Hazel Heart Interview| Author | Post |
|---|---|
| oneking Member 34 Posts 9/09 | Hi Everyone. My wife and I have written a current tv parody. We're confident that we've got a worthwhile, well-written product, but so far, we've been unable to get anyone to take 5 minutes to look at the treatment for it. Can anyone offer insight, regarding writing for this industry? What's the process to get started, or is it a waste of time? Thanks! Edited by - oneking on Jul 12 2010 [Link] |
| grover All-Star Member Literotica.com - grover10 16888 Posts 11/04 | |
| oneking Member 34 Posts 9/09 | |
| Gore Gore Girl Doctor of the Erotic Arts 7238 Posts 1/09 | here. Pay attention in particular to sexyhard's response, which I found interesting. Also, from a quick search using keywords "script" or "screenplay" I found out what I already suspected - usually the person already producing and/or directing also takes care of the script. Perhaps some of the movie makers here can enlighten folks? |
| oneking Member 34 Posts 9/09 | You're right about Sexyhard's response. That was certainly sobering to read. Sad to think that the industry is either too concerned about budget or too arrogant to think that an outsider might have a worthwhile idea to share. Shame on the folks mentioned, who couldn't even be bothered to send a quick "no thank you." But if an actual EMPLOYEE at Wicked, couldn't get a response to a personal face to face script submission, then SHEESH! Why should I be surprised at an email going unanswered? That's a no-brainer, once you get the bigger picture! Well, I think I'll take the advice of trying to establish rapport with a performer or a producer, and then try and get them sold on our project, so that we have an ally with clout. Thanks again for taking the time to dig up that info, Gore Gore. I owe ya one! Meanwhile, if any industry professionals want to prove this impression wrong, we've got a parody for you, that will put you a cut above most of what's been done! Edited by - oneking on 7/13/2010 8:41:21 PM |
| Dubious_Leftovers Senior Member And on that fateful day, the hatred consumed me... 1423 Posts 3/09 | The whole parody thing's a big ol' bandwagon, with everyone clambering to produce whatever obscure porn version of something as quickly as possible because that's what seen as being popular NOW. I'd imagine the writing/production pool would be quite insular, as I'm sure that they'd rather just produce a fuck film while the going's good, than trawl through loads of scripts, because I don't think much of it is seen as art. I'd say it was hard enough to get decent response from mainstream markets (where onus is purely on what is written, or prior reputation), rather than one whose main priority is still ultimately to produce a product that you can fap to. In porn, the fap is always mightier than the word. Good luck anyway. |
| oneking Member 34 Posts 9/09 | |
| Harry Buddha Palm Member 51 Posts 3/09 | In your case, you've written a parody. Now, suppose you just up and send that to Wicked who just so happens to be working on a parody of the very thing you've written your parody about. It would be a total coincidence, but you wouldn't know that. They go ahead and make their movie, maybe not even knowing that you sent the script in and then when the movie is released, you could say they stole your idea and sue. Even if they won the case, a lawsuit is still a major and expensive ordeal. Most publishers and produces just nip the problem in the bud by not accepting submissions at all, though there are some that will accept submissions if you enclose a signed submission form that protects them from being sued should your idea be similar to one they're already working on. You just have to check with individual companies and see. I don't imagine many porn companies accept scripts, though. |
| oneking Member 34 Posts 9/09 | In the case of those who have said yes (and there have been several), my next question was to simply ask, "What is the submission process?" Invariably, they give me a name and an email address, and tell me to submit a treatment, which is what I do. But the way folks come across up to that point, gives me the impression that this is not a regular occurrence. They always seem a bit taken off guard by the prospect of an outside script submission. Your point is well taken, though, and its something my wife and I discussed at length, which is why, in my email, I always mention the likelihood of this parody being done, and how I fully expect to see it, VERY SOON. And since I've only emailed the treatment, there's no chance of them stealing the script. In the event that they actually RESPOND, and ask to see the script, I will be sure to cover my ass, three ways from Sunday. Until then, I just sit helplessly and wait for this tv series to show up as a parody (which it WILL), only with not nearly as good a story as what my wife and I wrote. It is frustrating. It really is. |
| juha Senior Member 2752 Posts 3/05 | I think you must realize that your script, no matter how good it is, won't increase the sales of the film based on it. Hence it is of no financial value to any producer. The key to success is casting hot porn lookalikes of the TV show's characters and to recreate the original sets. Most so-called parodies are in fact adult re-enactments of already proven successful scripts. Nobody needs an original script which actually parodies a show. If you still want to see your script turned into a film forget to make any money of it. Give it away for a credit in the end titles and a couple of free DVDs. For example ask ADT-member Mike Quasar if he's interested under these circumstances. Two other possibilities: You start an adult entertainment blog. If it turns out to be highly successful like for example Popporn.com you might get a chance to do your script. If your wife looks hot she can break into the industry as talent. After a couple of months sucking and fucking she might get a chance to show the script to a director or producer. I presume both ways are not serious options for you. Which brings us back to giving the script away for free. Professional writing for the industry without any other ties to porn is simply impossible in my humble opinion. P.S.: Me as a porn consumer would love to see more developed scripts. Edited by - juha on 7/14/2010 11:42:51 AM |
| duefuss Member Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious - Brendan Gill 723 Posts 4/09 | There may be a Shakespeare -- you, perhaps? trying to write for the porn industry, but he will die in oblivion, just as Shakespeare himself would have in his own day, if he does not control every aspect of production of his product. Bill, you will recall, wrote only for his own acting company. He knew his audience and gave them what they wanted, and he made his money from ticket sales only because HE issued the tickets. What I've read here of this industry from those who are part of it suggests that, if there is any present medium analogous to the theater of Shakespeare's time it's porn. Popular and persecuted at the same time, run largely by a group of people who care little for quality, nothing for art, and everything for money, who are a closed society, the entre to which isn't talent or skill or anything but having enough money to make your own stuff and then pay to have it distributed. The only other way to 'break into' porn is to be a not overbright tattooed narcissist with a large penis, or a pretty girl (having a bad boob job and being made up to look like most other porn actresses seems to often help the process). If you have faith in your script, mortgage your house and make your own parody. If you expect someone else to have faith in it, well, some believe that praying helps. |
