To Devin, Nick on those on Chud who are serious about helping a screenwriter

Basically, I am, as a hobby, writing scripts for the pleasure and fun of doing so. At the moment, I am working on a superman script for the inevitable reboot that is coming around. I hope to "catch that wave"..if not a got like a gazillion other ideas for script ideas(lovecraft, green lantern movie, MMA themed film, etc, etc)

I am not overly committed(I am taking my time)...but I could use a CONSTRUCTIVE analysis from somebody else in order to help "clear a path" and streamline my work..

The idea is to make contacts on myspace...write, write, write and write some more...playing the statistics until someone notices(good thing I'm not burnt out or have writers block yet)....

I would also love a co-writer/editor..but really just a curtious critic will be good enough..

I need to buy screenwriting software, and join the writers guild...but I won't do the latter until the first draft of the Superman script is finished...

Anyway, the myspace page is as followed: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndid=418455389

I am more than willing to hear what people like and don't like(hell I might suck completely as a writer)..but inevitabley if I feel that criticism is just a way to inflate someone's self-important ego...don't bother coming to the page...This is supposed to be fun experience for everyone involved...Cya..

seeing the heartless and completely unengaging crap that gets passed for films nowadays(some of it..not all of it..there is still some great stuff being made)...I think I can take a decent stab at it...

Do I know I can write decent screenplay? Nope, but I have a ton of ideas and you have to start somewhere...

Tarintino started out the exact same way..I am not a great technical writer..but I am very good with wordplay and can usually express myself fairly well..

I guess you don't like Tarantino? Or are you making fun of me because I happend to mispell his name and you feel you have some sort intellectual superiority? I don't know man ..its hard to gauge someone who posts a "sigh" in their responses like they are some sort of crossed 12 year old girl...

But please continue wasting my time and judging me when you haven't even seen my work..

thanks Devin...I don't agree with all of your viewpoints on film..but that really means alot and shows alot of maturity not to do the typical "alpha male" pile on...

Your TOTALLY right...but thats not why I am doing it(not for fame or fortune)....its because I truly enjoy it...if it doesn't work out I am totally cool with it(its a hobby)..you think I am going to give up my day job? LOL

yeah thats absolutely stupid and shows a completely unpragmatic way to approach it. Getting into Hollywood is like winning the lottery...you have to be in the "right place in the right time"...

there are PLENTY of actors, and writers who have tremendous talent who will never even come close to a film set...its just the way it is...

However, if I get lucky...I can use this a means of income and do something I love....but I would never not have a contingency plan...that is just asking for trouble..

I'm intriqued what exactly is the premise behind a simpson's spec script...

I have thought of doing a lovecraft move(adaption of shadow over innsmouth or a new story altogether), a green lantern movie, a period picture, a civil war drama, a western, ...a romance movie taking place in a MMA gym....

but I have never thought of a simpsons script...I actually would like a to take a shot at it...infact I really want to write about something where I have to spend a alot of time researching...

Why? I have already taken film courses and I have no interest in being a director, editor, set designer, sound mixer, producer(well I have vague interest in that). Technical aspects of film greatly benefit from being trained at a film school. But screenwriting is more or less a take on Aristotle's Poetics(which is a simple three act story at its core..beginning, middle, end)

I feel its better, and more cost efficent to just learn screenwriting by going to library and reading up on screenwriting theory....there isn't really a whole lot to learn actually..I think someone would be better off having a major in literary history or a straight english major. Not to mention, I am 28 years old....and even though going back to school is not really a crazy idea persey...I just really have no interest unless I really feel I can learn something...

Btw, what constitutes fanfic vs an actual script...how do you define the differences....isn't everything a fanfic if your adapting an iconic character? I feel that its kind of a disengenious comment..

yeah but here is the catch in all of this...

Nothing is new, or will ever be "new"...everything revolves around 50(or atleast from what I remember from Literary comparison and history)themes....

The uniquesness comes from the voice of the writer or writers based on the era and cultural values that encompass them...

