The Screenplay Directory
Guest Book
We'd like to know what you think about our web site. Please leave your comments in this public guest book so we can share your thoughts with other visitors. Please include your name and email address.
- Date:
- 12/6/98
- Time:
- 9:47:27 AM
Comments
J.T.Killain 1815 Pennington Road Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19151
Email: cyoata@bellatlantic.net
Dear Mr. Venema: I admire your web site and work. perhaps more so your work. I was wondering if I might ask a question. I too am a writer, I am new, as I've only been writing for about seven years now. I always wrote stories in a young adult theme, but now in the last two years have wrote three short novels dealing with woman police/FBI officers and in an alternative slant. But my question is 'How do you create a story, screenplay, or character, and if it really come together, and I think you understand me writing wise, and still remain interested in perhaps trying to interest someone in producing this piece of work without becoming so disenchanted that you just want to put you meger little screenplay under your mattress and forget you ever wrote it? This industry is bazaar! it based more closely on voodoo than accepted business practices, if there is such a thing. Anyway, I just thought I'd ask as I've done this a couple of time in the past to other writer, producers yet no one ever has the time to answer, or I'm just not listening correctly. Thanks and the best of luck, at least one of us is doing something constructive. Killain
Hi Killain,
I would imagine that you have not received responses to your questions from other people because they are probably too busy. I have four kids, work stuff to do, and screenwriting to do, and it's difficult to get back to responding to someone. The email tends to get lost in the pile.
How do you keep from getting disenchanted? You can't. Everyone does. It's picking yourself back up and going back to it that matters. To help you do this it is beneficial to join screenwriting groups. There are many on the internet. Also, read the industry magazines etc. Go to seminars. They have a good screenwriting workshop at the Heart of Austin Film Festival, and there you spend three days doing nothing but talking about scripts, movies, etc. You go to seminars that are hosted by pros. I met a lot of people there, got to know Chris McQuarrie (writer The Usual Suspects), Shane Black (writer Lethal Weapon, Last Boyscout). I've had lunch and dinner with these people. The trip was invaluable.
In order to sell your script you have to be passionate about it. Yes, you hear this out of everyone who can stand on a milk crate. I'll give you an example of what I'm talking about.
I adapted Stephen Coonts' novel Final Flight (with his permission) to a screenplay. I originally picked it up because I was doing research for a military script and was looking at how he wrote his story. What I came away with was an impression of a great novel that was written to be on a large movie screen. It's extremely visual. I came up with a first draft adaptation in only three weeks. That was several years ago. Since that time, the script has been shopped around, rushed out to producers for weekend reads, and sat on a shelf because they pass. Even after all of this time, I am still able to pick up that script, flip to a page somewhere and read a section, and the characters leap off the page at me and come to life. The action sizzles, and I would still love to see the scenes that I created to enhance his novel (such as an F-14 Tomcat hitting a hangar with a sonic boom to see if anyone is in it) on the big screen. I come away with the same feeling now as when I wrote it years ago.
With that passion, that script will never sit under any mattress.
- Date:
- 1/5/99
- Time:
- 9:23:11 PM
Comments
I am interested in writing a screenplay, yet I have many questions concerning logistics. For instance, how much research is necessary, how detailed should it be, what is the correct format, where does it need to be submitted upon completion, what are considered to be "hot topics"? I wonder if you may be able to provide some general information to me at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
- Date:
- 1/7/99
- Time:
- 5:30:27 PM
Comments
I'm looking for the script for the 1997 movie "The Parent Trap" starring Lindsay Lohan. I saw the movie and really enjoyed it, so now I'm interested in a copy of the script. Aaron e-mail address: aajiwinn@aol.com
- Date:
- 1/15/99
- Time:
- 3:08:29 PM
Comments
Rich Fullam Ritf@aol.com
Just thought I would browse around before our meeting!
Thanks Rich
- Date:
- 1/30/99
- Time:
- 9:47:30 PM
Comments
gmhefner@hotmail.com
thanks for putting up this website. i'm just browing - i am an amateur film editor, but i try to be knowledgeable in all areas of filmmaking. i looked at the pandora's door abstract. it's an interesting idea. i know a lot of police officers (family, friends, etc.) so i picked this site to look at. keep working - most of the police officers i know are good, succinct storytellers and usually funny - i don't know why that is. anyway, feel free to write back. i'm always looking for tips on succeeding in the field. here in the midwest, i'll need all the help i can get!! gretchen
- Date:
- 2/10/99
- Time:
- 2:53:24 AM
Comments
I liked what I saw. I am an aspiring screenwriter with some healthy ideas. I like to look over the sites of experienced writers. Thanks for the opportunity. jtsawyer01@aol.com By the by, if you have any tips you could part wth I'd be glad to listen. My ideas are sound and well researched. I am an engineer so I am a stickler for the details, but the structure of a screenplay is something I am learning.
