Let's back to what I do best, tell you how to make a movie. I am a
teacher and hey I have my first full length as an Associate Producer
with input on script and story development from the conceptual stage. Ok
I helped the writer come up with the idea and then I bitched about the
shit I didn't like in the script like a big fucking child until they
changed it. But hey somebody has to do it.
The Script
This
is your foundation and your foundation is everything. Any builder will
tell you that. I knew some guys in Honduras when I was in the Air Force
who were bulding schools and shit. They taught me a few things. Oh wait
back to the lesson.
Your script is the foundation from
which you will draw out your story and characters. If the script sucks,
go home or try to make it so bad it's funny or bad with great style or
go home. I would go with go home. The others are not as easy as they
sound and I am not here to blow smoke up your ass. This is so you can
make something I might actually want to fucking watch, not placate your
fucking egos so get the fuck over it. Believe or not I actually talk to
my writers this way. Just ask Pete and yes Pete feel free to talk shit
motherfucker. I love you brother.
Anyway back to this building a film metaphor I am working with.
So
you have this story that is a framework that is built by your
characters. Every action and every piece of dialog is a part of the
overall framework of the film. Before you can even think about drafting
up storyboards, go back through the script and make sure everything
fits. In music they call it phrasing. Perfect phrasing is crating a
musical piece that has no wasted notes.
Your script should have no wasted screen time.
Screen time can be wasted with excessive pointless dialog or an too many wide sweeping cinematic shots.
Does the dialog progress the story in some fashion?
Does it sound like a real conversation?
I mean seriously would you talk this way?
Do your visual call outs actually help enrich the experience of the story?
Now that you think you have a decent script, give it to some one and let them tear it a part and make sure they give you notes.
TAKE YOUR EGO AND FLUSH IT DOWN THE TOILET!
Once you complete this step you are ready to read the notes and see what changes if any you think you should really make. Give the script back the same asshole who ripped you a new asshole with their notes and repeat the process. Once you 2 assholes agree the script can't be any better than think about making a movie.
Note:
Your script will only be as good as you and the asshole editing for
you. If neither of you has any fucking talent, get a real job.
Here is your first lesson, more of an overview of lessons to come. Have fun kids.
