Producers Don’t Want To Read Your Screenplay, Here’s What They Really Want - Shane Stanley
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- Опубликовано: 19 окт 2020
- In this Film Courage video interview, Author/Filmmaker/Instructor Shane Stanley on Producers Don’t Want To Read Your Screenplay, Here’s What They Really Want.
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Here is our full interview with Shane - ruclips.net/video/VBcQVQ2ZaMI/видео.html
I can’t decide whether this guy is giving a great efficient approach to writing or is showing us how people like him have made Hollywood so very lacking in creativity
I feel like it's more of an honest inside look. Machiavellianism.
Sadly, it's both
One thing I can take away from these comments is "shoot the messenger"
Second thing.
People like him? It's people not like him that have made Hollywood so shitty. It's the studios that are only money hungry. Compare the rocks film career and denzels, denzel is picky about scripts and therefore doesn't really have many flops. The rock is a workaholic and spreads himself too thin, but the studios love that cuz they want a piece of what the rock is cooking.
(Yes I said it. Fuck it. Lol)
Most producers wouldn't know a good story if it hit them in the face. Hence everything being rebooted, remade or weak sequels.
That's not the reason why everything is rebooted/remade. The actual reason is general audience not showing up to see non-franchise movies.
@@kdscool1536 what?
The reason they do remakes is because they are out of ideas. They’re doing the same in video games. Entertainment needs to progress into a new age with new fresh minds and ideas.
@@Tobirama_isHimju no shit we know this since we were born
@@Tobirama_isHimju Don’t worry, once I get my story finished, we’ll all have a grand new world to explore and enjoy. It’s just so massive, it’s hard to condense. I’m almost finished with the first part and maybe it’ll be enough to convince a production studio to finance it. All I need is 30 minutes and it’ll be picked-up.🙏
It’s also important to look at a Producer’s credits and take into consideration their body of work as whole before you choose to send them your work. If their taste doesn’t align with yours, it’s not worth it
I understand it's one thing for someone to reject an unsolicited script if the sender really wants to pitch one professionally. But what about someone who's a fan of their work and writes, "What do you think of part of my story here with your characters? I know you won't use it; I just want your opinion."
So true!!!!!!!!!
To be honest you'd be better off producing your work yourself. Industry producers will reject you just because they can. For example, your script is perfect but the producer rejects it solely because he thinks it wouldn't sell. Everything is about money with these people. They'll approve a garbage script if they think they can sell it. Explains why the streaming services and movie theaters get filled with garbage content every year.
The value of true art is nowhere to be found in his words.
I agree. Cinema is art.
@@BlackbeardsRevenge indeed
Everything is art if you take it as such and vice-versa. The concept of true art is as fickle as the concept of true art is as fickle as
Unfortunately art requires money and TIME to be made, he's just telling you the truth.
@@Dan1elAndrade I mean it's come to the people's patience and try to finish how long that they can and make it good
he just explained the moments in a trailer that tell the whole story. Personally I think that's the problem with movie trailers lately.
Exactly.
Yes
Literally. It’s crazy. Spoiler alert! Here’s the move in 2 minutes.
I hate the film industry but love film.
same
That's why you need to get out of Hollywood, where it's not so much industry. Some of the best films I've seen have been made for under two million, with no studio attached to them. I need to take out mortgages, raise money for friends and family, and apply to grants. Or seek money overseas. And a wild country is in Europe, film is partly pay for it by the public with tax dollars.
Brilliantly put!
Haha, we all do 😂☹️
After watching this guy that is exactly what came to my mind
The exact guy I don't want to run into in the industry.
@@cryptohalloffame What career? you ever heard of a Shane Stanley film?
So this is why 90 % of Hollywood movies suck?
90%?? U mean 99%....
@@Antares-vj7su LOL.. yes, sorry, a typo...
Exactly right. Sad
Forest Gump got turned away for 10 years because it didn’t fit any previous film making formula...Sadly, taking a risk on a new style movie that doesn’t win at the box office often costs studio heads their jobs. Hollywood doesn’t like anything that’s Already been done. But they don’t also like things that haven’t been done. It’s kind of a catch 22 in Hollywood.
Well think about this: they downplay the failures (there's plenty of them) and pretend like they're not there and they overhype the success like it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Most scripts are bad to most people. All it takes is one person to like it
Or know how to read one.
@Careful Icarus Ok idiot
Seinfeld script was originally turned down by all but one network exec.
@@nilslindqvist8825 You nailed it. I've had scripts come back with comments that made me wonder if they read the whole thing. "So and so should blah blah..." Not only does so and so do this blah blah thing it's even written in friggin English.
