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This issue sponsored by
BreakingIn.net
~ Where Screenwriters Go to Break In! ~
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Dear Screenwriter:
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e-mail newsletter then WHITE LIST US PLEASE! Each day more Internet Service Providers are filtering email BEFORE you even see it.
Go into your e-mail preferences and specifically identify our send address (newsletter@breakingin.net) as a newsletter you want to receive or you may stop receiving this newsletter.
On with Script Market News...
SCRIPT
MARKET
NEWS
July 10, 2003
IN THIS ISSUE...
WRITER Q + A:
Pitching Scripts Online
ARTICLE:
Format Like the Pros Do (Part II)
MARKET TIPS: Lazy Summer Contests
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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 PITCHING ~~ How does an individual living away from LA or NYC, make arrangements for a pitch meeting? I have a screenplay that I would very much like to try and sell but with no surrounding businesses in the film industry I'm forced to expand my horizons using the Internet. Help an inspiring writer pursue his dreams! ~~
J.M.
ANSWER ~~ One way emerging writers pitch successfully by remote control is to network on the Internet using message boards frequented by professionals already working in the film industry in some capacity. Here's a tutorial on how to post successfully on Web Screenwriting Boards =>
www.breakingin.net/tswboards.htm
Posting a synopsis or logline of your script on a script registry (database) is another way to expose your material (fairly safely) on the Web. Here is a list of the best script databases and how to use them effectively =>
www.breakingin.net/tswregistries.htm
QUESTION on SUCCESSFUL PITCHING ~~ I've finally succeeded in getting a pitch meeting with an agent and a producer who works with him. Any tips on pitching to the pros? ~~ L. L. N.
ANSWER ~~ I've written a tutorial on how to pitch successfully to the pros. You can read it here =>
www.breakingin.net/tswpitching.htm
Here is a funny, cautionary article on how the best planned pitches can go wrong =>
www.breakingin.net/tswmoneypitch.htm
Featured
Article:
Format
Your Screenplay Invisibly... Like the Pros Do (Part II)
Copyright
2003, Lenore Wright
Last issue we discussed the reasons for conventional script formatting. Many of you read my format tutorial online. Let's look at some professional samples of terrific formatting:
SAMPLES PAGES FROM SHOOTING SCRIPTS
To see some stunning examples of properly formatted scenes from recent movies use the link listed below the film title.
~~ Alan Ball's AMERICAN BEAUTY: Opening Sequence (Early Draft)
www.scifiscripts.name2host.com/msol/A_B.html
Compare this opening to the one eventually used in the movie. This version delivers shock value and gets our attention; but doesn't have the emotional punch of the opening sequence that was eventually shot. (Special thanks to Simplyscripts.com and Geocities.com/scifiscripts/)
~~ Alan Ball's AMERICAN BEAUTY: Opening Sequence (Final Draft)
www.movie-page.com/movie_scripts.htm
On this webpage scroll down till you reach American Beauty (Final Draft) and click that. This final version offers the same attention-getting shock value of the earlier draft, but it also establishes an emotional connection between Lester, the hero, and Jane, his nemesis. We are hooked after a few pages. (Special thanks to Bjorn Hundland's Movie-page.com/.)
~~ M. Night Shyamalan's SIXTH SENSE: Final Sequence
www.scifiscripts.name2host.com/scripts/sixth-sense.htm
This is a text document so there are no page breaks. To get to the final sequence type Control+end then scroll back up about five script pages. The final sequence begins with Malcolm walking back home where he finds his wife asleep in front of the TV; their wedding video plays on the VCR. Note how Shyamalan indicates each camera set up by his paragraphing instead of using camera directions. The rhythm of the images he describes creates suspense and emotional impact. (Special thanks to Geocities.com/Scifiscripts/)
~~ Cameron Crowe's ALMOST FAMOUS: Opening Sequence
www.home.online.no/~bhundlan/scripts/Almost-Famous.htm
In the first few pages Cameron Crowe quickly (and adeptly) propels us back to the era of his story. Crowe wrote and directed this movie, so his script has more camera directions than a selling draft would have. Warning: His scenes are numbered for production -- do NOT do this. (Special thanks to the Internet Script database.)
