New script

[azmyth]

So, my work changed my schedule around so I have to work evenings temporarily. I have alot of down time, and since I can't really work on recording sounds while I am working I have been back at writing the script for my 2nd feature "The Legend of Seven Toe Maggie".

Its been a challenge thus far, as first of.. I accidentally deleted about 20 something pages.. I'm having to rewrite.

The other reason is because with EXIT 101 I intentionally made it into a campy sort of film. Its probably more comedy than scare...

However, with this one I want to attempt to make something that will make people "jump" vs. gross them out.

I seem to be stuck on the "teen scream" kind of film.. ala Scream/I Know what you did last summer/Blair Witch/Urban Legend/Jeepers Creepers. Which I guess makes sense, because I tend to like those kinds of movies.

My question is.. is this bad?

[Dr. Benway]

Is wanting to make people jump bad, or writing to the genre of Scream/I know what you did last summer/Blair Witch/Urban Legend/Jeepers Creepers? I personally don't like how teen-centric those particular movies are. But films that build enough tension to make an adult jump get a definite thumbs up. I think gore is tacky. And although I know that U.S. filmmakers mine Korean cinema, as but one example, I think they really do the art of film making a disservice by being so bloody and violent. I find that the tension of noir and certain pscyho-thrillers is excellent.

[azmyth]

I agree, but my problem is.. like I said, I tend to watch those alot.

The story I am writing now is based on a local urban legend. It will feature lots of different "Age groups" but for the purpose of the actual legend mostly college/teenage folks would be susceptible to this legend present day.

I have one other way I could do it that would "eliminate" the teen scream part of it.. but I'm still uncertain of how to do it. Like you said, I want it to be able to frighten adults.. 18-35 at least. Any older, and you start getting into the group thats hard to scare anyway.

[Khaver]

Any older, and you start getting into the group thats hard to scare anyway.

Just tell them you're going to take their Medicare away.

Scaring people will take a balance of carefull shot selection, music and sound.

[Janke]

Scaring people will take a balance of carefull shot selection, music and sound.

Just look at what Hitch did in Psycho, Spellbound, Notorious and many more of his films! IMO, they are scarier than most slash, blood & gore films, which are so dang hard to take seriously...

[azmyth]

Yeah I think I have an idea that will work to attract all audiences, but still focus on the major age group that watches scary movies.

[Gillvane]

Watch Insidious. The director is a genius IMO, at building a creepy atmosphere that sets you up for the scare. Even when you know it's coming, you still jump.

[azmyth]

Yeah I've seen it, and Its probably the best I've seen to date.. but I don't scare easily. IMO it losts its "creepy" factor during the 2nd half when he travels to the other dimension.. the part where the lady is outside and the music starts playing however is extremely creepy.

[azmyth]

as to not start a new topic..

this new script is based on a real life urban legend, that EVERYONE locally knows about and has a story for.

I want to research and get different takes and versions of the story by asking locals in person and online. However, there's one "fan" who truly believes she gave me the idea for the movie.. even though this "story" is one that has been around since I was little, and probably even when she was little. Everyone knows about it.. and there's so many different versions it changes depending on who you ask.

She's mad now, because I blow her off whenever she tries to say "please make sure I get credit for giving you the idea".

She wants me to put her name in the credits as a producer or something for it being her idea. I posted on facebook a long time ago asking what sort of movie we should do next.. horror/comedy.. etc. The votes went to horror, and then without my asking.. people started blurting out ideas for movies. She mentioned this story, even though myself and a friend of mine had already toyed with the idea of doing a movie about that very thing before EXIT 101 came to be.

Now, she feels like she has some "Stake" in it, and annoys me to no end with her ignorance. Her nephew or some kid relative of hers was an extra in my movie, and I appreciate all the help and support I've received but I'm getting annoyed with it to the point where I don't want to deal with her. I'm afraid to ask my facebook friends if they have any stories, because she'll be sure to chime in that it was her idea. What would you do?

[paperkut12]

Ignore her and make your movie. It's just an idea, she isn't writing any of the script. A lot of people have the same idea, but it's the results that count. I'm sure it might not be that simple though.

[Dr. Benway]

azmyth, as long as you do your research and therefore prove that everyone knows the story then she and her delusions can feck off.

[Janke]

She wants me to put her name in the credits as a producer

Tell her that the producer is the one who forks out the money for the production...

Ideas are a dime a dozen. Give her the dime - er, 1/12th of it !

[AJUK]

You know in this case, try putting yourself in her shoes. You posted asking for ideas, she suggested this legend... Then you announce it as your next project. Of course she is going to think she helped you decide on it.
Here's a question. Why not get her involved? Having people who are keen to help can be a good thing, and its not like you need to give her anything other than a credit.
Sometimes it is better to bend a little over small things like this and save your strength for the big battles. You mentioned before that you live in a small town, so rubbing people up the wrong way can have wider consequences in that kind of setting. You need the community behind you, not pissed off.
If you really can't give her a credit then you need to either explain to her clearly and politely that you were developing that legend already (great minds think alike) and if she persists then try to simply not respond further.
Personally I'd just give her a small credit and be done with it. After all, it costs you nothing, and you did solicit ideas from the locals.

[Almohada]

Just tell them you're going to take their Medicare away.

LOL!

[Bif]

versions it changes depending on who you ask.
She's mad now, because I blow her off whenever she tries to say "please make sure I get credit for giving you the idea".

She wants me to put her name in the credits as a producer or something for it being her idea.

Now, she feels like she has some "Stake" in it, and annoys me to no end with her ignorance.

First off, tell her you have never seen a credit line for someone suggesting an "idea". The credit will usually be "based on (insert title of novel here)" or in this case "based on local legend".

