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This issue sponsored by
BreakingIn.net
~ Where Screenwriters Go to Break In! ~
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Dear Screenwriter:
We had such provocative feedback on our title tutorial that we're sharing it all with you in this issue.
Don't let the dreary winter weather cramp your marketing style. Check out the February script contests and find one that works for you! Two contests offer industry feedback -- a plus for all writers who aspire to break into the movie business.
On with Script Market News...
SCRIPT
MARKET
NEWS
February 10, 2003
IN THIS ISSUE...
SCREENWRITER Q + A: Title Page Format
TUTORIAL => Hard Working Titles
MARKET TIP => February Contest Deadlines
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Hot Writing Jobs
No more excuses...
YOU can get PAID to write!
Find out how...
www.breakingin.net/hot-jobs-for-writers.htm
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SCREENWRITER
Q + A
QUESTION on TITLE PAGES ~~
How should my title page look? What's included? ~~
Kevin B.
ANSWER ~~
Here is the layout for a title page.
Top third of page: The title and your name should be CENTERED in the top third of the
page in this configuration:
YOUR TITLE HERE
by
Your Name Here
Bottom third of page, left side: Date of this draft of your script. Below the draft date put any copyright information or your WGA script registration number.
Bottom third of page, right side: Your name and contact information -- your phone and mailing address. Or your agent or manager's phone and mailing address.
QUESTION on MARKETING an INDEPENDENT MOVIE ~~
I am shooting an independent martial arts movie and seek an agent to represent my movie to potential buyers or distributors. Help!
~~ A.A.
ANSWER ~~
Congratulations on shooting your movie. That's terrific news.
The Web has lots of information on agents -- what they're looking for and what they've sold recently -- if you know where to look. Not all literary agents handle completed movies. I suggest these tutorials on how to research agents that would be appropriate to help you market your movie:
~~ www.breakingin.net/indies_faq.htm
~~ www.breakingin.net/agents_hide.htm
~~ www.breakingin.net/target_submissions.htm
~~ www.breakingin.net/agent_faq.htm
Some writer-filmmakers have luck finding agents and business partners by posting their current projects on screenwriting callboards on the Web. I researched the best free ones and here are the results:
~~ www.breakingin.net/tswboards.htm
Tutorial:
HARD
WORKING SCRIPT TITLES ~~ Optimizing Your Title Search
Copyright (c) 2003, Lenore Wright
I had so much fun feedback from my recent tutorial on choosing the best title for a script that I decided to do a follow up column on this topic. Here's what I learned from your feedback: Effective titles can be gaudy or elegant or stinky or clever so long as they WORK.
Title selection is one of the most important and yet fun decisions of the writing process. Put some creative thought into your search.
If you missed my original tutorial on choosing titles, you can read it here =>
www.breakingin.net/tswtitles.htm
In that title tutorial I outlined ten ways titles can work for you. To jog your memory, here's the list:
-> Titles convey the GENRE of your movie.
-> Titles emphasize the central CRISIS of your movie.
-> Titles pose an INTRIGUING QUESTION.
-> Titles conjure up a VIVID IMAGE.
-> Titles connect to a MEMORY.
-> Titles highlight the STAR'S ROLE.
-> Titles exploit CULTURAL REFERENCES.
-> Titles establish an EXOTIC SETTING.
-> Titles create a VIVID METAPHOR.
-> Titles cash in on CURRENT SLANG.
Our readers suggested several other creative ways to put your title to work for you and your script.
Here they are:
Titles can CREATE MOOD and STIR EMOTION
When a title sets the mood of your movie, it draws in your audience and connects them emotionally to the story. When a title works this way, the audience responds with an
enthusiastic -- Hey, count me in!
Some examples:
SOMETHING WILD
WHAT'S NEW, PUSSYCAT?
MEAN STREETS
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
REMEMBER THE TITANS
Titles can ESTABLISH an ENSEMBLE
Not all movies are star vehicles, many stories feature a team of characters on a mission or facing a crisis together. When your story features an ensemble of characters, your title should reflect that power. Some examples:
THE DIRTY DOZEN
RESERVOIR DOGS
THE DREAM TEAM
THE MIGHTY DUCKS
THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE
SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
Titles can feature a PLAY ON WORDS
ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES
WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
THAT THING YOU DO
SOMETHING ABOUT MARY
Titles can REVIVE a CLASSIC
When popular books or plays are adapted as movies, their titles often don't change because the title has been
'presold' to the audience. But that's not the only reason to hold onto a familiar title. The adapters of the following popular books and plays were savvy enough to recognize a great title and not be tempted to change it just to exercise their ego.
