Screenwriting : Early Script by Ian Maier

Ian Maier

Early Script

Was wondering if anyone could provide feedback on a script that I wrote? I'm very new to this and would be grateful for any tips, criticisms, and feedback that you have.

Logline for those interested: In the old west a nurse partners with a gunslinger to bring men accused of unspeakable acts to justice, while in a bunker a group of time travelers awaits orders to apprehend three people who could prove useful in a vicious battle nearly two centuries in the future.

Georgette Skolnick

I highly recommend you enter it in a contest and pay extra for feedback. I have found some judges offer great ideas, and some give you page by page detailed analysis noting errors.

Pat Alexander

You can always get feedback from readers at Stage 32 here: (https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?affid=pata)

Maurice Vaughan

Georgette and Pat gave you great advice, Ian Maier.

I think your logline needs some work. One reason is it's really long (48 words). Here’s a logline template that might help:

After/when ______ (the inciting incident/the event that sets the plot in motion), a _______ (the main flaw that the main character has to overcome in the script or an adjective that describes the main character’s personality) _______ (the main character’s position/job/career) tries to/attempts to/fights to/struggles to/strives to/sets out to/fights/battles/engages in/competes/etc. _______ (goal of story and try to add the obstacles here) to/so/in order to ________ (stakes).

The inciting incident can also be at the end of the logline: “A _______ (the main flaw that the main character has to overcome in the script or an adjective that describes the main character’s personality) _______ (the main character’s position/job/career) tries to/attempts to/fights to/struggles to/strives to/sets out to/fights/battles/engages in/competes/etc. _______ (goal of story and try to add the obstacles here) to/so/in order to ________ (stakes) after/when ______ (the inciting incident/the event that sets the plot in motion).

And Christopher Lockhart has a great webinar on loglines. It’s called “How To Make Your Logline Attractive to A-List Actors, Producers, Directors, Managers, Agents, Financiers and Development Execs” (www.stage32.com/webinars/How-To-Make-Your-Logline-Attractive-to-A-List-A...).

Jack Middleton

I will be glad to critique this if you want send it.

jackmid90yahoo.com

Jack Middleton

I know a screenwriter in LA who tends to use longer log lines and has never pitched to anyone who had a problem with any of them. I had the latest at about three lines and we worked it this: LOGLINE:

Upon hearing the news of her abusive father's fatal heart attack, an emotionally distant Marine returns home to discover, that not only was he murdered, but that his death was a part of a deeper corporate conspiracy involving kidnapping, extortion, and fraud.

Göran Johansson

Send me a network request and I give you my email address.

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