For total beginners who want to write commercial stories for Hollywood, the worst thing NOT to have is a marketable idea, a fresh premise for a genre movie of some type. Because if you don't have that, it makes it almost impossible to get your script requested by anybody. Thing I was most concerned about when I started writing my first script was that it would be impossible to get it read. That's what seemed to be the consensus view among aspiring screenwriters in the online forums. Fortunately, that turned out NOT to be true. With a good cold query letter, I was able to get the first script requested & read by managers & prodcos. The second script landed an agent at a small agency off a cold query, who quickly got it optioned & eventually sold to a pretty big Independent production company. Everybody who requested the script said they liked the sound of the premise. Even a couple who said they normally don't accept unsolicited material, but the premise sounded intriguing or interesting etc. So that's the good news. The challenge for us as aspiring Hollywood writers is to come up with a fresh, marketable premise in one of the established genres. Do that & write a good query letter & people will request & read your script. It's not as gloom & doom as a lot of beginners are led to believe.
@BigRedStripe
Жыл бұрын
Yes... but then the script has to deliver on the promise... that's what sets writers apart. But totally agree with everything you said here, Rob. Thanks.
@jimjo8541
5 ай бұрын
Yeah that would seem like step one. And aren’t a lot of scripts eventually, more or less, rewritten? I get that the initial one has to be TIGHT and NOT BORING, structurally sound, formatted, etc. But we constantly hear that these scripts have to be PERFECT when there’s no way the majority of these are the works of art that we are lead to believe. For newbies, sure… you’ve gotta blow the doors off the thing and WOW the reader. But so far it seems like the pecking order is: 1) captivating premise/logline (in conjunction with a desirable genre/need) 2) a great hook (get the reader in the first 1-5 pages). 3) maintain an interesting pace (think marathon) with rising and falling action that leads to- 4) hitting the right beats in (roughly) the right places. Hit the midpoint. Hit the lead into act 3. Hit the climax. Deliver the resolution. 5) make sure all of this is (ideally) COST EFFECTIVE for whoever might make it. A studio would rather entertain something that costs 15 mil versus something that costs 150 mil.
@sagestudy
3 жыл бұрын
I think we need a full length video on increasing conflict in the screenplay. Genre wise , Drama , thriller, comedy etc
@BigRedStripe
3 жыл бұрын
Suggestion noted and added to the queue. Thanks!
@claudiamanta1943
14 күн бұрын
7:04 I will. After I manage to sell my first script. 😊
@TGo-n-Roscoe
3 жыл бұрын
In my best Stone Cold Steve Austin impersonation, "Hell yeah I'm in!"
@idyllakaizoku4661
2 жыл бұрын
Give. Them. Conflict. That's the biggest problem to overcome. That's the hardest part. As a creator I want them to have good life, not to kick them more. But as a reader/watcher I want them to be conflicted, so I could invest my... feelings/thought into their development, see them grown and go through the story as a different person. Thank you for your advices. Having them pointed out helps to actually focus on them more.
@BigRedStripe
2 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful.
@claudiamanta1943
14 күн бұрын
8:34 Re this. I totally see why it must be done. This is how I have started to explore my sadistic side that I didn’t know I had 😆 And I, very unashamedly, LOVE it. Hopefully for everyone, me writing successful screenplays will be enough to keep the beast satisfied. At the same time…life. Real life. If I were a manager of any sorts, I wouldn’t develop the members of my team by physically or psychologically torturing them. I could, but I wouldn’t want to. Now, I do know that if I translate that into writing a screenplay today it would make it unappealing. If I am to have a dream related to this, it would be to slowly, slowly wean the public off its addiction to torture, killing, and other forms of violence. It seems to me that the prevalent religious and other cultural narratives have created and maintained an addiction to violence. If nothing else, it’s not even effective anymore- think of how ridiculous are some movies that amalgamate all possible Superheroes to blow stuff off and kill as many opponents. That lemon they try to squeeze is bone dry already. Finally, I shall rest my case by saying that this world has had enough bloodshed and suffering. There MUST be other ways to cultivate people.
