British Film Scripts

[mrtbc]

Hi all - new member here.

Firstly, I'd like to say that I've just become a huge fan of Shane's work. I've joined the party pretty late, watching A Room for Romeo Brass and Dead Man's Shoes in the last week and...Wow! That's all I can say. Two awesome pieces of art.

So, here's my question about film making.

What is the best thing to do with a film script, based in Britain, if you have no ambitions to be a director? All I want to do is write film scripts, not direct them, so where do I go with my finished work?

I know that in the US you can submit scripts 'on spec', but can I do the same thing here? And if so, who should I approach.

Alternatively, am I better off trying to locate an amateur director who likes my work? i.e. a director who doesn't want to write, or at the most wants to write collaboratively?

Any advice would be MOST gratefully received.

Thanks guys, and Shane - keep up the good work, you really are an inspiration to so many people, man.

[PatrickCoyle]

Hi mrtbc, welcome to the site. As to the script thing, other folks here will have a much better idea than I, but as far as I know, it's just a case of researching who (if anyone) is accepting unsolicited scripts at the moment. I think someone here had a good experience with BBC Writersroom giving feedback, but they are obviously after TV stuff.

There are always several script competitions running, much like film festivals. Win one of those and you could be onto something. There are guys here who know all the sites and communities that have the info on these.

As you say, finding an amateur director is one way of tackling it - the only problem is, how do you find one you know you can trust with your script without a solid body of work behind them? I guess that's a pretty rigorous and risky process, but one that could pay dividends and result in a great career collaboration.

Sorry I'm not more help, I'm sure others will be. But it's nice to see a writer on here. I'm an aspiring writer-director myself, as are a lot of us folks. Good luck with it man, if you ever want to discuss it or want someone to read it and tell you what they think let me know - although I don't blame you if you don't want to be freely distributing it around the internet.

All the best,

Coyle

[Kezz]

Welcome to the site..

& I'd say the next step for you is to look into being a producer.

Get your script, and try to come up with how it can be made on the lowwest possible budget.. or try to get funding some how (or make a lot of friends willing to help you out!)..

Then get someone else to direct it.. (and the rest of your cast and crew)..

Bobs your uncle!

Only thing is, it wouldn't neccasarily go down as 'yours'.. if someone else gave you funding for it. But I suppose thats up to you how you negotiate it.

[mrtbc]

Thanks very much everyone.

I've never heard of script competitions before, so that's very interesting. Like the idea of that. More than anything, I would be happy enough to try and sell one or two scripts on spec. That would be a good gauge of whether I'm producing anything of interest to anyone, and I can go from there...

[Dazza]

Dude welcome to the site its one of the best out there, firstly why do you not want to direct your own script? I mean Is there a certain reason behind not wanting to direct?

I currently write/film/direct and in some cases act in my own amateur short films and pretty much love every aspect of it. I don't know if I would ever be comfortable directing someone elses work as sometimes that person has a picture of what they want there film to be and if I made it and it wasnt what they liked I would feel I had failed them in some way. That said I would always work with other people on collaberating ideas and working on a film.

You will find this site very useful sharing ideas and getting constructive feedback from other members.

[mrtbc]

Hi DazzaB.
I guess there are Christopher Nolans and Jonathan Nolans. I just happen to be the latter...

[flashpointharry]

Hi MrTBC,

I'm in a similar boat to you mate, except I write short screenplays as opposed to features. A slightly smaller boat then. Funsize kayak or summink.

Anyhoo, I'd say a good place to start is Mandy, which is like a notice board for recruitment in the UK film industry and gets updated daily. More often than not you'll get someone crop up on there who's a producer/director after a script to get their teeth into, usually a PR outfit who want to make the leap from ads/music vids to shorts/features. Keep fishing and maybe you'll get a bite.

The other place I'd suggest is TriggerStreet, which is a screenplay community. Sign up, have a read and leave comments for some other people's scripts that are up there for exhibition and then you can submit your own for critique. People normally give you pointers and tips, plus I'm sure there's a few scouts lurking in the wings. If it's a short script you've written you can always submit it to Kaos Films, who run a yearly short screenplay competition where the winner is guaranteed to get their work produced right here in Blighty. Though the 2006 round has been and gone, so you'd have to hang on till next year.

Hope that helps. Main thing is you keep writing, and try try try! Jonah Nolan was lucky enough to write a short story that got picked up by Time and have a brother who was a dab hand with a camera. There's always a bit of luck involved, but if you practise your craft and believe in yourself then you can't go far wrong ;D Good luck with it, mate.

[mrtbc]

Thanks very much everyone, keep it up!

I've written (unpublished) novels in the past and have only just turned to screenplays - so one thing I don't have any problems with is writing. :-)

[inny]

im in the same boat as u too mate only i do aspire to direct my own stuff as i feel only i know how my ideas work however im un educated and dont know where to start and as fer cimera i cant spell it let alone use one, not that i could afford one anyroad,lol any wayim not even sure what a script should looklike i only found out the meaning of a log line through this site, my foray is dialogue and original story lines my only experience is watching telly and travelling with and without the army and living some rare times with rare folk, if any one can advise me or would like to collaberate with e lease e-mal me. as fer you mrtbc,the replies you get r the ones im lookin fer m8 so good luck an hope you get where u want to belove to know where your based? maybe we could team up