@@bill2953 sure. Two aspects, firstly: the ones doing the initial reading are very low down the totem pole without any training in it; secondly: it is, as I’m sure you know, a very special format to read, and to envision a 100% visual medium.
In Sweden we have something called producer’s scripts which are formatted somewhat differently from formally strict screenplays, because producer’s are considered bad or lazy readers.
I’ve worked in the industry 25 years and this glib, lazy approach to producing is endemic and sad and not the industry I entered. There is so much attitude lying there under the surface. It’s so familiar to me. Totally disagree a synopsis gives you what you need to know. I work for a major company and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a script that was passed on based on a synopsis that actually was great. His thinking is pretty closed and he confirms what I’ve always known. If you don’t somehow get into the main club if you will, you can’t get a script read or made. His responses are tired canned responses I’ve heard my whole career.
I knew I'd never get in to the club so I wrote and directed my own feature length for about $400. It will never be seen by most people, but I'll always have the movie and the accomplishment.
No wonder there's only garbage being vomited by the industry.
yes he makes every excuse not to read a script which is kind of shameful. If he was in school he would be the guy studying from Cliff's notes and not reading the books. It is sad that the industry is majority like this it seems
I completely agree. He is basically bragging about being a “gate keeper” whose objective is not talent keeping the Hollywood pool sterile and submissive.
@@standarddef8769What's it called?
The movie business is in a death spiral and this guy hasn't read the memo yet. The hubris with which Hollywood goes about its artistic process is soul crushing. Good times.
This guy makes his own films. If anybody knows the Hollyweird model is in a death spiral, it's him.
A friend of mine showed me a treatment for a project that had no script yet. It got me quite pumped: had he showed me just the script, I probably would not have been as interested, so by experience I understand what is the point here. I think that subconsciously as humans we want to be teased and we long for the allure. We want to be hooked by a lovely smell before tasting the meal.
Seriously. Do any of us just walk into a film before we see the trailer or posters? In writing we bait people with interesting synopses and treatments.
@@reimourrpower9357 I hate watching trailers, or synopsis. I hate spoilers and most of them are full of them. But I am just a consumer, and I know there is not many like me
@@v44n7 understood. I'm the opposite as a film fan & filmmaker, I enjoy a GOOD trailer that does not spoil the film. A well-done synopsis should entice the reader to want see the script and in the business possibly endorse & support the film. Done wrong trailers & synopses wreck a project but done properly can build excitement for a well-done project.
The eye dines before the palate.
Excellent metaphor
This interview is a depressing synopsis of everything wrong with the movie industry.
Yep
I agree 100%
Damn straight
By a guy with a garbage resume, too. Look him up on IMDB
I’ve worked in the industry decades and I have to say you’re completely on point. Completely. Utterly.
Now you know why every Hollywood protagonist has a scene where they walk out the door while another character from behind says, "Oh and one more thing." And the protagonist turns around to hear something of significance....The scenes are being laid out by producers and distributors. The writer is hired to write that something of significance...
Exactly.
Lt. Columbo
"The script is fast, efficient and there's no surprises" - That sums up the piles of s*** you can watch nowadays
@Wrong Profile Good point, i agree. But the problem is Hollywood forgot how to make fun watchable rubbish as they used to in the 80's and 90's
You seem to misunderstand what he's saying. There should be no surprises during production as in "Oops, we forgot to set up this character and now the third act doesn't make sense", not that there aren't surprises build into the story for the audience.
That's also why a synopsis always spoils twists and the ending, because the person reading the synopsis needs to know if the story works and that's only possible if the writer doesn't leave out things that are crucial to the story.
I feel so sorry for writers who haven't discovered film courage. you are doing god's work
Those are kind words David. We appreciate it. Glad to see you finding value here.
Honored to be here with Film Courage.
@Careful Icarus oh is that how writers for television shows make $90k per year? And why a lot of feature length scripts sell for hundreds of thousands? Get the fuck outta here
@Careful Icarus Get out
I think you mean gosh's work judging by the captions
Sounds like nobody cares from the writer up. No joy. No interest. Just jaded execs sitting back expecting someone to excite them in 30 seconds. Maybe they should do something else.
Theyre all thinking about the bottom line. Ever work in TV? Worse because no one has the balls to say ‘i like this’ unless the whole team is on board. Theyre expendable so no one wants the target on their back
Okay …… if you don’t like how this business works, there’s lots of other businesses to be in. Maybe you should be doing something else……
That’s how the business works.. They run it. We have to acquiesce to their demands and whims or we need to get out.
