Movie Theories & Details

If you’re a new writer, nobody knows who you are, and you don’t have an agent or manager, what kind of script would you focus on writing to break into the industry?

Would you write something highly commercial and marketable, something smaller but unique that really shows your voice, or simply the best story you can write regardless of budget or genre?

For those who actually got representation from a spec script, what do you think made that script stand out and get you through the door?

What's the proper format for writing something like this:

"ZACH

Make no mistake, people

(sotto voce, side-eyeing the Mary)

especially those bleeding hearts

(Normal volume)

will eventually betray you"

It feels odd as is.

I prefer writing in prose but I have always wanted to break into TV or theatre writing. I’ve attempted a few short playscripts since those always seem to be looser in format than TV and film scripts, it’s also harder to know where to start. With books you can at least contact agents but most explicitly don’t accept scripts.

I keep hearing about spec scripts but I’m never quite sure what they’re for. I try and read about them but it never seems to click for me. Are people really going to want a script of a show you’re not even part of? Isn’t it fanfiction? No disrespect to fanfics but I wouldn’t put one on my portfolio. And where are you meant to send them when pretty much every script submission I see is for originals.

I guess my general questions are: Is it worth having one? How are you supposed to write a spec script? What shows are the best to do one for? And when exactly are you supposed to use them?

Hello people, I am sure that as a screenwriter, you've probably been here before. I'm in the middle of making a film and of course that project matters. But the problem is that in the past I invested EVERY ounce of my being into creating a series - and many have said that this was my best work to date.

I put a lot in here, wrote a few episodes, outlined the first 2 seasons and well, I had to put it aside for a little while because you know, the usual catch-22/rock and a hard place issue.

A friend of mine sort of got on me about not making the mistake of neglecting 'that series' and so I started sending queries recently because a manager is 1000% called for.

Anyway, yes, I am doing what I must regarding the film project but it's like 92% of my head went back to the world of the series and it WANTS TO STAY THERE.

I don't think that people/writers talk about this enough - that sometimes your creativity has a will of its own.

So, if you've been in this spot, did a partial surrender work so you could be a few places at once?

Hey, I'm working on this screenplay and am struggling to make all the parts work together. If anyone wants to take a look and give some suggestions that would be greatly appreciated. I'm usually the one doing post production so this is new to me lol. This outline has all the parts layed out but not put together yet. The main thing I am struggling with is transitioning into the final act, and how to have the alien sequence play out in a way that's not repetitive, and also ties together with the rest of the film.

Also fwi this is not the correct format for anything and I some stuff might not make sense but lmk if you have questions.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/192txoEVuw\_HCQMdJanq22fIi\_qSyDJGRAJ2MH1cbFQk/edit?usp=drivesdk

I write predominantly in prose and am not really a planner, and I find that easier to just write and get the work done (I also find that I can measure prodictivity easier with word counts).

When I write scripts, I struggle to freely write; it's always more stop-start, I can never find a rhythm, and it feels more suited to writing planned work.

To all you actual screenwriters, is this a common issue? Do you write freely/easily in script format? Do you ever use prose for any reason?

Thanks!

Title: Everything Must Go

Format: Feature Film

Page Length: 84 pages

Genre: Horror/Comedy

Logline: On the last day before a meteor ends all life on Earth, a young couple spends the day at a dinner party where they don’t know what or who could be on the menu.

Feedback concerns:

-How does the tone read throughout? I’m not sure if I’m striking the balance I want between the comedy and horror

-Are the stakes high enough? This ties into the tone question, but I worry if the comedic elements distract from the tension that could or should be in some of the scenes, even if they are intended to be comedic. Particularly pages 31-38. This scene is meant to be comedic but is also a big turning point in the plot.

-pages 20-28: this scene feels long and wordy and I’m not sure if it reads, would love feedback here.

-do the characters’ motivations read? Is the protagonist clear? Does it feel like their arc is clear?

-is the ending working? The pacing of the final act (pages 67-end) I feel like seems almost too fast, but also maybe not high enough stakes? I’m not sure.

