Elvira Drake's Lounge Discussions

Nope - tried that. But thanx anyway.

I don't see it, Doug.

Thanx folk - looks like I got rid of that sneaky little sob.

Hi @Doug when I type something in my profile page and address it to someone else EXAMPLE @Jack an annoying name index comes up of ALL the Jacks on this website and the name index follows my cursor key so I can’t see what the hell I just typed. (Cos Jack Allen to Jack Zog is following me in box I’m typing in). The only way I got rid of this is to double click in box right hand side of index. All this web based info “Dump” at the simple action of just typing is a reflection of the times. Pen and paper are needed for no trogon horses or backdoor widgets and apps. GROAN!

Debbie, what you're talking about I think is just a feature here on S32 - I don't use it for the reason you stated.

PS: Also, I just noticed my Participation score this week being 3... when I haven;t even done anything. So I don't know if this person was doing more than just sending out networking/connection invites...

This is a Horror Film situation and you should report to MODS and RB immediately. However, I know of real life situations where info is not hacked from within a website but third party (known to victims) accesses personal pin codes or passwords to pose as “person” on website. So problem may not be “Within”. Eliminate possibles and probables. These Psychic Vampires aim on shock factor, so don’t get too upset. A couple of years back I had pizzas sent to digs, paint sprayed on door etc cos some sad office worker who hates my guts got my pay pal details. Cyber crime has limited pain allowance. Switch them off.

Yes, I'll find a way to report this bizarre activity to the admins/RB. I just got another notification email this morning stating I was now connected with yet another person I didn't send an invite to.

I've reported it and they don't know how it's happening but said everything seems to be fine now. It's not. I'm still getting DAILY emails alerting me that I have a new connection. How is this happening?! I'm not sending anyone invites. It even shows as having sent ZERO invites.

Is this really not happening to everyone else?

Honestly, I would avoid using them. If you want to use a service to get you into the best market possible try utilizing a reputable editor, cover artist (both can be found for reasonable rates and agreements need to be in place) and use a platform which allows you to sell almost immediately upon release. I say almost immediately because most distribution sites take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours to get the book up. Some storefront as well only release on a specific day.

Ensure whomever you work with is aware of your deadlines and any restrictions you wish to have in place. Once you've come up with the game plan in that sense you can certainly move onto the next phase. If you're looking for tips or tricks on how to get the word out and build a release buzz, network with other authors is a great start. Often times they will work with you to promote your work, and remember you're not selling a title, you're selling your author brand.

I hope that helps.

Oh yeah, I've posted a lot on Smashwords... I was just wondering if anyone has first hand experience. David, that's interesting (re: "our books")

I utilise Smashwords in all my links now, especially since Amazon destroyed the search facility - for example, if you put in "David E. Gates" you'd expect it to find me. Nope. Not a single publication by yours truly because they screwed up the algorithm so badly. If you put "cats" in, you'll probably get "dogs". And it's not just my name either - Pink (P!nk) the popstar, released a new single a few weeks back and has an album coming out in three weeks. But put in "Pink" and you won't get any result that references that. Add to that, that Amazon removed/deleted my Author page for several days, that they remove any reviews if the person is following/friends with you on Facebook, and their Audible page suggests that I've written a number of books that aren't actually by me, in the "More by the same author..." section, and you have a pretty shoddy outlet compared to Smashwords or iBooks or just about any other bookstore. Yes, you should have your stuff on Amazon, but don't rely on people being able to discover it by actually searching for it.

Wow, David... I did have 2 short story books published through Amazon through Createspace (both of which I've taken down) but I had no idea their search was that bad. Did Amazon tell you why they deleted your author's page or did you just happen to notice it was deleted?

They didn't tell me - it was restored after a few days. Their support is terrible. They didn't tell me it was back up either. I logged the issues with their search more than nine months ago and still nothing has improved. They claimed, initially, they couldn't fix it but given they "broke" it, they surely can? Their response to not finding "David E. Gates" was that my books are found, just on pages 18, 25 and 32 of the search results. Who the hell goes through more than a couple of pages? I'm done with them to be honest. Yes, my books are on there still but I don't reference Amazon for any advertising purposes now. At all. I even complained to their head office here in the UK. They just passed it back to their crappy support - whenever I try and chase them on it, after each three-month period, they just say "We're still looking into it". They're a joke. Apple, Smashwords, B&N, Bing and Google search brings up my stuff at the top when a search is done. Amazon's is just garbage.

A. S. Templeton Any update on your reading software or devices since this post? I’m updating my methods from paper to digital (too many scripts to read and too little paper). Loved the Voice Dream recommendation and looking for others like it. Also, on another tack, wondering (from anyone) if there’s a good source for recorded table reads or professionally read scripts anywhere. Thanks a thousand.

Nothing beats hard copy...

Reading glasses work for me. After 4 years, I hope you've figured it out by now.

I use an 8" Kindle Fire. It accepts PDFs (after download and install of a PDF reader) and you can change fonts and font sizes to make the pages easier to read. I've even used it to do some writing and editing while using WriterDuet screenwriting software, since its internet based. I like to write on the go.

