So I both love and hate this sub-forum. On the one hand there are many interesting people during interesting things. They are all doing these things for fun and enjoyment and that's great.

On the other hand, you'd think that there would be more. Everyone just seems to be waiting for someone else's idea. So why not connect engineers with inventors on this and try to kick-start some projects right now (summer is coming so the youngsters out there can lend some extra time to making a name for themselves).

What's the next big idea for the Shadowrun community?

This is going to seem like a hokey idea (it does to me) but how about a screen play? A lot of people have great ideas but not the skills to translate that into the very strict formatting of screen writing. There would need to be ground rules and such but if the idea (of putting one together) is good, we could do it.

It would have to be a screen play though, not a treatment or outline. No one buys treatments unless they're from Terry Rosio and Ted Eliot. Screen writing is what I am trying to do professionally, so I would be the moderator. If there is anyone else who knows about the very particular writing style of screen plays(like eralston), they could be the co-moderator.

All the work could be put up here, each idea and character catalogued by the forum itself.

The basics. There are a lot of rules to screen writing, more so than any other sort of writing. Why? Because the people who ultimately decide if your Film gets made or not know NOTHING about writing. All they know is what has come before them. If you have a story/character/scene idea, don't worry about if you think it will fit in. That will be my job. Just tell me your idea in as much detail as possible.

Ultimately we will need a 120 pages of single spaced story, with about a page being equal to a minute on screen. The first act (the first part of the story) will be 20 -30 pages, the second act is 40 - 60 pages and the third act is 10 - 20 pages.

No more than Nine speaking roles total, figure 4 main characters 3 bad guys and a couple of extras. Ideally you would want a story arc that started out normal then had a twist about 15 minutes in, then about 40 minutes later another twist (the technical term is Turning Point).

Before I get to much into this though I best let the public speak and see if anyone is interested.

eralston actually has a screen treatment, and you can download it in the thread entitled "Shadowrun: One Night."

I am sure he put a lo of work into it, but a treatment doesn't do anything for you. You can't sell it and very few people will even look at it. If you want to have a movie you NEED a screen play.

Wow, two people using my name in succession, I feel so special guys

Screen play sounds good. I can co-moderate if you would like and Shadow can take the lead. Shadow, you should start a thread here and test the waters for developers.

As far as my treatment goes, I am always apt to mention that it was not written for the strict purpose of writing a story, but to fulfill the parameters of a capstone project in a class. It is certainly not the only good idea for a shadowrun movie. We should see what we come up with in pursuit of this.

At this point, I am actually so internalized that I will make the SR movie that I wouldn't want someone else molesting it.

Any other ideas?

I was actually thinking that an SR music project would be rather cool. Something along the lines of creating a web-album for community consumption

I was thinking this could be a good screen writing excersize in general. The best way (I think) to get a shot at the SR screen play would be to sell a screenplay, any screen play. At that point you are a screen writer and have a measure stick of success. You could approach Wiz kids (or whoever has the Film writes) and have a much better chance.

All films should start with two things, interesting characters and a interesting story.

Any ideas? (anyone)