Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Screenwriters

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[edit] Listing TV episodes of screenwriter

Bruno Heller and Alan Ball are some of the articles that list the TV episodes they worked on. Is this something you do when the screenwriter's body of work is basically that show? If this was Aaron Sorkin or Josh Schwartz it could be an eyesore. What to do? Not care, and move on?-BiancaOfHell 20:47, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

Maybe the difference is whichever has more of the spotlight - the writer, or his/her work. I think you can argue pretty well that at this point, Aaron Sorkin has become more well-known than his actual writing, whereas for someone like Alan Ball, his work is more known than the actual person. Then again, you don't want to base articles based on public perception, but maybe it's a good jumping off point? ClassicBri 07:13, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

True. I think each article on a Screenwriter will be different depending on how much is known about them, and what kind of work they have under their belt. I'd like to see an article about a Screenwriter who wrote no more than one teleplay, and has an entire article about his family, his farm, and some travel adventures.-BiancaOfHell 08:16, 28 January 2007 (UTC)
I've got one for you David H. Melnick. He has written just one episode of The Wire according to IMDb, now we just need to locate his farm! A filmography is useful for a freelance writer and for most staff writers but for head writer types it would become unwieldy. Is it worth trying to standardise presentation for the writers that we do include an extensive filmography for?--Opark 77 23:10, 5 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Questions

  • Is it legal/correct to include external links to the screenplays that are found on the web?
  • Is a Credits section, a Filmography section, a case by case decision, or something else appropriate for listing all the works of the screenwriter? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by BiancaOfHell (talk • contribs) 12:39, 30 January 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Widening the Project?

Hi, this project seems to be a sub-project of both WP Films and WP Biographies. I suggest its expansion to include actors, directors and cinematographers. This is something often, and recently again, discussed between WP Film members and seems to be a very useful addition. By expanding, it would also get more members participation and would cover a very needed area. I have noticed that WP Biography members are often overwhelmed by all the incoming film crew and cast articles and apart from some famous actors and directors, most articles remain underdeveloped. I would be glad to help with this project if it grows to cover all our film biography needs. Hoverfish Talk 15:04, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

On second thought, we could leave out actors, which seems to be a sub-project that could stand on its own, and extend this project to "WikiProject Film Crew". Hoverfish Talk 15:10, 5 February 2007 (UTC)
I think your proposed "WikiProject Film Crew" is a good idea, and both Wikiprojects could complement each other, but I think they should stay separate. I look more at the amount of work that needs to be done on the Screenwriter articles, rather than the number of participants, and there's a huge amount of work to be done. I agree about leaving out actors. I think addressing the articles on "directors, cinematographers, film editors and film music composers" is a great idea. I think the best course of action atm is to let a few Wikiprojects try to cover what they can and then merge somewhere down the road if it makes sense.-BiancaOfHell 08:57, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] New generic screenwriter stub proposal

It has been proposed in Wikipedia:WikiProject Stub sorting/Proposals/2007/February that a generic Category:Screenwriter stubs be created, to complement the existing Category:American screenwriter stubs. If you agree, please support it. Hoverfish Talk 14:38, 18 February 2007 (UTC)

Category:Screenwriters exists and its subcategory Category:Screenwriters by nationality has lots of categories. If you meant to disband the American screenwiter stub, this you can specify/correct. Thanks for the support. If you need any technical assistance, please ask me anytime. Hoverfish Talk 21:44, 18 February 2007 (UTC)
It seems redundant. Aaron Sorkin is listed under Category:Screenwriters and Category:American Screenwriters. Is there a Category:American?-BillDeanCarter 05:12, 22 February 2007 (UTC)

CASE CLOSED Category:Screenwriter stubs now exists please stub sort all stub screenwriter articles and add this thanks ♦ Sir Blofeld ♦ "I've been expecting you" 11:02, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

Please use

 This article about a screenwriter is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.


