Terri Deno's Lounge Discussions

Or just make your own film!

After watching A LOT of movies. I kept saying to myself, I could do so much better. So now I've decided to put my money where my mouth is.

Big step! Lotsa courage! I started in film at 57.

Dan: I wish I had that kind of budget for my projects! I'm in post on a feature length film at the moment that doesn't even have 1% of that budget!

Dan if you have any left over.......

Excellent first steps, Martina

I'm retired - so I've already had my career. Now I've got the time, knowledge and understanding of how it all works. This year I'm going to concentrate on two Oscar bait FL scripts. No more, no less. Best wishes to you for a productive and happy new year.

Thanks Doug, what is an Oscar bait FL script? Sounds very ambitious and I wish you all the best.

I'm making a commitment to finally get through all of my revisions. If that can be accomplished, I'll have three scripts to get things moving and shaking.

Vitaly - what you say about connections is very true - I'm fortunate in that I've made a few over the decades and a few of them are still alive. It's taken years to develop and I cherish those connections dearly. That's why I always advise the young wannabes to quit hiding behind their hi-tech gadgets: Get out there, belly-up to the bar and do a little gland-handing - get up close and personal. Work it!

Annie, FL = feature length (I've spent to much time writing shorts.) Oscar bait means a script that is so compelling, complex and alluring that it attracts 'A' listers like flys to honey. Over the years, I've worked on films that have been awarded Oscars; but never one for myself. I'm gonna give it a try this year.

Welcome to the site! I'm definitely interested in possible collaborations.

Welcome, im really interested in your collaborations

Welcome!

Welcome. Am open to collaboration. .

Am a Script/Screenplay Writer not a Film Producer. I write as a Ghostwriter without writing credition. I can let you see a script am currently treating where so demanded. Most of the scripts were erased as they were no more my bonafide property respectively after all said and done.

That's good advice. I should read more scripts, that way I see how others format them and the terms they use and how the begin and end scenes. Thank you, everyone!

WTF? No - you don't need FADE INs and FADE OUTs or CUT TOs - those will make you look like an amateur. Whoever told you that - punch them in the face as hard as you can.

Read scripts of films you like from the last ten years. That will serve you well.

lol, William. PUNCH. I agree. It looks completely ridiculous when you "FADE IN" and "FADE OUT" as if the reader wouldn't know that your film begins when s/he begins to read. Also the "CUT TO". How often did you write this in your script then? Your screen description is absolutely enough and everything else lies in the hands and creativity of the director and producer (and is of course limited by the budget).

I also agree to our fellow screenwriters that it's most helpful to read screenplays. Good screenplays, bad screenplays and read yourself through all genres. If you want to write a novel you read novels and analyze them. Read the scripts of films you like and watch them again with the script on your knees. Musicians do the same when they hear Gershwin or Mozart. They listen and follow the music from the score. Make notes in the script copy, check when the acts change and how. Does every act have a climax, if so at what time? How about the end of the acts, are there cliffhangers and a climax? Do you like the way the story is told and most interesting - do you still like the film afterwards?

There are tons of great how-to books on screenwriting, and a lot more "meh" how-to books. I picked-up about a dozen from a used bookstore yesterday. Several are top-rated and come highly-recommended, but they'll all have something to say about formatting. There are some good websites, too. :)

Wishing you the best of luck in your writing career Terri ... best advice I can give is ... keep writing with a creative imagination and positive outlooks to scripts ... the world needs that trend as I watch so much ridiculously violent and spaced out programs on TV and the movies ... there is success in writing family dramas especially for children of all ages !!!