Dean I have a question please answer

[JLR (Dragon)]

As you have mentioned that screenplays can be submitted to Electric via certain right contacts. About 2 years ago, I submitted a screenplay via Micheal Whimer, of which was Centrops agent. He had me fill out release forms. (He and his assistant was extremely nice) Is this still the case? <BR> <BR>I am just curious. While my screenplay is nowhere near finished, for I am still hammering, chizeling, sculpting my story out (does anyone have a nail gun, some boards are giving me some problems hehe) but once I get it finished, I want Electric to have first mits on it, for I think it is something up your alley.

[Kelley Rarey]

Electric does indeed accept and read material submitted via established agencies that are WGA guild signatory (www.wga.org has great WGA info, and they can let you know if agencies are signatory). For legal reasons, we are unable to accept other unsolicited material. <BR> <BR>Best of luck with the hammering and chiseling. <BR> -Kellley Rarey, Electric Entertainment

[Mike]

Dragon, Contact me on <A HREF="mailto:wildeprods@yahoo.com">wildeprods@yahoo.com</A> letting me know the problems you're having. Two heads are better than one. Besides, it's what I do.

[JLR (Dragon)]

Thanks all. The actual transcript is coming around nicely. Thanks Kelley. I'll get back to work....crazy glue anyone?

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

I'm crazy, and I don't need the glue for it. >:-P

[OVERLORD (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

Okay, here's my question for you screenwriter types: <BR> <BR>You've got the storyline/plot, major events, etc. in your head. How do you get started? I mean, I have some really neat ideas (actually, I have hundreds of them, but only a couple I'd want to translate into screenplays), but especially since I've been an art workhorse lately (I'm pumping out several full images a week lately), but I want to start on the screenplay. The last one I wrote was for Godzilla, which would have been an over two hour movie going by my script. I pumped that out in 2 days. I don't except them to be that quick though, but when I get started I can pound them out by the pages. Problem is getting started...

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Easy. Take some jot notes. Don't worry about details yet. Jot down scene by scene as you see them. Works best on little biz card size pieces of paper. That way, you can rearrange scenes after. Keep the ideas simple, quick, so you don't get yourself stuck on any one. You can always delete ones later, add ones after. This is the brainstorming session. <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)">

[JLR (Dragon)]

Ok, before everything, you must, and I say you must read the book, "Idiot's guide to Screenwriting, by Skip Press!!!" It is a wonderful book, and relatively cheap. $19.95. He is very good, and makes you feel like your reading a book by a friend, who really wants to help you, and BELIEVE me he really does. Having corrosponded with him several times, he really does care about writer-to-be's. He goes in depth about the process, helpful hints and advice, plus he leaves his e-mail address at the end, so you can get a hold of him to ask him questions. <BR> <BR>The book really helped me, so I know it can help you.

[Mike]

Write down the problem the hero is going to have to contend with and establish the hero's character flaws. That's the need of the hero and the problem he/she's going to have to deal with. <BR>e.g. hero has lack of confidence in himself and you put him in the worst possible place and situation he could ever find himself. The one place he don't wanna be. <BR> <BR>What does the hero want in the story: something personal. A physical *and* emotional quest. That's his Desire. <BR> <BR>Opponent: the guy opposing him - powerful enemy that wants generally the same but opposing goal. they fight later about who they are, not what they do, they have opposing vaues. This is the best character to thwart the hero's plans at every turn and the best person to bring out and jump on the hero's weakness. Don't make the opponent a villian, give him "dependable values, make him 'human' (as in the case of a spider, worm, rat, golf partner with lower handicap, etc.) <BR> <BR>Plan: this deals with how the hero will overcome the opponent and succeed. This was lacking in Moulin Rouge as was the whole of Act 2. <BR> <BR>Battle: the final conflict that decides who gets the goal/girl/planet/city. It's a battle of values, good Vs evil, Max Smart against Sigfried, freedom against slavery. <BR> <BR>Self-Revelation: a fundamental understanding the hero gains about himself/ herself, fulfilling the need. This moment has to be devestating and strip the hero emotionally bare so he realises who he really is and discovers his personal power. (can go before Battle. This also involves freedom against slavery, the hero's slavery against himself. <BR> <BR>New Equilibrium: the world back to normal with the hero at a higher or lower level. <BR> <BR>This is pretty standard stuff, but it gives you a foundation on which to start. then you can start to get some meat into it.

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

I've got all that! <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> Thanks, Mike, for posting it. It's a keeper. (copys, pastes, and saves to file for future reference)

[JLR (Dragon)]

You know that villian stuff reminds me of one of the biggest flaws of the movie Lost in Space. Dr. Smith makes a quote about some amorphous pods lying around. He makes a remark that things are about to get bad, and when another actor asks why, he responds, "Because evil knows evil." <BR> <BR>Why is it that sooo many hollywood bad guys see themselves as evil or villians. That is the audiance's job not the character's. I like villians that you can feel for...well in away.

[Mike]

Ooooh the pain, the pain.... <BR> <BR>Gotta admit it though, it was okay for the decade and especially the audience it wanted to reach. <BR> <BR>I see the reruns and think Dr Smith was just a little to gay for the age range. (but then that was in the days that 'gay' went by the dictionary definition or was a girl's name.) <BR> <BR>The rethink was aimed at a more mature/older audience.

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

Mike, go see Windtalkers! Nicolas Cage and Jason Isaacs of The Patriot fame.