Desperately Seeking to make a GOOD movie

[Chuck58]

I've read a little by Syd Field and found it very useful. One of the most valuable books on screenwriting I have, and to which I regularly refer is Writing Screenplays That Sell, by Michael Hauge. Whether the title is prophetic for me, I don't know. I'm still wrestling with my first screenplay script.

[nycpowtap]

Hello,

Thank you for the all for the valuable info.  I kind of had the feeling that going to class would not be the answer as when we produced our first film I went through the same thing and everyone on the film said the best way to learn is to just make the films.  Much more valuable...

We are always looking for films to distribute or produce.  We tend to go for more cult films as in the video world unfortunately it is the only way to differentiate yourself from the studios.  We are not going to make a better film than the studios mainly because of budget so you have to do films the studios would not touch.  So anyone has anything just send to my email of jsirabella@media-blasters.com

As for this project, this one is personal so I am being a bit more picky about it as I do not want it to be like anything we distribute.

-js

[ScriptNurse]

Oh, what fun you're going to have.

Forget film school unless you like learning slowly and painfully. If you're a quick study, go here and do this:  http://www.webfilmschool.com/  Dov S-S Siemens has all of the nuts and bolts you need to do it all yourself. As a producer, you'll gain a thorough perspective of the entire process and business and a ton of tips and hints. If you can, attend the class AND buy the media of your choice. I like CDs so I can listen in the car. Go through this material 2-3 times. I'd wager that the knowledge in this class will save you 100+ times the investment.

(This is my personal opinion based on my own purchase and use of the material. Your mileage may vary.)

Are you looking for films to distribute? If so, should a producer contact your office directly regarding a distribution deal?

If you're a producer/distributor, InkTip is an outstanding source and many studios and indie producers use it.

If you're ever looking for a kids' baseball movie ... PM me.

[LloJo]

Would that be InkTip to which you are referring? If so, you've found a good place to look.
When you get there, you'll find a couple of my scripts that could use a good producer.

[Chuck58]

I read somewhere that some 100K screenplays are written every year. Barely 300-400 ever make it to the screen. I cannot believe that every one of the other 99,600 are losers. Some, in fact, might be hits. I keep thinking back to Sylvester Stallone's movie, ROCKY. Nobody wanted it. How could a movie about an over the hill, down and out fighter be a hit?

The scripts are out there. There's a place here on this site where you can search for screenplays searching for a buyer. Darned if I can remember the name... Ink something(?)

I never went to any film school, but I'm just trying to write the fool things not produce them. Far be it from me to say you shouldn't go to school. On the other hand, I think you can walk into your nearest bookstore and find every book about making or producing films that you'd need, and if you read and absorbed the info in them, you'd have what you need and be money ahead.

I've never been a fan of the cult type slasher movies. I prefer to at least hover on the border of reality, without 5 minute long car chases, blood splashing,  and so on. I'm currently battling with a script involving a serial killer who believes he's performing a ministry by 'sending souls to Heaven.' No fantastic special effects involved. It's based on a novel I published a couple of years ago. It's the last time I'll use my own work to try and adapt into a screenplay.

[uncle_al]

Lucky you!

"Dis mus' be de place", as has been said.

All you need do is ask.

Cheers!

Al B.

[nycpowtap]

Hello All,

I am a producer who has a distribution and production company.  It seems odd but I never went to film school but somehow found myself in this business licensing and producing films.  Unfortunately it seems though that I am destined to produce movies that are cult with scenes where girls guns turn into machine guns, breasts spew acid or men seem to keep loosing their private parts.  This is all well and good and does pay the bills but I have grown tired of it and actually want to produce as my daughter would say something "good".  Something I could actually bring home and have my family watch instead of hiding it.

Well as crazy as it sounds I am a sucker for young romance comedy adventures and after having seen Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Juno I wanted to make a movie like that.  I have been reading the Syd Field "The Foundations of Screenwriting" to try and understand how to write a screenplay.   I guess I am asking here if you were me, what would you do to accomplish this goal.

Would you got to a film school?  Where could I go to find scripts like this if I did not want to write one?  Where could I go and talk to others to think of ideas and help me in my process.

Any ideas and thoughts or comments are appreciated.

Regards,

nycpowtap