Miscellaneous Questions

[ScriptNurse]

In my experience, it is UNUSUAL for a screenplay to read like a novel. It's not so much creative "writing" as it is using words to build visual images that the reader sees in his mind as he reads the script. I've seen action description written in short staccato phrases, all combining to create an image on the movie screen in my mind.

As for the books, I'd set them aside and read some scripts ... maybe 10-15. I recommend Charles Deemer's PRACTICAL SCREENWRITING. Read a chapter, read a script, repeat. THEN, read YOUR script. I doubt you'll have much trouble identifying things needing attention.

[padnar]

Hi mt everest ,
please visit simply scripts .There are lot of scripts there to read .It is awesome

[mteverest]

Thanks.  I do plan on doing that.  But not until I've read the screenwriting books currently in my possession.  Or should I be alternating between theory and example?

I actually did sample some of the scripts.  I don't remember which ones but some of them had actions that were way too "flowery", IMO.  Either that or I should enroll in a writing class.  It felt like they were trying to write novels, which I don't read.  My initial impression of how a screenplay should be was simple and using words that a regular guy would understand.  But after reading bits and pieces of some of these screenplays, I'm starting to get a little discouraged.

Have you guys always had a flair for creative writing?

Thanks,
Ever

[ScriptNurse]

One other thing ... if you want to write scripts — READ SCRIPTS. There are TONS available for free download on the net, so go get 30-50 scripts and read them. You'll be amazed at how you'll develop an objective eye toward your work after reading.

[mteverest]

Thanks again, guys.  I'll hold off on getting a punch since I'm not even sure if I'll be a good boy and finish my script.  I'm hoping I will, of course.  Right now, I'm just reading up on story structure and screenwriting.  I'm devouring all information I can get at.

I'm going to use Page 2 Stage for now since it's free.  When someone comes and asks for an electronic copy of my script in a particular format, I guess that would dictate which one I buy (first).  I'm assuming all of them can import RTF.  Yeah, I think they all do although I've read that you'll have to do a little tweaking afterwards in some cases.  I can live with that.

Ever

[ScriptNurse]

One little detail I left out ... the punch will make a hole exactly 1/4" ... but pre-drilled paper is slightly bigger than that. This means that when you insert the 1/4" brads into the screenplay, it fits nice and snug and the pages don't waffle around. The pre-drilled pages seem to be looser, which I do not like.

[FLM]

I'm alittle late but question #1 seems covered. (It WILL be changed like or not.)
Question #2
I work in Hollywood and from what I see Final Draft is at about 35% of software being used. Movie Magic is the top dog at the moment. Reason being as near as I can figure is that MM Budgeting and Scheduling is the standard production software and imports  said script without conflict.  Final Draft can be imported into MM as well.
Question 3
Do like Don said and buy the three hole punch OR print out a copy and get it photocopied and punched at the same time. This is what I do even though I have a punch for deadlines. I find mistakes easier in printed in my hand than on the screen.
Or put it on disk and get it copied and punched. Kinko's can handle most software. Just save it as a PDF if you have any concerns.

[ScriptNurse]

My only advice is that there's heavy duty and there's HEAVY DUTY. To decide which a particular model actually is ... I'd go look at it at your local office supply and then shop and see if you can get a deal on the same item elsewhere. If not, you can always go back to the local store and buy the item confident that you're going to be using it for the next 5-10 years.

[uncle_al]

My own experience - your mileage may vary - is that, if nobody is going nuts bidding up a particular item, you may be able to get a deal.

This is, unfortunately, non-binding, non-specific, and probably non-helpful, but, hey, I tell you what I know.

Al B.

[rnbrewer]

Do you think the e-bay one is the better deal, or do you think I can find one for around the same price (prefferably cheaper) at an office supply store?

[ScriptNurse]

I "think" it's 30-40 sheets at a time ... I know I used to do a script in 3 chunks and I was done.

[mteverest]

Here's the exact punch I've used for more than a decade: http://cgi.ebay.com/PunchODex-P-500-Heavy-Duty-Paper-Punch-MONSTER-TYPE_W0QQitemZ290169464892QQihZ019QQcategoryZ25343QQcmdZViewItem
Standard Costco paper will be fine.

Don, how many sheets can it punch at a time?  It doesn't say it in the ebay listing.  And I can't find it anywhere else.

Thanks,
Ever

[mteverest]

I guess I don't really need text-to-speech.  Just a nice-to-have.  Thanks for the ebay link.  I will check out that punch.

Ever

[ScriptNurse]

I've not used Sophocles, but I understand it's quite nice. Do you really NEED text-to-speech?

Here's the exact punch I've used for more than a decade: http://cgi.ebay.com/PunchODex-P-500-Heavy-Duty-Paper-Punch-MONSTER-TYPE_W0QQitemZ290169464892QQihZ019QQcategoryZ25343QQcmdZViewItem

Standard Costco paper will be fine.

[mteverest]

Thanks, Don.

Again, I like the answer to #1 for the same reason I mentioned earlier.  But here's hoping most of my script will remain intact.  But I'd be happy in any case as long as I get paid and am given credit.

As for #2, I am still leaning towards Sophocles as it has more features beyond formatting for less.  However, I wish it had text-to-speech like FD and MMS.

I'll go look for a good puncher then.  I suppose regular paper (that you can buy from Costco in bulk for example) will suffice.  I have lots of those (for my loan signing and indexing businesses). 

Thanks again!
Ever