Kirk Vs Picard on Fanlib.com

[CX]

Actually screenplay can be tons easier to write than prose because you don't have any inner dialog and only have to describe what actions are taking place. My screenplays actually include a lot more than a typical industry standard script.

[Distracted]

T'Poptarts, the Microsoft Word version looked exactly like that, but when I posted to the site I got doublespaces. When I tried to backspace, the dialog jumped up to the same line as the speaker's name. My format was correct. I followed the guidelines on a screenplay website I found precisely. The site just won't let me post it that way, so any formatting errors are not my fault. The dialog is supposed to be indented, too, and the speakers names shouldn't be centered, they should all be on the same margin 5 tabs to the right. Too bad they asked for screenplay format and then didn't install the software to support it, but it's not my fault. I did my best.

Any dialog suggestions? That's pretty much all I had control over.

[CoffeeCat]

Actually screenplay can be tons easier to write than prose because you don't have any inner dialog and only have to describe what actions are taking place. My screenplays actually include a lot more than a typical industry standard script.

Writing them isn't hard - it's formatting them that's a pain. You need to center the dialogue speakers name (also in all caps) then you need to indent/blockquote the dialogue and remember INT, EXT depending on location. And then you need to figure out how much of the characters you want the actors to interpret for you.

I'd just rather sit at the keyboard and type without having to worry too much about the formatting.

At least they don't make you put in camera angles like they used to.

[Rigil Kent]

I have a program to do all that ... "Sophocles"...

Not bad, Dis ... given the horrible constraints you had to work under, you succeeded...

[CoffeeCat]

I think there is another free program called celtx that does it. But I don't write screenplays often enough to put it on my computer. In fact, I never write them and I don't think writing someone's stinky plot is motivation enough for me to DL it.

Anyhow - screenwriting is still a good thing to learn because it teaches writers how to show the story they are trying to write through the eyes of their characters instead of just telling it through internal thoughts. It teaches people to actually plot and make things happen instead of writing cute little vignettes all the time that don't really go anywhere. With screenwriting you actully have to describe scenery that's relevant to the plot or characters and then describe the actions of your characters and make the actions show what the character's motivations are.

The one thing you need to avoid, however, is monologues (alright if it's Captain Kirk ) and the talking head syndrome.

Anyhow: Great beginning, Dis. (*Vash* mahahaha - I love Vash) - good descriptions. the Guardian in pieces was a nice touch. McCoy taking a tricorter reading and looking for a neural center was also good. You don't dumb down the characters like many Trek writers (fan fiction or not) tend to do. I appreciate that and respect that very much.

And you got my muse going - Maybe I'll write one where they find Data's head...

[TPoptarts]

T'Poptarts, the Microsoft Word version looked exactly like that, but when I posted to the site I got doublespaces. When I tried to backspace, the dialog jumped up to the same line as the speaker's name.

Heh. Then on FanLib when you do that, and the dialog jumps to the same line that comes before it, you just gotta hit shift+enter and then you get it spaced just right

(Didn't I tell you the little shift+enter secret before? Like twice?? )

[Distracted]

Shift + enter, huh? I'll have to try that next time. Thanks.

And thanks for the critique, everybody. I really hope the guy who had Kirk blow up the Guardian to free his ship in the first 4 pages of his story doesn't win. Talk about dumbing down the characters. What kind of moron does he think Kirk is?

[blacknblue]

Where, pray tell, are they coming up with these plot lines?

[TPoptarts]

Yeah baby! I'm so in!!

Warning: you are about to enter the realm of total ridiculousness. This scene is more ridiculous than an over-restrictive outline. It's more ridiculous than Rigil's cliche plot. And it's like totally gonna make Rigil hate me forever.

Behold!

KvP - The Musical!

Now just try to write something more ridiculous than that. Muahahahaha.

[CoffeeCat]

(turns toward camera)
There's no doubt the Guardian
Is dreadfully sick
(pulls out gigantic thermometer)
But I've got a thermometer
I don't know where to stick!
(throws thermometer off screen)

OMFG!

I can't believes some of the humorless b@stards that only gave you one star. It's hilarious!

[Rigil Kent]

It's more ridiculous than Rigil's cliche plot.

Wow. You weren't kidding. It's so ridiculous that it's hilarious. Now I have this mental image of Kirk and Spock and McCoy dancing ...

Expect a call from my lawyers. Mental distress and all that...

And it's like totally gonna make Rigil hate me forever.

Nonsense. I wouldn't watch it, but then, I hate musicals.

[TPoptarts]

Oh lookie it even got a mention on the FanLib homepage!! How cool is that!!

Have You Seen KVP?
(6/25/07)
Round one of Star Trek: Kirk vs. Picard has closed with more than 300 submissions. Though they all began with the same Guardian of Time storyline, you'll find plenty of cool twists. Q stops by as does Edith Keeler, a Bird of Prey figures into one story and yes, there's even KvP: The Musical.

Check out the submissions and leave your comments. Which scenes do you think will make the final five?

Distracted I read your entry. I have like totally no idea who Vash is but I think the story is really good. Well if it means anything it's the best entry I've read so far... but I've only read 2 so far (not including mine) I haven't seen that much TNG and even less TOS so I can't know like how "in character" they were (though in my entry I think it's safe to say for sure that they weren't ) but still was fun to read so who cares. I think my favorite part is when Data is confused and Troi rolls her eyes

[enterprikayak]

Expect a call from my lawyers. Mental distress and all that...

You keep lawyers on retainer? < considers >

Probably for the best.

[evcake]

Re: Kirk v Picard: The Musical

[TPoptarts]

Okay who didn't know my horrendously ridiculous entry wouldn't make it to the final 5 duh.