Do find it important to write a script of some kind for a movie?

Is it just me or is this question phrased in a very odd manner? I honestly have no idea what you're asking.

Do you want to know if it's important to have a script before jumping into production?
Or,
Do you want to know if we all feel some intrinsic need to write scripts to maintain our sanity?
Or,
Something else?

If Im understanding the question, I would say, you need a script of some kind, but this could meanmany things. Improv is great, when done right, but you should probablly still have a rough outline of what is going to happen. Then, sometimes the "script" could simply be story boards, and a shot list. Drawings representing what should happen. This is helpful if your one of those people that loaths writting.

I always preach about the importance of just shooting something. So, script or not, its better to be behind the camera, than to be behind a desk, racking your brain. An exercise myself, and some buddies use to do, was wed pick out like three props ( say a pick axe, some rope, and a suitcase) then, a location where no one would bother us (An old barn, or tool shed, some woods, an abandoned factory) Then wed go there, set out or props, and say, "Whats are story?" We would make it up right there on the spot. Some were lame, but after a while, we got pretty good. Sometimes, the idea would be so good, we would come back for more shooting and make a true short film out of it. The idea is, it forces you to be spontanious, and creative, and un like the stage, if you have a funny idea, halfway through a shot, but dont quite nail it, you can always do take 2. Just a thought, keep shooting.
R. M. McWhorter

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.

Hmm, Well I would say Writing a Script first since If your like me and your pre-planning the production you want to know where go start and get all those ideas floating around on Paper. I know that alot of my ideas will totally wander off If I dont organize them. I just wrote a simple 3-Page script ( Just something to put into my idea booklet lol) and It went from a Horror Story to a Mini-Series involving Memento Style Filming and Martial Arts lol.

But I would have to say out of all my what like 3- Bad Films lol, That the best were entirely improved.

I would say a script is extremely important. You would have a very frustrated cast and crew without it.

I find that beginners need scripts more so than skilled actors and actresses. Like "Tizzy" was saying, if you have good talent than you can pull it off.
If you've ever seen the movie M.A.S.H, or maybe read about it, then you've probably seen or heard that the script was used very freely if at all. The script was used for more of a broad outline for the shooting. I heard that over half of the main cast wanted to quite mid way through the shooting because they thought the idea was crazy and the writer was pissed about the whole "mess", but in the end the movie turned out to be a classic and one of the best movies from the 70's.
So it's kinda a double ended sword...it could be bad or good either way. Um, actually that makes no sense but I think you guys got the idea, lol. Oh and that idea about the props and private location sounds great! About to try it this next weekend!

~Don't Let BUSH Exploit 911~

Cool, let me know how the props/ location thing works for ya. Remember, it may suck, most of our first did.
R. M. McWhorter

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.

Yes.

How many people did you usually use? And how long did you film for?

~Don't Let BUSH Exploit 911~

3 to 6 usually. Remember though, you are losing one, atleast some of the time, as a camera operator.

As for how long, we would usually do one full day, from moring to night. Usually a Saturday. Sometimes, if we liked it, we would come back on Sunday, or even additional weekends so we did it right. Just keep it simplat at first, basic. Maybe throw in one twist we havent seen before. Have fun with it, and be creative. Good luck.
R. Michael McWhorter

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.

The script is #1..... if you're a film maker that is trying to make this your career.

Probably not important if film making is a hobby....


Jayb

In my latest & greatsest, "The Underground," We began filming with a detailed script. However, by the third week into production, we completely trashed it. We've shot 3 different endings, and all of our dialogue has been done on the spot. Before filming we always knew what was going to happen in each scene, we just didn't know what would be said or how the scene would be executed. I LOVE working this way. It keeps things fresh and always keeps the vibe on the set very creative and fast pased. The only thing I WOULDN'T reccomend this technique for is when you have a strict deadline. For instance we were filming at a private school campus a while back, and we only had two hours to get in, shoot, and get out. This was the climax of the film. We needed about 6 hours, but unfortunately, they couldn't pay security to stay that late. (We tried filming it once without permission and we were almost arrested. It's a good thing my actors dad is the head of theatre at the school, otherwise we would have been banned.) Anyways, we didn't know exactly what to expect when we got there. THE VIBE WAS WAY WAY TOO STRESSED, WAY too fast pased, and everyone was screaming at eachother. I def. learned form this experience. Another problem with shooting without a script is continuity. You better have a good memory of what happened (IE: movments etc) in previous takes. Anyways I think this is my longest post. This has gotten boring. C YA