Hi guys, I am currently writing a feature spec, and have a questions in regards to that. Is it okay to name known Universities in spec scripts. Just wondering what readers in general think about it. I haven´t done it so far, but some parts feel a bit vague without this, as the protagonist´s past and future education is a crucial part of the story.
Screenwriting : Naming Universities by Simon A. Kristiansen
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Thanks, that´s what I´d figured :), just wanted to hear what people think of it.
Yes I agree, a script needs to show the world your characters live in. If it's too vague, then how can anyone, including actors understand about their roles. What did Philip K Dick say about writing a world in which your characters can actually live and breath in?
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There are a couple good books and even an on demand webinar in the education section here on clearances. But really, on a spec script, as mentioned, it can be changed if needed.
Go for it. the main characters in my spec TV pilot go to Stanford University.
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Just examples: If you're writing A BEAUTIFUL MIND or THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, use the real uni. If you're writing ACCEPTED, REVENGE OF THE NERDS, or ANIMAL HOUSE, you will likely have to make up a fake uni.
STEALING STANFORD became the less alliterate STEALING HARVARD when Stanford said "no". The wacky thing with anything like this is: if it has to be Stanford, you may be in trouble and maybe should just make it a fake university. If it doesn't have to be Stanford and can be any university, so ahead and use Stanford. That seems backwards, but it has to do with whether it can easily be changed if they have to change the location. There's a great Lucille Fletcher novel $80 TO STAMFORD where the whole story centers on a specific make and model of car, and no other car will work! Oh, and it's the killer's car. Imagine if the car company refuses to allow their car used by the killer... now how do they make the movie? That's the kind of thing that can be a problem, but 99% of the time any make of car works so you can use a specific make of car (to add flavor). Any university will work, so you can use a specific to add flavor. (CHUCK went to Stanford... and it became part of the TV series with a big homecoming game, etc).
If they do say "no", you could always call it "Sanford" or "Staniford". :-)
I'm written a script about a jungle, it is a good spec?
This is all very interesting, especially since a good deal of my latest script centers on Washington Square Park and NYU. (Washington Square Park is basically the unofficial campus of NYU.) I don't think altering the name slightly would fly in this case. I figured as long as I did not paint the University in a bad light, it would be okay. If you've ever seen the film The Freshman, one of their professors is made to look like an egotistical jackass. I guess I figured if NYU said yes in that case, I shouldn't have a problem. And If they were to say "no" in my case, I would really be screwed. I haven't considered the possibility of needing an alternative until reading this post. Thanks!