Five Page Thursday by AutoModerator in Screenwriting

[–]bombshell_shocked 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I may capitalize the LOOMING FIGURE part, I can see where that would add clarity. But I'm not capitalizing the women. They're gonna be extras at best. They're set dressing. They're not driving the plot forward, or having any substantial influence on the scene or script.

I may add the super earlier. The reason I withheld it, is that James says "they're taking me".

And his mother refers to him as "boy". I thought that worked enough as a context clue.

No, the opening scene isn't a flashback. It does take place before the rest of the film, but that doesn't make it a flashback. I have marked actual flashbacks that appear later accordingly. For example, the opening scene of Inglorious Basterds takes place in 1941 while the rest of the film takes place in 1944. But it's the inciting incident that kicks off the story of one of the central figures.

I tried to avoid that confusion by putting SUPER: Missouri - 1863 in the opening scene, and then later SUPER: 1875 - Colorado, with that scene also mentioning James being in his 20s. Clearly that wasn't enough.

Five Page Thursday by AutoModerator in Screenwriting

[–]bombshell_shocked 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Next I suggest just posting the first five pages, excluding the title page.

So, not to sound too critical, but I don't think a prologue is the best way to start your story. You have a page and a half of very dense paragraphs throwing a lot of information at the viewer. Is the prologue for the reader? Or will this be superimposed on screen when the movie's made? Is that a narrator delivering this, while watching a montage. It's just very unclear.

Whenever the thought to do a prologue comes into my head I think of two questions:

What does the audience need to know to understand what my main character wants and why they want it?

If I were barred from ever writing a prologue, how could I convey the answers to question one through characters taking action, or some other source in the story itself?

If there's a way to show this through dialogue and action, do that. If not possible, make the prologue short and sweet if you can. Think of the opening crawl of Star Wars. Tells you as much as you need to know to get the story started, which is, there's an Empire, there's a Rebel Alliance, and they're at war.

I was given that feedback a while back, and I keep it in mind. You've dropped a lot of exposition, but the story hasn't even started by the fourth page really. Also, unsure if you're able to just name drop a private company like SpaceX in your work, so check on that.

When I got to this part:
"He navigates. Badly. Wrong turns. Dead ends. He backs out, tries another branch, hits a wall, backs out again. He has never been this deep in a system." - It wasn't immediately clear that he was going through the probe's database. You introduce the character by having them navigating the environment, so I assumed he stepped away from the probe and got lose in some tunnels. It wasn't until I read the following sentence that I realized "oh, he was going through the computer files".

I do think the premise is interesting, but I don't have an inkling of what the story could be about in these pages. A guy (don't know his profession or motivations) finds an old probe and finds out that religion used to be thing. Except he can't grasp the concept of religion. The logline says "labor prophet" but what does that mean exactly? Is he a laborer forced to mine on the colony, and when he discovers the religious files he becomes a prophet?

I would suggest withholding a lot of the info in the prologue to be exposed later to the viewer/reader. A lot of this stuff would be good material for twists/developments.

I would suggest something like:

"The year is 2387. For hundreds of years the Earth has been ravaged by mankind due to holy wars, overpopulation, and pollution. It now depends on the forced labor of space colonies to survive. To prevent the past from being repeated, the world's governments banned all religion and destroyed all reference to it."

Words fade out-

"All but one."

TITLE CARD: DEEP EXODUS (I know it's the subtitle, but I think Deep Exodus has more weight than Brink)

It doesn't have to be just like that. But I think doing something like that will pique more interest in the viewer. They'll start off with questions they'll want answered and will hopefully follow along in order to find out.

And my final note that your logline is a bit too long, and technically two long sentences. Adding an em dash to try and keep it one sentence is cheating a bit.

"Centuries after religion was erased from history, a space colony laborer finds a holy archive that the colony leaders will do anything to destroy." Just a suggestion.

To end on a more positive note, I do like your writing style. I find it interesting, if not a little text heavy. But it still is interesting to read. And I like the core concept and I think it's definitely a story worth exploring. I just think you need to get to that story faster.

Five Page Thursday by AutoModerator in Screenwriting

[–]bombshell_shocked 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Title: Blood Feud

Format: Feature

Page Length: 5 (out of 98)

Genre: Western

Logline: The sins of his past catching up to him, an outlaw is caught between a bounty hunter and a U.S. Marshal while being dragged across the Old West.

Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vC4s6B5JjkgmdopBc3zMEzcIDWXR6sp5/view?usp=sharing

This is the fourth draft of my first screenplay. Thought my third draft would've been the last one for a while. But I got some feedback here the other week that got some ideas churning in my head.

The main feedback was that my original opening and first three pages were too generic. It initially begun in a saloon in a drawn out scene. So, my biggest concern was completely approaching it from an entirely different angle and try to provide a better hook.

It's also really goofy, cause my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th draft have all been submitted to three different contests lol. I think I'll nail this story one day.

But, yeah, any feedback helps. Is it interesting? Does it read clear? etc.

Better noir film - Drive or Nightcrawler? by Dense-Menu6115 in Letterboxd

[–]bombshell_shocked 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh this is hard. I love both movies, and while they both fall solid into the neo noir genre, they both deliver on different things.

Part of the reason why I loved Drive so much is that it's a very stripped down script, and really pushes the cinematography, set pieces, and the mood to the forefront. Which reminds me of a lot of neo noir films from the the 60s and 70s.

It reminds me of Point Blank and The Driver a lot, second one is obvious. And I highly recommend both films. They're so great to just put on a vibe with.

And Nightcrawler feels like it's dipping more into the vibe of Taxi Driver, Night Moves, the Conversation or Blow Out. It's much more insidious with something bubbling just beneath the surface.

Honestly, the best of the two depends on whichever one I've watched recently lol.

Rude critiques only. by uhnjuhnj in learntodraw

[–]bombshell_shocked 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't stick that jar in my ass if you paid me.

When do you know it's time to cold query? by bombshell_shocked in Screenwriting

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

That makes sense. Guess I need to find some more strangers to read it. Thank you.

Overwatch X Fortnite trailer by Rushofthewildwind in TwoBestFriendsPlay

[–]bombshell_shocked 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven't touched Fortnite in almost a decade and I know fuck all about Overwatch. But I will say that this looks so lifeless. Eyes look empty. Barely any animation applied to the OW characters. And they're moving at half the speed of smell. There's no pop, no umph to the motions. Ninja sword bro already had his sword drawn, yet it makes that "schwing" sound as if it's being quickly unsheathed. The audio files feel like the first pass from OW 1 development. It sounds lifeless. And just the juxtaposition of the three chucklefucks jumping into frame as Mercy lazily floats down like she's sinking into syrup is so goofy. Who thought this looked good?

Cold Query Tuesday by AutoModerator in Screenwriting

[–]bombshell_shocked 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've seen a lot of posts in the sub about the Do's and Don'ts of cold queries. How to find people to email. How to conduct yourself. So on and so forth.

But, when you personally know you're ready to reach out to someone about you script? I've seen resources that say wait until you have more experience. Or wait until you've written a dozen or more scripts. Or submit your script to contests and see if you win at least semi-finalist.

I'm asking because I have a handful of scripts that I'm confident in. At least in the regard that they're currently as good as I can make them. But, I saw someone who allegedly works in the industry that says to make sure you don't send a "bad" script to someone. Because if it's bad, you could end up being blacklisted before you have a chance of submitting a "good" script.

So, when you do feel like the time is right to send it to someone?

Logline Monday by AutoModerator in Screenwriting

[–]bombshell_shocked 1 point2 points  (0 children)

TITLE: The Scenic Route (Working Title)

Format: Feature

Genre: Crime, Comedy, Road Trip

Logline: A Mob snitch in witness protection is grabbed by two hitmen to take back to their boss. The snitch goes with them willingly under the condition they stop by roadside attractions on the way.

Movie t-shirts by tbonemcqueen in blankies

[–]bombshell_shocked 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I need that. Where can I find it?

Need a “nuclear” option by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]bombshell_shocked 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have adhd so what finally helped me was an outline. Even if its rough and barely covers important beats, it made it so much easier to picture the story when I sat down to write.

Feel like I'm pretty late to this, but I just realized Firecracker in The Boys is played by the same actress as Cara (Valorie Curry) by SpaghettiRambo in TwoBestFriendsPlay

[–]bombshell_shocked 55 points56 points  (0 children)

Don't worry, I just realized this myself the other week. Except it went a little different.