@stevenwishnoff154
2 жыл бұрын
Your channel is amazing. Thank you.
@BigRedStripe
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much!
@HugoTBoss
3 жыл бұрын
Up at 2am trying to get this RE-WRITE on a Short Story.... Nice Video... had me laughing.
@BigRedStripe
3 жыл бұрын
Better than crying :-) I hope you got some sleep.
@TGo-n-Roscoe
3 жыл бұрын
Dude, yes... maybe your most helpful. I would've never suggested Patreon if I knew about the services you offered. I've been world building now for close to 10 years (I've been working on other projects during this time), but I've finally gotten to my story, and I've begun formatting it into a screenplay. I could definitely use these services... lol
@BigRedStripe
3 жыл бұрын
@T all good on the Patreon suggestion... you weren't the only one who suggested it. (A link will be added to videos in the coming weeks, but one is included in the next one coming out... in like 10 minutes as I type this.) And I'll look for you with the consulting and / or coaching... whichever you're thinking about. (If you're thinking about the coaching, maybe wait on that until, umm, you listen to the special announcement in the video coming out on Sept 23... just sayin'.) -Jacob
@TGo-n-Roscoe
3 жыл бұрын
@@BigRedStripe will do... already caught the new video. Great direction, but it's only now I realize, I need some more bangers in the Canon. I've got tons more idea, but nothing outside of what I'm working on is completely fleshed out. I've got a few I think I can pull from the shelf and dust off, regardless, I need to make more time for writing. Have a good night my friend (I'm speculating here).
@peterdollins3610
3 жыл бұрын
Will watch backlog over a few days. Last script got a lot of praise from Pro's including a succesful Director but of Documentaries & two well known playwrights but I am very uncertain of myself. I'd have one specific question on my last script & any suggestions that may help. What do you charge? I'd not know how to do zoom & I am in London, the UK.
@BigRedStripe
3 жыл бұрын
For my rates, you can click the link in the description of any video, and it'll take you to an information page with all of that on there. As far as Zoom, it's just like Skype. It's a free download, and you need a camera and microphone to be able to connect. It is more cost effective than actual calls, plus it helps to see people's faces when chatting since we can't be in the same physical location. If you want to look into my services, you might want to download Zoom and do a practice run with someone so you know how to do it and get comfortable with it.
@luztestita9225
3 жыл бұрын
Wow! You explain so well! Very interesting! Thanks!
@BigRedStripe
3 жыл бұрын
Glad to be helpful.
@redbaron8130
3 жыл бұрын
The best films IMO are the ones that don’t follow the formula of protagonist, antagonist too strictly. Pulp Fiction is one without a clear protagonist, I think it has a couple maybe? I remember watching an interview with PT Anderson and he was asked about his protagonist, safe to say he didn’t like the question. Lol. Little Children I think is the most recent film I’ve seen where it could be argued the film has a couple of protagonists.
@BigRedStripe
3 жыл бұрын
_Pulp Fiction_ is not a normal movie... it kind of fits better into a category of "limited series anthology" or something like that. It's really three small movies in one with overlapping characters and stories. And, yes, there are a few stories that have multiple protagonists, but it is much more rare than you think, and pretty much relegated to the world of independent film and experimental stories. If you're wanting to write more mainstream stories, one protagonist is the way to go. Unless, of course, you're Paul Thomas Anderson, who can pretty much do what he wants... but he does more independent film than mainstream even though his films are usually released as mainstream films. Tarantino is the same. Not many others can get away with it today.
@redbaron8130
3 жыл бұрын
@@BigRedStripe awesome man, thanks for the reply. I never looked at Pulp Fiction like that, makes sense that it would have its own category in a way.
