how to write it

[Jaxxson]

Hi i'am new here and have looked around abit and so far only have one question I didn't see it ask before so i thought i'll post it here

the question is

how is it going to be writen in book from or script

example (book)

As angel and co stood there rain drop falling from the sky on to they're heads like tiny poeple were dancing they watched as demon after demon made there way close to them

end example (book)
example (script)

it starts out with a shot from above looking down at angel and co it raining in the alley that they are standing in the sound of feet hitting wet pavement the sound is getting closer and closer the shot changes to show the back of angel, spike, gunn, and Illirya(sp?) showing a army of demans run towards them

Spike:"so what do we do now mate"

Angel:"we fight"

Gunn:"i hope you have a better plan then that"

Illirya:"what are we going to do"

Angel:" well personly I'ld like to slay the dragon"

showes a shot of a dragon flying over head

Angel:"lets get to work"

Angel swings his sword and it gose black

end example (script)

I couldn't remember it for word to word but I think that it gives the right idea so how are we going to right it seeing how wrighting it in book form it would be easyer to read i think that we should wright it in book from but this being a season thing script might be better

[Joss]

Well, I personally write and prefer the book form, but if anyone wants to write in script form then go ahead and do it. Both ways are good for me.

[Drew]

Oh, here's the answer to this question. I posted this question in a different place so you can ignore that.

I also prefer script format and I do think it would be better if this is a 22 episode thing, but it would be hard to get everyone to learn it and adapt to it.
scripts are generally 42 pages or so.

[Doyle]

I say we go full 22 eps. in script form, and yes its a lot of work so instead of 1-2 people writing an ep. we split the chores between acts instead with a "headwriter" keeping it togther. It would work like this:

1. Group breaks the story.

2. One writer write the "teleplay" version (basically plot synopsis)

3. Then the various acts are broken up between other writers and they pass it off like a baton in a relay.

4. The head writer, who could be the "teleplay" guy would then read over and check for inconsistencies, etc. and clean up anything that needs cleaning before its "released".

Just an idea though, and it would take some serious coordination skills.

[Joss]

Hey guys, that´s a very good idea, but just be warned on this fact:

Whatever I write will be in book form, I personally can´t write more than a page in script form.

[Joss]

Man Doyle, you are pretty much an expert here, are you a writer of the Angel show or something? You are just so profesional and informed.

[littlewhiterabbit]

I also prefer prose, instead of script - perhaps the plot synopsis could be in script format, and then the acts could be broken off and delegated to different writers.

I realize that with different people writing one piece of prose (which is really the only way we'll get it done, seeing as episodes are awfully long) there would be some conflicting styles, each episode could have an editor who beta-read all of the acts for the episode, and smoothed over any differences. Did that make sense?

[Doyle]

The real problem (other than getting commitment for follow through, ha) is script vs. prose. We have several writers here of varying styles and then to assign 4-5 to do an episode is asking for chaos. Feels like a Whedon. Anyway, the point is we will probably have to make the call of either script or prose format. I would vote script, but thats because my prose sucks and thats how its going to run with everyone. We'll vote for what we can do. I guess it'll be majority rule? OR -and forgive me as this is train of thought taking over- howzabout the prose writers be the "head writers" and pass out tight plost synopsis in prose form to the writing staff to work their "acts" from in script format? That might work depending on the number of prose vs. script we have here. Any other ideas or suggestions?

[jibberish]

the problem with prose is that it's easy to suck at it, and consequently, more difficult to edit different writing styles into a cohesive story. one writer might utilize extensive vocabulary and metaphor while another might not, or might even take an angle symbolically that is completely divergent.
and forget about planning out ahead of time who gets to spend a paragraph on angel's muscular pecs and pasty white skin and who doesn't....it would be too tedious.

also, look at the audience. the people reading these only have so much time in their day. if i find a good script online, i might read it, but i probably wouldn't waste my time reading a full episode in prose form.

lastly, the best part about a mutant enemy show is the dialogue. i would rather see our writers creating believable conversation than worrying about how to describe the facade of a building that would only have one second of screen time.

i vote screenplay format.