[edit] Screenwriters portal

I have no idea what this entails. I envision it as a collection of articles that are relevant to the screenwriting process. As well as biographies of screenwriters, telewriters, script doctors, etc... Links to interviews with Screenwriters possibly. Maybe a monthly newsletter on what's happening, a link in to WikiNews. There are possibilities. Maybe a spotlight on today's screenwriters and yesterday's screenwriters. Such as Aaron Sorkin and Preston Sturges and it would change every month. Maybe a quirk article could be featured every month too. I'm in no hurry to get this done, so this is all thinking atm.-BillDeanCarter 22:54, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] William Monahan article under review at FAC

Hello. I recently self-nominated the article on the recent Academy Award winner for Best Adapted Screenplay, William Monahan at WP:FAC. Please read the article and comment, as well as copyedit if you wish. It's a fascinating read.-BillDeanCarter 20:20, 9 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Film biography

Hi please see the new Wikiproject proposal at Wikipedia:WikiProject Council/Proposals. We are aiming to start Wikipedia:WikiProject Actors and Filmmakers which will encompas all bio articles related to cinema.

Please see User:Ernst Stavro Blofeld/Film biography page model. It would be great if your project could unite with this new project and work as a section of it. Thanks ♦ Sir Blofeld ♦ "I've been expecting you" 19:43, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Category "women screenwriters" up for discussion

Thought people interested in this project might like to know that Category:Women screenwriters is being considered for deletion. — scribblingwoman 02:31, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

Before I consider offering my opinion, I wish to ask if this category helps or creates an unnecessary split as far as the needs of this project are concerned. Hoverfish Talk 06:56, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

I haven't been able to figure out categories. For every single category that is about a human being, there could be a female version of it. Has something like a derived category been invented yet? Derived categories would be great, because someone might want to know about all the Women who have been screenwriters, as well as authors. And other curious stuff. I can understand the importance about knowing about every single woman screenwriter out there, especially for women seeking such a career. But what's the best way to go about it?-BillDeanCarter 07:04, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

It's really hard to say about best ways in categorizing. I strated the WP Films categorization department to help us clear things out. Since then a lot has been said but no "best" pattern has emerged. Categories have many applications and from each one arises a different perspective. If you need a full listing of all screenwrites, you can have it in the category, if the category is not split. If the category is broken up in smaller categories, for the sake of some important convenience, then one has to browse all subcategories for the full list. If the main category is divided by country, then you have an empty parent category and several subcategories. If you have additionally a men-women, then you have an additional full list split in two groups. Try to think of usability and avoid overcategorization. How many categories are most essential in a screenwriter biography? My very personal view is to have one central all inclusive category for all articles, but this comes in contrast with the general advice not to have an article both in the parent and in the subcategory. I hope some of this gives you a basic idea. Hoverfish Talk 14:05, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

I populated the Women Screenwriters category, so now it doesn't look so nekkid. I am sure there are more out there to include. EraserGirl (talk) 01:28, 17 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] WikiProject Actors and Filmmakers

Wikipedia:WikiProject Actors and Filmmakers has started. I addressed it to everyone before but noone seemed to listen. ♦ Sir Blofeld ♦ "Expecting you" Contribs 14:25, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] David E. Kelley

I've posted a complete rewrite to this article, including filmography, tables of his tv work and awards. I'm looking for feedback, suggestions, assessments, whatever you have. Therefore 18:35, 11 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Please, not another project banner

Wikipedia does not need more project banner. Please if you're serious about starting this new project, work as a subgroup of the new WikiProject Biography Film department. If you're not serious about building and maintaining a seperate project, why don't you just join them? --kingboyk 13:35, 19 April 2007 (UTC)

Because I'm a megalomaniac, and I decided that Screenwriters, who work in both Film and Television, were important enough to deserve their own WikiProject. I think WikiProject Biography has some excellent rules, and I would like to align with them, but WikiProject Screenwriters is a simple place where others who are writing about scriptwriters can show up and see what others have done. Let it evolve. It's neither a redlink nor a subgroup of WikiProject Biography, but somewhere in between at the moment.-BillDeanCarter 22:23, 19 April 2007 (UTC)
You both have valid points, most screenwriters don't do any one thing. They cross from film to stage to television as well as publishing. I think leaving the screenwriters project as a sub project of project film is harmless enough. Besides, there are plenty sillier and pointless projects on wikipedia and if we didn't, what would I DO all day? EraserGirl (talk) 15:38, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] activity?

