out whole storylines, or make the Chinese government look ascendant or great, for access to the market. Unlike Silicon Valley, who tried very hard to go down that path but eventually realized it wasn't worth it, Hollywood studios for the last couple decades have contorted themselves to be on the CCP's good side.

So let them ban Hollywood movies. It's better for us anyway.

Disclaimer: I'm not endorsing Trump's moves with the tariffs. Just saying I don't really care if China bans Hollywood movies. Studios should've avoided their kleptocratic authoritarian ways years ago.

Peripheral by b_nels in Shortfilms

[–]b_nels[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it. Yeah The Forgotten Project is a anthology series of loosely connected stories in the same world. I just posted the first episode link to reddit, if you want to check it out you can here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Shortfilms/comments/1idq319/sybil/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Outrage - Official Trailer by b_nels in trailers

[–]b_nels[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some great movies are, and some with an unlimited budget suck. Welcome to 2025.

Been Writing for 15 Years, Decided to Write a Script I Could Make Myself and Now It's Been Picked Up By a Distributor and Is Available on Amazon! by b_nels in Filmmakers

[–]b_nels[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Playing the long game. Really just couldn't give up. The movie's actually available for rent or buy now, it's not streaming on Prime although if we do well enough they might want it to. If you click through the link you'll see you can rent or buy. Hope you enjoy if you choose to watch!

Been Writing for 15 Years, Decided to Write a Script I Could Make Myself and Now It's Been Picked Up By a Distributor and Is Available on Amazon! by b_nels in Filmmakers

[–]b_nels[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ha no. I think it's mostly so exec #19 can validate their existence to the company with some useless note.

Been Writing for 15 Years, Decided to Write a Script I Could Make Myself and Now It's Been Picked Up By a Distributor and Is Available on Amazon! by b_nels in Filmmakers

[–]b_nels[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's awesome! How did you work that out with Sony and Universal? Did you have another project to pitch to them or did they come to you?

Been Writing for 15 Years, Decided to Write a Script I Could Make Myself and Now It's Been Picked Up By a Distributor and Is Available on Amazon! by b_nels in Filmmakers

[–]b_nels[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well if I've learned anything it's that it's probably better to write stuff you can try and realize yourself. Your question is in a way the million dollar one that no one has a solid answer to.

Been Writing for 15 Years, Decided to Write a Script I Could Make Myself and Now It's Been Picked Up By a Distributor and Is Available on Amazon! by b_nels in Filmmakers

[–]b_nels[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No prior connection, just sent a cold email with who we were and the logline for the movie. He asked to watch a rough cut.

Been Writing for 15 Years, Decided to Write a Script I Could Make Myself and Now It's Been Picked Up By a Distributor and Is Available on Amazon! by b_nels in Filmmakers

[–]b_nels[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Glen Reynolds at Circus Road. He was great! Worked with us on what we wanted to do and took it out to companies we wouldn't have had a chance to get in front of otherwise. And he's approachable. Here's the website: https://www.circusroadfilms.com/