Getting help as a deaf screenwriter
Hi my name is Sami and I am deaf. I don’t write good in English, although I can write screenplay and know its format.
Suppose if I complete the screenplay and I want to be sure that this screenplay is complete accurate and perfect…how do I make sure it is? Do I send it to some script doctor and have them check the format, grammar, and etc? If so then do they have right to share the credit?
–Sami
One of your instincts is right: you do need someone to look over your writing, since your English isn’t terrific. I’m guessing you grew up using American Sign Language, which many non-deaf people assume is a direct adaptation of English. It isn’t. Not only does the language omit a lot of our needless filler words (such as articles), but it can structure sentences and phrases in much different ways than a spoken language might. This is why, over time, it has become very sophisticated and robust. Unfortunately, fluency in signing doesn’t always lend itself to the written word.
Which is where you could use some help.
A “script doctor” isn’t really the right term for what you need. That term generally applies to a highly paid screenwriting pro who does specific, short-term work on a screenplay to fix some perceived problem. What you’re looking for is really just an editor, someone with stronger grammar skills who can help with spelling, word choice and punctuation. Think of it this way: if you were hired to write a magazine article in French, you wouldn’t think twice about having a native speaker look over your work. That’s what you need.
Obviously, you should write about whatever subject interests you, but I’d encourage you to seek out the work of other deaf filmmakers. There are at least three deaf film festivals running, and other entries can be found in many of the better programs around the country. There is also the opportunity for cross-over with deaf theater companies, such as the renowned Deaf West Theater in Los Angeles.
Even if your work ends up having nothing to do with deaf issues, you’d benefit from meeting other writers and artists to see how they handle the challenges and opportunities the medium presents.
Articles
February 13th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
John,
Just ran across this, I know it’s an old post, but I have to say, well done.
Sami: Rock on, best of luck with your screenplay.
July 15th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Hey Sami,
How is it going with your screenplay? Oh boy, I’m glad I was not only one deaf screenwriter out there! I understand what you mean about looking for someone who can help with editing our scripts. I find it little hard to write dialogues because I’m not too sure about proper conservation itself or the way it carry over from scene to next scene or something.
Let me tell u a little about myself, I’m from Vancouver, BC in Canada – I lived there all of my life, and North Vancouver is the home to my parents who still live there for over 30 years now – it is awesome out there in North Shore! Currently, I live in New Westminster and I’ m working on getting a certificate in Web Technologies from BCIT. I have a deep passion for the movies and want to be part of the film industry so I have a story that I want to start with the screenwriting as it should be one of my hobbies – not a dream job – I wish!
Several weeks ago, I just found out that there is a huge contest at finaldraft.com (http://www.finaldraft.com/events-and-services/big-break/) and I only had like 80 pages at sciptbuddy.com (awesome free web-based screenwriting software!) after three years of on/off relationship with my screenwriting!
I decided to finish it in hurry and I might make some mistakes on my first Draft…I also got couple of friends who did editing on my screenplay at last minute – I eventually made it and I submitted it on the day of the deadline! There is also other contest at http://www.scriptshark.com/insider/Home.asp I submitted it over there too as their deadline was like two weeks later and I just found out like few days before the deadline date again so I have no time to look at my screenplay as I submitted it there as well.
Now, I wish I could have more time to add more scenes and etc as it could go up to 140 pages at second contest as first contest requires up to 120 pages! However, I tried my best and did my screenplay at last minute… it went well than I thought it should be.
Ever since, at some point, I am having this kind of feeling that I didn’t get to the finals even thought I should hear from them in Sept or Oct to see if my screenplay got in the finals. Crossing my fingers and if I got in the finals, then I would $#&% my pants and call it a dumb luck, I guess.
I didn’t get enough feedback out of it, and couple of my friends said it is very good but it might need more work on it too… it is hard for me to see what did I do wrong on my part so right now I’m looking for someone who is an expert in screenwriting and hopefully he or she can give me proper feedback to improve my screenplay or change some stuff… I can always submit there at these contests every year! Any suggestions at where I can find someone who will do for free? I’m thinking about put an ad on craigslist.org and see who could help me out?
Thanks and have a great summer!
Dave