[PuppetCancer]

first off- book or 'script, I dont know all the mumbo jumbo so excuse my Boston french


what I think would look the best and work the best

Id like to see the characters' dialogue in script form. to me, it just looks alot better than all that, "he said" "she said" "they replied" stuff.

however, when it comes to the scene setting. I guess sorta like a script, but without all that "the camera cuts to (X) sitting next to (y) with a (cock) in his mouth"

something simple like

(as the scene opens. we see Spike and Angel sitting (wherever theyre sitting)
obviosuly, more detailed, but all that INT EXT, etc. crap is unessacery(sp?) unless someone plans on shooting this.

So I guess Im thinking a little of both. but personally I dont like bookform. it just looks so boring and kinda drones on

[PuppetCancer]

when do we get paid ? ? ?

[Joss]

You get your checks four days after I find a good hiding place in Mexico

[Drew]

I prefer script form, as I've said.

I do think if not everyone can or will write in script form that those who write in prose pass off their stuff to script writers to write into that format. We could obviously post both versions of the episode.

And I don't see why we would have to split up the episode acts among people. I think one or two people could handle an entire episode. I know I'd love to take a crack at writing a full one. I've been working on some Buffy scripts for awhile.

And I'd probably include the EXT. and INT. stuff because it's important to know location. And I like thinking about camera angles, but if people hate that stuff we could keep it to a minimum.

[PuppetCancer]

I hear ya, Drew. I too, think 2 can handle an ep

but admittingly, I might not always have enough time to write a full episode's script(that is if I was worthy enough and creative enough to be part of the team ;D)
But I definitley know that I would love to write a few scenes and take part in that aspect

"Why not do both? script and story form?"
Damn, Drew, why didnt we think of that earlier. LoL. Thats perfect. works 4 everyone if you ask me

PuppetCancer out

[Doyle]

Hey, those that feel they can handle a full episode on a deadline is fine with me. I know I'm good, but I also know there are some folks who may not feel "up" to doing a whole eppy themself but may still want to contribute. Whatever is fine with me.

I also prefer script, and although its breaking the rules per se, I'd say we add camera direction for the reader's sake. And you would need to -as Drew said already- use INT., EXT. to designate where a scene is taking place.

As for doing both Script and Prose form...thats a lot more work that you make it sound! lol

I say commit to one format initially and then release the other form of the episode at a later date. Those who accept our current format get the episode asap, those who don't...can wait. That way we arent doing double time per episode and can work on the second format versions at a somewhat leisurely pace. Or something.

[Joss]

All right, so I guess that this means that we do the script format primarily and then (if posible) do a second version in prose form.

I agree that two persons could very easily write one signle episode in a reasonable time frame. But hey, if anyone has a creative epiphany and feels like writing an episode by himself it's okay.

[Drew]

What are deadlines and timeframes going to be like?

I've only ever looked at one other online season of a show and that was a few days ago when I glanced quickly at this Buffy Season 8. It looked like - and I did only glance so I may be wrong - the person who wrote them all wrote them as if there was an ep each week. But they ended in May so they obviously must have taken a few breaks in the season (like the real buffy and Angel do - well, did ). So maybe we could take a look at Angel S5 and see when new eps aired and when they had long breaks - like around March - and then find the corresponding dates for this coming year. . .because the calender is different and Wednesday, the 6th (or whatever) could now be on a Thursday. And then once we figure out the lunar cycles and the anti-meridial hemorrhaging of the post-ecliptical. . .I think I need a globe. . .

[Doyle]

yeah, I thought we'd just break it up into bunches of epsiodes and during our breaks -shake up the creative team a little bit as we are bound to lose people as we go.

I would also suggest that at some point, we close membership to the board and go "hidden" so basically our entire outline isnt out there for everyone to see. I mean whats the fun of having surprises and twists if everyone knows whats coming?

We got to make it fun for the readers too.

[Drew]

And I know this is getting way ahead of ourselves, but will we post the episodes in normal posts? That might look kinda crappy.
If we had links maybe to single white pages that had the eps written on them, it might be more pleasurable to read.

Again, we don't have to worry about that for awhile.

[Joss]

Doyle said:

yeah, I thought we'd just break it up into bunches of epsiodes and during our breaks -shake up the creative team a little bit as we are bound to lose people as we go.

I would also suggest that at some point, we close membership to the board and go "hidden" so basically our entire outline isnt out there for everyone to see. I mean whats the fun of having surprises and twists if everyone knows whats coming?

We got to make it fun for the readers too.

What might work to keep the secrecy of our stories is to at some point place a password on all of the boards in the pre-production category and only giving the password to those that are already members of our happy little Manson Family.