Writing the Movie or a Story

[TwoBrad Bradley]

Originally Posted by mariot

Why do some dvds include deleted scenes?

Other than time constraints (stuff beyond the writer's control), the writer probably didn't sweat enough.

For example, if the director or editor identified and deleted something that didn't really have something to do with the story, or slowed down the pace, or was redundant, why didn't the writer catch it?

[mariot]

Originally Posted by TwoBrad Bradley

Other than time constraints (stuff beyond the writer's control), the writer probably didn't sweat enough.

For example, if the director or editor identified and deleted something that didn't really have something to do with the story, or slowed down the pace, or was redundant, why didn't the writer catch it?

You didn't answer the question.

Why are they included on the dvds?

[TwoBrad Bradley]

Originally Posted by JeffLowell

... Shooting scripts don't have "all the camera directions."

A shooting script isn't a spec script where someone went through and called out all the shots.

Spec scripts and shooting scripts are written the same way. ...

So the answer is "No."

I am curious about numbering scenes in the shooting script.

Take a scene with a conversation over dinner. There are two-head shots, closeups on the woman, closeups on the man. I know how involved it can be so set-up each shot - and it's not really necessary to be shot in order. The woman may not even be on set when the man is being filmed. Are the shots numbered individually?

[JeffLowell]

Why don't you go read fifty shooting scripts, answer those questions for yourself, then come back here and I'll try to clear up any lingering confusion.

[TwoBrad Bradley]

Originally Posted by mariot

You didn't answer the question.

Why are they included on the dvds?

Sorry.

- to give the buyer something extra for the money.
- to show that even writers include stuff that has nothing to do with the story
- to show how pace can be slowed down
- to point out unnecessary redundancies
- to explain one of the roles of the director
- to tell more of the story without the time constraints
- to show off a great scene that just didn't work for some reason.
- to teach

I'm sure you have a few in mind that I'm missing.

[DavidK]

Originally Posted by mariot

Why do some dvds include deleted scenes?

Marketing. Or what's known as "sweetening" a deal. It makes the product more attractive because it adds something over and above what the purchaser expects as the basic component of the transaction. Like a free set of steak knives.

[TwoBrad Bradley]

Originally Posted by JeffLowell

Why don't you go read fifty shooting scripts, answer those questions for yourself, then come back here and I'll try to clear up any lingering confusion.

Thank you, I'll check back later.

I'm thinking it would helpful if I had access to the storyboard for each numbered script.

[JeffLowell]

Good idea.

[sc111]

TwoBrad -- can I ask a question? If you don't want to answer in public then PM me.

The question: How many completed scripts have you written to date? And I ask for this reason -- once I completed around script three, I felt a lot more comfortable about breaking a number of "rules." By script six, I stopped thinking about them altogether.

[SuperScribe]

I doubt TwoBrad is asking these questions for his own edification. (After all, he's been on the board almost as long as I have. If he's been writing screenplays the whole time, he should know the answers to every one of his questions.)

I think he's asking them to spark discussions. In fact, if memory serves, he's said as much in the past.

Am I right, TwoBrad?