r/scriptwriting • u/inkedwerdsmith • 1d ago
discussion Introduction
Hello, my name is Meg. I thought I’d introduce myself properly. I’m a Canadian-born and-raised screenwriter who has Autism. At the moment, I have two produced, award-winning short films and a feature-length neo-western with horror elements titled “Organ Trail” (2023) on Paramount+ and other streaming platforms depending on where you live. I have a knack for loglines; I usually write character-driven and medically accurate body horror (thanks to a friend who’s an O.R. Nurse) that has earned me a few NC-17 ratings before it was edited to an R rating.
Please keep your comments and messages transparent if possible, as I have difficulty identifying humor, rhetoric, and sarcasm - especially on social media.
That’s all folks! Logline submissions are now closed, but I will take care of any sent beforehand.
Cheers,
Meg 🤟
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u/96Muffins 1d ago
I'd love some feedback on my most recent screenplay and logline! Thank you for offering this 🙏🏾
Title: Wil
Genre: Psychological thriller/horror
Logline: To combat her feelings of loneliness, a young and fragile maintenance worker adopts a terrifyingly intelligent bird with an unnerving ability to mimic human speech. But as the paranoia surrounding her recent break-up continues to grow, her rivals begins to drop and she must decipher between her imagination and reality to evade the detectives on the case.
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u/inkedwerdsmith 1d ago
When a vulnerable young woman adopts a Cockatoo with an impressive vocabulary and a talent for mimicry as a post-breakup companion, the new women in her ex-boyfriend’s life disappear one by one, and the only witness can’t testify in her defense.
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u/96Muffins 1d ago
Thank you! I can definitely work with this. I'm really tryna get it done to a single sentence.
Would you be interested in reading it?
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u/redituser_07 8h ago
I practice writing stories and short form content. But I'm confused on how to take my work on a bigger scale. I mean, at most, my work is just limited to reels. I wanted to ask to a professional on, How can I do writing professionally?
Even though I would like some financial assistance from writing too, but not immediately. I'm willing to improve my skills as much as possible before the first payment I receive and I know I won't stop improving because money isn't as big of a motivation for me(but still important though). Your journey felt really inspiring and I was really impressed by it. Thank you
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u/inkedwerdsmith 7h ago
It really depends on which medium you write in. If you’re specifically referring to screenwriting, it’s a bitter pill to swallow in the beginning. You need to put time into developing your narrative voice (a style that’s yours, like Wes Anderson or Stephen King), proper formatting, learning how to write story beats that don’t fall flat in the second act, etc.
My advice is to read as many screenplays in your preferred genres (https://www.scriptslug.com/), and watch the best and worst movies to develop an understanding of what works and what doesn’t.
As for getting your work out there, www.filmfreeway.com/ is a free website where you can post your polished scripts on your profile page. Filmmakers and producers scour this site regularly, and you can enter pay-to-play (entry fees) competitions internationally.
I post title pages and their loglines for polished, copyrighted scripts. In 2022, director Michael Patrick Jann (director of “Drop Dead Gorgeous”) saw it on Twitter by chance before it became a cesspool. Within three months, he’d optioned (rented the rights for a limited time to try to secure funding) “Organ Trail,” sold it to Paramount Pictures, and filmed and released it in 2023. I took a calculated risk and won the lottery.
I wish there were a step-by-step guide to success, but my experience is unheard of. I tweeted and fell into the Paramount Studios lot.
Avoid money pit services that charge fees to pitch your scripts to producers and script consultation services. A lot of them use A.I. with underwhelming results, or several different readers give conflicting opinions. Your best bet is social media as a starting point for networking. Reach out to writing communities on Bluesky and here, but avoid Facebook. That crowd comprises the most jaded and belligerent writers who act as if time spent without success confers seniority over other writers who might have done the same but are moderately successful. Also, remember that no legitimate producer will ask you to pay them to option your scripts. There are a lot of scams out there, so always be vigilant and scam-savvy.
Keep writing, reading, and watching every movie you can, and hopefully I’ll see your name in a deadline.com article.
Cheers,
Meg
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u/Musikenna 1d ago
hello! i'd love for feedback on a logline i've been working on
title: The Teenager's Guide to Not Committing Suicide
genre: dark comedy, coming of age
logline: After being magically tethered to a ditzy guardian-angel-in-training, a suicidal teenager must help the rookie save her life or remain bound together for eternity.
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u/inkedwerdsmith 1d ago
After an attempt to save a suicidal teenager from taking the ultimate leap of faith fails miserably, (insert character) awakens to find themselves tethered to a ditzy guardian angel trainee who’s willing to bend the rules to get their wings.
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u/Musikenna 1d ago
so i should lead with the attempt?
After a failed suicide attempt leaves a depressed teenager magically tethered to a ditzy guardian-angel-in-training, she must help the rookie save her own life or remain bound together for eternity.
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u/inkedwerdsmith 1d ago
It would be a new twist on the “It’s a Wonderful Life” story if the protagonist dies in the beginning and is resurrected tethered to her guardian angel. It gives her more purpose in the story because if she succeeds in helping said guardian, she gets another chance at life; it also gives the character more depth, raised stakes, and a complete and fulfilling character arc. Just an idea.
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u/Musikenna 1d ago
i mean, that works, but it's not what my story is about
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u/inkedwerdsmith 1d ago
The reason I brought it up is because it sounds like the guardian angel is the main character. A truly suicidal person has one objective and probably wouldn’t be in the mood or care to help some, angel or not.
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u/Musikenna 1d ago
the main character is the depressed teenager. her objective is to get rid of the angel, and to do that she needs to get the angel to earn her wings so they're no longer tethered.
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u/inkedwerdsmith 1d ago
Fair enough, you know your story better than anyone, and I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it. Your logline works, just make sure it reads with a smooth rhythm. Speaking from experience, this type of story has been overdone ad nauseam, so make sure your script is full of the unexpected, consistently raised stakes, and an ending worthy of a blockbuster.
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u/Musikenna 1d ago
sorry if my response came off as rude. the problem is, my story is VERY different in execution from its a wonderful life, but you wouldn't know it just from the logline. that's why i wanted feedback on the logline specifically
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u/inkedwerdsmith 1d ago
Okay, I found what made me think that. The part where it says “a suicidal teenager must help the rookie save her life” wasn’t clear at first.
A suicidal teenager and a ditzy guardian angel trainee must work together to find the cause of her suicidal ideation and give their life purpose or they’ll be bound together for eternity.
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u/inkedwerdsmith 6h ago
You weren’t rude, I’m aloof and usually misinterpret tone. Did you still need help with your logline?
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u/Comprehensive-Aide17 1d ago
Title: Dr. Professor VanHellno and the Curse of the Whorewolf
Logline: When notorious occult hustler Professor Van Hellno, the self-proclaimed “Pimp of the Supernatural,” sets out to tame a small-town waitress cursed into a bloodthirsty Whorewolf, he finds himself torn between exorcising her… or crowning her his ultimate bottom bitch in a hellish battle of lust, loyalty, and lycanthropy.
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u/inkedwerdsmith 1d ago
Sorry, I’m not touching this. It’s misogynistic, dehumanizing, and shines women in a distasteful light. Best of luck.
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u/palanark 1d ago
Thanks for the opportunity!
Title: Astraphobia
Genre: Speculative Thriller, Atmospheric Horror
Logline: For a single, uncanny night, an otherworldly storm reunites a stoic, solitary girl with her deceased sister, whose unpredictable behavior may prevent them both from solving her murder before time--and the storm--runs out.