Not to mention, a simple three part act story structure would probably be the rule of thumb for a comic book character..no? I mean this really isn't an ensemble piece with multiple character perspectives and interpetations
(Rashamon for example)

Btw, I am not trying to be confrontational with you guys...your asking relevant questions...but I think I have already evolved or moved past screenwriting theory and actually just writing the thing..

Oh please this place aint shit when it comes to obnoxiousness....if you want some real fun go over to Joe Rogan board...that place is nothing but people flaming each other...I have ZERO ego when it comes to discussion(I will be the first to admit when I am wrong)...

Unfortunatley, I can't say the same for everyone else....I also just had a real interesting idea of doing a Ghostbusters movie(I need to buy a LARGE journal..to write down any ideas that pop into my head...sometimes a scene will literally play out in your head..and you need to be on top of that shit)...doesn't hurt if you can draw too and do some storyboarding(even if its really basic)

alright, since I feel you guys are starting to get where I am coming from... I will give a sample of my Superman script in the post below(if you like it...I will post a couple more..but I have to cut it off..cause I am still not registered with the guild..which means anyone can steal this)

But first I want to go back to the MMA thing...its not a homosexual romance(although I must admit that would be hilarious..although WAY too controversial for me to attempt...that is, I don't have the balls)...No, the idea came from Gina Corano who is a female MMA fighter(and quite attractive)who was in a interview discussing how she would like to do a love story in a MMA gym....I was playing around with possible ideas..

But, nothing has really stirred my interests....I am WAY more interested in doing some sort of biopic pic on the guy Evan Tanner who died recently(in the desert of dehydration I believe)..I was watching his youtube videos on some interviews of him...and the guy is fascinating. His world views and philosophies are so deep/sensitive...that I would have NEVER have thought it would come from MMA fighter(who I would picture as just some sort of "meathead")...Tanner showed me, in his interviews, that I carried some really stupid preconcieved notions about what it means to be a figher:

Anyway, watch this..its interesting stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBwja....joerogan.net/

anyways, for your flaming and disecting enjoyment(this is a repost):

The movie, in question, is a script which is to serve as a "reboot" for the Superman film series(I am HUGE comic book fan)...and since comic book films seem to be being made "hand over fist" it seems appropriate for its "flag ship" character to recieve the proper treatment..

The ultimate goal of this film is to humanize Superman and bring him into our modern world with our current problems of a populace that doesn't trust its government, global terrorism, and economic manipulation/dishonesty...Kal-El arrives on earth in Kansas around the year of 1974...and it works it way to the present where Superman finally reveils himself to the world..

I am trying, with this movie, to not only make a superman film but offer an allegory with our current world..and maybe inspire us to do something about it...I know I can write the script in about a week(the thing is practically writing itself)...

The only problem is I am looking for a co-writer/editor to bounce off ideas with and collaborate with(collaborations almost always make for the best films)..

I am using a Aristotle's Poetics template with a three part act structure...I have finished outlining the first act(his arrival)and am working on act two(birth)...I have also wrote a few speeches for the film(Jor-el's hologram/Supermans oath) and scenes ...I will post one in a follow up message if you guys are interested...

the movie is HIGHLY influenced by the Richard Donner/Reeves movies as well as John Byrds "Man of Steel" reboot mini-series for DC in 1986..."What ever happened to the Man of Tommorow?" by Alan Moore
Lastly, I visually am influenced by Alex Ross's work on Kingdom Come..there is also a SLIGHT nod to the "Dark knight Returns" by Frank Miller where perticuliar theme in novel is explored in the script...

For actors/actresses....I really don't have a beat on who should play Superman...other than he should be between the ages of 28-35...But I have narrowed down the actresses for Lois Lane should be (from most wanted to least...but all three could get the job done): Natalie Portman(I just watched Goyas Ghosts and her performance inspired me...and I didn't think much of her as a actress prior to watching that...blew me away), Eva Green, Anne Hathaway..

I have about a 6 month window, I estimate, to finish this thing before someone elses script gets greenlighted(since they are rebooting the franchise) or even better..they merge my script with somone elses and give me a writing credit..