Spoken like a true outsider. Lol
Plent of joy when the checks roll in. And he will do something else...Someone else’s script.
I came away not liking this guy. The arrogance is palpable. Let's cut the BS. It's who you know and if you're not in the right club , you could be Shakespeare, and this guy would ignore you.
what makes you say this about him being arrogant? I didn;t get that
Yes its who you know, it's called networking. But to even get your chance at networking you still have to work hard and have something impressive to show them. It doesn't matter if your Dad's best friend is a hollywood producer they're not gonna hand you a $200 million dollar budget movie. You have to show them you're capable of it. You have to start small first, make indie films, make your way up. Once you're experienced you can make big budget films.
@@VincentStevenStudio Yes, to me the message in the video was almost more _how_ you know, than _who_ you know. "Reach out to me _this way,_ rather than this _other_ way." He says he doesn't have hours to spend reading the unsolicited manuscript of every aspiring screenwriter who wants to break into the industry. If that makes him arrogant, then who _does_ have that kind of time?
Yes the Hollywood monopoly needs to be abolished.
Ok go make $200 million and risk all of it on a script, money to make these movies doesn't fall out of the sky.
I'm going to write my script, film it, put it on youtube. If it gets picked up, then fine if it doesnt, I completed my idea. All this back and forth and they dont have time to read your script is ridiculous to me.
If you put it on youtube I heard there's a back draw where it wouldn't be picked up from an agent. The only thing you can gain is recognition for the work itself, but it can't be edited or anything since once you submit it, it's for the public. it's better to submit to a film festival in my opinion!
@@AhmedHassan-eu3zm I hear you, but have you heard of Issa Rae? Look her up. And then lets discuss.
@@mrbrownroyyal I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I don't think (and I can be wrong I didn't do crazy research lol) she got famous more for her skills rather than her fame coming from grabbing attention that's all. You get me. It still wouldn't mean an agent or studio company picks your "project" up, they're only gonna pick your "name". Maybe it has happened though I can be wrong like I said.
@@AhmedHassan-eu3zm You lost me Sir. She got famous for her skills? Yes she is a writer, actress, and producer. Isnt that the point? My point is that she started on youtube and ended up on a major network. You said in so many words that cant happen or its not more than likely, I feel it is.
@@mrbrownroyyal lol. I don't think you understand, RUclips projects doesn't really hit in the big screens unless they put it in festivals and such. Yt isn't considered to be a Hollywood thing it is popular and well know but isn't what it wants to be like how. Disney is so desperate to make their films to be "Hollywood" movies but they are clearly focusing on mainstream, media that isn't considered Hollywood nor cinema.
I hope you make your short films and put it into festivals but yt is going to be difficult, fam. You must be well known to get what you want if you want to do in that route
For anyone who's curious, this guy has made a long list of movies, none of which you've ever heard of
And every year he is making a movie or two (even during Covid). He’s figured out a way to make movies he loves while making a living. If he can do it maybe you can too.
@@filmcourage "that's not the right way to do it, come back if you have someone who reps you" so basically, I'm not gonna do my job unless someone else has done it for me.
Great point….but he’s making them. That alone is worth a listen.
@@conormcnamara2273 reading unsolicited scripts that have not been copyright registered can land you in legal trouble. Also if someone is repped by an agent, you know they are legit or semi legit atleast
@@ledheadzeppelin James Cameron was not repped as a writer when he went around giving his spec script to execs. That script was Terminator. Cameron is now single highest box office earning director in history. Similar with Sylvester Stallone on Rocky and even Steven Spielberg.
These are the kind of “gatekeepers” that need to be kicked out of the movie industry. Any industry for that matter.
Then who would you pitch your movie to? Studio suits? Please. As much as this sucks it comes down to practicality - can't read every script that comes your way if you're getting an endless supply of them.
@@TxxT33 yeah, I'm a writer and I haaaate reading scripts 😬 so I agree with what he says. A script is usually 120 pages and more I don't have the time or patience.
"gatekeepers" rise organically from the industry. It's the way almost everything works if you have more demand than supply
You kinda sound like a gatekeeper yourself, bro.
you are the kind of misinformed wannabe who will never make it into the industry
And this why the best Directors are the ones who are writers and also producers of their own movies i.e Christopher Nolan cut out middle man and does it himself.
also because they can dare to do things differently. Most writers will have to adapt to what producers want, so they will destroy your baby to make something that they think "will work" sadly, this is how it works. Is not like Nolan is the only good writer in the industry, but is rather is only of the only ones who can risk and dare
Beautiful but it's cus he has tons of money to do that.
