Hello,

I'm a newbie to the filmbizz, but fortunately a bit of surfing over this wonderful internet can teach a lot.

I started screenwriting, but I find my storytelling lacks something when I write in script format. Has anyone ever tried writing a normal story first and adapt that to a screenplay? Did it work out?

I'm also having kind of a geographical problem.
I'm in the Netherlands, but I write my best stories in English. How should I go about finding people to work with. (Finding producers and directors to film my screenplay for example?)

"Any mystery devised by mortal minds can be solved therewith." -- Sherlock Holmes

First off, welcome. Second, your in the Netherlands, some beautiful scenery there. Great shoot locals.

Now, as for other things. I take it you just want to write, not write and direct? If you wantt o do both, start firing off some shorts man. If not, perhaps try writting a few shorts for other film makers to make (aka: student, no budget film makers. Prefferably in your area.) Whethere you be a writter, or a director, a hard copy is always better than just paper unless your selling a script, obviously, but a movie made of one of your scripts could help sell you as an honest to goodness screenwritter.)

Finally, your script problem is a somewhat common one, and you have the solution. If you feel the story is being lossed in the dialouge, then create a clear picture of what the story is first. Even if you dont write it in story form, jot down notes. Get a clear beginning, middle and end. Then, break down what each characters part is in that story. If you envision the janitor as an alchoholic, ask yourself if that needs to be covered. Does his drinking effect the story. Its fine if you include that as character background for an actor, but if it isnt part of whats going on, dont have a scene where people discuss his drinking. You have to trim away the fat.
This is what I find most challenging about shorts, especially very short, shorts. You have to establish who a character is (in relation to the story) in one, or two lines of dialouge, or perhaps even in a look, or expression.
In a short I did called "The Elevator" the main character drives up in a nice car, parks, looks in the rearview mirrior, and says to himself "You are in control, you are in charge, and always remember... Im your biggest fan." I hate the line (especially since I had to say it) but in that one line, the audience knows 1) he has some sort of confidence issue, and 2) he is a cheese dick. (the visuals help support all that) That is the character in a nut shell. I didnt need to tell you if he was married, or gay, or liked peanut butter. Trim the fat.

Design your story. Decide what the characters need to do to get from the beginning, to the end. Then start typing away. Hope this helps out some.
R. Michael

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.

The best advice I can give you is to make sure your characters are CHARACTERS, not just charicatures. If you focus on creating living, breathing characters, than excellent stories will evolve naturally. If you try to make everything plot-based, it will turn into nothing but a bland and meaningless cycle of events that nobody will give a crapshoot in Hell about.

Also, work with your strengths and know your weaknesses. If you are a witty guy, use that wit. And if you nobody ever seems to laugh at your jokes, stay away from comedy. Or work with somebody who IS very witty. And if, for example, you are witty, don't make ALL your characters witty. Make them individuals in a cohesive world. There are a number of good books on writing and I'm a firm believer that good writers are also readers (or, in this case, movie watchers). Take in a few of the best films by directors like the Cohen Bros. and Tarantino and Kubrick or whoever you like, and focus on the characters. Try to remove yourself from watching it merely for entertainment and focus on the ways the director and screenwriter(s) make the characters come alive. Watch the same movie over and over again, looking for a very specific aspect every time you watch. Maybe focus completely on one minor character one time when you watch it, then focus completely on a relationship the next time. Through observation you'll begin to build a feel for what makes good chemistry and good characters. If you feel like you can, crack open a book by someone like Fitzgerald or William Gibson. Perhaps the best character crafters of all time is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After you read a few books about Holmes you'll be saying to yourself, "I want MY characters to have that kind of depth and originality!"

Good luck on your endeavors and don't ever be afraid to ask questions or make yourself look foolish by inquiring about what you think might be obvious. If someone gives you a hard time, in my experience it's usually because A) they're an ass hole (this is true of a great many people in student film, unfortunately) and/or B) they don't know any more than you do about the subject. Oh, hell, they probably know a lot of buzzwords but when it comes down to the marrow they probably don't have any idea.

At any rate, you can email me or anyone around here if you have any questions or you can use this forum and others like it throughout the net.

Good luck, good shooting!

Thanks to everyone for the advice so far. I really appreciate it all.

As for that latest wish you guys gave 'good shooting'. That's my second problem. It might take a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years but a good story will come eventually. (Unfortuantely, it will be in English, making a shoot in the Netherlands with Dutch actors, not the ideal thing.)

The problem is, I don't have access to any kind of camera. And my computer is way to old for digital editing. So it'll be hard to distribute my work around the net if I ever find a way to shoot it.

Are there any Dutch filmmakers around here?
I know there could be a few around the University I go to. Any good advice on how to approach them?

"Any mystery devised by mortal minds can be solved therewith." -- Sherlock Holmes

Sure, tell them your a writter. See if the University has a film or video program, and speak with the chair. Tell them what you want to do, and see if you can work out a deal to use their equipment. Be passionate, and relentless. Dont take "no" for an answer (I mean, dont make them call security, but be agressive)
As for Dutch actors, your film can actually earn "credebility" here in the states if it is in another language, such as Dutch. You can do just about any genre, and certain people that might hate, say, a Horror, will accept it, because it is foreign, and therfore, art.
Thast how Robert Rodriguez pulled of "El Mariachi". It was a mexican action film, in spanish. Had it just been an action film, many wouldnt have been interested, but because it was in spanish, many accepted it as a foreign film (even though he is a U.S. Citezen) If you havent already, find, and buy Robert Rodriguezs book "Rebel Without a Crew" It tells how he made that film for $7,000, and how it made him famous. A must have for any serious aspiring film maker.
Good luck, and work hard. Get a crappy camera if you have to, and some cheap editing software. A great man once said "Luck, is when opportunity meets preperation" Be prepared.
R. Michael

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.