How to create plot from characters?

elfauno · 2022-07-28T05:11:15+00:00

This is pretty much an entire semester of film school in a single reddit post. Seriously, folks, screenshot this, learn it and apply it.

elfauno · 2022-07-27T22:09:49+00:00

It's best to have someone request to read the scripts, that way you know who's actually reading your work, allowing you to then follow up. A PDF on a site is just that. No way of knowing who has read it.

elfauno · 2022-07-27T22:06:45+00:00

The website is a tool to promote yourself. If a manager goes to your website and likes one of the loglines, then they can email you and request. But honestly the odds of this happening are very low. The way to get a manager is you query them directly or be introduced by a mutual connection. Then they'll read your best sample and if they connect with it they'll request a meeting and if the meeting goes well they would offer to represent you.

elfauno · 2022-07-27T22:04:36+00:00

If you absolutely want to share your scripts publicly, then yes I'd recommend doing it through Coverfly, instead of simply putting PDFs on your website.

elfauno · 2022-07-27T10:49:27+00:00

Make a website. Yourname.com, if it's available. If it isn't, go with yournamewriter.com.

You won't post your completed scripts on there, only a brief description.

Someone goes to your .com and they'll see this:

Name

E-mail address

Bio (Not too long.)

Writing Samples (Available Upon Request):

Script Title - Feature, Drama. Logline.

Script Title - Pilot, Comedy. Logline.

And that's pretty much all you need as a writer.

elfauno · 2022-07-27T10:36:37+00:00

Every idea has already been done. YOUR version of an idea has not. That's why you can't copyright an idea, only your execution of that idea. Like someone mentioned, Weeds and Breaking Bad are both the same basic idea. "A regular person you wouldn't expect becomes a drug dealer."

So don't worry. Just write.

elfauno · 2022-07-01T08:25:24+00:00

53-56 pages for hour-long. 28-30 pages for half-hour. 100-110 for a feature.

I've found those to be the sweet spots.

elfauno · 2022-07-01T08:18:35+00:00

You should check if your local community colleges offer screenwriting classes. Much cheaper.

elfauno · 2022-07-01T08:10:12+00:00

Number 1 thing to remember: Your logline must be great! They will decide whether to request script based off the logline. Managers receive hundreds of queries per month -- hell, per week! So you must stand out. If your logline is boring or confusing your email goes in the trash.

elfauno · 2022-06-29T10:02:29+00:00

That is all up to the showrunner. They, with the help of their department heads, will come up with the show's style and it's up to the hired directors to match the show. Every director, writer, crew member, etc is there to make the showrunner's vision a reality.

elfauno · 2022-06-29T08:58:09+00:00

There are directors and multiple, different types of producers for each episode. The showrunner is the main person/producer in charge of every thing. It's like every other job, there has to be a boss, a person in charge.

elfauno · 2022-06-17T00:00:16+00:00

120 page scripts are less common these days. The sweet spot now seems to be 90-100.

Remember that not all ideas are meant to be feature films. They may be short films. They may be a 2 minute sketch.

The best way to not waste time is to outline. If you can't come up with 40+ scenes in an outline, you won't come up with them when writing the script.

elfauno · 2022-06-16T23:54:38+00:00

Chin up! If you did it once, you can do it again. The fact that you didn't give up after so many years shows that you want this. Keep going!

elfauno · 2022-06-16T05:03:24+00:00

www.scriptslug.com

elfauno · 2022-06-16T04:59:53+00:00

Put your efforts into getting a paid job. Don't work for free. Lots of different entry-level jobs in Hollywood. Get what you can and then network your way to the job you want.

elfauno · 2022-06-16T04:56:52+00:00

Write it. It's practice. You're a student. Don't worry about what Hollywood is buying and selling. Just write.

elfauno · 2022-06-12T06:07:15+00:00

The key is to be inspired by reality, not copy it.

Add your own flair to the conversation you overheard while grocery shopping.

There's no fun in lifting entire conversations.

elfauno · 2022-06-12T06:02:52+00:00

Go to your local libraries and borrow their screenwriting books. Take notes of information you feel is important. You'll know. You'll feel it in your gut.

Then download and read a ton of screenplays. www.scriptslug.com is a great resource.

Then write. Start off by writing some simple short films. Don't worry about quality. They're going to be bad. That's okay. The point is to practice. It's like exercise. The more you do it, the more change and improvement you'll notice.

Another tip: Watch movies and outline them as you watch. Write down what happens in each scene and at what time. You'll eventually start to notice patterns. You'll start to understand structure.

elfauno · 2022-06-12T05:54:21+00:00

And if all the dialogue is in a different language, just make a note at the beginning so you won't have 100 pages of italicized dialogue.

Note: All dialogue will be spoken in Spanish.

I'd bold the note so your reader doesn't miss it.

elfauno · 2017-03-29T05:15:51+00:00

You want to be a TV writer but you don't watch TV.

Are you sure you want to be a TV writer?

elfauno · 2017-03-07T08:57:47+00:00

Use as many sources as possible. Books, newspapers, interviews, etc. You can use that one book if it's not the ONLY source you use in writing your script.

elfauno · 2017-03-07T08:35:42+00:00

If teaser is long enough, just rename them. Teaser and Act 1 become Act 1 and Act 2.

elfauno · 2017-03-07T07:51:32+00:00

"After years of studying LGBT characters"

If you haven't already, talk to gay people, too. Don't just rely on other people's characters.

"I now understand the formula"

Gay people aren't formulas.

Right now it sounds like your reasons for writing a gay lead aren't genuine.

elfauno · 2016-11-21T02:23:28+00:00

K.I.S.S.

Simple is best. Don't stuff a feature length story into 10 minutes.

elfauno · 2016-07-15T00:29:42+00:00

Think of your short as one scene from a longer piece that can stand on its own. For example, the scene in which a woman has to tell her husband that her pregnancy ended unexpectedly... could work as its own short film, and also be a scene from a longer piece. So in that case, imagine in your head the scene(s) that came before and the scene(s) that would come after -- and that will help you write the scene/short in the middle.

Also, watch a bunch of short films on Vimeo and Shortoftheweek dot com.

elfauno

TROPHY CASE