Donald L. Vasicek

Tag: writing

  • “The Zen of Spec Script Versus Shooting Script”

    A shooting script, written from the
    spec script by a screenwriter with
    the director, puts everything in the
    screenplay that needs to be there
    for shooting. Therefore, the lines
    spoken in a foreign language are
    written out in its native language
    for the actors.

    The first time a character in your
    spec script speaks in a foreign
    language, simply put under the
    character’s name in parenthesis,
    (Spanish). Then proceed to write
    the dialogue in English throughout
    the rest of the script.

    Remember, a spec script is written
    to get doors to open. So, the
    screenwriter must make the screenplay
    easy to read, fast to read, and cut-to-the-
    chase so that the reader can move on to
    the next script he or she has to read.
    They don’t want to stumble upon some
    foreign language. They’ll toss the script
    in the slush pile.

    Donald L. Vasicek
    Writer/Filmmaker/Consultant
    http://michaelc.nextmp.net/wordpress
    dvasicek@earthlink.net

  • “Zen Values, July 4th and Writing”

    What do you see when you
    look at yourself in the mirror?
    Exploding fireworks like July
    4th? If so, you’ve celebrated
    July 4th when it wasn’t July 4th.

    Why the fireworks? Does it
    have anything to do with how
    you feel about yourself, your
    life? If it does, then, you might
    want to replace the explosion
    with peace.

    “How can I do that? I’m in debt.
    I hate my job. Gas prices are
    greed at its finest. Peace? What
    am I supposed to do, smile while
    my life dissipates?”

    “That is your choice to make. I
    choose writing.”

    “What does that do for anyone?”

    “It gives one a point of reference,
    a place where one can go to pull
    the weeds out of their life. Writing
    can be metamorphic. It can change
    the way you perceive yourself and
    your life. Try it today. In one hour,
    you will feel something inside of
    you that you have forgotten.

    “Simply, you will remember to be
    happy today. Tomorrow is up to
    you, just don’t forget to be happy
    tomorrow as well.”

    Donald L. Vasicek
    Olympus Films+, LLC
    http://michaelc.nextmp.net/wordpress
    dvasicek@earthlink.net

  • “Market Ready Screenplays”

    Writing screenplays and getting them
    sold and produced are highly competitive.
    One must write screenplays that are
    market ready. To do anything less will
    result in failure.

    A market ready screenplay requires
    dialogue, characterization, format, plot, subplot(s),
    action, narrative, description, etc. that must
    execute genres which people will go see at the
    movie theater.

    To write a market ready screenplay, the writer
    must study screenplays that have been box
    office hits. Once that is accomplished, the
    screenwriter should then write their screenplay
    that is fresh and unique, but yet, parallels
    that of box office hits.

    For example, a romantic comedy simply
    requires the question, will the couple in
    question, get together or not? The
    twist here must be unique and fresh. “Must
    Love Dogs” starring Diane Lane and John
    Cusack exhibits the twist that Ms. Lane is
    seeking a man through ads. The require-
    ment, he must love dogs. Well, guess
    what, Mr. Cusack doesn’t love dogs, but
    she falls for him anyway, and on it goes.

    Study the genre you’re interested in writing.
    Study the format. The writing. Incorporate
    a fresh and unique approach to your genre
    of interest. This can be accomplished via
    a new twist that has never before been
    used in the genre of your choice.

    Donald L. Vasicek
    Writer/Filmmaker/Consultant
    Olympus Films+, LLC
    http://michaelc.nextmp.net/wordpress
    dvasicek@earthlink.net