tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post838948723634035150..comments2024-03-28T06:59:34.982-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Call in The Script DoctorDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-49106459238778803832014-09-25T07:38:27.815-06:002014-09-25T07:38:27.815-06:00I suppose if I were serious about scriptwriting, I...I suppose if I were serious about scriptwriting, I'd pursue courses, but I have enough trouble writing books. It was still fun and worthwhile. I learned a lot, like cutting unnecessary dialogue.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-66961450668573240492014-09-25T07:35:57.061-06:002014-09-25T07:35:57.061-06:00Ha-ha!Ha-ha!Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-3506162016469242192014-09-24T16:48:35.560-06:002014-09-24T16:48:35.560-06:00Linda, the software only helps with the formatting...Linda, the software only helps with the formatting, and back when I wrote my first script and no software existed, I learned the indent formula- 5 tabs for character name and 3 tabs for dialogue- and that made the typing go fast. The challenge was always to get the structure down/ :-)Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-32813817474782596042014-09-24T14:53:45.216-06:002014-09-24T14:53:45.216-06:00As mentioned to Shon, I've been involved in ju...As mentioned to Shon, I've been involved in just one such project. We didn't have a scriptwriting program, just a book of instructions and a very slow computer (20+ years ago). While the script was optioned (and we were paid for the option), I probably will think long and hard before attempting that again. It was an arduous task that took endless frustrating hours to complete. Of course, current software options likely make the job far easier, but I'm still not sure I'd do it again.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-72865326050275516682014-09-24T13:53:37.296-06:002014-09-24T13:53:37.296-06:00That is a scriptwriting program that does all the ...That is a scriptwriting program that does all the formatting automatically. There are several out there, so maybe a post about all of them with recommendations would be good. Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-13310625008880874382014-09-24T10:29:47.045-06:002014-09-24T10:29:47.045-06:00Polly, what is Final Draft? Software, I'm gues...Polly, what is Final Draft? Software, I'm guessing. Have we blogged about it?Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-17021046784556585082014-09-24T10:26:27.261-06:002014-09-24T10:26:27.261-06:00Snort! ;)Snort! ;)Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-66264039926667286592014-09-24T09:57:57.469-06:002014-09-24T09:57:57.469-06:00Polly, while it is important to get the formatting...Polly, while it is important to get the formatting done correctly, there is so much more to adapting a novel to a script. As Shon mentioned yesterday, you really have to think about the visuals that will tell part of the story. I once took a 6week scriptwriting class with Joe Camp of Benji fame and he taught us how to focus on visuals and not rely on dialogue. That was a great lesson for me.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-2196296604796669442014-09-24T09:55:34.472-06:002014-09-24T09:55:34.472-06:00Give it two aspirins and call me in the morning. A...Give it two aspirins and call me in the morning. And don't forget to send the check. :-)Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-12491099342678245672014-09-24T08:34:31.669-06:002014-09-24T08:34:31.669-06:00Hey, Doc ... my script has this dangling participl...Hey, Doc ... my script has this dangling participle ... would you mind taking a look?Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-91184215858019457012014-09-24T08:07:07.369-06:002014-09-24T08:07:07.369-06:00I think it takes a lot of talent to do what you do...I think it takes a lot of talent to do what you do. I tried my hand at translating my book HOOKED into a screenplay this past winter for the Page Contest. Though it was a great learning experience on tightening dialogue, my effort went nowhere. I thought that particular book would make a fun movie, but it should be in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing. I used Final Draft, so the format was already done. Great experience, not such a great outcome.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-58771327865685348622014-09-24T07:51:52.539-06:002014-09-24T07:51:52.539-06:00That is so true, Diana. A few TV shows could use s...That is so true, Diana. A few TV shows could use some help with dialogue, too. Dialogue has always been a strength of mine as a writer, so that aspect of script writing came easy to me. Stephen relied on that strength a lot as we worked on the various scripts together. His strength is in fresh story ideas and scenes, so that made working with him such a pleasure. I've collaborated a number of times on scripts and novels, and find that the individual writing strengths complement each other.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-61217930448603869612014-09-24T07:14:21.955-06:002014-09-24T07:14:21.955-06:00I think a few more movies out there could have use...I think a few more movies out there could have used a script doctor, a script EMT in some cases. There are so many factors that go into a successful movie: acting, directing, filming, editing, sound effects, etc. I can forgive a few speedbumps here and there, but terrible dialogue is a death toll. Since so much of the final product is under someone else's control, the screenwriter needs to be good at creating a tense overall plot arc and a master craftsman of dialogue.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com