My goal isn't wealth or fame(although I should probably become apart of writers guild when I finish the first draft and postmark it)...its me wanting to see a great movie that I can move or inspire others... I think cinema today desperatly needs a quality Superman film...Just like Star Wars got the American public over the Vietnam war and gave them something to root for...this film, I hope, can give people a release and perhaps inspire them when they leave the theater...

alright, I'll continue on(I am back to writing and crossing my fingers someone will want to jump in as a editor/co-writer)
I envision this movie as a three part story...the first is called "The Last Son of Krypton"...the second "The Man of Steel" ...the Third "The Man of Tommorow"....it has a overall storyarc between three films..
Lex Luthor is the villian in the first film...Lex Luthor is a highly powerful business entrepeuer
(think Donald Trump..Lexicorp is trying to be the most powerful multinational corporation in the world)who moonlights as a arms dealer, financier to various terrorists cells that he uses to destablize economies and markets so that Lexicorp can move in and control that said region...(think S.P.E.C.T.R.E from the James Bond movies)
Brainiac is the main villian in the second..

Here is a sample of the last scene(the first thing I wrote when writing this script)again...this is just the first draft I expect to tighten this up considerably with someone else:
Context: Superman has just saved the planet from a nuclear holocaust when Luthers Terrorists cells went "rogue" and cut themselves from his control...they gained a nuclear warhead and a weapons platform...launching the weapon at Odessa in which its missle instilliations contain "doomsday device" failsafe...which means that if Odessa's military silos are distroyed a chain reaction of missles are sent all over the world which would turn launch even more missles in retaliation...bassically distroying our entire planet..just like Superman's home of Krypton. Long story short, Superman is able to prevent the missle from reaching its destination by hurling the missle and himself into the sun..nearly killing himself in the process..he survives, however, and is called a few days later to recieve a great honor from the President of United States

Further Context is that Superman had met the President previousily and the President comes off as manipulating, evil, self absorbed man...Superman doesn't like him..nor his aspirations of turning him into a weapon for the United States...the ceremony is as followed:

Ext-Day-Clear-Large podium in a field with Media and various crowds observing

President: Today, we honor not only a great citizen, a great American, but a great soldier for these United States of America..
President: As a token of this government's appreciation for your brave and selfless works I am making you Superman Chief Advisor of our Joing Chief of Staffs..
President: In addition, I am utilizing my rights to certain executive priviliages to allow Superman full and total control of our armed forces if an emergency need arise
President: I am sure that Superman will be a fine General and leader of our boys when the enemy is threatening this great nation...what do you say Superman? Our finest soldier..

Superman: (glaring directly into the eyes of the president)I don't serve you Mr. President
Superman: (shifting his eyes to the audience)I serve them

Superman moves up to the podium begins his oath:
My people who came from the distant planet of Krypton were once a great civilization. However, they were blinded by ignorance, complaceny, and corruption. It, ultimatley distroyed my ancestors. I will not allow, under any circumstance, for the same fate to befall my adopted home of Earth. So I offer this to all the nations of the world and its people- I offer you hope- Me, Kal-el, the one you call superman is not your king- but I am your friend and guardian.

Moves to the center of the stage and slowly lifts to the air elevating himself while the mass crowds look up to him in awe
Superman: (Continuing)and I will be listening...

With his last words, Superman shoots vertically through the sky out of every one view...with the Superman fanfare playing in the background..

The End

Butler reread my posts from the start...I have already said I need to buy screen writing software and register with the guild...this is a rough/rough draft..

<shrugs>yeah well I can only speak for myself...but I love the concepts that superman represents...hope, love, and compassion..the basic tenents of what makes us human(the irony is that superman isn't even human to begin with)...

Some people, however, can't really identify with that..perhaps due to an extremely cynical view of the world(I can appreciate that...I am a cynic as well)..the romanticized view of things just don't appeal to them..

Curious, are you a big batman fan?

Although I think you won't identify with superman...you absoluely would identify with Lex Luthor...I tried to give him some redeemable qualites in the script(that always makes for the most interesting of villians when you can sympathize or understand some of their views)

No, I think a we are in a PRIME period right now for a superman film....I am going to give you an experiment...watch the first superman film(and look past the dated special effects)...its still relevant..