SCREENPLAY SOFTWARE THE PROS USE
1. Final Draft
2. Movie Magic's Screenwriter 2000
3. Dramatica Pro 4
The Writer's Store in Los Angeles offers package deals on these software programs as well as books, script supplies and other creative writing software.
They also offer free samples of this professional writing software to
download.
FREE
SCRIPT SOFTWARE SAMPLES GO HERE => www.writersstore.com/?affiliate=ZAFFIL054
FREE SCRIPT WARE TO DOWNLOAD
Professional screenplay software can be expensive. Here are some FREEWARE script writing programs you can download. If you are a beginning screenwriter, experiment with these for a while. You can invest in a professional program later.
~~ Script Buddy (http://scriptbuddy.com)
~~ Story Mind (http://storymind.com)
~~ Dependent Film (http://dependentfilm.net/files.html) offers three shareware templates: Script Maker, Simply Screenplay and ScreenForge.
ONLINE SOURCES FOR SHOOTING SCRIPTS:
The following script databases offer free downloads of produced screenplays for educational purposes. Do NOT attempt to sell them for profit.
~~ Script Crawler (http://scriptcrawler.net/)
The largest online database of scripts from produced movies. Many have several versions of the scripts.
~~ Simply Scripts (http://simplyscripts.com/)
This great site offers scripts in several formats: movie, television, anime, radio and even some unproduced scripts.
~~ Internet Script Database (http://iscriptdb.com/)
Another great script resource. Most of these sites interconnect to other databases to increase their inventory.
~~ Screenplay 451 (http://pumpkinsoft.de/screenplay451)
This Danish site provides frequent updates of recent releases.
~~ Drew's Script-o-rama (http://script-o-rama.com/)
The first and still one of the most comprehensive databases existing on the Web.
Remember: Channel your creativity into the content of your screenplay, not the format. Follow the format guidelines the professionals use.
INSIDER TIP: If you follow these suggestions, your script will LOOK like a movie. If you want your script to SMELL like a movie, check out my tutorial IS YOUR SCRIPT READY FOR MARKET =>
http://breakingin.net/checklist.htm
To read my complete tutorial on script formats here =>
www.breakingin.net/format_tutorial.htm
+++++++++++++++++++++++
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:
LAZY
SUMMER SCRIPT CONTESTS
=> LONG BEACH FILM FESTIVAL CONTEST
The Long Beach Film Festival accepts screenplays and films (short, documentary, feature) in all formats. The winners' work will be reviewed by a committee of established production companies -- a great way to get exposure and even discovered in Hollywood.
The festival is held onboard the renowned Queen Mary in Long Beach, California (30 miles from Hollywood) in early September. Student discounts!
DEADLINE: August 15, 2003
INFO => www.longbeachfilmfestival.com/entry.htm
=> WARNERS WRITERS WORKSHOPS
If you live in the Los Angeles area, you might want to investigate this opportunity to work with Warner Brothers Television staff writers. You need to submit a half-hour TV comedy script or a one hour dramatic script based on a current television series.
Drama Workshop Deadline: August 16, 2003
Comedy Workshop Deadline: August 30, 2003
NOTE: This is NOT a contest, it is a workshop that you pay for if you are accepted.
INFO => www.warnerbros.com/writersworkshop
=> AMERICAN SCREENWRITING COMPETITION
Flat Shoe Entertainment and Scriptwriter Magazine sponsor this exciting contest which offers a Grand Prize of $12,000. Second place receives $5,000. Third place $3,000. All ten finalists receive cash and prizes.
DEADLINES: July 31, 2003 (early)
September 15, 2003 (final)
INFO => www.flatshoe.com/mb/
=> SCREENPLAY FESTIVAL
Writers Script Network, one of the most popular online screenplay databases sponsors this contest. Five categories for screenplays: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family and Thriller/Horror. Each category winner receives $1,000. plus software.
DEADLINE => September 1, 2003
INFO => www.screenplayfestival.com
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Harry's Back!
Get your copy of Harry Potter V
...and check out our BOOKLIST for
Emerging Screenwriters...
www.breakingin.net/tswbestbooks.htm
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