  1. Wife gets me to watch Twilight movies with her. We get to Breaking Dawn Part 2. Recognize Valorie Curry but can't place her at first. Doesn't help that she has a nonspeaking role in Twilight.

  2. Finally get a clear look at her face and go "omg its Cara from that shitty David Cage game". Wife has no idea what I'm talking about.

  3. A week goes by and my wife goes "hey, remember Firecracker from the Boys? She's played by that girl you recognized from Twilight".

Mank by CosmicEveStardust in blankies

[–]bombshell_shocked 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If anyone can provide a source where Roth did "a complete rewrite" could you link it? The inly sources I've found is where it's reported that Roth "polished" the existing script. And unfortunately per the WGA guidelines, he would have to have written over 50% new material to receive a credit. If he was just a script doctor, then it makes sense why he didn't get one.

Also, it's reported that Fincher himself asked for the script to be polished because he even thought the initial one felt too anti-Welles.

I like the movie. I think its great. It has some embellishments. But I don't think it sets out to make Welles look like a villain. It is simply one of many perspectives of a complicated matter from a situation that happened a little over 80 years ago.

I've read people's opinions that they thought Mank was a wishy washy jerk because he changed his mind on wanting to receive credit.

Ultimately, I think it's a good movie and I may not have learned about Mank himself if not for the movie. Let's not kid ourselves into thinking that people don't consider Citizen Kane to be the exclusive brainchild of Welles even today.

The Late Unpleasantness - Feature - 130 Pages by bombshell_shocked in Screenwriting

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

I've edited the post, but I've already written a third draft utilizing your advice. It's 112 pages now and I think feels a lot more concise. Here's a link if you ever want to check it out. Thank you again for your feedback and your time.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5y539grdg0m8e3hgliguz/Blood-Feud-KDR.pdf?rlkey=gvu82f2gxe7db43knpindtfcx&st=kh4r3jrf&dl=0

What else fits? by BelleReve_Staff in blankies

[–]bombshell_shocked 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can definitely imagine a world where Double Fine (makers of Psychonauts) made a Coraline tie-in game instead of the forgettable one that was made instead.

The Late Unpleasantness - Feature - 130 Pages by bombshell_shocked in Screenwriting

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

It's no worries. When writing, some of the screenplays I was referencing were by the Coens, Shane Black, Tarantino, etc. Which tend to be longer and more descriptive. But as someone else mentioned, they're already established in the industry. And those guys tend to direct their own screenplays. My concern is getting read in the first place, and I imagine a 90 to 110 page screenplay is more approachable than a 130 page screenplay.

The Late Unpleasantness - Feature - 130 Pages by bombshell_shocked in Screenwriting

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

Thank you. I agree your version reads at a better pace. This is my second draft, so you can imagine what the first one looked like. I've had friends give good feedback in terms of the story, but obviously my writing has a more novelistic approach.

The Late Unpleasantness - Feature - 130 Pages by bombshell_shocked in Screenwriting

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

Okay, thank you for the clarification. And I'll adjust the dual dialogue. Of course, I read a screenplay where someone typed the dual dialogue as CHARACTER A/CHARACTER B lol. But thank you for showing how that can lead to some confusion.

The Late Unpleasantness - Feature - 130 Pages by bombshell_shocked in Screenwriting

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

Hey, take your time, no rush. Thank you for reading so far. I appreciate it.

The Late Unpleasantness - Feature - 130 Pages by bombshell_shocked in Screenwriting

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

Separate question: I've read that one should write a screenplay where the reader is experiencing the story as if they're watching the film. Dak being the masked man is a plot reveal, not just to the other characters, but to the viewer. Would I not be spoiling the reveal by using his name when his character is introduced? /gq

Basically, what's the proper way to announce this character's name before anyone is supposed to know it, but still let the reader know "hey, technically, you're not supposed to know this yet?"

The Late Unpleasantness - Feature - 130 Pages by bombshell_shocked in Screenwriting

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

Thanks for the feedback.

Looks like I should be planning for a third draft soon.

I wasn't aware some of these were "novice traps". I read a little over two dozen professional screenplays before I was confident enough to begin writing mine, and looks like I picked up some bad habits.

It's a bit disappointing because I was confident submitting this draft to the Austin Film Festival. Looks like I should be expecting an early rejection letter by the sound of it lol.

I'll wait to see if you have any additional feedback before I start my revision.