Posted by Isis at d-128-217-155.bootp.virginia.edu on December 04, 2002 at 10:03:26:
If there's one thing VA fans have in common, it's that they write more screenplays than the entire L.A. restaurant worker population, right?
Anyways, I got together with some old friends recently, reminiscing about back in the day and so on, and they're trying to sell me on the idea of writing a screenplay about our past together. I have to admit it would make an incredible movie; actors would kill to play these characters, and the events -- I couldn't make this drama up, people.
But I've never written a screenplay, dialogue ain't my strong suit, and climbing aboard the Hollywood Soul(Stealing) Train is not my idea of a fun time.
Thus, for anyone who's ever written a screenplay:
1. What's it about? Give me the basic, basic plot and/or theme in three sentences or less.
2. What inspired you to write it? Be honest, if you want to make money or meet Natalie Portman, those are as good reasons as any.
3. Did you attempt to use proper script language and format, or did you just lay out the basic dialogue and action notes? If you did use proper format, did you find the discipline helpful or not, creatively?
4. What do you want to do with it -- sell it? Direct your own low budget version? Translate it into another medium? Lock it in a drawer and never speak of it again? How are you going about your plans for it?
5. If anyone knows...if you write a script based upon real people and events, but some characters are combined, events altered, and names changed, are you obliged (legally, I mean, not morally) to contact those people and get their permission? Especially if the subject matter is sensitive?
6. What do you think are the relative advantages of directing your own low-tech version vs. trying to sell it to Hollywood?
7. Are you finished? If so, did you find writing it to be a rewarding experience, regardless of your future plans for it?
8. If you could write a screenplay based upon any book/song/folktale/urban legend/painting/other existing piece of art, what would it be? How would you change or adapt it to the screen?
9. If you could rewrite any existing movie that had a great concept but crappy dialogue/execution, what would it be? How would you change it?
10. The Brian Lynch special: if you could write a sequel to any existing movie, what would it be? What would the basic plot be?
And I'm spent. Charge me to your Visa.
Coming later...21 Actual Questions for Actual Kevin Smith!
(P.S. You missed me, right? And you love me. I know.)