PRINCE OF TIDES (novel)
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (novel)
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (play)
SOPHIE'S CHOICE (novel)
THE ODD COUPLE (play)
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (novel)
THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK (novel)
Titles can WORK OVERTIME
Some titles perform a double duty, working in two ways at once. The following titles work two ways: They create an intriguing metaphor and they highlight the Star's role:
THE JACKAL
DRUGSTORE COWBOY
THE FASTEST GUN ALIVE
MIDNIGHT COWBOY
Titles can Perform TRIPLE DUTY
These terrific titles resonate on many levels:
RESERVOIR DOGS
-- Creates metaphor
-- Asks a question: What the heck is a Reservoir Dog?
-- Establishes ensemble
MEAN STREETS
-- Creates metaphor
-- Establishes unique location
-- Creates mood, evokes emotion
DO THE RIGHT THING
-- Sets up central crisis
-- Asks provocative question - What is the right thing?
-- Plays on street slang
THE BLACKBOARD JUNGLE
-- Creates metaphor
-- Establishes specific location
-- Creates mood by juxtaposing school with jungle
BLOOD SIMPLE
-- Vivid metaphor
-- Creates mood
-- Suggests genre (mystery-thriller)
THE UNFORGIVEN
-- Asks question: What did they do that was unforgivable?
-- Sets tone (moral) + mood (life and death drama)
-- Establishes conflict - Will they be forgiven?
Nominee for the Worst Title Ever:
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (But the movie was great!)
Thanks to all the Script Market News readers who sent feedback on this topic, especially to these creative powerhouses: Brian, Alex, Joel, Adam and Eric.
Your title is the first writing sample that producers, agents, readers, actors and the audience experience. Through your title you can give them a taste of everything your script offers: juice, power, gravity, intrigue, mood, fun, adventure and most of all emotion. Don't squander this opportunity - put your title to work.
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Selling Your Work to the Movies?
LET www.breakingin.net
HELP YOU BREAK IN!
Bombproof Query Letters =>
www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm
Freebie
Script Format Tutorial =>
www.breakingin.net/format
_ tutorial.htm
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Reserve Your Copy:
MARKET
TIP
February
Contests
=> BLUE CAT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
Blue Cat is looking for the 'best screenplay in the world.' They name five finalists who each receive a phone call with feedback on their script. $5,000 goes to the winner.
BONUS: All entries will receive script FEEDBACK by e-mail.
DEADLINE: March 1, 2003
INFO => www.bluecatscreenplay.com
=> RED INK WORKS SCRIPT COMPETITION
This competition is known for FEEDBACK, not prizes. Each entry receives extensive feedback. The finalists will be featured on Writers Script Network, one of the best script registries on the Web. Red Ink Works operates out of North Vancouver, BC.
DEADLINE: February 28, 2003
INFO => www.redinkworks.com/script_competition.htm
=> OPEN DOOR: SCRIPT MAGAZINE + SPLENDID PIX
Script Magazine offers these Open Door contests throughout the year, each with a different film industry sponsor. Splendid Pictures sponsors this one. Grand prize: $3,000, Final Draft software and consideration by Splendid Pix.
DEADLINE: February 28, 2003
INFO => www.scriptmag.com
=> BARE BONES INDIE SCRIPT CONTEST
Attention Filmmakers! This contests offers FILMMAKERS and SCREENWRITERS an opportunity to get their low-budget movie going. If you have a script that could be made for One Million Dollars (US) or less, this might be a great opportunity.
Contest has three script length categories: 30 pages or less, 31-59 pages and 60-110 pages. All genres welcome, so long as your script is 'no frills, no waste'.
DEADLINE: February 28, 2003
INFO => www.barebonesfilmfestival.com
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Harry's Back!
Reserve your copy of Harry Potter V
...and check out our BOOKLIST for
Emerging Screenwriters...
www.breakingin.net/tswbestemergingbooks.htm
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Script Market News
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