is this project still active? i haven't seen much movement lately. EraserGirl (talk) 05:06, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

Given the low level of activity and complete redundancy (guideline-wise) with Wikipedia:WikiProject Actors and Filmmakers, I would strongly advocate merging. There is nothing that can't be done there, and participation appears to be more active. Furthermore, it will allow more active engagement in the context of all filmmaker bios, which is important since many writers also have other creative roles over the course of their careers. Girolamo Savonarola (talk) 05:52, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
entirely understandable. It was kinda lonely. I made a personal list of quite a few dead women screenwriters who need 'real' biographies. It may take me a while but then they're dead, they aren't in a rush. EraserGirl (talk) 06:40, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
Myself, I find it odd that the organizer of the project hasn't responded to any notes left on the project page. I don't quite know how you would go about it, but if it were me, I'd propose that the project be merged into a child of another project, perhaps simply the WP:WikiProject Film as a sister project to WP:WikiProject Actors and Filmmakers. It would still grant autonomy to this project without tying it up too much with the actors portion. Wildhartlivie (talk) 08:49, 13 March 2008 (UTC)
I have managed to stir up something @ WikiProject_Actors_and_Filmmakers#WikiProject_Screenwriters & Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Biography#WikiProject_Screenwriters though I am not quite sure if I am just failing about regarding a topic of only interest to myself. EraserGirl (talk) 17:09, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Screenwriters' Template

I have been working closely with other editors on the proper formatting for the articles I have written and come up with a template which I will be employing for the rest of my articles. Granted, the articles I have been working on are not as extensive and thorough as Aaron Sorkin or William Monahan but then I am working with mostly the dead and unpopular who have been obscured by time. My aim is to start with a uniform template and as I do more research, accumulate additional material for those still lacking. Of course this is just a bare bones template but it helps to remember which parts go where and what still needs doing. I would like to work on creating some lists, both of male and female screenwriters whose articles aren't even past the Stub phase yet. EraserGirl (talk) 15:34, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

{{Infobox}}

Lead paragraph


==Biography==

===Section===

===Section===


==Works==

===Fiction===
*''[[TITLE | title ]]''. City:Publisher, YEAR

===Nonfiction===
* *''[[TITLE | title ]]''. City:Publisher, YEAR

===Stage Credits===
*''[[TITLE | title]]''  (YEAR)

===Film credits===
* ''[[TITLE|title]]''  (YEAR; writer, scenario, story, etc)

==Awards==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Group !! Award!!  Result !! Recipient
|-
|year || Academy Award || Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen ||Nominated  ||''[[title]]'' 
|-
|}

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |author=author|title=title |publisher=publisher |location=city |year=year |pages= |isbn=isbn |oclc= |doi=}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*{{imdb name|0000000}}
*{{ibdb name|id=0000|name=first last}}

{{Persondata}}

[[Category:Women screenwriters]]
[[Category:American screenwriters]]
[[Category:American novelists]]
[[Category:American dramatists and playwrights]]

[edit] Lists of screenwriters

I have made some headway getting this list removed, so it may be replaced with a more functional series of lists. (I realize now I will only have to replace that page with the index to all the lists, but everything is easier in retrospect) I am trying to find a middle ground between the formatting for List of writers and other lists on WP. Any sub-lists of screenwriters will have overlap, as many screenwriters wrote in may genres and over many decades as well as for television as well as film.

Perhaps starting with lists for screen and television, and then breaking them by decade, then alphabetically? Perhaps that would be good enough to start with and then giving room to future breakdowns by subject? There will indeed be a great deal of overlap, but then if you glance at the lists of writers by genre Horror, Science fiction, Fantasy, etc.. there is overlap on those list as well and they survive.

I realize I have put my foot in it and need to do the heavy lifting but I would like some outside input to guide me.

Film writers by decade including scenarists from the silents
Television writers by decade

[edit] ?

Why the hell aren't we doing anything? Come on guys! User:Magicbullet5 (talk) 19:39, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] !

Welcome! it's you and me pal until someone else shows up. Got any ideas? EraserGirl (talk) 20:27, 5 May 2008 (UTC)