SCREENWRITING

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Screenplays we have written and why we wrote them! Screenwriting is for us a challenge of observation, research and recording what we see. The time worn addage of "Show don't tell" is still as applicable as it ever was, perhaps, more so now in these modern times where audiences as a whole are more sophisticated and better educated. The constant need to create the stories that audiences want to see is a challenge to any screenwriter. It has been said that there are no new stories just rehashes of very old ones. We feel that is not true and that there are new stories to tell and we aim towards finding those stories and showing them in the best way possible.
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Screenplay writing, a Spiryl perspective! We write short screenplays as a challenge to ourselves. There is little money in the business of writing shorts, though this seems one of the usual channels for new screenwriters to break into the industry. We are presently developing several feature length screenplays in the genres of "Children's Fantasy"; "Historical Drama"; "Futuristic Drama"; "Sci Fi/Fantasy" "Australian Theme" and "Romantic Comedy". All of our screenplays are character driven stories and many have an unexpected twist in the tale. We presently have one screenplay entered in the KAOS short screenplay competition. Results for this competition are due in April 2003. Two short screenplays have been submitted to producers and we anxiously await the results. SCREENWRITING PARAPHERNALIA Like all industries the film industry has it's own language and it's own collection of paraphernalia for new screenwriters to get around. Learning 'moviespeak' takes time and patience. Learning about the paraphernalia takes a little research. There are a lot of sites on the net that happily gurgle on about what a screenwriter should or shouldn't write and what they should or shouldn't do. I sometimes wonder how anyone manages to sell a book about screenwriting when there is so much information freely available on the internet. All of these sites say to bind the script in brass brads. Uh huh... Sure... Well we had to do a search to find out what these wondrous little paper holder thingies might be that are called brads in movie world. So we went here.. http://www.nyscreenwriter.com/supplies.htm#brads Lo and behold there they were all shiny and cute and all... and all those other amazing little bits and pieces that are needed to make it look like you know what you are doing when you send a script off to a producer. copyright Spiro & Cheryl SCREENWRITING SITES TO VISIT You will need to copy and paste these into your browser. Australian Film Commission : - New Screenwriters Program here is the info for the New Screenwriters Program in Australia, get a foot in the door of the growing movie industry in Australia! http://www.afc.gov.au/ftp/new_swriters.pdf Australian Writers Guild Protect your work become a member! http://www.awg.com.au/index.html How To Write A Screenplay some info on starting out in the screenplay world http://www.joemiale.com/links/howto.html Mecfilms lots of getting started info for screenwriters http://www.mecfilms.com/moviepubs/memos/w-script.htm ScreenwritersUtopia lots of links, info and all kinds of helpful stuff here for screenwriters http://www.screenwritersutopia.com/ Screenwriting 101 Here are easy to understand plain english step by step guides to the many processes that make up screenwriting http://screenwriting.about.com/cs/screenwriting101/ Screenwriting @ About .Com yep another great Abou.Com page..... definitely worth checking out especially if you are just starting out in screenwriting... http://screenwriting.about.com/?once=true& The Screenwriters Web helpfule free information and advice!! get to know what is meant by terms such as logline and learn how to write one that catches the eye of producers! http://www.breakingin.net/ Writers Guild of America The guild for those who write for radio, tv, video, the big screen, and any form of braodcasting, register your screenplay!! Check out the writers resources page!! Loads of useful sites!! http://www.wga.org/ many articles on screenwriting Have a look thrugh the list of articles here....!!! http://www.adfilmworks.com/screenwriting.html scr(i)pt magazine magazine for screenwriters, interedting articles and a competition too! http://www.scriptmag.com/index.shtml moviebytes. com a great resource for all screenwriuters. find out the markets available and the competitions around. Do check out their links page. http://www.moviebytes.com/ Add your link here
