Anthony Ward's Lounge Discussions

LOL. You're making me laugh first thing in the morning, CJ. thanks.

I usually have an idea/concept, then I birth the characters (and generate their complete back story), I even carry them around in my head for a couple of month and gauge how I presume they would react to situations that I am in in real life, the I build the scenes around the characters that I have created. I this approach I feel I am writing screenplays around my specific characters. So when (not if) it's being cast, they will cast actors that can play MY characters and not rewrite my movie to fit the actors. At least this is the theory.. if the writing is solid, I think it works more often that not. :)

I usually think about what I want to get out of each individual act so I have a beginning, middle, and conclusion first... The details usually build off of that... Especially in the rewrites haha

Thanks for all the info guys and gals. It's good to know that everyone has a different process. I thought I was weird for how I write but good to see there is no straight forward formula that everyone follows. Thanks again.

I try hashing out the plot over and over again, until it's something even I would want to go see! Then I start writing like crazy! Then I go over the plot again--rinse and repeat. Once have the whole narrative down, then I hone in on the character development and dialogue.

Chanel: What is my net gain for posting my screenplays at Stage 32? If someone wants to read a script, synopsis or sample, I am happy to accommodate. Thus far, I've only had one person ask me for work here. On Inktip, where producers are looking for work, I've had several scripts downloaded, read and a few optioned. I'd also be happy to reciprocate with other writers.

Hello Phillip, you already provide a logline, synopsis and screenplay on InkTip - the producer doesn't ask your permission to read it, or for you to please provide it, it's already up there and they have access to your work, unless things have changed since I was in there last - so why wouldn't you do the same here? Download a logline, synopsis and screenplay, the odds of being read certainly increase dramatically as opposed to waiting for someone to knock on your door - BUT, if you're not comfortable with that scenario, fine, don't, stay as you are, leave it all to InkTip - it's called CHOICE, and we all have, it, my friend - good luck on InkTip, not a bad site.

I do offer loglines here and state that scripts are available on request. Any producers out there want to read one? Let me know. Thanks for your counsel.

Actually, Chanel, I have to disagree with you on InkTip. One doesn't HAVE to post the screenplay. I only posted loglines and synopses at most there, and I'd receive requests to read the script if they liked the logline/synopsis enough. Got two paid options through InkTip that way.

I stand corrected, Edward, I seem to recollect my script was up, didn't realise it was an option, well done on your success with InkTip.

I don't know, Bill, you sent me your Soul Train dance shots and I thought they were retro chic!! I definitely approve! Soul Train was the jam; wish I would have known you back in the day :)

Monica: I might have...uh... accidentally sent them to you....yeah...accidentally.... because you're a professional dancer and all, and I might have been seeking some ....uh...er...uh.. professional feedback....but...hmm..."retro chic?"....hmm...check this out...I do have this time machine here.....and I finally got the "Back to the 1970's" button working again....so...you know...just sayin'...I'm just sayin'..

Bill C: I'm keeping the train shots for a special occasion.

Drummers are the biggest pains in the ass. Always creating drama and leaving bands. I can't count all the pickup gigs I got covering for drummer's who had relatives die, divorces, crimes of passion etc.

Phillip: no disrespect to you, bro...you're a great drummer..but you know how I feel about drummers. My drum machine doesn't eat all the food in my fridge...doesn't spill whisky on my mixing board or burn my car seats....doesn't go to the bathroom in my backyard...doesn't scare my neighbors...never needs bail money or hit on my gf....doesn't throw drum sticks or beer bottles at me...and does everything I tell it to do.

It's just like you, if you were a well-behaved drum machine that runs on solar power. Heck...it is you...and I even drew your face on Phil-Kit 3000...since all the sounds in it are sampled sounds of you playing. Which is all legal in my new home in Bhutan. Where there are no extradition treaties with the U.S., just in case you're thinking about going all drummer-loony on me at some point in the future. Heck...we don't even have diplomatic relations with the U.S. here. All you Americans are so sue-happy. And I live in a fortress that used to be a Buddhist monastery. And I trained the monkeys to bite the private parts of any person that isn't me. And most of them can fly. I'm the Alpha Monkey-Boy here, and they know who cooks and butters their monkey-bread. And it's from scratch, and not that Bhutan monkey-bread mix that they sell in the village.

And just to make it a little clearer for you, since you're a drummer, and hard of thinking...I'm not a revenge kinda-guy...that's for people with seriously deep character flaws...but you shoulda never ate all the brisket at the Sunday Gospel Brunch at Stubbs that one day 11 years ago...and you shoulda never blamed it on me. And I'm not a vengeful, Ugly American type...I'm a Loving Buddhist with some serious dance shoe, clothes and moves from the 1970's....but I'm just sayin', bro....I'm just sayin'.....and this all applies to the guy who started this forum topic seven years ago, too...whoever he is...cuz his words have that drummer vibe, too, and I know how all you drummers stick together and have that drummer network thing going on.

Gotta go now. I have a lot of fresh monkey-bread to butter before Monday Night Football begins...well... Tuesday Afternoon Football to us Bhutans...but you know what I'm sayin', bro...you know what I'm sayin'.....

Cause it's not a finished product. At least in the case of screenwriting. It's the blueprint for other artists to come in and bring it to life as a film or television production.

That's like saying a home owner with a vision shouldn't listen to an Architect or a General Contractor that he might want to move a bearing wall for better structural integrity; or that she should ignore prudent, well-meaning advice from electricians and plumbers as to minor modifications that might improve livability, pricing, construction, etc.

Filmmaking and television, at least, are collaborative arts. The screenwriter is only contributing the plan. The foundation and inspiration usually - but the craftsmen know how to make movies and television.

If you want to write what you want with no one's feedback, then you should self-publish novels and short stories. And there's nothing wrong with that.