@thomascrump1165
3 жыл бұрын
Lol can't wait to watch the whole backlog. Lol.
@jimjo8541
5 ай бұрын
Be careful with that one where you’re making the side characters more interesting than the main character. I get what you mean by this and how it could be a problem, but there ARE exceptions to this. The Big Lebowski is an exception. Walter is way more interesting than The Dude. A few more characters are probably more interesting as well. Scream also has side characters that are probably more interesting than the lead.
@claudiamanta1943
14 күн бұрын
Maybe. But these are a few exceptions, not the rule.
@thomascrump1165
3 жыл бұрын
I'm keeping up from here but I can't watch till I have time to watch the whole backlog. These videos are nice. Thanks for mentioning your other services I'll definitely consider them. Might even motivate me to finish before you blow up and no longer have time for everyone. I do have a question. I'll give some context before I attempt to defend my cliche. My story originally started with my main character waking up. Then I learned it's over used and a red flag for amateur. Then I realized my main character is not the protagonist I know this is not common.The story still has an antagonist though. So now it opens with protagonist action to plot. Then main character waking up. Not sure if I'm saying this right but also thought time of day not changing just character p.o.v. helped. Also just seems more important than usual to show their average day because it's the last before world is turned upside down. Did you think I avoided this cliche well enough or should I keep trying?
@BigRedStripe
3 жыл бұрын
Hmm... I'm not sure I am following. Without more information, I'm a bit confused because I'm unsure how you're using the term "main character" and "protagonist." It sounds like you have a first scene with a supporting character and things go sideways. The main character will be pulled into the craziness shortly, but first you are showing the main character's normal, every day life (which you need to do). It's kind of like C-3P0 and R2-D2... we start with them in _A New Hope_, but they are supporting characters... we meet the main character, Luke, much later. In this sense, the droids showing up / R2 leaving is the inciting incident which kicks the main character out of their status quo. I'm guessing that's what happens in your story where the character in the first scene shows up and disrupts the status quo of the main character...?? If that's not accurate, I need to know what you mean by "protagonist" and "main character." BUT... in either case... No, you haven't avoided the cliche... still a character waking up. The issue is it feels like we've seen that before. We've seen characters wake up. We've seen characters wake up and they're holding a weapon of some kind. We've seen characters wake up... and they aren't where we might expect--on the floor, on a park bench, in a tent... but that tent's in a homeless village. We've seen all of that. My normal note whenever I see this is: delete the waking up and start with whatever activity they do next. 99.999% of the time, you aren't losing anything, and we can go to something more interesting. So: what's the most interesting and non-normal thing your character does as part of their morning / daily routine? Whatever your answer? Start with that. It's almost always much, much better and much more engaging. Unless it's juicing. They can't mix cranberries with anything. Hard no. :-)
@thomascrump1165
3 жыл бұрын
@@BigRedStripe Thank you I will keep working on this part. I was saying the protagonist and main character are usually one in the same,the same person. I've heard The Great Gatsby is often debated which character is the protagonist but I haven't watched it yet. Saving the best for last, watching television for study. This is a vigilante story and I thought they were the protagonist and tried to make them that as the story is about the vigilante. It hit me later the detective trying to catch them is the protagonist. After all they are the good guy's and being a vigilante is illegal. Thanks again you did answer my question I will work on changing this. Stay cool.
@sagestudy
3 жыл бұрын
@@thomascrump1165 In my opinion Thomas, Jay Gatsby is the protagonist Nick Caraway is the supporting character. _ _ _ _ _ _ Spoiler Alert 📢 As we know that in the beginning of the movie Nick Caraway drives the movie ahead.. and so and so we meet Jay Gatsby. By the you will definitely love Tobey Maguire's narration in the movie who is playing Nick Caraway. I am not giving more detail about the plot, just go and watch the movie you will definitely find out answer to your question. This is what I feel and I told it to you. ~ Madhup
@thomascrump1165
3 жыл бұрын
@@sagestudy That's pretty cool you've already seen it. Guess I shouldn't be surprised since I've heard about a few times it must be a good study for film. I hope to start watching movies and shows for study next year. Being a complete amateur with no kind of teaching just self taught has taken a lot of time. Glad I found this channel I'm sure it will help me. Thanks for sharing your opinion and helping on this. So what I'm gathering from the posts and replies is the protagonist and main character are always one in the same or you have multiples everyone else is a supporting? character?
