ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

2 years, 2 months ago - NICHOLAS PROSSER

Hello Steve,
I am a little older at 75, but last year I directed a short drama film, which was one of the 7 shorts I had wriiten after an active career over 25 years as a television drama director. Though I had also been a producer on more than one continuiing drama serial, I found myself a producer for my independent project as a support, to worry about things ike the budget etc. What you should do depends on the project, e.g. short drama, feature film screenplay or television drama series or serials Then, if you haven't directed, yo need to find a director interested or, in the case of broadcast television, discover which commissioning editor you can send the script to. Also there are whole departments in the BBC dedicated to receiving pitches of ideas. I hope this helps. Nicholas Prosser e-mail nicholas.prosser@gmail.com

2 years, 2 months ago - Barry Staff

Hi Steve,

"Various degrees of being written" suggests you haven't actually completed a screenplay yet. Finishing a script, thereby having something to tout, ups your chances no end of getting it produced.

Currently, it's really a chicken and egg situation for you. Ask yourself: 'Why haven't I finished a script? and 'Why do I want to spend so much in this hellish occupation anyway?' Either question could come first.

A good overview primer of what you're letting yourself in for is 'Turn & Burn' by CJ Walley

All the best with your endeavours,

Barry

2 years, 1 month ago - Brendan O'Neill

Hi Steve,

Here's two books that you may find useful.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UK-Scriptwriters-Survival-Handbook-Actual/dp/1511426330/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ESH8ERUZ0W7E&keywords=Uk+screenwriters+handbook&qid=1686130160&s=books&sprefix=uk+screewriters+handbook%2Cstripbooks%2C1873&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Money-Scriptwriting-Julian-Friedmann/dp/184150002X

The Into the Script group on Facebook is friendly and a good place to ask questions

Best

Brendan

2 years, 1 month ago - Linda M James

Hi Steve
One of my books is called 'How to Write Great Screenplays'. I wrote it to help people understand screenwriting in a clear, concise way as so many screenwriting books talk about abstract theories which make writing a script even more complicated.

There is also a section on how to market your screenwriting so I hope you find a mass of useful info within its pages. [It has some great reviews.]
https://lindamjames.co.uk/books/how-to-write-great-screenplays/
Good luck

2 years, 1 month ago - Peter Spencer

Hi Steve, first of all you need to finish at least one, but preferably all three. There are numerous books that can help with structure. If you want to get your script out into the market place you should be getting feedback (I'm not selling a service BTW) You can enter contests, the Nichol, Austin. Get yourself on mailing lists for labs and schemes - BBC writers room, Philip Shelley runs one for Channel 4. Be prepared for the long haul. I'm siting here with sixty three completed screenplays, I've adapted books and a stage play all on assignment - but it all took a long time and it was about eleven years from having the good fortune of self-publishing two novels, getting one of them into WH Smith - to a chance meeting with the business partner of an established producer, to getting my first microbudget feature film produced. Go places, film festivals, London Screenwriters Festival. Writers groups. Make friends, build alliances, relationships. I know Brendan - who also replied on this thread - via the London Screenwriters Festival. Support others, help out on short films, seeing the process at the sharp end is really educational. Chip a few pounds into crowdfunding if you can. Start to be seen. And keep generating ideas. Good luck pal.

2 years, 1 month ago - Lee Daniel

Hi there Steve
The first thing I'd like to say is - well done! 3 script 'plates' spinning. Fantastic! I hope you've enjoyed the process! And learn't a lot about yourself as you work through the 'frustrating phases' of putting pen to paper. And I wonder if these scripts have given you a sense of fulfilment? Because for me that's the main pleasure/purpose of the whole thing. You take these fragments of your life (often the broken bits) and piece it all together in a new...more pleasing way. From the chaos, you build and create something. And that feels good. And when others resonate with your work - wow - even better. But it's hard isn't it? Especially, in the beginning when you have so much to say but are not quite able to deliver it in the way that you'd like. Difficult. But it comes. Bit by bit.

I set out with the notion that I would finish every script that I started. But, I'm fast learning that scripts are never quite finished. Instead, they take up residence in your head - and just keep churning over. And suddenly, you find yourself going back and doing 'just one' more rewrite :-) So, there. All scripts - even the ones you discard - teach you something and often are a stepping stone to a more evolved script idea. I'm in my second year of writing (just turned 55). So not that further down the line than you. I am entering the main 'mentorship programmes' that catch my eye (they are good for providing you with deadlines to work towards - and helping you to grow a thicker skin). But mainly, I am being led by my curiosity. I don't know about you - but life has thus far taught me: if you are on the right path - doors will open and when you're not - well...the inverse/ and sore nose. So I'm just walking the path, taking in the view and watching out for any swinging doors.

On a practical note - 'Scribe Lounge' - is a really positive place to hang out! Connect/ learn from others and start sharing your scripts. And one book I would recommend - John Yorke: Into the Woods! Script writing is mainly developed through thinking about your ideas, sustained writing and reading great scripts. Make the BBC writer's room - your new library!
Best Wishes with it all.
Lee

2 years, 1 month ago - Ronnie Mackintosh

Hi Steve, as has already been said, not only must you get the scripts finished, but they must be finished to a standard that is going to encourage a producer and/or director to commit their time and energy to getting them made. Once you're happy with the script it's down to finding those producers/directors, or maybe even an actor who likes a part in the script and has his/her own connections (that's happened to me). Pitch the script oinline, Shooting People obviously, and sites like Inktip (Inktip.com). I've had shorts picked up on SP and a feature optioned through Inktip. There are others out there. Have a look online for local fimmaking groups. It's about making the connections, but the connections will only be of use if there's a script that works for everyone. So keep working on and polishing the scripts, while seeking out potential collaborators. Good luck. Ronnie Mackintosh www.ronniemackintosh.com.

2 years, 1 month ago - Bob Eckhard

Hi Steve,

A few years ago, having done plenty of writing (treatments, film scripts etc) I made a decision to produce one of my own pieces. It was scary not least because I was going to have to learn how to write, produce, audition, direct actors, get insurance, find a film venue, create a storyboard, get permission to use the land, pay actors a fee/expenses. In short, it required a lot of time, energy and (most importantly) money. We made this short comedy over a weekend calling in favours but it also cost time for my camera mate to attend, actors to give up a day of their life and me calling in favours, getting permission from a toy manufacturer in France, writing script, then making it into a storyboard. In short, if you think the script will require a lot of effort, you're right- it is but it will be rewarding in the greater scheme of things. http://youtu.be/IB60QNCnNgU