Nolan doesn't cut out the middle man, WB backs him. He only did the last batman film so the studio would fund his passion projects. They only keep funding him because he keeps making money.
@@geoffreybassett6741 only as producers, they don't play with his vision
I think Nolan is smart. He writes good and unique scripts that no one would dare to write, but he also keeps the producers in mind while writing. He knows they wanna see explotions or action scenes, so he writes that in the script while still making a good film that we true filmfans can appreciate.
I sold two screenplays with a a logline and 5 line synopsis and the script.
I hate treatments, like novel writing, just read my logline, synopsis and first five pages, if it doesn't
grab ya, no prob.
Wonderful.
wayne mitchell+ hi Wayne . I agree.
@@cristinadriviera8144 It's not that I'm Lazy about treatments, is a producer or production company going to say " This person wrote a great script, but a lousy treatment, let's not do a deal with them". ....Right? I do a sentence by sentence scene from beginning to end as a guideline to start my script, and yes, I can make changes, but it gives me a spine to start with. A ten, twenty page breakdown is just busy work and like I said, you might as will just write a novel. Also I'm tired of producers whining about having to take time to read scripts. Mr. Stanley says it takes him two hours to read a script....shouldn't take you that long, in fact, you should know in first five or ten pages if the project is any good. Producers should be reading scripts all the time!, Quit being lazy! It's not like you digging ditches......Have fun and write!
can you please advice me where did you usually sent your scripts? And how often you got answers even if the they denied your scripts?
Interesting. I wish I knew how to write my screenplays in a 5 lines paragraph.
Wow I wanted to work in the film industry and this guy is making me reconsider my plans
You can still work in the film industry, just not Hollywood. Look at The Daily Wire; their third film is coming out in a couple of weeks. You can see about working with them, or you can research how to make your own film and get it out to film festivals.
@@G360LIVE Yeah good point but at the end of the day a film is still a product that you need people to buy and no one will invest in it if they think it might be a waste of time and money so you still have to think about pleasing the audience before you think about producing something that has artistic value
Write a novel or a short story. Most films now are based on books. Why? Built in audience. Is it hard? Hell yes! But it is an outlet for those creative impulses!
Did you give up? Don't ❤
@@G360LIVE The daily wire is conservative trash propaganda. Dont waste your breath on them.
" Be kind and considerate ... you're not the only person that would like their script read " THIS!!!
Thank you so much for this Shane.
Thank you so much for this Film Courage.
Absolutely. You're so welcome. Thank you for watching. Much more to come from this awesome series with Shane. He was very generous with his knowledge and time. :)
@@filmcourage Looking forward to it 🙂
plot twist, passion wins
I’ve got a script for you. It’s about a guy who does a thing as a result of a thing and he’s successful in the thing he does.
This defines the 2000's and 2010's, companies don't want fresh original stories. They won't take the risk and rather reboot, remake, or adapt from an anime/comic/game/etc.
Yeah I just saw they are rebooting "Highway To Heaven". Instead of calling themselves creatives, maybe it's time for folks in the movie industry to call themselves re-creatives...
An agency asked to read my Christmas script after I sent them the synopsis. They eventually passed on it but rejection is a part of this game.
@D. K. I just looked up agencies that accept script synopsis' and sent it to those agencies. One responded that they wanted to read it. That was years after I wrote it. Sometimes we just need to put forth an effort. Which is my problem and I'm sure many other people's problem.
Can I ask how you went about getting agency contact? Whenever I google this I can’t find anything...
@@whybecuzporque4655 Yes. If I recall correctly, the WGA website has a list of agencies. I went to the websites of many of them and looked at their submission requirements. If they said they took unsolicited scripts or loglines, I would send. Some responded, others didn't.
@@ActronJimmy oh ok cool thanks for the quick response! Did you find that a certain type of genre got you the most responses or was it kind of a mixed bag?
@@whybecuzporque4655 I've only written like 5 scripts and the one I felt most confident in was the Christmas script. I've only did that one time and haven't written a script in years. I think easily and cheaply produced scripts with great concepts are probably the best though.
He doesn’t have the time to read scripts but he has the time to stroke his own ego in interviews?
Yeah, shitty producer in a good position. They need to get kicked out.
A friends experience with mid-level producers was that they didn’t care at all about letting him direct or the script he wrote - only that the script won a minor writing contest and he had a film that won a student academy award. The producers mainly wanted the image of a possible “wonderkind” to attract the above-the-line actors they needed to pre-sell the film. This worked and it didn’t matter at all that the script was mediocre and the movie itself disappointing.
no money, no funny
"I don't have time to read scripts because I'm a busy, busy producer, making movies, which require, you know............SCRIPTS."