Thanks Anthony Moore. It sounds like the Kindle Fire does not require zooming around on a PDF (very annoying after a few dozen pages) and it can change the size of the font but keep it roughly in screenplay format. I'd love to hear if that's correct, if you're back on, though I appreciate the tip either way.

William – well bully for you. I've been at this writing business, off-n-on, since about '67 and I'm presently under contract with both a NYC and a Hollywood Agent. There are a few other old codgers who participate in this forum too, but the vast majority are wannabes and newbies who are seeking knowledge. I speak to them and try to offer as much guidance, support and encouragement as I can without polishing my OSCAR, ego or talking down to them. (Sorry but sometimes comments just rub me the wrong way.)

Doug/William, too funny ;-)

Anthony – I see more disappointment than humor in it and It offers nothing to the OP's inquiry. It does cause me to wonder about the point of participation in this forum.

Doug - William has had 20 or so films made from his feature scripts (check out his IMDB), published a number of screenwriting guides (you can buy em on Amazon) and offered his advice on here for years, his first post in this thread is the third down and I think it has a relevant and interesting view to impart on what he focuses on in his character descriptions, a direct response to the OPs question. His other post, the one you took issue with, starts with 'Just for fun'... kinda sums up his what he was doing in that particular script, and who knows, could have been different enough to actually make the reader pay attention as it wasn't taking a cookie cutter approach. Your own first post on this thread is how you intro characters and is your view, just as valid of course, and demonstrates one of my fave things about screenwriting - there are no actual rules, just people's opinions and what is the current fashion often based on pro scripts. What amused me in particular was William's sarcastic response to your advice to him and your Oscar rubbing comment. Participation in the forum is optional, but would be less educational and less amusing without you (and William).

I think the point of participation is education, right? So when you asked me a couple of questions, I answered. Why this is a problem for you, I have no idea.

I use a nom de plume to write erotica, for obvious reasons.

I could use a nom de plume to write erotica - but with a name like Andrew Smith - people automatically conclude that it's not my real name.

Everything that I write to produce myself is under my name, everything that I submitt for commercial production goes out under my 'nom de plume'. Sometimes it's a little complex at tax time but it's really important to me to keep my professional and private life seperate.

I used to hyphenate maiden-married, but I've found I get better results as far as script requests when I use just the married. It's probably a coincidence, but it's kind of like wearing my lucky shirt for the Saint's games.

Ooo are you related to John William Waterhouse? Love his paintings! Anywho, I use my pen name on all my scripts. But the contact info has my legal name. (My name on here is my pen name. My legal name is already taken by a very famous Englishman...lol...and I want to avoid all confusion.) @Doug Nelson, Can you explain about ta time and how it can get complex? Hopefully you see this...

No one received credit. I don't register with the WGA because it has no legal value.

That's good to know for future reference. The film was of such low quality that I sent take down notices. Vimeo has already removed the video.

Good result Tony, re WGA and arbitrations, doesn't that only apply to signatories of the WGA agreement when it involves WGA members?

So much thievery going on! So little respect for writers. smh

The videos were taken down. I'm definitely being more careful about who I work with in the future. Craigslist is such a joke.

@Andrew - yep a student film, and no the actual credits of the film made no mention of the writer, but she did credit me on the Youtube page itself. @Beth - thanks! And I agree re the missed teaching opportunity. I've given students permission on my short before, but usually stipulate that they don't upload it anywhere and just use for class - of course, you need to be asked first.

@Beth: I'm tired of the "only a short" excuse for non-payment and non-credit. I've been paid more for short films than features. Many great works of art started as something small. The Daria television series began when the character made a small appearance on Beavis and Butthead. Short stories, which are often bought by the few fiction magazines scraping by in the digital age, turn into novels. Even if the students gave credit, it wasn't their work to use.They didn't create the script, the characters or the setting. Writers are a key and undervalued component of the film-making process. As for it being a teaching moment, American students are lectured on plagiarism in almost each and every class starting in grade school. They knew better and stole a script anyway. Ownership is a concept that permeates global cultures. It's hard to imagine an ethnic group that's connected to the internet not understanding why stealing someone's work is wrong.

Anthony: Any instructor saying a copyright doesn't matter is probably teaching at clown college or Immoral University. You always have to get permission to use copyrighted material. Here's an interesting link about some American screenwriters and their lawsuits for copyright infringement. http://www.law360.com/articles/591491/plot-thickens-for-screenplay-infri... http://www.copylaw.com/new_articles/movie_infring.html

Thanks Tony, I'm the same, made much more from shorts, know I'll never make a living from them or anything but I like them. Dan, she is, she's apologised and seems sincere and the movie has been taken down from Youtube. Phillip - thanks mate, interesting reading! And agree, permission should always be sought but I genuinely think there's some confused educators out there who think they are applying 'fair use' principles and advising students accordingly ;-(

Sorry that happened, Anthony. I haven't made use of SimplyScripts in many months. It's good she got back to you. This is why I'm iffy about posting a full script online for public access. I'm okay with putting up a sample, but I've taken down all my shorts from various sites. If people want to read, they need to contact me directly and that way I can keep tabs!

