Sloane

Sloane, I'm wondering if you can answer a few questions for me about screenwriting and the related processes. If i remember correctly, you said you had a completed script...?

What I'm wondering is:

1. How long did it take you to complete your script? How many drafts did you do before you were happy?

2. How many pages does the average feature length script have to be (I heard somewhere it is about 100)?

3. Did you find writing the dialogue easy (ie. adapting particular language style s to your characters)?

4. Which program do you recommend? 'Final Draft' seems like the most popular.

5. Have you tried to get funding yet? And was it a difficult process?

6. How do you ensure it is protected from plagarism when you are sending it out to be read?

7. Do you have a background in media studies or film-making? And if you do, did you find it useful when writing your script?

I can't really think of anything else. I am mainly interested in the script-writing process and the best program/s to use.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I hope the job hunting is going well 😉

Libragirl 🙂

Hi Libra Girl!

I'm glad you asked about this. scriptwriting is one of the most underrated mediums in Hollywood today and it still remains so difficult to get your story sold but this is what I can tell you based on my experince......

1.It took me about six months to write the first draft (hand written first). I did this on one of those golden rod and white writing pads but anything works..then was able to write it on computer word for word--(copy). I re-wrote the dratfs about 3 times. Mostly the dialogue.

2. The average feature length screenplay is about 120 pages long--this being (acccording to my sript proffessor from college) is that each page is equal to one minute of screentime. Your average film is 120 minutes long BUT...don't adhere to this too seriously Libra Girl--it doesn't HAVE to be 120 pages--it's YOUR story. If it's 90-99 that's fine too.

3.Writing dialogue is never easy. You must KNOW your character--how does he/she talk? Think? Feel? Etc...What region are they from? What is thier background? This too may take many re-writes.. Do a treatment of each character first before you write the script. Write down on cards what thier strongest characteristics are..

4.Final Draft IS the most popular and to tell you the truth Libra Girl--I am not really up to date with any other program--I think there may be a Final Draft 2 or 3--a 2003 version which may be more user friendly. Most or all Hollywood industry producers and writers useFinal Draft--hey if it's good enough for them--it's good enough for anybody, right? I think you can get it for $ 150--it's a good investment but try to purchase it cheaper online by going to E-bay.

5.Funding? Nope. Havan't tried yet becuase I have placed my script on the shelf for a while--got other plans BUT, I will be looking for funding in the future. My advise to you is to contact those who HAVE sold screenplays--even female writers--write to Nia Vardalos or Adam Rifkin. Rifkin wrote 13 screenplays before he got his first directorial debut job.

6. As far as plagiarism goes and YES, you do need to protect your story idea--register it with the WGA (Writer Guild of America) in Los Angeles. Send a copy to them along with the treatment. It cost $ 20 to do this. They should give you a receipt with the date on it. Get the name of the person that gave you the receipt--they are your witness. When you ARE ready to send out your script--type on the bottom the front page " WGA registered on 3-15-03" for example. The reader will know thay can't screw with you. I have been told also that it is good to get a lawyer too and mention on the front page that you are "repped by attorney John Doe". This is surely to prevent any idea thieves.

7. Yes. I studied filma nd video media at a very good school. I took scriptwriting as welllas other courses and itwas extremely helpful.

Screenwriting is one of the very, very few mediums that doesn't cost a fortune in Hollywood. We're sort of lucky. But good luck and I hope my input has helped you out. Please feel free to contact me here again Libra Girl. Let me know how you're doing.. :-)

Sloane

PS Libra Girl......

Also, I wanted to mention to you that if you get stuck on one script, start writing another one! Then another and another.....eventually when you DO get that important interview with a Producer or agent, thier first question to you will be "what else have you written?" They will want to see you "range" or body of work. It helps them to decide what kind of writer you are. And the more you show, the more serious thay will take you.

The WGA fee may still be $ 20 but with rising costs and the economy, if they tell you it's more...well..I warned you! But it's a good investment.
Take it easy...

Sloane

Sorry about the typos...

I meant to write "your range" " " "

PSS Libra Girl....

Almost forgot to tell you.....

It's very important to keep abreast of the industry and who's who, what's selling and finding out who to approach so I urge you to subscribe to or at least buy copies of the Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. These two industry magazines are MUST-HAVES! I don't know if you live in LA--anyone who works in the "biz" will have at least one of these 'zines delivered. I have learned about so much on who's selling thier screenplay (and how much they got paid!!), who's running what company, who's in charge of Development (important to know) and so on....
Definately an excellent investment.
Sloane

Wow, thanks Sloane and Kenny for your feedback. I don't live in the U.S but i can find the magazines here, no doubt. Your advice is very interesting and i will be taking note!

Sloane, i can't believe you hand-wrote an entire script! That is to be admired... I think, that by doing that, you get 'closer' to the process and become more aquainted with the craft.

Kennyg, congradulations on selling your first book! If you let me know the title, i will try to find it here in Australia. I live just near 'Borders' so hopefully we will get it here. I'll ask them for it anyway, hehe!

This really is good advice, i am excited now!

Thank you, thank you so much, i really appreciate it. Every bit helps...

Have a great weekend and I'll speak to you soon.

How's the job hunting going Sloane? Any bites?

The job hunting is still going on...although, I found out that I got totally hoodwinked by a job placement agency..the recruiter completely neglegted me for the past 5 months by telling me there were no jobs coming in! He got fired last week and a new recruiter met with me--apologizing for the company ignoring me for so long. I was beside myself--I could of had a damn job by now. At least I caught it though. Thank you for asking.

Sloane

My God, i can't believe they did that. People are so ruthless.

Yes..it goes to show that sometimes you have to "check up" on those who say thay are helping you...health insurance companies come into this scenario as well since most of them operate like scammers.

Libra Girl....
Are you able to obtain the Hollywood Reporter and the Variety in Australia?

Sloane,
I'm not sure. I'll go down to Borders and have a look.