Shane, continued: "...a title, a logline, a brief synopsis and then the breakdown."
(this alone proves whether or not you know your story)
I appreciate this. I have heard the same advice along my path as an aspiring screenwriter. In my practical life I repair plumbing. My Artistic side writes TV pilots. Night classes, projects, and pitches years of growth. Yet still practicing my elevator speech. I have loved the journey and look forward to the sites on the way. Thanks for sharing this. Aloha
Where would screenwriters be without this channel. Talk about a God send
Thank you for your kind words. There are so many fantastic resources, glad to see you finding value here.
“Be kind and considerate” at least the way it’s conveyed here sound a tad disingenuous. Hollywood arrogance strikes again.
The Hollywood monopoly needs to be abolished.
100% Can't take this guy seriously.
Who wants to read a bunch of shitty scripts and other people's passion projects all day? At the end of the day, those people are trying to use him to launch their careers, not trying to build relationships. Once they get his sponsorship, they'll look past him.
This is a very informative interview with many great points. Thanks!
5:45 - Nobody wants lockdown movies in lockdown!
8:48 - There's always 3 types of scripts; write/shoot/cut
13:50 - A reader will be maybe more forgiving if they'd read a treatment first
No wonder film is in the state it's in.
Check out Shane Stanley's first Film Courage video clip '11 Minute Rule Screenwriters And Filmmakers Should Know': ruclips.net/video/43UJTFXKsY8/видео.html
Very insightful. Thank you!
@Film Courage thanks for the insightful video! Do screenwriters also come up with the idea for the story? im asking specifcally for an animated series - is it possible to pitch an idea with a scripts of all episodes?
amazing how many films fail at the box office if you use the 11 minute rule there.....
That's typical of most Americans nowadays.
why are you guys so bias , liking specific ones, y don't you take your fake channel and piss off
This truly is exactly why Hollywood sucks.
I love how folks who aren’t talented always advise those that are..
Yep. Example: Judd Apatow
Spot on.
why those "talented" folks need advice on how to get a job?
how many movies have you made?
I love his honesty. It's brutal to some people, but I like it. Sometimes friends ask me to read their scripts, and I'm usually of the same mind -- send me a synopsis. Giving feedback on a script is like giving feedback on a house after it's built. It's literally set in stone. But a synopsis is like looking at a blueprint. I can make suggestions as to where walls might be moved. If a doorway doesn't work. Where we want windows to lighten things up. And experienced storytellers can read a synopsis and see (for want of better terms) implications and possibilties, even if the script hasn't been written yet. You can smell it, like rain, when a story has good bones, and can hang a great story on it.
So why even write a screen play? Just write synopsis, until one hits, then write screen play right? 🤯🤯🤯
@@hanniffydinn6019 you can sort of do that when you're an established quantity. Producers buy projects all the time based on the pitch. But at some point the screenplay has to be written. If you're a complete unknown you have to be able to remove all doubt that you'll actually be able to deliver the script.
@@MiguelCruz-oz7km + I think the person who commented was basically trying to see if they could bait someone's interest enough without having to invest so much effort ( through screenplay).
Would that approach ever work?
If someone was interested , couldn't you just say you were tweaking the screenplay and then force yourself to write it in say a month?
From what Stanley's saying , doing a good job making the synopsis scenes as tight as possible , SHOULD theoretically enable your writing to flow more quickly.
@@cristinadriviera8144 it's generally recommended that you send the script immediately after getting the greenlight. Here's why I think this is. These companies and producers have a blanket no unsolicited scripts policy. Meaning if they didn't ask for it it's going in the trash. They get thousands upon thousands of read requests. If you wait too long to send the script they may forget they agreed to take a look at yours. This dynamic changes if you're an established writer who has sold a pitch to a producer and are now being paid to develop it.
Until then you have to rely on your own network to vet your ideas and also have a general sense of what works. What it looks like the problem is is that most writers just don't understand high concept which is where the rubber really meets the road with a lot of what is being sought out.
@@MiguelCruz-oz7km + Thankyou for the great reply!
This isn’t exactly accurate, I mean he’s a very low level unknown producer, I’ve seen a vast number of interviews from A listers who say the spec script is on the rise and what big studios want nowadays.
Not really. If it's not written by a well-known writer, big studios just don't care. The whole situation with spec market didn't change much, especially in a better way. If some A list producer claims otherwise, it's just an attempt at a positive message for unknown writers.