In one of my stories the antagonist is simply referred to as Sweaty Man. No one uses his name so I didn't give him one.

Good point @Pierre, make the character visceral .....no need name terms!

What I find myself doing is looking at the spines on my book shelves for different first and last names. You can even come on here and look at people's names. Make a list and keep it close by. Maybe watch the news and check out the people they're interviewing, the reporters, the news casters. The sources for names are endless.

I think the first thing to do when crafting a story inside your head is to be able to visualize the scenes as they unfold, through your mind's eyes. Whatever name comes up for a given character is up to the role you see him/her playing in your mind TV. If you can appreciate that view, I think you'll be able to attribute your character names based on their specific threats. Most times, the names will just fit your character the more you go further in the story - bad angels got good names :)

Hi Christopher, I've just posted on this exact thing actually. You can find it here: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Noun-of-the-above

Hans: You're welcome.

Yep, I still haven't forgotten this ad from last week. There is a specialist shop Brighton that used to order Retro posters, I'm going to see if they can get a Timex. It's hard even getting "a wind up watch" now, something gadget free, yet will last eternity.

This is incredibly helpful from a number of angles. Thanks for sharing, viva la produced credit! The next step in your journey.

Michelle: Thank you for your kind words.

Greatly encouraging advice! Thanks.

I’ve never posted a logline here; I’ve never given it much thought but from the depth and breadth of this post’s comments – I should probably give it a try. Logline coming soon.

@ Peter - I can't see posting my loglines without an actual story written. Any logline or synopsis I post has a script available upon request to read.

Hey Elvira Drake - thanks for being a part of the community and for the great question. Yes, Industry Professionals look through the loglines all the time. I just spoke with an executive who runs development for a company with a Fox Television deal. She asked specifically for the link so she could scroll through and find projects.

I also know of several other executives who are lurking and looking at loglines. They don't make a big fuss about it but they have connected with several writers. I am happy to give you more information - hit me up at j.mirch@stage32.com

Heyo! I can speak from first hand experience. I optioned my first script this way. Here's the blog post about it. https://www.stage32.com/blog/Ireland-Based-Screenwriter-Options-her-First-Script-through-Stage-32

The director/producer came to my profile because he was curious about me, found a script he really really liked, emailed me, and optioned it a few weeks later.

I'd been on S32 for all of a month.

So, yes, that does actually happen.

Elvira, do the best u can...whacha gonna lose? I mean if I saw A.K. Walker here talkin' this bout posting his new joint I'd say...let it be man, talk to you agent first...

There's an easy way to find out what happens: contact them and see what happens...

Yes. If you can get a name to read it and they like it then that could be the green light for your script.

Are the assistants to the actors listed on IMBDpro??

The assistants at the production companies sometimes are, but not usually.

We've actually gone ahead and did just that with one of our projects. We went through the official routes of going through the agents to get to the actor. If your offer is a serious one, and they like the script they'll take it seriously. They do generally want guarantees in the sense of your film being fully financed before going ahead with it (as in you're not just "using" their client to get a funding campaign going). In our case, the person involved was unavailable for filming at the time of production, but it's definitely possible and worth a shot!

I entered the short script competition. Already received my notes which were encouraging. All the best for your submission.

Yup. I never entered ANY screenwriting contest/competition but I just entered my short to BlueCat a few days ago. :)

I think their price is a little outrages. That's what kept me from entering. I did enter scriptline with a script I rushed to enter, lol. Shame on me, but it was 25 bucks up until today so I took a gamble.

I entered before the Early Deadline. The helpful feedback made the expenditure worthwhile. The price is much lower than other screenplay contests. What type of screenplays did you submit?

No, there is nothing technically wrong with having two characters on the same action line.

There's no rule against mentioning multiple characters in the same piece of action. Do whatever you need to succinctly describe the necessary details. To me, "Bob reaches for Betty as she turns to leave" implies interrupting her motion, and would work well.

In school I was taught that starting a new line or paragraph indicated a new shot/angle. So I guess it depends on how you're seeing it play out in your head... or how you want the actors & directors (and READERS, producers, etc.) to see it.

I guess it would be: INT. COURTHOUSE - DAY Bob softly embraces Betty. BETTY: "I have to go." BOB: "Now?" BETTY: "Yes." Bob cautiously reaches toward the departing Betty. the above phrasing is to suggest Bob regrets her leaving but not enough to chase after her.

Bob then removes a revolver from his briefcase and shoots Betty in the back BANG BANG BANG. Seems much better than. Bob removes a revolver, takes aim and fires. The bullets strikes true and Betty falls face first. The second is clearly implying that those should be separate shots, but specifying these shots seems needless. Let the director decides how he wants to shoot the action. Meanwhile, describe the actions on the page in a manner that is succinct and compelling.