Lawrence of Arabia – Undated, unspecified shooting draft script by Robert Bolt – hosted by: Daily Script – in pdf format

An inordinately complex man who has been labeled everything from hero, to charlatan, to sadist, Thomas Edward Lawrence blazed his way to glory in the Arabian desert, then sought anonymity as a common soldier under an assumed name. The story opens with the death of Lawrence in a motorcycle accident in London at the age of 47, then flashbacks to recount his adventures: as a young intelligence officer in Cairo in 1916, he is given leave to investigate the progress of the Arab revolt against the Turks in World War I. In the desert, he organizes a guerrilla army and–for two years–leads the Arabs in harassing the Turks with desert raids, train-wrecking and camel attacks. Eventually, he leads his army northward and helps a British General destroy the power of the Ottoman Empire.

Information courtesy of imdb.com

Find more scripts on the Movie Scripts page.

Many a writer has dreamed of taking up the director’s reins, and shooting their script themselves (or a worthy script that’s caught their eye.)  As with many ventures, that’s a task easier said than done. And those that accomplish such a thing?  Our collective hats are off to them.  Taking a script all the way?  That’s impressive, on so many levels. So we invite you now to sit back, read… and learn.

Following, you’ll find an interview with screenwriter Pia Cook, director of the short film “Them That’s Dead“ and writer of feature films “Finders Keepers: The Root of All Evil” and “Blackout“. Pia was born and raised in Sweden. She moved to United States in 1984. She lives with her husband in Florida where they own and operate a small manufacturing business. She started writing screenplays in 2006 and has written over sixty short screenplays and ten features. In the summer of 2012, she directed and produced her first short film, “Them That’s Dead”.

“Them That’s Dead”, which was written by Robert Newcomer, is about three thieves who are in search of lost treasure that was hidden by a dead pirate, Shark Tooth O’Shea. It was written as part of SimplyScripts’ February 2011 One Week Challenge, in which writers have one week to complete a 12-or-less page low-budget horror film with the theme of British or Celtic mythology.

Interviewer Sean Chipman: How did you choose “Them That’s Dead” as a script you wanted to film?

Pia Cook: I loved the script. It was part of a OWC where a director of shorts chose the subject. He picked another winner, but I thought TTD should’ve won.

I went to St. Augustine with my husband over Labor Day weekend in 2011. While we were at the fort, it hit me that I could maybe film TTD there.

SC: What was it that drew you to the script so much?

PC: Everything. The atmosphere. The dialogue. The characters. The twist or reveal.

SC: Let’s talk about your production experience. What different kinds of roles did you take on behind the scenes?

PC: I was involved with everything. I planned it. Cast it. Hired the DP. Storyboarded it. Directed it. Did some of the early editing. Basically everything. That’s not to say others didn’t help out. I’m a newbie and need all the help I can get.

SC: That’s okay. I understand. [Laughs] During the casting process, what were you looking for in your actors that made you choose them?

PC: Well, first of all, where I live in Gainesville, FL, there isn’t a large group of actors to chose from. I looked at some actors from Jacksonville and down towards St. Augustine and found some really promising ones, but I soon decided that it would be better if they lived in Gainesville for rehearsals sake since St. Auggie and Jax are almost two hours away. Robert Newcomer, the writer, did such a great job with the characters, but I had to make alterations to them just because I simply didn’t have a large pool of actors to chose from. In the end, I think they [Micah Blakeslee, Pete Roe and L’Tanya Van Hamersveld] all worked out great.

SC: I agree. They were all really terrific. But, I understand you had some technical difficulties as well…

PC: Yes, we did. All thanks to me being too optimistic and not knowing any better. Turns out this was a VERY ambitious project for someone with limited experience like myself. I’ve read thousands of scripts by now and a LOT of them take place at night and outdoors. That’s cool. I like that myself, but it makes the shoot so much more difficult and more expensive. I’m talking about outdoor shoots now. The first half of the film is shot at Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine. It’s a gorgeous beach with not many people. Perfect for our project. We rented extra lights, but in a setting like that, you really need HUGE lights. Like big stadium lights. If not, the background just sort of disappears. Someone told me that I could just as well have shot the beach scenes at a beach volleyball court at UF. So, that’s something to keep in mind when you write scenes that take place at night outdoors. You need big lights. Big lights cost money! Anyway, as a result, we ended up with some horrendous low light grain issues. I almost scrapped the film due to that.

