Posted by Raikus at cas02.mkethn01.fl.comcast.net on December 04, 2002 at 10:22:43:
In Reply to: Talk About Your Screenplay WOO WOO! Poll-arific! posted by Isis 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?
--If not the entire state of California
: 1. What's it about? Give me the basic, basic plot and/or theme in three sentences or less.
--I've got three going right now, but my main one is called "Feeding Eddy". The main character (Lenny) has a tape worm called Eddy who basically acts as his inmortal inspiration. Even though Lenny and Eddy are advesarial, they have a symbiotic relationship that both recognize. However, Lenny's ex-girlfriend (who still loves him and ultimately finds out about Lenny's condition) tricks Lenny into taking the medication that rids him of Eddy, thus beginning a mental and physical breakdown that ultimately leads to life-changing consequences for all involved.
: 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.
--I have a BS degree in English Writing and wanted to make good of it somehow. And money's always good, but putting something out into the world is better.
: 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?
--I scribbled most of the plot outline and half the dialogue and script notes in a notebook between (and sometimes during) classes. Since then I've typed everything up in proper format and have worked in that medium since.
: 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?
Try to sell it. I don't think I could do justice with a low budget version of it (although I might film a few scenes for reference).
: 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?
--Yes. Even if you change all names and places, if the situation is based on someone's life (and, more importantly, they can prove it) then they are legally entitled to royalties from the film. Get their permission first or alter the script so they can't prove it was based on them.
: 6. What do you think are the relative advantages of directing your own low-tech version vs. trying to sell it to Hollywood?
--I think directing something of your own is something everyone must do. If for nothing else but to know you suck. If you have a project that you really believe in and know you couldn't accomplish it fully with a low budget, I think you should try to let Hollywood (or at least their budget) play a hand in it. Donnie Darko for instance.
: 7. Are you finished? If so, did you find writing it to be a rewarding experience, regardless of your future plans for it?
--I haven't finished this one. But I have finished a feature length and a couple of shorts. When you finish a feature you feel like you just shot the moon. It's very rewarding.
: 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?
--I'm currently working on adapting a Melville classic to modern day.
: 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?
--Logan's Run. Not that it's an awful movie, but look at how much better the TV show was even.
: 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?
--The Professional 2: Death Wears a Pink Dress. Starring Natalie Portman. Now that she's old enough, it would be the continuation of her life as an assassin as she tries to adhere to Leon's principles and examples.
: (P.S. You missed me, right? And you love me. I know.)
--Of course.