Welcome Patrick!

Although I'm hardly a constant commentor on Cinematical - I do check it daily and more or less read everything here - it's fun to see something new starting and something involving screenwriting is truly interesting.

I myself am a writer, but certainly not a professional one to the degree i can live off of it but i have a book in the works and screenwriting is a passion i share equally... i'm now rambling, fun no?

Anywho i just wanted to say i welcome what you have to say and have interest in what others ask.

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Very cool.

Funny shit on Owen Wilson in your personal blog.

Looking forward to your articles.

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So I'm reading this and thinking, "Why are you yellig at me to finish my projects?" I'm really looking forward to professional tips and tricks, and basic general knowledge.

Though I tend to be more of a book writer, I wouldn't mind learning some stuff about screenwriting.

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Hi, Patrick! Like Rufus, I read just about everything here but have never really commented. Just wanted to say that I'm excited about your new feature! I just graduated college and am working my first job in Media Relations and screen writing seems like something I'd love to try in the next few years. Looking forward to reading you!

--Rachel

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Hi Patrick,

I'm wondering what's the best way to get a screenplay looked at and hopefully sold?

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Welcome. I think you should interview Darren Aronofsky. Now there's a man with talent.

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Looking forward to reading the column! Here are a couple of topics about which I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts:

-screenwriting/film school and how useful and necessary it is
-writing for TV versus the big screen, and the pros and cons

Thanks!

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I've been stuck on the "why" part of my plot for a few months now. In short:

-A guy who's been homeschooled his entire life (for a lack of a better definition, I use "agoraphobic" though I actually mean "plays it way too safe") wakes up in the outside world one day with no clue why he's there, where he's at, no details whatsoever.

I lack the "why" part in this, since I don't see myself writing the rest of the script after the catalyst plot point since I have no REASON to stick him out there in the outside world other than irony and "seeing what happens". When he comes to ask me "why'd you do this?", I would have no answer for him. Any ideas how I can get past this?

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I have a producer interested in a script I pitched him. I've got a script, but I have no idea what to expect. I'm ready for him to hate the execution. But what if he loves it?

Am I about to make it big? Or am I going to get screwed like all those horror stories my friends like to tell about their time in the big leagues? What kind of compensation should I ask for if he likes it and wants to make it? How do I join the WGA? What the heck am I going to do with all these stuffed Patrick dolls in my closet?

SO MANY QUESTIONS!

Long-time reader and lurker just wanting to see a few answers to the burning questions of mine. I know you'll come through!

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Think this is what a short story by Quentin Tarantino would read like?

http://topwritecorner.com/2007/09/13/katana-justice/

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Cool! I'm a more of a book writer, but I've always contemplated doing a screen play, of one of my stories. So yeah I look forward to tips. Thanks!

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you should interview clint @ moviehole - i think he's a screenwriter; was reading about some werewolf movie of his thta was recentli optioned.

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I got a question:
Some years ago, I wrote the beginning of a story called "Jesus kicks zombies", about a clone of Jesus created by a secret Vatican agency, who kick asses of zombies created by a secret US government agency.
Should I try to finish it?

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Wow, Patrick. You just opened-up yourself to a world of interactive pain asking everybody and their mother to blanket you with semi-retarded screenwriting questions on an open forum! Good thing you're no longer abstaining! ;-)

I can answer almost every question ahead of time -- I am the amazing Carnac:
1) Read scripts! Amazing concept!
2) Get a decent book on the subject. "Save the Cat!" is a favorite of mine.
3) Yes, your idea is great. No, nobody wants to write it for you. Every half-decent writer in the valley has a drawer full of great ideas.
4) Network. Yes, you have to know somebody who knows somebody. Sorry.
5) Yes, most decision makers in this business are idiots. No, they are never wrong.
6) No I won't tell you what a brad is, other than it is not the one sleeping with Angelina.

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Your new series is so timely for me. I am finally starting my first screenplay.

1. What conventions of style and structure should I follow?

2. What books or other resources do you recommend for novices?

3. How does one make contact in the business? Is it strictly networking or are there other avenues?

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Richard,

Re. your homeschooler plot ... the first thing I'd suggest you do is spend some time hanging out with a ton of homeschoolers. Our family has been homeschooling for over a decade, and I don't know any homeschooling families who are so insular their kids would wake up suddenly unable to function in society because they were homeschooled.

The idea of the socially inept homeschooler is a myth, unless the protagonist in your story has been kept imprisoned in his home by freaky, abusive, fundamentalist parents and was locked in a basement his whole life, but that's not homeschooling, that's abuse. Most of of the homeschooled kids my brood hangs out with are far more socially sophisticated, both with other children (including outside their own age, since they haven't been segregated into 'grades' their whole lives) and with adults, than most people who've not been around homeschoolers can even imagine.

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RE: Kim

Well, unless it's a comedy. The Brothers Solomon used homeschooling in a remote Alaskan town in an attempt to show you why the two boys were so socially inept. So it could work (although it didn't in that movie) if the place they're being homeschooled is on, say, a secluded island etc ...

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Great idea for a column. I can't wait to read it. I've been writing for a while, but mostly only do it because of the aforementioned point that no one will write my ideas for me. Mainly I'm an actor, and end up dogin the other things (produce/direct, etc) out of necessity. I'm also currently a company member at the ACME Comedy Theater in LA, so my focus has shifted towards sketch writing than screenplays. Nevertheless, I've got a finger in a dozen projects all over the place (eww.. six-fingered hands?), so it'll be nice to read the perspective of someone who's making a living.

And I guess that's the thing I'm most interested in. Assuming writing skill and the ability to be productive on a continuing basis, how to I get to the point where I'm able to make a living at it?

Thanks for the column!
~Travis

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I'd be interested to know about ways to come up with story ideas. I often feel I can write really good dialogue but my plot content is just not good enough.

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@Kim:

Well, I wasn't too specific on the plot there. Basically, my character's motto is "Has anyone ever been killed by (activity/thing)? If so, I won't do it." Driving? Accidents. Public transportation? Busjackings/subway bombings. Working at an office? Disgruntled worker shoots up the place. Walking on the street? Might get jumped. Bicycles? Traffic accidents. Working at home? There we go.

=]

It's not a whole "he doesn't know how to survive out there" kind of thing but more of the "I don't know how to interact with others and cannot imagine myself out there in THE REAL WORLD where danger and death is everywhere even though it really isn't"

Thanks for your suggestion though!

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