Filmmakers Forum

Developing a script from a story...

I'm just curious if anyone has any tips or resources for bringing a story from paper to screen?  I've always had some interest in screenwriting, and have been an avid writer of short stories for some time.  I've written a few that I feel would lend themselves nicely to the screen, but have never really tried my hand at scriptwriting.  I have a few friends who are in school for production and looking for script ideas, so we've talked about collaborating for production, but none of us know how to create a script--any thoughts or advice?

Re:Developing a script from a story...

seely:

I'm just curious if anyone has any tips or resources for bringing a story from paper to screen?  I've always had some interest in screenwriting, and have been an avid writer of short stories for some time.  I've written a few that I feel would lend themselves nicely to the screen, but have never really tried my hand at scriptwriting.  I have a few friends who are in school for production and looking for script ideas, so we've talked about collaborating for production, but none of us know how to create a script--any thoughts or advice?

You can check out this site. It's a guy I know from another site and he has great tips on screenwriting.  http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip284.htm

Good luck...

Re:Developing a script from a story...

CorneliusTheMovie:

seely:

I'm just curious if anyone has any tips or resources for bringing a story from paper to screen?  I've always had some interest in screenwriting, and have been an avid writer of short stories for some time.  I've written a few that I feel would lend themselves nicely to the screen, but have never really tried my hand at scriptwriting.  I have a few friends who are in school for production and looking for script ideas, so we've talked about collaborating for production, but none of us know how to create a script--any thoughts or advice?

You can check out this site. It's a guy I know from another site and he has great tips on screenwriting.  http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip284.htm

Good luck...

I can tell you personally that the single biggest tool I use is Final Draft. I could not do anything with out it. All you have to do is have the ideal and Final Draft does the rest. The way it formats everything for you rocks. I have written 4 screenplays (actually filmed one) and I have used Final Draft every time.

 Another thing I do before writing a screen play is read at least 20 to 25 scripts. You download them free from lots of sites including imdb. I will pick either my favorite films or films that inspire me for the type of movie I am writing. This gets you used to reading and writing in the screenplay format and you pick up all kinds of things.

 Also be ready! You never know when inspiration will strike. Keep a pad and pen by the night stand or with you all the time. Sometimes I will wake up from a dream inspired or maybe driving down the road I will see something happening that I can incorporate into my story.

 And personally I like to write when I first wake up. My head is clear and nothing has had the chance to bring me down or affect my mood in any way. After a long day in the Mall selling video games to the masses it is hard to turn off everything that has happened and take your self where ever you need to be to get your story out of you.

Hope this helps.

Larry Carrell

Writer/Co- Director/Bruce

Game Over: The Secret Life of Game Store Clerks (2008)

Ungowa Films

Here is a link to download a free trial of final draft

http://www.finaldraft.com/products/final-draft/

Re:Developing a script from a story...

Some great suggestions!  I'm definately going to have to check out Final Draft, it looks like a great tool to make the process a little less painful.

Ungowa:

CorneliusTheMovie:

seely:

I'm just curious if anyone has any tips or resources for bringing a story from paper to screen?  I've always had some interest in screenwriting, and have been an avid writer of short stories for some time.  I've written a few that I feel would lend themselves nicely to the screen, but have never really tried my hand at scriptwriting.  I have a few friends who are in school for production and looking for script ideas, so we've talked about collaborating for production, but none of us know how to create a script--any thoughts or advice?

You can check out this site. It's a guy I know from another site and he has great tips on screenwriting.  http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip284.htm

Good luck...

I can tell you personally that the single biggest tool I use is Final Draft. I could not do anything with out it. All you have to do is have the ideal and Final Draft does the rest. The way it formats everything for you rocks. I have written 4 screenplays (actually filmed one) and I have used Final Draft every time.

 Another thing I do before writing a screen play is read at least 20 to 25 scripts. You download them free from lots of sites including imdb. I will pick either my favorite films or films that inspire me for the type of movie I am writing. This gets you used to reading and writing in the screenplay format and you pick up all kinds of things.

 Also be ready! You never know when inspiration will strike. Keep a pad and pen by the night stand or with you all the time. Sometimes I will wake up from a dream inspired or maybe driving down the road I will see something happening that I can incorporate into my story.

 And personally I like to write when I first wake up. My head is clear and nothing has had the chance to bring me down or affect my mood in any way. After a long day in the Mall selling video games to the masses it is hard to turn off everything that has happened and take your self where ever you need to be to get your story out of you.

Hope this helps.

Larry Carrell

Writer/Co- Director/Bruce

Game Over: The Secret Life of Game Store Clerks (2008)

Ungowa Films

Here is a link to download a free trial of final draft

http://www.finaldraft.com/products/final-draft/