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The Screenwriter in Cyberspace
By Charles Deemer

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Column #11 - New Uses of the Web

The ever-changing World Wide Web has recently seen a number of new uses for websites that should be of particular interest to screenwriters. Each suggests new possibilities of how writers can use the web for learning craft and marketing their scripts.

The First Movie on the Internet

Writer/director/producer Drew Cummings has been putting up an original "web premier" movie online scene by scene for several months now. Called (unfortunately) Casino, this movie is going up both in script form and as compressed video, using the new VDOLive format, which loads very quickly, although paying the price in quality. Nonetheless, this is a wonderful new direction that students of screenwriting will want to take advantage of.

For example, imagine an online screenwriting course in which Casino is studied. With both the script and video available, scene by scene, what better tools can one have? How extraordinary it would be if studios followed Cummings' lead and put up their own movies in both script and VDOLive (or other easily loaded) formats.

Unfortunately, this probably will not happen soon. Independent producers I talked to do not see Cummings starting a trend with his online original movie. The economics of presenting free entertainment do not appeal to commercial filmmakers.

Cummings, on the other hand, is getting considerable attention with this innovative venture, which gives him leverage in promoting other commercial ventures such as CD-ROMs and video cassettes. He also is holding an editing contest for the opening sequence of Casino.

I like this development on the web, and I hope others join Cummings in providing scripts-with-video products, which are invaluable for screenwriting students.

Shadow Underground - a serial screenplay

Another recent development has been the act-by-act serial presentation of an original screenplay by Christopher Parr called Shadow Underground. I contacted Parr and asked him whether he was putting up his work to market it or for other reasons.

"I was developing the online zine CyberMad (http://www.cybermad.com) and was desperate for content," he explained. "I had recently finished my screenplay 'Shadow Underground' - so I decided it just might do the trick. It was presented online as an act-a-week series.

"No, I didn't put the script online expecting to sell it," he continued, " - that's not how things work in Hollywood, not yet. Agents and producers are busy at meetings and parties, while writers procrastinate by cruising the 'net. If you know anyone who has landed a deal via the Internet and that script has been produced, tell me. Otherwise, save your time and try to find an agent."

I asked Parr what kind of feedback has his script been getting.

"I'm lucky to have received great feedback," he replied, "including a few offers to sell 'Shadow Underground.' Not being desperate, I want the project to find a proper home, so I regretfully declined the offers. The story would require a large budget and cast (hopefully not another 'Waterworld') - so I'm waiting for it to be picked up by a major production company or studio. I've been working on the story for 6 years - so I'm not willing to give it away at the drop of a hat.

"Since I presented the screenplay online as "entertainment," I was very pleased to receive about 300 emails a week. The feedback from the readers and fellow writers was very exciting - some asked plot and character questions while others asked advice. A rewarding experience that requires time and patience."

Does Parr think marketing online has a future?

"Perhaps," he said, "when more of Hollywood goes online. Until then, you have just a bunch of writers looking to make millions - just to be disappointed.

"In a few years, though, it will be a very viable way to market your work. The writer/actor/director doesn't need to be located out of LA - the global village will bring talent together. Still, if your work is not polished or the 3rd act doesn't work - that script will never sell."

Parr has words of advice for new writers thinking of putting their work online:

"Don't beg or say 'please read this script and give me a gizillion dollars' - it comes off lame and unprofessional. Also, don't put a picture of your cat or baby on the same page as the link to the script or synopsis - you'll never sell that script in a million years. Keep your homepage and the site to feature your screenplay separate."

More and more screenwriters are coming online all the time, Parr notes.

"In the last few months, many more professional writers have stumbled online. To name a few, Roger Avary ('Killing Zoe') has http://www.avary.com/ and Eric Idle is launching http://www.pythonline.com/.

It is an interesting and new medium, so if you're thinking about joining the millions already online, ask yourself 'Do I want to sell something?' or 'Do I want to entertain?' I'd go with the second question. Not only is it a more rewarding option, it is also the best route to get to the first question."

Online Dealmaking

Finally, the recent Hollywood Interactive Studio here at the Hollywood Network is exploring new ways to bring writers and producers together, both informally in chat rooms and professionally in forums in which deals can be explored. One writer of my acquaintance has already been asked for two scripts as a result of using this new facility.

All these developments are exciting because all provide new tools for learning and marketing. Many more surprises are just around the corner.

--Charles Deemer



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Originally appeared at the Hollywood Network.