Seven6 Productions, LLC

Reading screenwriting books may seem like something a rank beginner should do, but for me it is very helpful. I read Robert Walter’s book and found that if gave me some really good ideas on how to improve my story. I needed to make it more interesting, have more conflict, more twists - in other words - make it something someone would want to view as a movie — and not sleep through or walk out of.  Another book I just started is the Screenwriter’s Bible. It is recommended by so many people that I had to get it and read it. So far, it’s pretty good. Apparently, it is used by the novice and the pro. I find these books very helpful. By reading - I get ideas and write and change and improve. I want at least one pretty good script to show around.

Tonight is Table Readings again. I’m not bringing anything for the group to read. I find that most understand and “get” my writing, while others find lots of fault with it and say they just don’t like my writing. I guess I need to take criticism, but it could be given in a gentler way. And getting overly picky about spelling isn’t a criticism of the writing or style or format or anything … it’s a bad spell checker! I’d really enjoy some feedback about the story. I do take it all in stride and from whence it comes though. Tonight, I will sit and listen and enjoy everyone’s pages and take in the criticism for the others - mull it over in my head and see if it is valid. I am wondering if one continually sits with the same group over and over and gets the same voices of criticism, is that good? Do we then become one writer if we follow that criticism? Do we lose our own style of writing if we change to conform to the group criticism? Do we lose our voice and become one voice of the group? Are we dunned down by same group criticism? This is what I want to research.

Don’t get me wrong … I have taken some of the criticism and used it to improve, some I totally disregarded … as it should be. 

I went to a table reading session last Wednesday. There were about 10 people there, no one who actually sold a screenplay to Hollywood - at least I don’t think so - that would have been a nice brain to pick. We read each others script pages and critiqued them. The comments were constructive for me and I took what I felt I could use and discarded the rest. That’s how it should be - you are the writer and you should write “your way”. There is no exact format to follow - nothing written in stone. If you took a look at many scripts that were huge hit movies - you would see format sometimes flies out the window. If the concept and idea is good - it’s good no matter if you capitalize the wrong words or have too many … dot, dot, dots or even exclamation points!  I will try to write correctly though - it’s the perfectionism in me.

I’m trying to make every table reading and bring current things I’m writing (nothing earth shattering). One thing I did notice is that when the screenplays are read - many people cannot grasp them. I’m wondering if that is common … or maybe … the intense concentration of trying make sure your read your character has anything to do with it. It’s a question I’d like to find the answer to because many people just didn’t grasp the ideas presented. I know that I was more interested in making sure I didn’t flubb my character than actually listening to the screenplay.

That’s all for now …

I will sell a screenplay to Hollywood!!!

Being involved in a writing/film group really does get your writing juices flowing. Since I’ve been involved, I’ve written and finished several shorts. Plus, I wrote another 15 pages of my feature script. And I’m seeing ideas everywhere. Although everyone has ideas, getting them written and finished that is the trick. I suggest anyone interested in screenwriting who is stuck or fairly new to the medium, seek out a writer/film group.

Finished:

Heat Lightening - Short

The List - Short

Dryer Conversations - Short

Heads-Up - Short

I’ve got a couple more shorts in the works. Most of the finished ones are on the order of Twilight Zone - not sci-fi - but strange happenings.

Until next time …

I wrote a six page short recently about a man playing headsup Texas Holdem poker and his life depends on winning. I have it up on Inktip.com. No takers yet. I’m thinking its because it needs to be animated. The character near the end is pretty impossible to create in real life - making it look real - without a lot of expense involved. So, the reason for animation. I’m looking for someone who can do flash or CGI in the “comic book hero” style. The short is somewhat dark in nature so that type of animation will lend itself well. I think it could really be a good short film. Keeping fingers crossed on this one.