I read an article about Carson Reeves in the New York Times.
He is a blogger behind a powerful Hollywood blog, Script Shadow, which reviews
unproduced screenplays. The problem with a lot of the screenplays on his blog
is they sound pretty bad. I don’t think I have a complete right to make that
judgment because I haven’t read these unproduced scripts. The problem is that
there is big differences between saying you’re writing a novel and a screenplay.
If you are writing a novel, you feel like you are being a literary person. You
feel like you don’t need to qualify yourself as a true writer. If you say you
are writing a screenplay, than you are more likely to get that reaction of “oh,
everyone is writing a screenplay.” There are a lot of problems with people who
write screenplays. Often, the vision of the screenwriter is someone sitting in
a coffee shop, being “creative."
Recently,
someone I know who writes screenplays came up to me and said that writing a
screenplay is easier than writing a novel. In some ways, that’s true. In other
ways, not so much, but as someone who reviews a lot of movies, there is advice
I wish I could give the screenwriters of America. Hollywood is such a seductive
idea for a writer that often it gives platforms to people who can’t really
write. After all, with screenwriting, you don’t have to be concern with prose
or making someone turn pages or having someone pick up the book. Your readers
are actors, producers, other screenwriters, directors, and whatnot. You don’t
have to compel that general reading audience, because you aren’t turning in a
final product. You are turning in a blue print for something that will look
much more polished than simply a manuscript.
However,
there are pros and cons to screenwriting. A pro to writing the book before the
movie is that if the movie sucks, you always have that wonderfully good book.
Another pro is that no one is rewriting your book, maybe except editors. Though,
even if editors rewrite parts of your book, you still get that sole credit.
Screenplays often are handed off to script doctors and other screenwriters, so
by the time you are done; you get a “story by” credit instead of a “written by”
credit. Stephanie Meyer, author of the Twilight books, said she would never be
able to write a screenplay, because she couldn’t cut out all the stuff she
wanted to say and describe about her characters. William Golden, novelist and
screenwriter, sums up the difference between the magic of a book and the magic
of screenplay in his book on screenwriting, “Adventures in The Screen trade,”
pretty simply; If your parents read you screenplays instead of books to you as
a child before you went to sleep, then I don’t really want to hear about your
childhood.
Or take
the joke “Community” made about screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, as Abed talks on
about making a postmodern movie about Jesus, Shirley says “That’s nice ,
Charlie Kaufman, but some of us have work in the morning.” We all praise the
novelists, but tend to look down on screenwriters, and I think there’s some
truth to that. A problem with screenwriters is that they fall in to a couple
categories that make them sound like the hacks of the writing world. I am often
guilty myself of thinking poorly of screenwriters, as opposed to those writing
novels. So, here it goes. I’m going to ask the question. Are you a really good
writer who happens to write screenplays or are you a “writer” who is writing a
screenplay for all the wrong reasons. So, here are the good and bad reasons to
write a screenplay. I call this article “Are You a Writer Who Writes
Screenplays or Are A “Writer” Who Writes Screenplays.” These are the questions
one must ask themselves before they write a screenplay.
1.
Does This Work As A Movie?- A lot of
screenwriters have a good idea for a story, but the question the writer must
ask themselves is, is this a good story for a movie or is this a good story for
a novel? For example, I tried co-writing screenplay years ago with a friend.
The friend and I wanted to write an epic fantasy. Half through the screenplay,
I realized it probably should be a novel because we kept describing stuff in
the description of the screenplay, like how their time system works, that
wouldn’t appear on screen. My friend and I totally disagreed. My co-writer did
not understand that the description was too much for a narration (unless the
audience wanted to sit there for 4 hours of narration), and this would of
worked a lot better as a novel or short story. Often a writer will have a story
that works better as print. A person can read a book, put it down, come back to
it, and whatnot. Not in a screenplay.
2.
Can I Cap the Story in 120 Pages?- Steve Kloves,
the screenwriter of the “Harry Potter” books often says people are often upset
with what he cuts out of the screenplay. Remember, though, Kloves has to take
800 pages and cut it down to 120 pages. Film is a visual medium, and the
audience is looking at their watches. They don’t want to be in the theater for
hours upon hours. Think about “Harry Potter” as a good example of this. The
books become a lot longer as the series goes on, and while the kids might love
it, I think often the parents, who might love it too, are still checking their
watches. People want to be in and out of the theater, within a couple hours,
not sit through hours and hours until their eyes bleed.
3.
Am I A Good Writer In General? - The problem
with a lot of screenwriters is that they aren’t good writers, and they figure,
well, I still want to write, so if I write something that gets made into
something else, then the rules do not apply to me. Well, yes and no. No one
expects beautiful prose in a screenplay. You are writing a fairly standard
description such as “My character walks here, looks like this and does, this”
followed by your character’s name in CAPTIAL LETTERS, and the dialogue under
their names. However, the problem with poor writers writing screenplays is that
they are lazy and under mind that movie going audience. Gone are the days that
audiences are stupid. That being said, I have nothing against the occasional
dumb movie. I think sometimes we should all go to the theater to just have a
good time. However, even dumb movies need some skills. Take the “American Pie”
movies, which aren’t exactly brilliant films. They still have good characters,
and know how to set up jokes and scenes. This brings me to the next point…
4.
A Lot of Screenwriters Are the Lazy Writers- A
lot of screenwriters believe they don’t need to read or write in regular ways.