I read this too in the screenwriters bible. Spec script/screenplay is the way to go. But I believe it’s true having a synopsis and longline to reel them in is important
i agree just watched his new movie trailer, it looks low budget and i laughed at the irony when he talk about what makes a movie look low budget xD
I do think he’s right about the synopsis. I think the synopsis will help draw in interest for them to eventually read the script, but I don’t think they’ll just jump on a script because it can be time consuming
Maybe he doesnt want the competition, much like Hollywood. We unknown writers/producers etc could probably revitalise the studio output given half a chance. Hollywood is a protected cabal and outsiders arent welcome. Too much shady shit going on in the dark corners to risk being exposed by strangers/infiltrators
Geesh... 40 + years in the industry the last thing we want to do is READ. LOL
Honestly, I already know the movie industry is jacked up and very hard to actually get a script picked up or movie optioned. I still however write screenplays because I enjoy it. It makes me feel good to see my ideas written on paper. I like writing for myself. Puts me in an imaginary world. In the movie industry its ALL about who you know. Has nothing to do with talent. A producer actually admitted it on a interview I saw. However, I still submit my screenplays just because..I mean it won't hurt.
the producer didn’t exactly “admit” anything to you. there’s an age old quote: it’s the hands you shake, not the grades you make.
knowing the right people can get your film made. but if you don’t have talent, the movie won’t do well and you won’t be allowed to make another one.
Try others mediums,
I was in the same loop,
but now I'm going to comic writing,
with internet it's not the same game anymore,
good Luck
He speaks a LOT of truth, some, a LOT of people rather, won't like that. This business is unforgiving but that feeling when you get 'there' is what keeps you going, keeps you writing, keeps you hoping. An iron will is paramount. KEEP WRITING.
'I've been reading a lot of scripts, you know it's a lot cheaper than actually *going* to the movies'
Everyone is mad that he said they just want the synopsis and not the script but he explained why perfectly. There are 3 scripts, the one you write, the one you shoot and the one you cut. So the story is all that matters in the bigger picture. When your time is that expensive why would you read any script you're not going to shoot? A synopsis is all an executive needs in order to know whether or not it's something that they personally want to invest in. People gotta stop thinking they're entitled to other people's time.
🎉🎉exactly uggh
This all makes sense, and I would believe had I not have seen countless (big-budget) productions that made no sense whatsoever and subsequently bombed at the box office.
Everything he's talking about is how to sell movies to mass market audiences and that producers don't have time for people they don't know.
So what you're left with is the same handful of people in the film industry churning out mindless garbage to each other. And people wonder how we just keep ending up with reboot, nostalgia bait garbage movies for the last decade.
This is why. This guy is part of the problem.
Exactly!
This is why I don't go to the cinema any more. I don't want to watch 10 versions of the same story.
in the end what do you think sells? And when I mean sells, I mean really sells well.
A gourmet 5 dish dinner that cost 10 times a regular dinner that only a handful few want to invest their time and money with?
or A series of cheap fast-food that taste fine, keeps you satisfied for the day and Everyone, literally everyone can afford and have a decent time with?
Movie industry is a business, and cheap and easy films based around nostalgia sell much better than any genius art film.
@@haalandfilms1695 What? That’s the worst analogy ever. Those nostalgia remake reboot movies cost multiples of millions of dollars more than other films especially indie films, obviously.
When comparing “gourmet meals to fast food” you really didn’t look at the cost did you.
@@haalandfilms1695 and ticket prices are the fucking same. Another reason why that’s the dumbest analogy ever.
Telling it straight, the way it should be. Thanks for the insightful content Film Courage!
Doing our best, thanks for watching Danny.
In short, Producers want:
1. A logline
2. A treatment
3. Then present your Script
If you're serious about getting your script produced, consider things that influence the budget (Location, number of actors, props, special effects required) before writing.
things you'd think would be obvious.....
I think I speak for every real independent filmmaker when I say who cares what a producer wants? I write/produce/direct all my own films. It’s the most satisfying way to go about it. Complete creative control and no need to convince other people of what you know is the right way to handle a story.
Anton Newcombe is for me the artistic business model to follow. He completely went around the entertainment industry, created his own studio and proceeded to create his art. As artists, we don't need a corporate machine we need to create. The bean counters are not capable of understanding your artistic vision.
How there isn’t a service of professionals that you can pay to read your script and they can then in turn sell your script to producers is beyond me. The fact this is still some magical process is a concept who’s time has passed.
Thanks! He’s talking about sales. The science of shopping is we establish value very quickly as consumers. I get it. It’s not personal. Not a producer, but I am a shopper. 😂
Yes! Spot on!