We also had some issues with the audio at the beach. I used excellent mics, but the sound of the ocean waves were just too loud. Not only were they loud, but instead of sounding like nice little ocean waves, they were a constant crashing roar. The first time I checked our footage I honestly thought we would have to redo all the audio in post.

SC: But you wouldn’t be discouraged. You kept fighting. How did you do that? You know, it’s not looking good, but you keep going. What was it that kept you going?

PC: Well, I was disappointed when I first looked at the footage, but I felt I needed to finish it for the others who were involved. It was an extremely grueling weekend shoot away from home and shot during the nights. We were all really really tired physically and mentally. It just didn’t feel right to scrap it. Regardless of the quality. So, I started searching for fixes in post instead. Ha! We’ve all heard the phrase “fix it in post”. Well, everything isn’t fixable in post, but it can certainly be improved.

SC: [Laughs] I can just imagine. But, of course, it still looked pretty damn good once the final product was released.

And, obviously, the whole shoot wasn’t just doom and gloom. Did you have any personal highlights from the shoot? Any favorite moments of production?

PC: I think if anything, the biggest highlight for me was how everyone gave this everything they had. Despite the conditions and circumstance, everyone really gave it their all. No one complained, grumbled or anything. That to me was probably the coolest thing. I felt we really were in this together and we were going to see it through together.

SC: And, you mostly certainly did. Of course, after the trials put forth by “Them That’s Dead”, can we expect any films in the future from director Pia Cook?

PC: Maybe, but it probably will be something filmed in a controlled environment. Like someone’s house or apartment. It won’t be at a beach at night nor will it be at a National Monument with Federal Rangers looking over our shoulders.

SC: Not feeling that kind of close-range monitoring [from the Rangers] on your next film?

PC: They did their job which was making sure we didn’t hurt the fort. They were very nice though and gave us Gatorades when we looked like we were about to die of heat exhaustion. Remember, we shot this in July. Florida in July is very hot and humid.

SC: That does sound incredibly nice of them and Florida summers, I’ve never experienced them myself but I’ve heard the stories.

PC: Well, the thing was that you’re not allowed to bring food or drinks into the fort because of rats. Yes, rats! Huge ones. And they were everywhere! That was the reason our table with food and drinks was set up outside the fort so those Gatorades were lifesavers.

SC: Oh, man. There were rats, too?

PC: yep!

SC: It’s a miracle that the film was even completed, let alone made as well as it was. I think that’s a tribute to you as a director.

PC: Well, it made me feel happy when they said they would love to work with me again.

SC: Let’s talk about the future. Any word on some upcoming scripts you’re working on?

PC: Don’t have much to say about future scripts. I don’t like mentioning them unless it looks like they will be completed. I’ve had too many films that never really made it to the end. It’s a common thing in the film business, I think. I’d rather wait until I know for sure.

I have a couple of shorts, The End, doing the festivals in Europe right now and another one, A Mime Is A Terrible Thing To Waste, about to hit the festivals as well. And I’m working with a Canadian filmmaker to get Covert Careers made.

SC: All right, thank you very much for your time and I wish you the very best of luck in the future.

PC: Thank you Sean!

Want more?  Catch the short on Vimeo here!

Check out these and more on the Old Time Radio page.

– Don

Lux Radio Theatre: The Day the Earth Stood Still – transcript- from: Microphone Plays

A spaceship lands in Washington, D. C. bringing an alien who has a message for mankind. “Klaatu barada nikto,” says spaceman Klaatu to robot Gort in this faithful adaptation of the vintage film.

Murder Clinic: The Scrap of Lace – transcript – from: The Generic Radio Workshop

Madame Rosika Storey and her faithful sidekick Bella investigate a mysterious death in New York high society. A rare dramatization of Hulbert Footner’s largely forgotten fictional detective.

Front Page Drama: The Broken Coin – transcript – from: The Generic Radio Workshop

In a notorious Depression-era Parisian café, women use their wiles to squeeze money from wealthy drunks. Interesting combination of sensationalism and old-fashioned melodrama from the Hearst publishing empire.

