Script Formatting
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Monday, 19 February 07 - 11:27 AM (GMT +12:00) By kyle southam in Writing |
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Scripts go through various drafts, first, second, final, shooting, etc. We have reviewed many scripts by first time and other such authors who in their first draft have "POV", "ANGLE ON---", "THE CAMERA PANS TO:". These are directorial commands that certainly (in most cases) have no need to be in a first draft. When writing alongside the director, these certainly have their place as it can help the storyboarder. Unless you are a 100% sure you are going to be directing the script, leave these out unless asked for.
Kyle
The Writer for Hire
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Sunday, 18 February 07 - 09:20 AM (GMT +12:00) By kyle southam in Writing |
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When you hire a carpenter to fix your door, you don't expect them to have added a third room to your house, now do you? The same goes for a producer hiring a writer. If they give you guidelines to follow, don't get up on your high horse and try and re-invent the whole story. Do the job you are hired to do and deliver that. Once you have delivered what they have wanted, then you can maybe subtely offer suggestions. If you are a writer for hire and you want to be hired again, don't build that extra room on the house.
I have worked as a writer for hire on screenplays and have done my little bit. It may be pacing or flushing the humor out some, but I have seen a writer take what should be a final polish and add new characters, change the ending and added everything apart from alien takeovers to this romantic comedy. To a producer this is a waste of time, especially for a low budget production where time may be critical. To this producer a week has just been wasted and their shooting script has been held up by some pompous writer who thinks they are God's gift to the writer's guild.
Yes, writer's piss me off just about as much as anyone else.
Thank you,
Kyle
Producers Everywhere...
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Sunday, 18 February 07 - 09:14 AM (GMT +12:00) By kyle southam in Writing |
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Have you watched a comedy such as Frazier, Taxi, Friends, etc and thought to yourself, boy, I wish I could write that funny. If you look at the credits, you may see "written by" and only one person's name appearing. Boy that person must be funny. Well, they could be, but chances are that that person is the one who either came up with the idea or was the one who strung it all together. You will probably notice that there are myriads of producers, co-producers and associate producers on a sit-com, well, these are more than likely writers.
When a sitcom is written, an idea is round tabled and this is where it all begins. Jokes are thought of and situations worked on. It is a big brainstorming session of collective humor. This was how the old radio shows were also written. So, don't get too dispondent when you don't come up with the perfect comedic gem.
I also think that this is is the problem with New Zealand comedies. They are terrible. It is because only one or two people write the show and ideas are not bounced around. Scripts go from the writer to the producer and are then filmed. There is no decision on what funny actually is. When I write with my partner, if both of us do not laugh at the material we have just come up with, even if one person thinks it is a gem, it does not get in. If we both love it and a few readers think it is sour, then it is removed. You are not going to hit everyone, but you should be aiming for the majority of your target demographic.
Performing stand up is the same, make sure that your material is reviewed by others. Try it out, slip it in here or there. Don't just get up and do it as it may clang. There is nothing better in this world than a team of honest reviewers. Don't give it to your mother who has loved everything you have ever written in your life.
Thank you,
Kyle
What is this section about?
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Saturday, 17 February 07 - 10:39 AM (GMT +12:00) By kyle southam in Writing |
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In this section I hope to discuss, i.e. waffle, about various types of writing, the writing process and writing for different media types. I hope to cover, television, print, radio and screenplays as well as comedy writing. Each of these sections has their own gotchas and during my rantings and ravings I hope to share some of our experiences in working with other writers, working with Directors and Producers and the creative process. Watch this space....
Thank you,
Kyle
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