So I went to IMDB and checked the credentials of this person as producer:
Double Threat (producer - produced by) (post-production)
Two Guys in a Bar (Short) (executive producer) (completed)
2021 Paloma's Flight (TV Movie) (executive producer) (completed)
2020 Break Even (producer - produced by)
2019 The Untold Story (producer)
2018 Mistrust (producer)
2014 My Trip Back to the Dark Side (producer)
2013 Pleasure or Pain (producer)
2012 Lose Yourself (Video) (producer)
2011 My Trip to the Dark Side (Video) (producer)
2011 Traci Lords: Last Drag
Yeah, aha. Sure thing ... mostest bestet producer of all time...
OTOH, good that this kinda person is kinda obscure. I just fear many other "producers" are like this.
I have two credits as a writer on IMDB and I must confess I was hired for these projects based on friendship. Now let me clarify this. My friend did not just say hey, want to write a movie? I had to prove myself first. He is a producer who works in independent film. I had lost touch with him for years but then reconnected a few years ago. I learned he was in the business so I sent him some ideas and two of my finished scripts. He liked them and so he pitched one of my ideas to a director he knows. The director passed but a few months later they came back to me. They had a deal with a major studio to do three small horror movies and needed scripts fast. So they gave me one to write. I did it quickly and it was approved by the director. Then they said, hey, we need another one, can you do this and I agreed and did the second one. Then to my amazement both got shot in the course of a year and ended up on streaming services and on DVD. So, yes, my friendship got my foot in the door, but if I hadn't been experienced and ready it would not have mattered.
Fantastic. I have a friend that is a producer too that is an old friend. I do have some ideas myself and think I can write some interesting scripts.
Ah yes, I am keen to consider the advice of an Author/Filmmaker/Instructor whose work I have never heard of
@Vladimir Peter Comparing the entertainment industry to teaching physics not a good analogy since there are empirical concepts in physics.
@Vladimir Peter I argued that your analogy is a poor one. It's as simple as that.
1. Log Line: One-to-two sentences.
2. Synopsis: One page.
3. Treatment: Less than ten pages.
4. Full script.
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this! I’m a burgeoning screenwriter, and I’m only now starting on my Creative Writing for Entertainment education journey. I have no idea how to write a treatment, let alone a whole screenplay and how to get eyes on it. This was so informative and I’m so excited to get to writing. I have ideas stacking up in my brain, stories I need to tell. Stories I want told on the old, proverbial “silver screen”. This was exhilarating to watch. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
If these producers don't have time or the energy to read scripts, why not hire groups of people who really like reading books (like me) and then they can summarize the top stories and pitch them to the producers based on what they are really looking not only on tone, genre but on pre-production and schedule. That's why movies suck so much these days, because it's always selected by luck, timing or connection but not talent.
First he says, "I get a lot of inquiries which I appreciate. I'm an open book. Here's my email address. Anyone can email me." Then when someone sends him an email he says, "I don't accept unsolicited material. You sent this to me unsolicited. This is not how to do it."
Thank you. I thought I was the only one that realized he was full of shit when he said that.
No but seriously glad to actually hear this.
"are there the seven trailers moments in the script, we know we can sell?"
that's why I don't watch trailers, they are filled with spoilers and basically all the movie.
This is why Stanley Kubrick was the best film director of all time. He actually read books before picking one to be made into a film.
Exactly. Not only him.. .Spielberg, Copolla, Hitchcock... long lost tradition.
Very interesting. This guy is the reason why so many movies nowadays are shit.
This was great & he was very honest! Picked up great pointers, thankful I came across this interview
I appreciate how blunt he is about the legal side and the business side of it.
He doesn't represent the whole industry, so chill. Industry is obvious harsh in itself but doesn't mean it's impossible to break that wall. Stay motivated, stay determined 💪👊
He's very representative of the majority though.
Whether people agree or disagree with him he’s telling a lot of truth. It’s just the way it is. 7 years into this business on roller coaster ups and downs and just this year we’re getting traction. Be careful though bc some will still steal your ideas and have someone else re-write something similar or close to what you have even with your copywright. It can be heartbreaking!!! You also have to have tough skin for this business and be ready for the snakes. Just this year in 2021 we are finally getting to the rainbows and the roller coaster ride is proving to be worth it. To someone who needs to see this; Hang in there and don’t give up. 🌷
I'm struggling novel writer and I just broken hearted this favourite actor of mine boycotted in his country for some selfie. Tsk, I feel so sad. Now, I want to learn for scripts writing to maybe I can make mine in the future.
@@zhangzhehanphtvwelcomeback7778 A great book/guide to have is “The Screenwriters Bible “ by David Trottier. A lot of helpful info in there.,
Thank you so much for this, this video showed up just at the right time.
