Simon King: Director, producer and screenwriter in Portland, Oregon.

Hi all, I'm trying to resolve an informational conflict I'm coming up against re: submitting screenplays in Final Draft vs. Word vs. PDF. I see calls for screenplays in which producers and agents seek scripts in either PDF or RTF (Rich Text Format), which can both be generated via a Word doc source. However, I've heard recently from an independent producer that Final Draft (and to some extent CeltX, which as I understand is a lower-grade stepchild of Final Draft) is the ONLY admissible format that producers and agents will accept. Anyone know which is accurate, or does it just depend on the producer's/agent's preference for reading-script submissions? Asking because I do have MS Word and Adobe Acrobat, and am not a multi-millionaire, so don't feel like popping down the $100-plus for a Final Draft install if I really don't have to. I'm familiar with screenwriting format standards (thank you, Google and research!) so feel I have a good grasp on how to set margins, indents, sluglines, and so on, but I could be wrong... :p Thanks ahead, Michelle

I am trying to perfect my log lines If you critique mine I will critique yours. This is from a romantic comedy I wrote: "Is a sea monster living in a Canadian lake? That question draws out a successful lawyer from her big city practice and into a hilarious search for her true calling." I wrestled with using the term hilarious.

A few years ago, I was becoming interested in the works of playwright David Mamet. I had recently seen and enjoyed the movie State and Main with, among others, Philip Seymour Hoffman. It reminded me that I had earlier enjoyed House of Games which was also written and directed by David. At the time, I was working with Michael Chanslor on post production and music for one of my projects and it was during one of our discussions that covered everything from Amos 'n' Andy to Derek and Clive that the subject of David Mamet came up. Michael asked if I'd ever read David's play Oleanna. When I told him that I had not, he offered me his copy of the play to read. In the following weeks, I made time to read the play and found it very engrossing. I enjoyed it so much that I re-read it a few times knowing that, at some point, I would need to give it back to Michael. If you haven't had the pleasure of this compelling story of a professor and his female student, I highly recommend that you read it. One afternoon, I was going to visit a friend who was in the hospital in Santa Monica and I stopped at a florist shop on Wilshire Blvd. to buy some flowers. Since the shop was in the vicinity of a few hospitals, it was not surprising that they were busy and their small parking lot was full. As I was idling in the alley behind the shop thinking about where to look next for a place to park, a man waved to me and indicated that he would be leaving momentarily and I could take his space. During the few minutes it took for him to leave, I realized it was none other than David Mamet who had offered me his parking space. As I waited for David to load his car, I thought how nice it would have been if I had the copy of Oleanna with me relishing Michael's reaction to having his copy returned with an inscription and signature from the author. It was one of those 'Oh, well' moments that could have and should have happened but didn't. I waved a thanks to David as he drove away and pulled into the vacated space. Getting out of my car, something on the back seat caught my eye. It was Michael's copy of Oleanna.

Does anyone have a copy of the Sharknado script? I have searched online and only come up with a crap .PDF with dialogue only. There must be someone out there willing to share this masterpiece!

High end cameras or can you use your smart phone

I have searched high and low for a .PDF of the script for Richard Curtis' film About Time. Anyone have a lead or link on this?

We have met some wonderful folks through S32 so... Here we go again! Clearstream Entertainment is a film production company based in the Pacific Northwest. We produce shorts and features that have a great story to tell. We have two features and three shorts shooting in 2019. First up is a SAG-sanctioned film starring Jennifer Sklias-Gahan and Sally-Anne Hunt called The Rise of Whore Betsy. We are always on the lookout for talented actors and actresses and interested in networking with dedicated crew members.

Hello all! Always on the lookout for acting talent. Clearstream Entertainment is an award-winning studio. We are currently in pre-pro on two features and have numerous projects lined up for 2019/2020.

Recently I read the screenplay Lawrence of Arabia over three evenings and watched the film on the fourth. The script is 267 pages. I first saw the film about ten years ago, and to be honest, felt lost. This time I researched the history surrounding it, and also being older, had a much fuller comprehension of the film and screenplay which allowed me to appreciate it much more. Steven Spielberg had a sort of similar experience which he expressed in an interview that the first time he saw the film he couldn't handle the enormity of it and wasn't able to fully appreciate it until many years later. He's named the film as one of his four go to films anytime he makes one of his own.

The script is filled with camera and actor direction. It also uses scene headings very sparsely. In William Goldman's screenplay Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, he seems to adapt this technique by not using any scene headings. I also noticed the influence a part of this script may have had on Pulp Fiction. Marsellus is like a king within the parameters of his own world, like Lawrence. When the two characters are taken outside of their world they're raped, creating a stark contrast which humbles them and acts as a big moment in the overall story arc. Lastly, William Monahan when accepting the academy award for best adapted screenplay for The Departed said Lawrence of Arabia is the reason he got into screenwriting.

So it's clear Lawrence of Arabia has had a huge influence on screenwriters and filmmakers that have come after it. So my question is, what other screenplays do you think have had a great influence on screenwriters and filmmakers?

Hi Simon, to introduce myself I want to tell you that I offer Script Budgeting services to Indie writers/producers/directors and investors that is very affordable. I have over 25yrs experience as a Film & TV Line Producer & have prepared budgets for features, tv, shorts & docs as well as filmed in many U.S. States and foreign locations from Paris to Philippines. If I can be of service to you or any of your associates then please check out my website at indiefilmbudgeting.com. - Best, Gary

Hi, I have been on S32 for quite a while now and I am always pleased at the talent I meet here (with the exception of those in certain African nations who want me to help them with their billions in gold...) I am a producer and director. I am interested in meeting talent on both sides of the camera. I am currently producing a family-oriented episodic filming in Oregon. The first two episodes are live and there are eight more planed for the first season. I also have three features in development and a western feature releasing in early December.

Hi,Simon...Would like to connect on Stage 32. . Please take a look: http://www.actorbobbarr.com (Also Playwright) http://www.imdb.me/bobbarr Best, Bob PS I'm new to Portland, sppreciate all help!

Hello Simon King! I am new on STAGE 32. i need member to help me sell my film script Titled The Company Called Country

Is it better to have a completed Script prior to hiring a crew? Or is it ok to hire a crew and complete the script with them?

Hi, Simon. I'd like to connect. ... Please take a look: http://www.actorbobbarr.com (also Playwright) http://www.imdb.me/bobbarr Best, Bob PS I'm new to Portlaed, appreiate all help!