The Hall of Fantasy: The Shadow People – transcript- from: The Generic Radio Workshop

When the “people of the darkness” threaten to “take” Elaine and her family, her fiance calls in Dr. Hesselius, expert on the occult. Creepy episode of the horror series.

Sherlock Holmes: The Problem of Thor Bridge – transcript – from: The Generic Radio Workshop

A wealthy American’s wife has apparently been murdered by his beautiful mistress. The great detective investigates. A relatively faithful adaptation of the original Arthur Conan Doyle story.

Mercury Theater on the Air: Sherlock Holmes – transcript – from: The Generic Radio Workshop

Sherlock Holmes versus Professor Moriarty. Orson Welles adapts and stars in this radio version of William Gillette’s classic stage play.

Romance: Two and One Is Awful – transcript – from: The Generic Radio Workshop

Two friends, vying for the same man, get a little help from swinging Aunt Martha. Funny romantic comedy.

Destination Freedom: The Rime of the Ancient Dodger – transcript – from: J. Fred MacDonald Presents

Jackie Robinson breaks baseball’s color line by joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, as told by Sammy the Whammy, a very Brooklynesque narrator. This surprisingly lighthearted script (partly a parody of Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”), by black author Richard Durham for his award-winning civil rights drama series, was broadcast the year after Robinson’s major league debut. “You look like the kind of player who could get a hit,” says a scout to Robinson, “Even if you do start out with two strikes on you.”

The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Dead Duck Caper  – transcript- from: Microphone Plays

Instead of a Maltese falcon, Dashiell Hammett’s private detective pursues a mysterious “duck” wanted by a gangster who’s holding his secretary’s mother hostage. Says Spade, “When a streetcar came along, I tossed a coin whether to get on it or lie down on the tracks and let it run over me.”

Lux Radio Theater: I’ll Be Seeing You – transcript- from: The Generic Radio Workshop

“The poignant story of two people who find themselves very much in love,” says Cecil B. DeMille, “but whose yuletide happiness is shadowed by a strange threat.” Adapted from the 1940s David O. Selznick film.

Lum and Abner: Christmas Eve in Pine Ridge – transcript- from: Microphone Plays

Customers visit the Jot ‘Em Down Store, but proprietors Lum and Abner, entranced by a “lecatric” train set, are too busy layin’ track ’round the pickle barrel to notice. Doggies, this is a mighty amusin’ Christmas episode of the noted rural comedy series.

Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid – July 15, 1968 Final Draft script by William Goldman – hosted by: Daily Script – in pdf format

Butch and Sundance are the two leaders of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. Butch is all ideas, Sundance is all action and skill. The west is becoming civilized and when Butch and Sundance rob a train once too often, a special posse begins trailing them no matter where they run. Over rock, through towns, across rivers, the group is always just behind them. When they finally escape through sheer luck, Butch has another idea, “Let’s go to Bolivia”. Based on the exploits of the historical characters.

Information courtesy of imdb.com

Check out more on the Movie Scripts page.

Nineteen original scripts on the Unproduced Scripts page. You can find last week’s scripts and scripts from the week before that.

– Don

The Screenplay Database is back! (Well, it has been for a while, but I’m a bit behind). Let’s start out with a couple of action scripts. You can check out these and other scripts on the Movie Scripts page. And, don’t forget to check out the scripts studios posted for award consideration. Now that award season is over, these will start to disappear from the ‘net.

-Don

Olympus Has Fallen – undated, unspecified draft script by The Rothenbergers – hosted by: The Screenplay Database – in pdf format

When the White House (Secret Service Code: “Olympus”) is captured by a terrorist mastermind and the President is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential Secret Service Agent Mike Banning finds himself trapped within the building. As our national security team scrambles to respond, they are forced to rely on Banning’s inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save the President and avert an even bigger disaster.

Information courtesy of imdb.com

Non-Stop – undated, unspecified draft script by John Richardson & Chris Roach – hosted by: The Screenplay Database – in pdf format

An air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fellow passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account.

Information courtesy of imdb.com

Help The Art of Persuasion get filmed.

Heaven or Hell … Who has the Better Argument?

Gabe’s script has been on the site for about three years and has gone through several revisions. It was picked up by Backwards Man Productions out of North Carolina. They have three films under their belt

Please ‘Like’ the film on FaceBook. Read reviews and find the story thus far on the Discussion Board. And, if you ahve a few buck, Donate to get the film made.

