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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Screenwriting
The Writer's Cut
You know, a few months after they release the DVD of a popular film, they always come out with a new DVD that's the "Director's Cut" and contains additional footage. The funny thing is, there are director's cuts for Indie films where the director had final cut. George Lucas has been creating new footage for the rerelease of his STAR WARS movies, so that I can't buy STAR WARS on DVD... only the messed up new version.
You know, all of my films have been messed up on the way to the screen, and often by the director. So the "Director's Cut" of NIGHT HUNTER would still omit the scene that sold the script in the first place. And the director also cut out some of the cool scenes, because he didn't really want to make a horror movie (about vampires). Even though the original director's cut of NIGHT HUNTER was about a dozen minutes longer than the version released, it would still exclude most of the cool stuff from my script...
So how about a DVD "Writer's Cut"?
Weird idea, huh? But one of the extras on the SHAUN OF THE DEAD DVD got me to thinking... they have a section of "plot holes" where off camera scenes are shown in comic book form. It's really fun, and gives you an idea of the scene we haven't seen.
Add in the idea of lifelike computer animation, or even just anime, and all of the great scenes they didn't shoot could now be part of a new DVD "Writer's Cut".
So I'm thinking of trying to get a "Writer's Cut" in my contracts. It might just start out as a comic book version of unshot scenes, and evolve into anime, but extras on DVDs are popular selling points, so I think eventually someone might agree to the idea.
Something to think about.
You know, all of my films have been messed up on the way to the screen, and often by the director. So the "Director's Cut" of NIGHT HUNTER would still omit the scene that sold the script in the first place. And the director also cut out some of the cool scenes, because he didn't really want to make a horror movie (about vampires). Even though the original director's cut of NIGHT HUNTER was about a dozen minutes longer than the version released, it would still exclude most of the cool stuff from my script...
So how about a DVD "Writer's Cut"?
Weird idea, huh? But one of the extras on the SHAUN OF THE DEAD DVD got me to thinking... they have a section of "plot holes" where off camera scenes are shown in comic book form. It's really fun, and gives you an idea of the scene we haven't seen.
Add in the idea of lifelike computer animation, or even just anime, and all of the great scenes they didn't shoot could now be part of a new DVD "Writer's Cut".
So I'm thinking of trying to get a "Writer's Cut" in my contracts. It might just start out as a comic book version of unshot scenes, and evolve into anime, but extras on DVDs are popular selling points, so I think eventually someone might agree to the idea.
Something to think about.
Top answer
Interesting idea you have there! I think it'd depend on how it was pitched, though - and on who you're working with. If a director's particularly precious about his vision, he may not take too kindly to any suggestion that he left any good bits out.
- Interesting idea you have there!
- I think it'd depend on how it was pitched, though - and on who you're working with.
- If a director's particularly precious about his vision, he may not take too kindly to any suggestion that he left any good bits out.
- In this regard, Shaun of the Dead is atypical - it was co-written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, the director and the actor who played Shaun respectively.
- They've worked together before, on the sitcom Spaced, and the comic book/"plot holes" idea is exactly the sort of thing they go in for anyway.
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5 Answers
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Interesting idea you have there!
I think it'd depend on how it was pitched, though - and on who you're working with. If a director's particularly precious about his vision, he may not take too kindly to any suggestion that he left any good bits out.
In this regard, Shaun of the Dead is atypical - it was co-written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, the director and the actor who pl
I think it'd depend on how it was pitched, though - and on who you're working with. If a director's particularly precious about his vision, he may not take too kindly to any suggestion that he left any good bits out.
In this regard, Shaun of the Dead is atypical - it was co-written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, the director and the actor who pl
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I think it's a great idea -- and if the public would buy it, somebody will do it.
The problem is that the writer would have to be a"name" (not that you aren't, Bill, and you certainly are around here), but a Grisham, King, or even a Charlie Kaufman would generate sales to justify a writer's cut DVD.
But here's a thought (and before anybody says this can't be done, please be awar
The problem is that the writer would have to be a"name" (not that you aren't, Bill, and you certainly are around here), but a Grisham, King, or even a Charlie Kaufman would generate sales to justify a writer's cut DVD.
But here's a thought (and before anybody says this can't be done, please be awar
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[nq:1]The problem is that the writer would have to be a"name" (not that you aren't, Bill, and you certainly are ... days, and the studio could be so intrigued by the writer's cut idea, they might help you with the marketing.[/nq]
Not only that, but, well, there's the question of which writer. Given the rules that say more than 30% of the script can be rewritten by someone who doesn't get cred
Not only that, but, well, there's the question of which writer. Given the rules that say more than 30% of the script can be rewritten by someone who doesn't get cred
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[nq:1]In article , In some of the better director commentaries I've seen, the director talks about changes from the ... cut. But given the way studio films are made, I'm not sure it's really practical except in unusual cases. -Ron[/nq]
It might be more realistic to ask for a writer's commentary track on the dvd. The "Auto Focus" dvd was interesting because the writer and one of the producers
It might be more realistic to ask for a writer's commentary track on the dvd. The "Auto Focus" dvd was interesting because the writer and one of the producers
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[nq:1]You know, all of my films have been messed up on the way to the screen, and often by the ... into anime, but extras on DVDs are popular selling points, so I think eventually someone might agree to the idea.[/nq]
I think it's a great idea. Within the past month, I watched a movie and went "huh?" because I missed the leap from A to B. Backing up and watching again didn't help, but the del
I think it's a great idea. Within the past month, I watched a movie and went "huh?" because I missed the leap from A to B. Backing up and watching again didn't help, but the del
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