Movie writing

Spoony said:
How do you become a cinematographer?

Would an arts background help?
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I know somone who is now a major league cinematographer. He was a very good photographer as a kid and then did a film and TV degree at Central London Poly (I think it was) finishing in the late 80's. He then scavenged around for work and managed to get some work with Derek Jarman amongst others as a camera operator etc etc. He then did music vids and some TV before getting some gigs on smaller British films. He has now cracked the big time in his late 30's/early 40's.

An overnight success in 20 years.
 
If you're serious about trying to write a script then its highly advisable to write a treatment first. That's just a 5-15 page synopsis of the story from beginning to end. Once the treatment works then you will want to create a three act structure with bulleted point for each scene within each act. Just follow the treatment. If the story works in the treatment then you're well on your way to writing a first draft.
 
Raoul said:
If you're serious about trying to write a script then its highly advisable to write a treatment first. That's just a 5-15 page synopsis of the story from beginning to end. Once the treatment works then you will want to create a three act structure with bulleted point for each scene within each act. Just follow the treatment. If the story works in the treatment then you're well on your way to writing a first draft.
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If you ask me, that's the main problem I've encountered - weaving all your ideas into one linear storyline
 
Salvation said:
If you ask me, that's the main problem I've encountered - weaving all your ideas into one linear storyline
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Coming up with a viable story is the most difficult part of film making, partially because many stories have already been done in one way or another and also because contemporary movie-going audiences these days are increasingly sophisticated about being able to predict what happens next. When writing a script, its a good idea to assume that your first idea is usually cliche. Its therefore important to scrutinze your initial concept and writing a second and third draft before letting anyone read it.
 
Wibble said:
I know somone who is now a major league cinematographer. He was a very good photographer as a kid and then did a film and TV degree at Central London Poly (I think it was) finishing in the late 80's. He then scavenged around for work and managed to get some work with Derek Jarman amongst others as a camera operator etc etc. He then did music vids and some TV before getting some gigs on smaller British films. He has now cracked the big time in his late 30's/early 40's.

An overnight success in 20 years.
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20 years? I'll be well and truly into my 50's. Better get cracking then.
 
Heres a little bit of something I had been working on about a year ago. I have somehow contrived to delete the first 4-5 pages though! The idea was to write a script which I could plug to the WWE as they were going through a phase of creating movies for their 'stars'. A storyline which would involve 'The Rock' and 'Stone Cold Steve Austin' kicking ass and making quips through the movie. As usual i started and didn't finish. The plot is simple; the President's daughter gets kidnapped, it looks like an inside job and its up to the wrestlers to save the day :lol:


*CAMERA PANS TO A SHOT OF PRESIDENT KELLY & HIS TEENAGE DAUGHTER ENJOYING THE LIVE EVENT. HE WAVES TO THE CROWD WHEN HE SEES HIMSELF ON THE BIG SCREEN

(Chris Benoit’s entrance music starts and he appears at the top of the ramp. Being the current champion he has the WWE belt over his shoulder. He salutes his fans, loosens his neck by shaking it from side to side then runs down towards the ring)

RING ANNOUNCER
...and making his way to the ring, from Alberto, Canada, the current WWE world champion...the rabid wolverine, Chris Benoit!!
(Benoit jumps up on all four ring posts and salutes the fans in all sides of the arena. He then passes his title belt to the ref and stands toe to toe with The Rock. The ref passes the belt to someone outside the ring)

CO-PRESENTER JERRY LAWLER
You can cut the tension in the ring right now. This one has been building up for weeks, ever since ‘Rocky’ returned and said that he was the greatest champion ever.

PRESENTER
Yes, that comment certainly didnt go down too well in the locker room Jerry.

CO-PRESENTER JERRY LAWLER
(laughs) I think Rocky is about to find out tonight how great the current champion really is!!

(IN THE RING THE ACTION STARTS WITH THE ROCK PUSHING BENOIT IN THE CHEST QUITE HARD. BENOIT BOUNCES BACK AND RESUMES SQUARING UP. THE ROUTINE CONTINUES FOR SEVERAL PUSHES TILL BENOIT GETS PUSHED INTO THE ROPE AND RETURNS WITH A FLYING ELBOW! THE ACTION CONTINUES FOR 10 MINUTES BACK AND FORWARD WITH THE EXCITABLE PRESENTERS GIVING THEIR PLAY BY PLAY COMMENTARY. THEN, ROCKY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PIN BENOIT AFTER GIVING HIM ‘THE ROCK BOTTOM’. ROCK ASSUMES THE PIN POSITION)

THE ROCK
(whispers) 2 count
(the ref starts the count, 1... Benoit struggles, Rock holds on.. 2.... Benoit struggles to get his shoulder up..)

BANG!! A SHOT RINGS OUT. BANG, BANG!! 2 MORE.

(Rocky stands up and looks towards where the noise came from. He’s looking towards the Presidents enclosure. 2 bodyguards are down and multiple masked men are holding the President and his daughter by gunpoint)

THE ROCK (CONT'D)
What the feck?

CHRIS BENOIT
Jesus! Vince never said this was gonna be part of the sketch!? (questioning)

THE ROCK
I think this is real Chris..
(the crowd dont quite know what to make of it, the only ones who know its real are those sitting near the president and they are terrified to move. Their reaction spurs the rest of the crowd into believing that its part of the WWE ‘plot’. The crowd only cheer louder as the President gets dragged away, ahouting “dont harm my daughter!! Please dont harm her!”)

PRESENTER
Well Jerry, im not quite sure whats going on here but that looked quite convincing to me

CO-PRESENTER JERRY LAWLER
(excitable) madness! utter madness!

*The live show goes off the air, with a message about ‘technical’ problems.
(the kidnappers are now dragging the presidents daughter in a different direction, down towards the ramp and towards the exit leading to backstage)
 
golden_blunder said:
Heres a little bit of something I had been working on about a year ago. I have somehow contrived to delete the first 4-5 pages though! The idea was to write a script which I could plug to the WWE as they were going through a phase of creating movies for their 'stars'. A storyline which would involve 'The Rock' and 'Stone Cold Steve Austin' kicking ass and making quips through the movie. As usual i started and didn't finish. The plot is simple; the President's daughter gets kidnapped, it looks like an inside job and its up to the wrestlers to save the day :lol:
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:lol::lol::lol:
 
apart from the fact that Benoit is now a dead wife and kid murderer, Stone Cold is in treatment for alcohol abuse and beating his wife and The Rock is now a movie star in his own right
 
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