Hi all.
I just created a ScriptRev account, as I had no idea until today that Coverfly is shutting down. That led me down a Reddit rabbit hole of alternatives - that aren't that great - and ultimately led me to some very, very interesting criticism of "The Blacklist". From speculation that coverage was done with AI, to a lot of fair takes on Franklin, it was a very nice way to spend 15 minutes or so.
I realized while reading the thread that it's wonderful to peruse forums/message boards where everyone is a competent writer, let alone has a command of the English language and grammar.
So I signed up. Not so much for coverage and submissions, but because I wanted to be able to talk to WHAT APPEARS TO BE some really fascinating people.
I have a dozen or so scripts "completed", in the sense that they could use another draft or two, but I have not shopped anything and I have too much other stuff going on to even do so at the moment.
I just wanted to jump on these forums and introduce myself.
I couldn't find a thread for that, so if a new user creating a new forumn topic FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE of just introducing himself (he him) is frowned upon. I am so deeply sorry and I will atone for my misdeed.
But please point me to where I can do so before you delete this one, if you could. Thanks!
SP
Vincent, this is as good a place as any to have such a thread. I've seen many one-off introductions here, before.
We have all levels here - writers with 1 or 2 scripts, some already with produced credits, and even one (moi!) with 50 scripts but still trying to break in. I'm not trying this by writing anymore (I wrote my last in 2018) but by getting into the production racket.
CJ Walley, the boss and owner here, probably won't like me saying this, but what we're not too fond of here is having to scroll past posts such as "Can somebody show me how to write a MONTAGE". CJ doesn't like anybody being dragged down, but it is expected that everyone has a certain level of competency in the basics. Plus, my own view is that if this place has been designed for producers/agents/studios to "find scripts", the last thing they want to see in a forum is "how to" stuff re: the basics. And, there are so many other places out there for that type of help-seeking.
So, welcome, and best of luck. From your bio, it sounds like presently you're writing for fun. Start from there, and as you gradually detect that your work is being appreciated or considered better than the work of some others out there, then that's the time to worry about stuff like the income tax you're going to pay on your first big deal.
Hi Steve,
Thank you for your reply and your warm welcome. I am definitely still in the "writing for fun" stage, but there's a deeper need that goes beyond fun that's hard to explain. Similar to composing and recording music, I feel a constant need to write, specifically for screen, and I've found over the years that I split my writing roughly 50% 1/2hr comedy, 25% 1hr drama, and 25% feature. Again along the same lines as music, I know success is a long shot - realized that long long ago, but the joy I get from doing it (and the psychological benefits - again, hard to explain) is worth the while. If anything comes of it - that is a BONUS.
Thank you for pointing out the type of posts that are frowned upon. While I personally wouldn't ask a question like that, ever - I have a sympathy for people who do. Actually, I'm not sure you'd call it sympathy, maybe slight empathy? What kind of emotion would you describe seeing a relatively anonymous person ask for help with BASIC things, and realizing that not only is their answer somewhere in millions of books, blogs, websites, et al, but the realization that this hypothetical person does not know enough about simple research on a topic to further their knowledge in a certain area. I will stop dunking on this theoretical person, but the end result is me thinking "wow, you have absolutely zero chance, and I feel bad for you". However I don't want to be the one to tell them that - I derive no satisfaction in bringing other people down.
All the above to say I won't be asking questions of an elementary nature - nor will I drag anyone else down for doing so.
But yes I agree if you want a space to be somewhere professionals go; somewhere they WANT to go and has utility for them, it needs to have an air of sophistication and pedigree. I have no solution to that at the moment, but if I find one I could probably make some money, somehow!
Congrats on your very large body of work, and I wish you all the best of luck meeting opportunity in your pursuit of getting into production.
I try not to offer unsolicited advice (is that frowned upon here too?) but one trend that's stuck out to me personally has been people getting deals based on an entire production - ready to ship. In fact more than ready to ship, already shipped, watched, criticized, and followed.
I think "Tires" (Netflix) is the best example I can think of right now. I just recently heard of the show and it seemed mildly entertaining so I watched most of it.
Then I realized that the core group behind it wrote, directed, shot, edited, produced, whatever else - to deliver a finished, relatively polished pilot episode, and let it germinate on Youtube for years. At the same time, one of the stars of the show (with help from that same core group) did the same thing (well, similar) with a self-funded stand up comedy special. It seems like having that combo of a strong pilot already shot and watchable, combined with turning one of the leads into a "name", was a good recipe for success. I know everyone likes to dump on Netflix for its content quality and practices, but I mean, they're in the door now.
If what I'm explaining is common knowledge or "old hat" to you or other veterans, I apologize.
But that "self produced" mindset makes me reanalyze (for the Nth time) how I might go about trying to "break in", when I decide to do so.
I have a small studio on my property, mostly for music, but I do a lot of video editing as well. I have multiple "decent" cameras (5D, R5, 80D) and good selection of lenses. My "lighting rig" would be laughed out of any real production, but I have some friends with better gear and a better eye for blocking - I'm sure I could direct if I had a solid DP helping, and I could edit with my eyes closed being competent in the "consumer" NLEs (FCPX, Premiere, Resolve).
I won't belabor the point. What I'm saying (mostly to myself) is "I could DO that". But then I think about the daunting amount of effort, time, unforseeable issues, arguments, pure unmitigated devastation (probably), and all of that - and my procrastination mindset kicks in and tells me "Nah, I'm sure ONE DAY you'll get a pilot deal based on your writing alone". Which is so backwards when I don't see any path to success that way, whereas I do see a Proof of Concept with the example above, and others. I believe another (mildly) successful project was borne the same way in "The Real Bros of Simi Valley".
I will leave it here because I feel I've written enough for a forum post, but I hope this was insightful for anyone reading it.
I feel like this second post was more of my "introduction", you (and hopefully others) getting to read my inner voice and viewpoints.
Again, thank you for replying to my post and I look forward to chatting with you and others on here.
Nice to have you here with us, Vincent.
Welcome Vincent,
I am a newbie as well. If you ever have a question you feel hesitatnt to ask, just message me with it and i'll ask and take any abuse because I probably want the answer as well :) Thus far, people in the forum have been kind and helpful.
doug