Singer had half of the right idea...using the donner films as inspirition..but the execution was just horrific...not to mention GODAWFUL casting decisions...Kate Bosworth was horrific as Lois Lane....which is ironic because Parker Posey would have been PERFECT as Lois Lane...

Plus, the Luthor land grab shit was retarded(Superman needed to have a cosmic enemey...Brianic..Mongol would have worked)and the superboy baby shit was STUPID...

Lois Lane, in terms of her character, would have probably never married into a traditional life after having her ideal man in superman(she saids this outright in superman 1: paraphrasing"I got a sister three kids, two cats, and a mortgage....BLAH")...she is a "all or nothing" personality type...and she would have NEVER had animosity towards superman(this is a guy who changed the course of human history just to keep her alive..and she would be pissed because he decided to take sabbatical? What?)

Superman was WAY too young....if it was supposed to be a direct sequel to superman 2....and superman has been gone for like 6 years or so....Superman needed to be in his late 30's-early 40's...not his mid to late twenties(that is when we first meet him)

Everyone, I appreciate the comments...but you have to bear in mind....I can't even register this thing until I have scriptwriting software and polish a first draft. The important thing in the brainstorming or conceptualizing phase are ideals, themes, and basic dialogue..its the feeling that counts...

Slater and to some who I don't believe have read this thread from the beginnning....I have a ton of ideas. Some totally original(Its just that I am looking at the climate of the business and superhero movies are the "thing" today...if this was the 40's...I would be writing a detective noir piece)

My mindset is currently as writer for hire, or whoring myself for writing...I am willing to, literally, write about anything. Even subject matters I have little or no interest in and would have to research or invest time understanding

Superman, is just a labor of love in that ...I think the current world climate needs a Superman movie and Warner Brothers seems to be more than willing to try to get this character to work. I think I can make him work or atleast contribute to the end goal...I want people to love that character again. I want people not to be dismissive when I bring up Superman..

Btw, how do some of you distinquish fanfics from a bonafide script?

Plus, I think writing about this I have real passion for and identity with..is a great way to start and learn because its easier to write about...

I am curious, and I would like all of you to respond to this...What do you guys think, in a pragmatic sense, about a doing a Green Lantern or Flash movie?

Just curious Slater, did Oliver Stone get noticed in this industry by essentially being a co-writer or developmental writer....he did co-write Conan..no? How about John Landis?

I'll write another entry today...and try to make it a bit more polished...I'll give you a couple options of what you want to see(but make it count..because after the next entry...I can't post any more scenes..and the next time I bring this up..it will be because I have finished it, registered it, and trying to shop it around)

a)Superman's death/rebirth
b)Jor-el's Hologram(I have't gotten past the outline)
c)Lana's/Clark's secret
d)The interview and courtship of Louis Lane(Conceptualization.but I have played this scene out in my head so many damn times that Its actually my favorite scenes in the script)...Even though its a little too similar to the Donner films..I also have another way of approaching this...that interview would be done "on the fly" by Louis Lane..where she is able to corner superman(at some catastrophic event he just saved) and they just start talking to each other and develop a great repoire

I can tell you guys, flat out, that this script is WAY too damn long and obviousily I have to cut alot of things...I would actually like for Kevin Smith to take a look at it when I finish. Considering he is an actual comic book fan and all..did anyone read his Superman script from the 90's? Was it any good?

I apprecitate the comments..but I don't care about my rep(what, honestly, do I have to lose?)...hell I don't want to pitch the fucking thing...I just want someone to read it...see if they like it..and if they do either optioning it outright or combine with another script to make a new one...I basically just want a writing credit to put on resume...


But I absoluely see what your saying...but I won't stop writing this...I am too invested and passionate about it...if that pisses off some young yuppie film producer that some unknown might have an interesting take on this character(or it might be shit)..and he is threatened by that...well fuck him...he should have never gotten into an industry involving creativity anyways...he is just a glorified accoutant..