Finding a good script at DVinfo.net

February 5th, 2006, 04:17 PM

How do you, as a film-maker, find a good script (outside of writing one yourself or through friends)? I'm looking for a script for a short; I've looked at some of the script network sites such as inktip.com and scriptnet (at venicearts.com) but haven't dug into them heavily. Anyone have any good/bad experiences using these?

Also, what would be a typical price range or expectations someone would want for his/her short script? I would hope it wouldn't be that much $$ considering it had a chance to be made. But then, I may be way off.

Finally, are there any logistics or gotchas that should be considered when "purchasing" a script (besides that it should be registered or copyrighted).

Thanks for any input.

Eric Brown · February 5th, 2006, 07:26 PM

Hey Donald, I have a short script that I wouldn't mind sending you. I entered it in Slamdance a few years back and got really good comments on it. It placed high but not quite high enough to place in the winner slots.
I usually like writing and shooting my own stuff but would like to see someone take a crack at my work. Let me know.

Emre Safak · February 5th, 2006, 07:28 PM

I picked a writer for a roommate :) You could try posting on craigslist. There are tons of budding screenwriters. The only challenge is finding one whose vision agrees with yours...

February 5th, 2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Brown

Hey Donald, I have a short script that I wouldn't mind sending you. I entered it in Slamdance a few years back and got really good comments on it. It placed high but not quite high enough to place in the winner slots.
I usually like writing and shooting my own stuff but would like to see someone take a crack at my work. Let me know.

Eric,
Yeah, I'll take a look at it. It'll be a good start for me. Thanks.

February 6th, 2006, 12:54 AM

Hi Donald,

I am a screenwriter who went to American Film Institue in Hollywood. Although, I usually write feature length scripts, I have written shorter ones.

If you don't find what you are looking for that fits your needs, you might want to develop a script that best suits you creative vision?

If you let me know what kind of short, including length, genre, number of actors, production limitations, etc I will see what I can come up with.

I am sure we can work something out for a no budget project.

Dylan Pank · February 6th, 2006, 04:45 AM

Another good resource is university undergrad or MA writing programmes. I know in the London College of Printing (which has Video/film production and screenwriting programmes), all the short scripts that the screenwriting students do are held in a database (though I don't think it's online) and filmmakers do come looking for scripts. I know a writer from the LCP who had one of her scripts turned into a very successful short film (in terms of festivals, awards, TV sales etc.) the link for the finished film is here Even creative writing courses where the students don't do film scripts for the course, might produce stories that could be adapted to a short film script.

The gotchas are that the writer has to sign the rights for thew scriptover to you, so your completely covered and any distribution of money earned is CLEARLY agreed before hand.

Richard Alvarez · February 6th, 2006, 07:34 AM

www.inktip.com has a seachable database for short scripts. ANyone can look at the listings. The synopsis are listed,along with the contact info on the writers. YOU work out the deal with the writers.

In order to seach the feature database, you have to register as a producer, agent or director.

Good luck.

Eric Brown · February 6th, 2006, 12:30 PM

Hey, Don. Are you set up for PM? Otherwise if you have a P.O. box I can mail you a hard copy. Incidentally, I'm not expecting any compensation for my work, just the ability to retain rights to my script/story alone. If that works for you let me have your info.

February 5th, 2006, 04:17 PM	#1
Donald Lee Posts: n/a	Finding a good script How do you, as a film-maker, find a good script (outside of writing one yourself or through friends)? I'm looking for a script for a short; I've looked at some of the script network sites such as inktip.com and scriptnet (at venicearts.com) but haven't dug into them heavily. Anyone have any good/bad experiences using these? Also, what would be a typical price range or expectations someone would want for his/her short script? I would hope it wouldn't be that much $$ considering it had a chance to be made. But then, I may be way off. Finally, are there any logistics or gotchas that should be considered when "purchasing" a script (besides that it should be registered or copyrighted). Thanks for any input.

February 5th, 2006, 07:26 PM	#2
Eric Brown Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 427	Script Hey Donald, I have a short script that I wouldn't mind sending you. I entered it in Slamdance a few years back and got really good comments on it. It placed high but not quite high enough to place in the winner slots. I usually like writing and shooting my own stuff but would like to see someone take a crack at my work. Let me know.

February 6th, 2006, 04:45 AM	#6
Dylan Pank Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 611	Another good resource is university undergrad or MA writing programmes. I know in the London College of Printing (which has Video/film production and screenwriting programmes), all the short scripts that the screenwriting students do are held in a database (though I don't think it's online) and filmmakers do come looking for scripts. I know a writer from the LCP who had one of her scripts turned into a very successful short film (in terms of festivals, awards, TV sales etc.) the link for the finished film is here Even creative writing courses where the students don't do film scripts for the course, might produce stories that could be adapted to a short film script. The gotchas are that the writer has to sign the rights for thew scriptover to you, so your completely covered and any distribution of money earned is CLEARLY agreed before hand. Last edited by Dylan Pank; February 6th, 2006 at 10:31 AM. Reason: edited for clarity

February 5th, 2006, 07:28 PM	#3
Emre Safak Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,447	I picked a writer for a roommate :) You could try posting on craigslist. There are tons of budding screenwriters. The only challenge is finding one whose vision agrees with yours...

February 6th, 2006, 12:54 AM	#5
Guest Posts: n/a	Hi Donald, I am a screenwriter who went to American Film Institue in Hollywood. Although, I usually write feature length scripts, I have written shorter ones. If you don't find what you are looking for that fits your needs, you might want to develop a script that best suits you creative vision? If you let me know what kind of short, including length, genre, number of actors, production limitations, etc I will see what I can come up with. I am sure we can work something out for a no budget project.

February 6th, 2006, 07:34 AM	#7
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	www.inktip.com has a seachable database for short scripts. ANyone can look at the listings. The synopsis are listed,along with the contact info on the writers. YOU work out the deal with the writers. In order to seach the feature database, you have to register as a producer, agent or director. Good luck.

February 6th, 2006, 12:30 PM	#8
Eric Brown Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 427	Hey, Don. Are you set up for PM? Otherwise if you have a P.O. box I can mail you a hard copy. Incidentally, I'm not expecting any compensation for my work, just the ability to retain rights to my script/story alone. If that works for you let me have your info.