Script Frenzy-Photographer as Screenwriter, by Ethan G. Salwen
Inside Man Ethan G. Salwen of After Capture’s blog AC Metaforum mentioned LowBudgeGirl and my intent to participate in script frenzy, as a way to inspire his audience of digital photographers. Looks like everyone could stand to write the script that’s dancing in their head. The gauntlet is thrown, oh filmmaker. Don’t let the photographers show you up. Write your script!
Photographers Can Go Script Frenzy, Too!Posted on March 30, 2009 by Ethan G. Salwen
Following are some inspirational ideas for photographers who have a “nagging feeling that there’s a script inside you that may never get out.” That’s right, April is the month of Script Frenzy!, an annual event with no fees (and no pressure of awards) geared to help people get those nagging scripts out of their systems — whether feature movies, stage plays, short films, TV commercials or even graphic novels.
The point of Script Frenzy! is to help creative people engage in script writing within the framework of an encouraging, upbeat, enthusiastic, down-to-earth online community.
No, it’s not April Fools’ Day Kevin Hart: I’m a Grown Little Man buy yet. So you don’t need to ask if I’m serious about this post for the photo community. You see, I believe that Script Frenzy! relates directly to the world of professional photography because more and more photographers are thinking and working more “cinematographically,” whether they are continuing to focus only on stills or have already embraced motion.
In a recent interview with Aaron Goodman, that is exactly what he said to me: “My work is becoming much more cinematographic. And that’s the direction I want to move in.”
Wag the Dog hd Goodman is a photographic illustrator, so he’s not even talking about working in motion. His images stand-alone, but he plans them out much as a moviemaker does: carefully scripting (and re-scripting) them in advance.
Beyond Goodman, lots of commercial photographers have found that their large production skills and signature visual aesthetics fit perfect into motion story telling. Stewart Cohen comes to mind. He used to be photo-only, but now he is fully engaged in directing as well. He is calling some of his work “Integrated Media,” which is exactly the kind of forward-thinking work that requires. . . You got it: Scripting.
Check out some of Cohen’s excellent, often hilarious commercials. Though less than a minute in duration, he once told me that his success with TV “spots” required careful, careful planning. You got it: Scripting.
Beyond Goodman and Cohen, let me digress slightly to share one my biggest pet peeves. I find it basically impossible to get through any social event without someone INSISTING that they have the BEST idea for a Hollywood movie. The best! All they have to do is to write it down! But um, they don’t. Why? Because writing a movie — even a low-budget “short” — is some seriously hard work that takes writing skills, lots of practice and, um, believe it or not, clear knowledge about the structure of, um, writing a movie. Dare I say it? Scripting!
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Many of these social-event-would-be-script-writers are just blowhards. Yet I know that many photographers might be just perfect for the script-writing venue — even if they have never thought about writing a script. Thus I introduce:
A 007 View to a Kill the movie My friend and movie producer Meghan Scibona. Last week Meghan blogged about how she herself is about to engage in Script Frenzy! It made me realize that this event, billed as “Your Ticket to Creative Adventure” might truly appeal to many photographers, both as a creative outlet and a way to advance their careers.
Meghan says she will be starting and finishing a script in April, and I believe her. For two years now, each November, she has written a novel of more than 50,000 words each for National Novel Writing Month A Perfect Day download . WOW! ogden breast enhancement
Meghan notes that her novels (still rough drafts) are not fit to send off to publishers. But she clearly values the creative breakthroughs that her novel-writing efforts have offered her.
Maybe you’re “just” a photographer. But maybe you’re a story-telling photographer with a “nagging feeling that there’s a script inside you that may never get out.” If so, take Meghan’s advice, and check out Script Frenzy!
http://www.aftercapture.com/metaforum/2009/3/109/Photographers-Can-Go-Script-Frenzy-Too.aspx
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