| oneking Member 34 Posts 9/09 | When my wife and I had the idea to pitch a parody script a few months ago, we were pretty excited about it. When we completed the script, we were even more excited, and found ourselves attacking each other with frequency, as a fun by-product of our writing sessions. But now, after spending some time in the real world, trying to turn this idea into a tangible reality, and receiving the feedback that I have, I think it's time to let this go. I suppose I was a little mislead by reading how interactive directors and performers seemed to be with consumers, here on this site. They seemed so interested in hearing what the viewers think and want. In short, they seemed so ACCESSIBLE and OPEN TO IDEAS. So, naturally, I assumed a good parody was something they would open to reading. Made sense at the time. But between my experiences with these companies, and what I've read on this thread, I think I have a much more realistic idea of what we're up against, and I don't think I'll continue banging my head against a wall, waiting for it to turn into a door. Perhaps, for fun, we'll look into what it takes to get a backer and produce one of these things ourselves, just as an educational exercise. But other than that, we'll just enjoy those rare times when we come across well-written, well-acted, truly erotic adult entertainment. |
| Harry Buddha Palm Member 51 Posts 3/09 | What you can do is try and make it yourself. Ask around and see if you can find some people to make the thing with you. You can probably find some people that will help you for no money up front if you give them a contract promising them a cut of any profits you make later. Of course, the problem is that it isn't hard to find people that will SAY they will help you but when it comes time to actually DO something, they won't be there. A few years ago, a bunch of my friends and I were talking about making some short movies and I got excited. I wrote up a script. I drew a bunch of storyboards. I bought a camera. But, as usual, my friends flaked out on me. Thankfully, I was able to sell the camera for more than I paid for it, but I still wasted a lot of time for nothing. I still try, though. You can't win if you don't try. I'm not trying to talk you out of trying. Just don't get your hopes up. Don't sink a bunch of money into your idea. Don't put your faith into other people and expect them to come through for you. I think you should definitely go for it, just procede with caution. Edited by - Harry Buddha Palm on 7/14/2010 5:46:12 PM |
| oneking Member 34 Posts 9/09 | I appreciate the empathy and words of encouragment, though. Sounds like you've definitely graduated from the School of Hard Knocks magna cum laude! |
| Jeff Mullen Member Hall of Famer -Time to get out 219 Posts 1/08 | I think some people wrote some pretty good responses to your question. Like Hollywood, this is a really small community but unlike Hollywood we tend not to outsource a lot of things. I can only imagine how many email requests a company like Vivid or Wicked get for script writing or people looking to break into the industry because I have a small company (X-Play and sitcums.com) and we get quite a few. It is not impossible however to get in but you do have to know somebody. I don't read any outside scripts but that is mostly because I just don't have the time plus I enjoy writing them myself which gives me more confidence come time to direct as I know the story word for word and when you are trying to finish a full 35 page movie with 6 or more sex scenes in 3 or 4 days, there is no time to waste. I don't agree with the advice of trying to produce the movie yourself unless you have experience in that arena. This is a dog-fight of an industry and it is getting more difficult each day to bring a successful project home. Free porn is gutting the industry and heavy competition makes it more and more difficult to have a hit. So with that said don't give up so easily. I broke into the music industry years ago and then I broke into this business so it can be done. You say you have a sure fire hit? If that is true and I hope it has nothing to do with a few projects we are working on now (I will communicate that list to you privately if we talk) then I would be available to listen to your idea. If it is as good as you think and I agree, we might be able to make your movie. I am sending you an email now. |
| oneking Member 34 Posts 9/09 | |
| duefuss Member Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious - Brendan Gill 723 Posts 4/09 | |
| Dubious_Leftovers Senior Member And on that fateful day, the hatred consumed me... 1423 Posts 3/09 | |
| oneking Member 34 Posts 9/09 | |
| grover All-Star Member Literotica.com - grover10 16888 Posts 11/04 | |
| Dracula Member Women's necks are too damned sexy for me! 756 Posts 3/06 | |
| oneking Member 34 Posts 9/09 | Thanks to all, and thanks to Jeff for making himself available to assist us with our endeavors. |
| Dracula Member Women's necks are too damned sexy for me! 756 Posts 3/06 | |
| TheDreamPolice Deactivated User 170 Posts 2/10 | |
| Jeff Mullen Member Hall of Famer -Time to get out 219 Posts 1/08 | I always prefer to have a cast read-through in my office the week before we start shooting because it just makes the movie flow much better and gives the actors a chance to understand exactly what will be taking place. It gives them a chance to interact with the other characters and also the director and how they are involved with each other. I especially like it when my business partner Scott David hears a few pages and then panics telling me in private that one or more of that actors is 'not getting it' or 'sucks'. I tell him to relax as this is the actor's time to experiment. I really think that our movies are more like actual movies, TV shows that just happen to have sex in them. As for Dracula's request for us to produce and erotic vampire movie I just don't think it will happen because I am not really into that sort of thing. The truth is that I really have to love what we are going to spoof otherwise this would feel like too much work. I don't go for the money or do it because I know it will be successful. Of course those things are great and important but I really have to love the shows and movies that we take on. I will check back here every now and then. Take care. |
| Dracula Member Women's necks are too damned sexy for me! 756 Posts 3/06 |
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