I love finding an older video I missed. Great advice! Thanks, both of you!
"If you can't write a synopsis, your script must be shit." lol.
If you can't write a good synopsis you probably don't understand your own story.
This was extremely helpful. Back to the drawing board.
Really helpful information. And Shane's movies are awesome.
Wow Shane's awesome, this was great. Thank you!
Treatment is for the writer to construct the story! It's not a necessary tool for the producer. If you can't tell what's wrong with the story by reading the synopsis, you shouldn't be a development exec, to begin with. I'm a producer on inktip and I get between 500 to 650 pitches every other month. I read the logline and the synopsis. If something piques my interest, I'll ask for the script at that point. Dialogues could be awful right?
There's absolutely no reason to not have the time to read scripts if you are involved in creative development. It's a silly excuse. We all are busy. We just have to get creative and use our time efficiently. Also, a 90 page script will take me 30-45 minutes to read and that's pretty much the norm for a lot of people. You're not reading a Dostoyevski novel here. It is a lot faster to read dialogue and action lines compared to a treatment. Super super busy? Fire up the pdf in your phone and read it during your bathroom breaks instead of checking your Instagram feed. You'll be done in a day or two.
Don't forget, End of Days with Arnold was sold on the tag line. Yeah, didn't do well.
So much great informational stuff on this channel.
This is the third video i'm watching.
Thank you for the amazing job you do.
Welcome to the channel Emy! Hope you find more videos that help you with your work.
Hearing him carefully makes you understand why most films today suck.
Stay encouraged everyone...read Kenneth Atchity. Writing treatments that sell...The process of screenwriting by Clive Frayne...
Reminds me of Tim Burton's "Ed Wood" in which a sleazy, schlock producer greenlit films based on a) if the story was topical and b) he already had the poster art drawn up and laying around his office.
Haha love this movie
I love his candor and insightful information. Thank you for this clip
Thank you for this!! Keep on keeping on!
Cheers GAabriel! Hope you are doing well.
Everyone knows it's about connections and who you know. No matter the presentation or interaction if I don't know a higher up I won't get the time of day and that's fact.
Seven trailer moments was VERY helpful. Thanks, guys.
Great Information. Thank you Shane.
Thank you, Love. This was very helpful.
"A drama living in an apartment wont sell" zendaya and some new guy sold theirs to Netflix for 30 million
He was talking about new writers trying to break into the business. The rules obviously change when a big name is attached.
What he says is frustrating to writers ... but 100 percent accurate. Don't shoot the messenger. Up your game. Practice creating a captivating synopsis.
You have to be your own hype-man to succeed. It's a very tough thing for writers to understand, let alone accomplish.
I love this guy's honesty. Thank you guys
Brilliance and true knowledge!!! Thank you Mr. Stanley and thank you Film Courage!!!
Cheers Choice! Sending you our best, hope you are well.
@@filmcourage Thank you. I hope all is great for you guys on your end!
Next to Shannan E. Johnson, I like him. He is a teacher! Thank you for this video and hopefully more with him.
and then there the new star war trilogy, the predator, terminator dark fart and whatever that new zombie movie Snyder shat out
This series and esp. this dude is beyond helpful!
Thanks a bunch!
Outstanding! I just finished writing an epic-length historical romance-adventure novel, this interview gave me a fresh perspective on my work. And encouragement! Thanks.
So everybody in Hollywood has the attention span of a three year old. Good to know.
That’s all they have time for!
And brains the size of a peach pit
Do you expect them to waste valuable time wading through crap scripts?
It’s not so much that they don’t have the attention span, they just don’t have the time. They get sent so many screenplays and manuscripts, it’s just not realistic to expect them to read them all completely. You made me laugh tho :)
imagine sitting down to read a 100+ page script everyday when u can read short and easy paragraphs then decide if it's interesting enough to read the full screenplay
Wish I'd heard this from someone back when I was trying to write. Or if I had heard it, I'd wish I'd listened.
Very honest answer
I’ve written scripts....and am trying to get someone to even write the first 5 pages would be a miracle....producers and production companies do get cold scripts sent to them but you are immediately blocked on the website with them saying they don’t read unsolicited scripts it has to be through an agent....then you try and send to agents and almost ALL of them won’t read unsolicited scripts unless it comes from a recommended director or producer!....chicken and egg situation.....a lot of production companies will only read competition winners...and it costs money to send to competitions....it’s impossible....I think it’s all kept within the business...who you know...then you can get a script read.....
"it's not so much if a script is good- where is it gonna sell?" SHEEEEEESH 6:52