@sagestudy
3 жыл бұрын
@@thomascrump1165 There are basically 4 main elemental characters in every movie. 1. Main character (often called Protagonist) The whole movie plot runs around the main character aka Protagonist. 2. Supporting character, sometimes called side character, is just a helping guy for the Antagonist or the Protagonist. Or sometimes the Antagonist itself is a supporting character. They have minor story plots going along with them. 3. String Character: These are those character which participate in the movie plot but does not have any important or relevant background stories with them. Take an example of a Policeman, a doctor, a driver, a hotel waiter who has some screentime given to him, maybe he can be in a comedic scene having some lines of quirky dialogs. But still does not affect majorly in the advancing the story. 4. Background Character : Those characters, who fills the environment in the story. Example - Audience sitting in a theater, crowd in a baseball match, people cheering spiderman, when he is saving aunt may from docotor octopus or Mary Jane from falling off the venom's web ( I hope you have seen this movie lol 😀). I think this is enough for you to understand the basic differences between different types of characters. And now you can easily identify your pick for the main character again aka Protagonist and rest of the others. I hope this will surely help you... Please ignore my English, I am not a native English speaker. My mother tongue is Hindi. Sorry if I was grammatical wrong somewhere. And if you can understand my English , well please let me know because I am trying to make my command on this English language as well as the fluency while speaking. Sorry for this long explanation. Good Day Thomas, keep writing , keep shining. HAPPY WRITING!!!! ~Madhup
@mariabonita5471
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Your advice seems elementary, still it is basic knowledge for intermediate screenwriter. Good luck with your project.
@BigRedStripe
3 жыл бұрын
I do focus on content that would be helpful to beginning and to intermediate screenwriters... and there's a few advanced screenwriters lurking here, too (learning and being reminded of things is always good). And if you ever have an idea for a future video or a comment, drop it in any video. Thanks again for watching and following.
@mariabonita5471
3 жыл бұрын
@@BigRedStripe Oh yes I understand you. Not unuseful. I am still learning this craft and your face is pleasant to look at, your facilility with words is admirable;
@mariaalaniz719
3 жыл бұрын
"Don't get so tied into following structure that you lose the the wonder of telling a story. 01:48
@BigRedStripe
3 жыл бұрын
Maria, you asked me a question on another video (it got sent to "please review" for some reason I can't figure out), about music playing and whether it was VO, OS, or OC.... Generally, the guidelines still hold true: if we can see the person singing at any point and then we don't because they are still physically present but out of frame, it's OC; if the music is coming from a device we see (radio, etc.) OR it's something the characters in the scene actually hear, then it's OS; if the characters don't hear it, then it's VO... VO is reserved for only the audience hearing. Hope that helps, and sorry for the delayed answer.
@paulaperez1596
3 жыл бұрын
@@BigRedStripe Thank you! Got it.
@claudiamanta1943
14 күн бұрын
@@BigRedStripeThank you, Jake. I thought so, but when I read a script of a famous movie, what I thought to be off screen appeared as voice over, and it has confused me no end. For example, in the Alien (1979) script, one crew member speaking off camera to Ripley who is in the shot is marked as voice over… One voice over instance that I can think of is the narrator speaking in the beginning of Maleficent Mistress of Evil. I am confused even more now after having your confirmation that I was right. I can manage cognitive dissonance, but not when I learn something technical.
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