- Date:
- 4/6/99
- Time:
- 4:32:00 AM
Comments
GOODLUCK ON 73 EASTING
- Date:
- 5/11/99
- Time:
- 8:25:37 PM
Comments
Thank you for your kind information. dpfreeman@mediaone.net
- Date:
- 6/24/99
- Time:
- 6:05:48 PM
Comments
HELLO MY NAME IS D.R"DOC" PEELE. i VISITED YOUR WEB SITE AND FOUND A LOT OF GOOD INFO FOR BEGINNERS LIKE MYSELF. I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON MY SCREENPLAY ABOUT 2 YEARS I FEEL IT IS ALMOST READY TO BE READ. PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!! MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS doc@ev1.net
- Date:
- 6/25/99
- Time:
- 4:42:39 PM
Comments
I've been searching the net finding aspiring screenplay writers and I believe I have found a few today. Good luck on your works man!! Drop me an E.Mail sometime and tell me the essences of a good screenplay. I am writing one myself at the moment. My adress is Dylan_McBride@Hotmail.com
- Date:
- 6/25/99
- Time:
- 4:42:43 PM
Comments
I've been searching the net finding aspiring screenplay writers and I believe I have found a few today. Good luck on your works man!! Drop me an E.Mail sometime and tell me the essences of a good screenplay. I am writing one myself at the moment. My adress is Dylan_McBride@Hotmail.com
- Date:
- 7/22/99
- Time:
- 12:21:50 AM
Comments
I really appreciate this nice web site. I'm a mother of 4 beautiful children. I have several ideas for screenplays; but I have no earthly idea how to go about actually putting them to paper. Just to be able to see the way a screenplay is set up has helped me a lot. I know that I can do this. It's just a matter of sitting myself down and doing it. How hard is it to get production companies to sit down and actually listen to your ideas? Do I have a chance coming out of nowhere and trying to talk to these people? Thanks for your input. Jamie Webb @ JamJonWeb@worldnet.att.net
- Date:
- 7/28/99
- Time:
- 1:08:18 AM
Comments
Hmm.. your writings seem interesting, but I can't help to notice that your story, The Paper, seems very familiar to the CBS primetime show Early Edition. (at least i think thats what the show was called).
- Date:
- 8/4/99
- Time:
- 1:28:49 AM
Comments
Please give us the tips. Your web-site is okay. I hope you will add more and hopefully it would be my screenplay. Keep up the good work and may GOD bless you!
- Date:
- 8/4/99
- Time:
- 1:34:17 AM
Comments
- Date:
- 8/4/99
- Time:
- 1:34:26 AM
Comments
- Date:
- 8/12/99
- Time:
- 12:16:23 PM
Comments
Ian Cohen 215 East 95th Street Apt. 7E New York, NY 10138
E-mail: Iancohen@worldnet.att.net
Mr. Venema - Presently, I am a commercial producer/account exec. who is looking to produce a low budget feature film however I am having trouble finding the right screenplay. Can you please offer some advice as to how and where to find some interesting screenplays? My director and other associates have been reviewing numerous screenplays however nothing to this point has grabbed our attention. You advice would be very helpful.
Thanks - Ian Cohen
- Date:
- 9/24/99
- Time:
- 1:04:02 PM
Comments
Hi I have six screenplays, please take the time to view my Web Site at: http://www.promarketgroup.com/wolfhowl
- Date:
- 9/24/99
- Time:
- 1:05:02 PM
Comments
- Date:
- 9/24/99
- Time:
- 1:15:55 PM
Comments
<a href="asdfkva/f">ss</a>
- Date:
- 10/13/99
- Time:
- 5:33:31 AM
Comments
Your advise in geting Linda Seger's book is great advise. your website lacks direction, but it is entertaining. i have book marked your website for future refrence.
D.Daniel Vujic
Writer
- Date:
- 10/13/99
- Time:
- 5:35:12 AM
Comments
Your advise in geting Linda Seger's book is great advise. Your website lacks direction, but it is entertaining. I have book marked your website for future refrence.
D.Daniel Vujic
Writer
- Date:
- 10/13/99
- Time:
- 5:35:30 AM
Comments
Your advise in geting Linda Seger's book is great advise. Your website lacks direction, but it is entertaining. I have book marked your website for future refrence.
D.Daniel Vujic
Writer
- Date:
- 10/13/99
- Time:
- 5:35:38 AM
Comments
Your advise in geting Linda Seger's book is great advise. Your website lacks direction, but it is entertaining. I have book marked your website for future refrence.
D.Daniel Vujic
Writer
- Date:
- 12/3/99
- Time:
- 6:17:11 PM
Comments
Your site is innovative. Duane Garrett, duane_garrett@msn.com
- Date:
- 12/5/99
- Time:
- 3:47:30 AM
Comments
Karla L Felix(pmgeddes@gte.net)Inspired by all writters....
- Date:
- 07 Dec 2002
- Time:
- 03:08:47
Comments
Hey, Erik. Cool site!
-colleen de maio
- Date:
- 07 Dec 2002
- Time:
- 03:08:54
Comments
Hey, Erik. Cool site!
-colleen de maio
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Revised: 06 Jun 2004 00:13:52 -0400.