The pitch:

Thanks to Marie for the heads up on these scripts and transcripts from the Golden Age of Radio. Read these and more on the Old Time Radio page.

– Don

The Lone Ranger: The Origin of the Lone Ranger – transcript – from: Microphone Plays

How and why the Lone Ranger wears his mask, meets Tonto, gets his name, and finds the great horse Silver — while avenging the murder of his brother, a Texas Ranger. “Other Rangers all dead,” says Tonto, “You only one left. You – lone Ranger.”

Heartbeat Theatre: The Third Saturday in Advent – transcript – from: The Generic Radio Workshop

Touching Christmas story about Ilsa, a poor immigrant, working in a Salvation Army thrift store during the holidays.

The Whistler: Stranger in the House – transcript – from: The Generic Radio Workshop

A charming rogue turns up in Seattle, claiming to be Helen’s long-lost brother. She knows he’s an impostor, but he manages to convince everyone else that he’s the real deal and stands to inherit her brother’s million-dollar estate. Is Helen losing her mind? This episode of the long-running thriller series was the basis for the 1958 film “Chase a Crooked Shadow.”

Mr. District Attorney: The Case of the Peddlers of Prejudice – transcript- from: The Wireless

Race-baiting high school janitor sparks a riot and an assault — but Mr. D. A. and his staff investigate. An anti-bigotry Christmas episode of the long-running crime drama series, which was sort of the “Law and Order” of its day, with stories ripped from the headlines.

Superman: The Meteor of Kryptonite, Chapter 2 – transcript – from: The Generic Radio Workshop

Seeking help from Lois Lane and Perry White, mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent tells them the story of a faraway planet and the origin of the Man of Steel. “Much as dread uttering these fateful words,” says Jor-El, “I have come to the conclusion that Krypton is doomed!”

Dragnet: .22 Rifle for Christmas – transcript- from: Microphone Plays

Dragnet’s annual Christmas episode for the first four years of the series. A small boy is reported missing from his home. Sgt. Joe Friday, assigned to Homicide detail, investigates. The announcer says, “You will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case from official police files.”

The Adventures of Philip Marlowe: The Panama Hat – transcript- from: Microphone Plays

Raymond Chandler’s private detective plays bodyguard for a family receiving death threats. Says Marlowe, “Sounded good, real good. A weekend in Malibu, expenses paid with a cash bonus thrown in. But that was before I knew about the henchman, the redhead, and the corpse.”

Superman: Stolen Fuel for Atomic Beam Machine, Episode 8 – transcript – from: Microphone Plays

When a madman steals a scientist’s deadly weapon, reporters Clark Kent and Lois Lane investigate. “I think it’s time Superman took a hand,” says Mr. Kent, his voice deepening, as he bends some steel doors in his bare hands.

Lux Radio Theatre: The Scarlet Pimpernel – transcript – from: The Generic Radio Workshop

Long before Batman and Iron Man, there was “that damned, elusive Pimpernel” — another wealthy playboy who doubles as a superhero. Leslie Howard recreates his popular film role as British fop Sir Percy Blakeney and his alter ego, a colorful vigilante who bedevils the French government.

Mystery in the Air: The Mask of Medusa – transcript – from: The Wireless

A killer-on-the-run finds himself trapped in a wax museum — with forty-six other murderers! Peter Lorre stars in this outrageous horror story.

Lux Radio Theater: War of the Worlds – transcript- from: Microphone Plays

Martians invade Earth, but perhaps they should have picked on a planet that was germ-free. “It’s possible they may have more than one brain. Perhaps two or even more. And possibly they may even smell colors,” muses Dr. Clayton Forrester. “Well, that’s speculation, of course.” No, it’s not the Orson Welles version. Adapted from the 1950s George Pal film.

Dragnet: The Big Little Jesus – transcript – from: The Generic Radio Workshop

Classic Christmas episode in which Sgt. Joe Friday searches for … Jesus. “You’re a detective sergeant…. assigned to Burglary Division. You get a call that an important piece of religious art has been stolen from the oldest church in Los Angeles. There’s no lead to its whereabouts. Your job … find it.”

Her – final draft script by Spike Jonze – hosted by: Warner Bros – in pdf format

A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that’s designed to meet his every need.

Information courtesy of imdb.com