THE FORTUNE TELLER This five minute screenplay was developed over a few days. We have to confess to having no idea where the story would go when we wrote the first few words. The Fortune Teller was entered into the MoviePoet five minute screenplay competition December 2002. The Fortune Teller was a finalist in the competition. THE FORTUNE TELLER By Spiro & Cheryl D EXT. CIRCUS. DAY Amidst the sights and sounds of a buzzing Circus saunters HELEN, a widow in her 50's. Her cool long dress flapping as she moves almost childlike around the attractions in a sense of awe she marvels at everything. She stands for a few seconds outside a brightly colored tent. FORTUNES READ is emblazoned over the entry to the tent. She allows herself to enter. INT. CIRCUS. FORTUNE TELLERS TENT. DAY HELEN peers hesitantly into the room seeing a table in the middle with a single pack of Tarot cards on it. Incense smoke is wafting to the ceiling. Candles mounted in tall candle stands light the tent. Around the walls of the room hang carpets and strange, arcane symbols. From behind a curtain the FORTUNE TELLER, glides into the room. He is a man apparently in his sixth decade, robed in layers of bright chiffon and a brightly colored turban and long flowing beard. Their eyes meet. Helen nervously smiles. The fortune Teller indicates the seat. FORTUNE TELLER Please… The Fortune Teller is measured in his movements, moving gracefully and gliding into place. His glistening eyes and smile soften his strong handsome face. Helen quickly descends into her seat. He extends his left hand and with his right hand he indicates the sign hanging near the door with the prices of consultations listed. Helen reads the list and then fumbles in her purse. She pays him. He hands her the cards and gestures to shuffle. She shuffles them slowly and thoughtfully places them gently on the table when finished. FORTUNE TELLER (flatly) You will be disappointed… He picks up the cards and spreads them out into a pattern deeply considering them. HELEN Not if you tell me the truth I wont… Will my investments yield? FORTUNE TELLER No! Never… HELEN Well. Then when will I marry again? FORTUNE TELLER Not again…ever… HELEN I see. Then what sort of man will come into my life? I'm not that unattractive. FORTUNE TELLER There will be no more men in your life. HELEN (annoyed) Well then. What's the use of this life then? I won't get rich. I'll stay alone. And I won't get to know another man. FORTUNE TELLER I don't know. I only see the future. I don't evaluate it. HELEN Yes but I paid you… There is a pause as Helen looks away from his gaze. He looks on gently smiling. FORTUNE TELLER You paid for a reading of the future. I have given you what you paid for. Helen shifts uncertainly in her seat. FORTUNE TELLER Tomorrow will be like today, and day after that will be like the day before yesterday. Helen draws back sharply. HELEN Oh God no. FORTUNE TELLER I see your remaining days quietly passing. You will not travel anywhere. You will think no new thoughts. You will experience no new passions. Older you will become but not wiser. Childless you are, and childless you shall remain. That strange simplicity which once attracted a few men to you will not endure. Helen is visibly uncomfortable as she adjusts her clothing. FORTUNE TELLER (continuing) People will talk to you and visit you out of pity. You only live on dreaming of the nice things you would like to have happened to you which never do. When you die you will be buried and forgotten and that is all. HELEN (snapping) I thought you said you didn't evaluate… FORTUNE TELLER You are correct. I don't evaluate. I am telling it like it is. HELEN Give me something I can hope for. FORTUNE TELLER There is no hope. You will live you miniature little life in your dollhouse home in your nice little suburb, doing the same thing day in and day out. HELEN No! FORTUNE TELLER Well that is your future. Doing the same small meaningless things you have done for the last fifty-eight years. HELEN (laughing) This is a joke right? A circus prank just for fun. Come on. Give me the real reading this isn't funny! FORTUNE TELLER Wrong again. This is no joke. Simply the truth. There was once love of a sort in your past. But there is none in your future. HELEN Well. You are the strangest Fortune Teller I've ever known. FORTUNE TELLER (dignified) You asked for the truth. HELEN (sweetly) Have you ever been in love? FORTUNE TELLER Madam, I have lived an eternity and all that time I have been a bachelor. Do you have any further questions? Helen smiles seductively at the fortune teller. HELEN Yes. Do you prefer the left or right side? FORTUNE TELLER Of? HELEN The bed! The fortune teller is stunned by the question and in his hesitation to reply Helen moves in on him. Sliding a business card across the table to him. HELEN Come up and see some time. You might be wrong about their not being any more men in my life. Helen gets up from the seat and heads towards the exit. She turns back just in time to see the fortune teller slip her card into his pocket. She smiles.