The ‘Roadhouse Writer’s Group’ met for dinner on Friday, June 12th to talk about books and writing. This is an informal correspondence between members of group continuing the idea of writing screenplays.
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From: Werner
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 8:16 AM
To: Mike C
Subject: Our Dinner Discussion
Remember how I mentioned that I was going to start looking into screenwriting because it was a type of writing I have never explored before – but you had? Well, I picked up ‘Writing Movies: A Practical Guide to Creating Stellar Screenplays’. It was well reviewed and highly recommended – and I have to say I agree.
I’m surprised but this type of writing actually appeals to me so far. I like how it breaks down the three-act play and shows where the plot points and chain of events should occur. It helps me understand telling a story better than anything else I’ve read – and I’m only a third of the way into the book.
Now I’m not saying I’m gonna go out a write the next ‘Godfather’. I haven’t even got the slightest clue of an idea for a screenplay yet. What I’m saying is the book is really good and I recommend you obtain a copy for yourself – so when I do try and write a teleplay or screenplay you can give me some pointers.
W
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From: Mike C
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:13 AM
To: Werner
Subject: RE: Our Dinner Discussion
If I can find that Star Trek script that I wrote when I was 14, I will show you it – it is hysterical. My first and only screen play.
Over 80 pages – it would have made a fine 90 minute show!
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From: Werner
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:41 AM
To: Mike C
Subject: RE: Our Dinner Discussion
I’ve found something interesting since our dinner. In the fiction writing groups and forums to which I subscribe and read – I posted questions as to why people don’t consider writing screenplays instead.
The two most common responses so far?
1. People have no idea how to write/format a screenplay.
2. Screenwriter’s don’t get the recognition a popular novelist does.
(despite the fact the average screenplay writer makes WAY more money than the average novelist)
Ironic in an odd sort of way – isn’t it?
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From: Mike C
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:47 AM
To: Werner
Subject: RE: Our Dinner Discussion
Yes it is.
I keep thinking of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck making it rich after months of trying to sell their little screen play that became “Good Will Hunting”
Take a look at their script: http://www.geocities.com/movie_starzz/BenandMatt/goodwillhunting.txt
How about us writing a script about 4 guys in their 20’s heading across America in a beat up station wagon? How do we make that interesting?
Let’s think more about this.
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From: Werner
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 10:01 AM
To: Mike C
Subject: RE: Our Dinner Discussion
The ‘Good Will Hunting’ screenplay – Love it – it’s all “Show – Don’t Tell” writing.
As for the 4 guys road trip, we’d have to come up with a more interesting car like a Mini Cooper or a car that runs on used French-fry oil from fast-food joints. Make it a combination of ‘Vacation’, ‘The Hangover’ with some ‘Raising Arizona’ thrown in. It will have to include any combination of ignoramus rednecks, state troopers, bikers and crazed desert stalkers. We definitely will have to hash this out.
I gotta see ‘The Hangover’ this weekend. Everyone I know who’s seen it says it’s hysterical.
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From: Mike C
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 10:06 AM
To: Werner
Subject: RE: Our Dinner Discussion
LOL!
I was thinking more of serio-comedy – - – But I like your ideas!
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From: Werner
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 10:23 AM
To: Mike C
Subject: RE: Our Dinner Discussion
When you say serio-comedy what would be an example you are talking about so I’m on the same page – so to speak.
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From: Mike C
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 10:25 AM
To: Werner
Subject: RE: Our Dinner Discussion
There would be serious content as well as humorous moments to lighten up the story.
Some examples:
Wild Hogs, RV, travel type movies.
Whenever I see people jump in their car and plan to drive across country – I know I will like the movie.
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From: Werner
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 10:27 AM
To: Mike C
Subject: RE: Our Dinner Discussion
So something like ‘Dumb and Dumber’ meets ‘Thelma & Louise’?
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From: Mike C
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 10:30 AM
To: Werner
Subject: RE: Our Dinner Discussion
LOL!
Lloyd: Hold my hand Harry.
Harry: Why Lloyd? Are you goin gay on me?
Lloyd: Well, we are driving over the Grand Canyon, aren’t we?
Harry: ARRRRRGGGG!
(ext scene of their car flying off the canyon)
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From: Werner
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 10:53 AM
To: Mike C
Subject: RE: Our Dinner Discussion
Here’s my take:
JIMMY
Hey, stop the car. I gotta take a crap.
AL
Are you crazy? I’m not stopping now. What if
those bikers figure out we went the other way.
They’ll be on us in no time.
JIMMY
But I gotta go. What am I supposed to do?
AL
Hold it.
JIMMY
I can’t hold it. I’m about to explode.
AL
Well… just take a crap in one of those plastic
shopping bags in the back.
JIMMY
Are you serious?
AL
Yes, I’m serious. I’m not stopping now. We could
get killed.
JIMMY SIGHS. He takes a PLASTIC BAG from the back
seat and PULLS DOWN his pants. Suddenly we hear
FARTING SOUND and something FALING into the bag.
Then:
JIMMY
Uh-oh…
AL
What’s the matter?
JIMMY
The bag’s almost full and I’m still going.
AL
What? I said a shopping bag not a potato chip
snack bag. Well just stop going.
JIMMY
I can’t stop once I already started, you know that.
Quick, get me another bag.
AL can BARELY HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL as he reaches
way in the back seat for a shopping bag.
JIMMY (CONT.)
Jesus, be careful! You almost went off the road.
AL
I’m sorry, JIMMY. I’m doing the best I can.
He hands JIMMY another bag and JIMMY quickly makes
the switch.
JIMMY
Here, hold this.
Before AL knows it he’s holding a BAG FULL OF CRAP.
EXT. HIGHWAY – LATE DAY
As the fry-mobile travels down the highway, it leaves
a scent the bikers have been easily able to follow.
A group of five bikes gains rapidly on the fry-mobile.
Postscript:
Taking my walk on this über-awesome day, some ideas came to me.
The characters – all in their 20’s:
- A skinny brainiac nerd
- A health-nut muscle guy
- An overweight computer hacker junk-food junkie
- A college drop-out pot-head
Premise Idea:
The Nerd comes up with a way to easily convert his car to use bio-fuel in the form of used French-fry oil from fast food businesses. He is so inspired by the mileage he is getting and the money he is saving, he decides to do a cross-country Go Green trip to show people how easy it is to convert their own car to bio-fuel to save money and the planet.
He notifies media outlets and cities across the country about the idea for his journey – they like it. Through his popular website he holds a lottery of people to come with him on the road trip.
He ends up with:
- A manic, hyperactive, health conscious muscle guy who talks loud and fast like an infomercial salesman.
- A gadget whiz, who is an overweight junk-food junkie with lousy personal hygiene and a big ego thinking he’s the smartest guy around.
- A go with the flow, easy going college drop-out pothead who is equally given to sudden bursts of hysterical laughter as well as screaming, white-knuckled paranoia.
During the trip Muscle Guy is always picking on Junk Food Guy about his food and his weight, and Junk Food Guy is always trying to prove he is smarter than the Nerd. The Pothead is constantly trying to steal Junk Food Guy’s goodies – as he is constantly hungry between the effects of the weed and the constant smell of French fries cooking, which also drives the Junk Food Guy to distraction and even begins to break the resolve of Muscle Guy.