Many thanks to anyone who takes time to provide feedback, it means a lot to me. Here’s the link to the script:

FULL PDF SCRIPT

[supprimé]

My brother and I are having our friends sleep over at Halloween so we need some good movies to watch. It can be scary and a bit violent and stuff but there shouldn't be explicit sex scenes or something.

Hello,

We recently watched The Keepers and we loved it! We are looking for something of a similar quality based on Epstein with in depth research. Current stuff that we have watched and absolutely loved:

Tower (2016)

The Keepers

O.J.: Made in America

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy

Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror

Don't F**K with Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer

Tiger King (Season 1)

Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (Its good, but not amazing exactly)

Fahrenheit 9/11 & Bowling for Columbine (Lots of Micheal Moores Stuff is actually quite good to watch honestly.)

It doesnt need to be about some specific topic, just very well made. But we feel there must be some extremely good, to the point, Epstein related series somewhere, please let me know what you guys might recommend.

If you guys can think of something other than Epstein as well, please recommend it as well.

I teach 11th grade World History. My peers will not budge on teaching the Holocaust through film. I have my own opinions about Holocaust movies (good, bad, etc.), but I'm curious what you all think would make the best film to teach high school students about the Holocaust.

(Presume many of them know the basic concepts, but little beyond regarding the Holocaust and what it was)

i’m looking specifically for movies that are crazy watches, surrealist psychedelic dreamscape weirdness. movies you can watch and love but also play in the background at a funky house party on mute.

live action, animated, black and white or color, any genre and rating, i don’t care. PLEASE give me your strangest masterpieces!

edit omg y’all move so fast! you’re amazing i’m adding every single suggestion i haven’t already seen to my list. i also should’ve added it doesn’t have to be in english. and tv series and books are also totally welcomed. thank you all!!

another edit ALSO does anyone know where i can find Toys (1992)? i watched it once like 20 years ago and i’ve been itching to watch it again

I’m new to this sub and it seems like there’s a lot of serious movie questions but I’m looking for some good old rom-com suggestions. Before this weekend I had only seen Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Notebook and Love Actually which I watch every Christmas with my mom and I have throughly enjoyed all of these.
I’m a 22 year old man and I hate to say it but I haven’t seen many of these kinds of movies but this weekend a girl I was spending time with showed me The Girl Next Door and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and I’m ngl these movies did something to me lmao.
So anyone who has some classic 2000’s, sappy, happy ending and wholesome or just good rom-com movies send them my way please! They don’t have to be 2000’s either, just any good ones.

I’m not sure how far back this trend started. I know for tv shows watching The Wonder Years and Kevin narrate his life was kinda unique. What are some movies in this category that you’ve come across ?

What draws you to these types of movies or makes them appealing?

Edit: Doesn’t have to necessarily be the main character or even a character in the story. (Don’t want to miss out on any great ones)

I’m looking for a parallel type of watch experience like To Every You I’ve Loved Before and To Me, The One Who Loved. This was super fun ti watch with my long distance partner and compare perspectives and thoughts and I’m looking for similar experiences.

I want to get into the Halloween spirit this year but I can’t handle terrifying movie. The one thing I can’t do in body gore. Also I don’t think I’d be able to handle movies like Smile, Hereditary, Midsommar, or Obsession.

Here are some movies/tv shows I’ve seen that I could handle:
\-Black Christmas (the original)
\-Weapons
\-Rosemary’s Baby (not sure if this counts)
\- Scream franchise
\- I Know What You Did Last Summer
\- Sinners
\- Mike Flanagan tv shows
\- American Horror Story seasons (although Asylum was pretty gross)
\- Candyman (the remake)
\- 28 days (entire franchise)
-The Shining
-Ready or Not
-All of Jordan Peele’s movies
-Backrooms

Please no joke answers with movies that are actually insanely scary because I will do my research.

The movie will speak for itself. It’s very different from the usual ghostly and evil horror movies, but will still have you on the edge of your seat!

I've been watching a lot of the old Godzilla movies and also watched the giant ant movie Them! from 1954. What are some other fun monster movies from the 50's and 60's? Thank you!