A lot of screenwriters think they just need to watch movies all day, and they
need to read screenplays and nothing more. They don’t need to know about the
mechanics of storytelling or take creative writing courses or even know simple
literary genres. You need to be a WRITER, and not simply a SCREENWRITER.
I love movies too, but if you want to write, you need to read books. Yes, you
need to read literature, and not just books on screenwriting. I can’t tell you
how many screenwriters I meet who fill their book shelves with how to books on
screenplays. I have nothing against the screenplay how to books, because they
can be quite helpful. However, there is no better lesson on storytelling and
character creation than reading stories, novels, and creative non-fiction. You
cannot skip over the physical book, because you happen to think, “I’m writing
movies, so why put in the work of reading? I’m not writing books!” WRONG. If
you do not read anything, and just watch movies all day, your screenplay will
just sound like a bunch of other movie clichés thrown together.
5.
Tell a Good Story and Create Great Characters-
How many screenwriters tell a terrible story, and cover up bad writing with
action and gimmicks? A lot, actually. A
lot of screenwriters don’t have good characters and totally bland ideas because
they figure it’s a movie. Once again, that’s undermining your audience, and
just plain bad writing. Think about the world’s most beloved screenplays? How
memorable are the characters? Here’s a perfect example. Eric Roth, the
screenwriter of “Forest Gump”, could have just written a straight adaptation of
Winston Groom’s novel. However, how memorable was Forest Gump? Now, a lot of
screenwriters make the mistake of relying on the actors. Yes, Tom Hanks made
that role memorable. However, that character and sense of storytelling must
have been very strong in the script. And another thing, do you think Tom Hanks
would have even played the role of that character didn’t come strongly through
the script? You need to pack a punch in your script, because like a novel, it
goes into a slush pile if you don’t. You need to think you are J.K. Rowling
writing “Harry Potter” instead of some dude writing a screenplay.
6.
A Lot of Screenwriters Want to be Rich- A lot of
screenwriters do get rich, but the problem with the salaries in Hollywood is
that this breeds a lot of writers who just want to be rich. Writing a
screenplay just for money isn’t the way to go. Oh, I understand we all want
money, but there also must be a story you want to tell. A character you want to
introduce. You need to treat your screenplay as if you are writing a story, a
novel, and a passion. You need a motivation besides making money because that
will lead to a weak, clichéd script and the people reading that script will see
right through that.
7.
You Are Not Special- This are really advice for
all writers. Do you know how many people come to Hollywood with a briefcase
full of screenplays without actually a decent screenplay in the bunch? Yes,
that fantasy is cool but unrealistic. I think you need to really have something
unique. Your screenplay, your romantic comedy, your “Harry Potter” knock off
may fly but you need something unique and original too.
8.
Don’t Pander To Your Audience- One of the
biggest problems with screenwriters is they are thinking of the box office and
target audience before they think up a good story. A lot of screenplays pander
to a crowd. A romantic comedy full of clichés panders to women. Teen sex
comedies that try too hard to gross out their audience also try too hard.
Torture porn? Yes, it sells, but the “Saw” movies are more than horror. The
Jigsaw Killer, as evil and uncaring as he can be at times, is actually a great
character. That hook that he wants to punish people for taking life for
granted, actually makes him deeper. So, even if your screenplay isn’t exactly
high culture, you still need to put thought into it. It still needs some depth.
There is nothing worst than 120 pages of pandering and clichés.
9.
An Example of Perfect Screenplay - A good story
and good characters should still be your top of your list. “Little Miss
Sunshine” is a perfect example. What could have been a stupid comedy about a
family taking a road trip turns into a warm film about a family pulling
together for the daughter. Michael Arndt takes time with each character, and
gives them all back stories. Each character has a story, each character is
defined. Every member of his family is so well done; we don’t even stop to
wonder what their last names are. He doesn’t complicate the story, which is key
in a screenplay. The story is simple, which a story in a screenplay needs to
be, because this is a movie that’s visual and fewer than 200 pages. Point A to
point B. Middle, beginning and end. However, each character is defined, in a
visual way that the audience can see. Remember, they can only see what you
describe in the script. The dialogue is sharp and relatable. I could go through
each point of why this is a perfect script, but I rather you rent it and see
for yourself.
10.
The Audience Can See Your Writing- Don’t think
that just because a movie screen is between you and your audience, they can’t
see your bad writing. Just because they aren’t looking at a page doesn’t mean
your audience won’t see your bad writing. If the dialogue and descriptions are
bad, your audience will see that. Just because they aren’t looking at a page,
doesn’t mean they won’t see your bad writing on the screen. Don’t be lazy.
Write as well as you can, and treat it like it’s going to be published. You
always write like it’s going to be published, even if that’s not your goal.
Trust me, your audience doesn’t leave their brains at the theater door.
One of the great things about the current reboot of "Star Trek" is you don't have to be a trekie to enjoy it. I went to see this film with my brother Greg and he is new to the wonderful universe of "Star Trek" and he really enjoyed it. Also, I loved seeing it in I-Max. and 3-d. It is really cool but it always highlights something wonderful about "Star Trek" as well. There's a lot of talk, and not everything is sock-them, in your face space mayhem. "Star Trek" is never entirely a thrill ride. It has intelligent talk about space, life and emotions between the original odd couple of pop culture, Spock and Kirk. Of course, it's always fun to see the Starship Enterprise coming right at ya. 