Point out to her the producer often provides or arranges for "funding" for the production. Show her the estimated budget of expenses you will incur (even if a lot of volunteer effort is expected). Since she has asked to be credited as the Producer ask her if she will be arranging for or providing that funding.

OK. You can give her a function she can be credited for: Script Supervisor. Every production can use one, this individual insures the script is followed and the shot list followed, keeps both "reconciled" so nothing scripted or on the shot list is missed. Explain to her that once underway she MUST MEET EVERY PART OF THE SHOOTING SCHEDULE WITHOUT FAIL!

But there is no "credit" to anyone for suggesting something.

Bruce Foreman

[azmyth]

You know in this case, try putting yourself in her shoes. You posted asking for ideas, she suggested this legend... Then you announce it as your next project. Of course she is going to think she helped you decide on it.
Here's a question. Why not get her involved? Having people who are keen to help can be a good thing, and its not like you need to give her anything other than a credit.
Sometimes it is better to bend a little over small things like this and save your strength for the big battles. You mentioned before that you live in a small town, so rubbing people up the wrong way can have wider consequences in that kind of setting. You need the community behind you, not pissed off.
If you really can't give her a credit then you need to either explain to her clearly and politely that you were developing that legend already (great minds think alike) and if she persists then try to simply not respond further.
Personally I'd just give her a small credit and be done with it. After all, it costs you nothing, and you did solicit ideas from the locals.

thats where the confusions lies..

1. I never asked for "movie ideas".. only genres.
2. This person is a kook, no way I'd let her near my set. Before now I was getting harassed left and right about whether or not her nephew made the cut. He was a "last minute" extra.. in a scene where I didn't need anyone else.. but I made an exception because she practically begged me. She doesn't even live here, she's just from here. She lives a state away. She'd be like "I'm ready to see 'his" part". His part is one of 150 others that were there that ONE night, the odds of you seeing his "part" is very slim.. and even if you do.. it will be for .2 secs tops.

For some reason though I think she truly believes he's going to have some major screen time. I think you see part of him for less than a second.. so I will probably be getting hate mail for that too. However, I told her nicely.. that I don't edit around people.. I edit around what looks best.. if the shots he happens to be in look the best.. thats what will get used. It goes the same for everyone.

Film is relatively minor here, Myself and a few others are the only ones who do it.. so.. there's some ignorance abound and its hard to explain it to them because they just don't get it.

[mfrantz2361]

I have to agree with Bruce (BIF) and the others about the reality. I also agree to try and do it politely and nicely. In the end ..make your film and ignore the boos from the gallery.

[Khaver]

If after explaining the realities of movie-making to her nicely and she still continues to harass/shows up at your door/shows up at your shoots/etc, you can file a complaint with the police. Though, before you do this, make sure she has no relationship with any law enforcement people in the area. You want the police on your side.

[Dr. Benway]

Does she have a thing for you?

[azmyth]

No, she's like 50 probably.

The problem is. I live in podunkville.. and while I like the quietness here.. I hate that everyone is so close minded and don't go outside the box.

So when it comes to things like this.. they only know "Hollywood" or are completely ignorant.

When she initally contacted me about her nephew being an extra. The scene I was doing was a party scene, and I really didn't need any kids. But she insisted that he wanted to be in the movie so badly, and it was his birthday.. blah blah.. so me being the nice guy I am, knowing most of these people are volunteering their time.. I said OK.. bring him down. They came down from Florida, I never really talked to her in person, because I just don't have time for that on set I'm running every which way as it is.

I've had a few extras/parents of extras.. act in a similar way, even had one threaten to sue me for using images of her daughter covered in blood.. (her father brought her to set and I did not know they were divorced and she was a extreme holy roller.) He signed a release for her, and he stated he had joint custody and when the daughter was with him.. he had parental right over here.. and that was that. She called me twice threatening me, and one of my crew members just happened to be his father in law.. so.. they took care of it for me.

Anyway, this particular one would constantly ask about her nephew's "part" as if he had a role. I tried to explain to her that he was just background, as nice as I could and I wasn't sure what she was asking. Did he do a good job of not doing anything? I really don't know.. I wasn't able to see all 150 extras.

Then she started bugging me to contact the theater there in Florida where they live, to show the movie.. a movie that wasn't shot there, and didn't use anybody from there.. except for this kid. I explained to her that she could request it there, but unless there was alot of people who wanted to see it there.. it probably wouldn't do much good and assured her she could get it on DVD eventually.

So then I started getting harassed about that, and it just got worse from there.. to the point she was fussing at other people on my crew about how I was blowing her off and not giving her credit for "her" idea. She made one final comment on one of my facebook statuses about it, and I jokingly said "You should totally direct it" and she apparently took me serious, until someone told her I was being sarcastic.. she won't say anything to me now, but she talks about me to people on my crew..

Oh well I guess.

[paperkut12]

She sounds a bit loony, honestly.

[azmyth]

She's one of those who types in all caps on facebook, and airs all her issues with men and other people on facebook as well. Yeah, I'd say she's a bit of a loon.

[HueyNRolf]

I've just canceled my facebook account. Part of the shutdown asks for a reason; I wrote "facebook is annoying."

[1]

...and airs all her issues with men and other people on facebook as well.

I thought that was what facebook was all about?

[cgbier]

No, she's like 50 probably

The older the bottle, the sweeter the wine...

Be nice to her - "Your nephew? Oh, yeah, he did great! He'll make it big in Bollywood - just ship him out already"
Give her credits (4 point font or something) "thank you to xyz for her valuable contributions"
I always prefer nice ways to tell people to f' off.