Screenwriting and Filmmaking:"But What I Really Want to Do Is Direct"

CharlieDontSurf · #1 01-30-2007, 02:41 AM

Well to be honest I'm not real sure how I should start this thread off given the subject matter is incredibly broad and there are so many different tangents one could go off on.

Basically this thread will be for people who are interested in screenwriting, filmmaking, and the movie industry in general. There are many 2+2ers who work in the industry in many different areas so I'm sure just about any topic or question can be covered.

Seeing that I know of multiple 2+2ers who are aspiring to work in the entertainment biz and become writers and directors I thought it best to create a thread about those crafts which is seperate from a general movie discussion thread.

I personally am working towards a career as a writer-director in feature films, and I also work full time in the industry as a lowly assistant. I did the whole film school thing(overrated), read just about every screenwriting book known to man while in high school and college, and have worked as an assistant at a major studio, at a lit management company, and for a indep. film producer.

Given a lot of my work "friends" are managers/agents/screenwriters/directors and assistants to just about every type of person in the industry, I figure I can answer just about any screenwriting or industry question one might have and if I can't there are countless others who may be able to---Prv Joker, Dom, Pryor, etc etc etc.

This isn't a ask me type thread cuz I ain't that interesting. Its mainly a discussion thread for anyone interested in trying to gain a career in the industry, wanting to write screenplays, direct shorts/films, or the state of film in general, or any other crap you can think of etc.

Industry gossip is welcome too.

CDS

Boris · #2 01-30-2007, 02:44 AM

What do you think about my idea for a screenplay?

CharlieDontSurf · #3 01-30-2007, 02:47 AM

There are 1 trillion people with ideas for movies...many of them good

The people that actually sit down and write out 110 pages with that idea are screenwriters. The majority of them do a really really crappy job.

I like ski movies...there are probably like 100 of them in development right now. You have an idea, not a movie.

IronUnkind · #4 01-30-2007, 02:48 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I did the whole film school thing(overrated),

[/ QUOTE ]

Where? What year?

Golden_Rhino · #5 01-30-2007, 02:49 AM

For anyone who is a movie aficionado:

I try to watch movies with a critical eye. What should I be looking for when it comes to rating a movie? What is the difference between a great movie and just a good movie? What should I be looking out for as far as directing/camera work goes?

Thanks.

CharlieDontSurf · #6 01-30-2007, 02:50 AM

LMU-the early 2000s. I was smart though and double majored in poli sci so I'd at least have 1 real degree.

Film school is pretty much a waste of $$$ unless it is at UCLA or USC.

IronUnkind · #7 01-30-2007, 02:54 AM

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Film school is pretty much a waste of $$$ unless it is at UCLA or USC.

[/ QUOTE ]

I went to SC. Still a waste of $$$.

CharlieDontSurf · #8 01-30-2007, 02:56 AM

[ QUOTE ]
For anyone who is a movie aficionado:

I try to watch movies with a critical eye. What should I be looking for when it comes to rating a movie? What is the difference between a great movie and just a good movie? What should I be looking out for as far as directing/camera work goes?

Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is more up Pryor's alley given he is a critic but I get the feeling he may not even wander over here from the Lounge.

In reality the key component to a great movie is almost always the quality of the script.

With directing...wow the list is huge.
Lighting and set design is big. Framing, camera angles, and different types of shots used, lenses used.

CharlieDontSurf · #9 01-30-2007, 03:00 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Film school is pretty much a waste of $$$ unless it is at UCLA or USC.

[/ QUOTE ]

I went to SC. Still a waste of $$$.

[/ QUOTE ]

The only thing those two school give you a head start on is the primo internships, and networking. Also the best film program in the world if your gonna spend the cash is probably the Stark one at USC.

Overall it is almost always a waste...much like any screenwriting seminar/guru etc.

Those that can't do...teach.
Those that can't teach...teach screenwriting.

cobrakai111 · #10 01-30-2007, 03:03 AM

Mark me down as another aspiring screenwriter that has never been able to get my act together enough to focus longterm. I've tried collaborating with a partner but he was as useless as me and our writing styles just never meshed. Does anyone have methods to keep them on track. Has anyone written successfully with a partner before?

(On a side note I've always thought a mockumentry Christopher Guest style on poker would have potential to be hysterical. Such amazing characters to shape and work with.)