Download scripts

[KingofDod81]

Where can I download scripts off the web?
And which scripts are a good read, and structured - so I can follow it as an outline for my script.

Many Thanks

[RDJ Was Banned]

There are lots of places to get scripts on the Web. Drew's Script-O-Rama is very good.

As for scripts that are good to read ... there are dozens of them. You might wanna start by reading the Best Screenplay Oscar winners of the last decade, then some classics, CHINATOWN, TAXI DRIVER. BACK TO THE FUTURE is very well-structured.

But, although you want to follow the three act structure, I don't think you want to really copy some other script. Each story has its own "natural" ebb and flow, and to try to fit your story into the exact flow of another one entirely probably won't work well. I'd just keep in mind that you want your first act to end between pages fifteen and twenty-five and you want your third act to start around pages eighty to ninety. Somewhere in there.

--RDJ

[MrGazzo]

I would concentrate less on a page count of where an ACT starts and ends, and concentrate more on an exciting story.

[sparkenstein]

I agree with RDJ. You also might want to focus on scripts by first time writers who did not direct and for a movie that was not a star's pet project where a writer was brought on to bring the idea to life. Also try to make sure your reading the spec and not a production script. Meaning scripts sold in the same manner your attempting. You will have to follow some conventions on where your plot points are in your spec, people like David Lynch have earned the right not to. The discipline demands you know both structure and how to creatively tell an exciting story before you've earned the right to ignore either.

[gabs111]

The places you can download scripts:
www.script-o-rama.com
www.iscriptdb.htm
www.movie-page.com/movie_scripts.htm
www.screentalk.org

[Naudikom]

And while you're at it, read the script for Heathers. Just read through it the other day. Loved it.

[theturnaround]

Go figure. The name of the movie was 'HEATHERs.'

theturnaround

[Scryptonomicon]

Is there any consensus regarding the authenticity of these scripts? I have gotten the feeling in the past that a few downloaded scripts I have seen were transcriptions as opposed to originals. How can you be sure you are getting the real thing?

[RDJ Was Banned]

I buy dated photocopies of scripts. I use them to compare to mine, page for page interesting-factor, how much dialog is present, how thick the descriptive paragraphs are, etc.

Of course, that's twelve bucks a pop as opposed to free.

--RDJ

[Scryptonomicon]

RDJ- Where do you buy dated scripts?

[RDJ Was Banned]

One of the places I get them is:


www.scriptfly.com/screenplays


These guys usually have the second or third draft. They're flaw is they try to get the draft that's closest to the moviel; so you can't always tell just how much the script actually evolved (or devolved) when you see the film. But still, a second or third draft is better than a transcript of the film.

--RDJ

[Scryptonomicon]

Thanks for the info. I will check them out.

[Tony McIntosh]

The best websites I know of that have screenplays available for free downloads are:

SCREENTALK.ORG -- which has a pretty good selection of scripts in their gallery. You need Abobe Acrobat Reader to read them (which is free at adobe.com) and the scripts come up in perfect format, as they were written, in pdf format. They publish a magazine also.

SCRIPTCRAWLER.NET -- a search engine where you can find many scripts. If the script is on the net they've probably got it, or can lead you to it. The scripts are formatted properly sometimes and sometimes not (in Word or WordPad).

SCRIPT-O-RAMA.COM (DREW'S SCRIPT O RAMA) is similar to scriptcrawler, and is one of the oldest ones around. They have a list and links to the scripts -- some formatted right, some not.

As far as using these scripts to learn from, studying the film and then studying the script was always very helpful to me. Make a list of your favorite films and get those scripts if possible, then watch the film/read the script in that order. You get to see how the writing translates visually, what changes were made from the script in the film and which was better if changes were made, etc. This works. Good luck.

[Mr Godfree]

They're almost all transcript. Thats what you get for free. Dont complain.

ESPECIALLY the PDF ones at screentalk. Errors, errors, errors.

I buy all my scripts from www.scriptshack.com

[Tony McIntosh]

If you're looking to buy, then yes I agree that "scriptshack.com" is the one to check out. You can usually get what you want there. As far as free sites, I've not had any problems with screentalk.org though -- they're all the actual screenplays, not transcripts. Definitely beware of Transcripts, they won't give you a sense of writing style.