JPF Home Page Forums Creative Arts Forums Acting, Theater, Film and TV Forum Ever Turned A Lyric Into A Screenplay?

I have a song lyric that seems to want to be a screenplay.
Making it into one was supposed to be one of my winter projects but other things got in the way.
As far as I got was reading a little in a couple of books on screenwriting.

Anyone actually turned a lyric into a screenplay?
Not a video, but a full-length screenplay.

Hi - not yet, but that's an interesting idea. I believe there have been some movies that were built around the idea in a song.

Hi Lee,

It's funny you mentioned this because I too have a song where I can totally visualize the story in the song being the story for a romantic comedy movie. I have a very large portion of the screenplay written (albeit in my head only) and I wondered how I (someone without any connections in the film industry) could convey/share the idea w/someone in the "business". I can even picture certain directors being more suited to take on this type of project like Ron Howard but I couldn't find any contact information for me to approach him. Anyone know Ron Howard out there???????

Best,
Lynn

If you are at the point where you are even thinking about doing a screenplay, it is best if you learn a bit upfront about what is involved. One of the best online sources for info in that regard is at Daily Script http://www.dailyscript.com/links.html

There you can download the screenplay from your favorite movies, study the format and learn about other resources available to you, including places that will help indie writers 'pitch' their scripts.

You might even consider participating in one of the conferences related to screenwriting that are available. We have a great one here in Tennessee every June called the Nashville Screenwriters Conference...but..LOL we bring in the big guns from Hollywood!! I laugh because in this case Hollywood IS where almost all folks in the film industry think they need to be. Some of them live elsewhere by choice or necessity, but the deals get 'done' in Hollyweird.

Bobbie Gallup
Director of Development
FilmNashville
www.filmnashville.org
President
FilmNashville Foundation

Last time I remember it happening (Single Song made into a Movie) was Bobby Gentry's "Ode To Billy Joe" back in the '70's.

Dunno if she had a hand in the Screen adaptation..

Good Luck on Yours,
Stan

Here's a Long-Shot for ya, Lynne...

I met Ron when he was shooting "Cocoon" in St Pete..his Set Director (& Longtime Friend) Jim Duffy rented all the Floor Lamps from me for the Production/I got invited to watch the Pool Scene get shot..Whee! Jim & I became pretty good friends, & I'd stay at Jim's mountainside digs when I'd head out to L.A. to pitch songs.

About 3 years after Cocoon, Jim sold the place & semi-retired to Hawaii. I USED to have Jim's addy & phone number..BUT have long ago lost it. (There were TWO "Jim Duffy's" in da Phone Book there a long time ago...Good Luck!) He also shared digs with Ted Lake, another Famous Set Director ("Fantasy Island", etc) so maybe try Ted Lake, too... Feel free to Phone/Write..& tell 'em
TampaStan said "HiDee!"...& Good Luck makin' the "Ron Connection".

Best Wishes,
Stan

One of my back burner projects is a musical. It started out as just noticing that a couple of my songs could have the same character in different stages of his life. I have the makings of about 8 songs and a storyline that zig zags way too much in its effort to include them. It needs a lot of work.

A screenplay consists of about 60 major moments, each lasting about 1 to 3 minutes. Put them all together and you have a two-hour movie. Each scene should lead logically to the next, much like a lyric.
"About Last Night" is a well-written (Nora Ephron, Tim Kazurinski), well "cut" screenplay. Whoever put the scenes together as the final film, did a heck of a job. The screenwriters may have made that person's job quite easy, laying it out in that logical sequence. "Back To The Future" is another I think does it well.
60 major moments, scenes. Sounds imminently doable doesn't it? Go for it. Songs are 3-minute movies, someone said. That they could, or should, grow into a two-hour movie, is the most logical thing in the world. If your song isn't a 3-minute movie, you may want to rethink it. Can we see/hear this inspirational lyric? You've certainly got he interested.

Hi Stan,

Thank you for that possible lead. Looks like I would be looking for a Jim/James Duffy in Hawaii. Would I refer to you as TampaStan or something else. I'm thinking I might need my ideas down on paper beforehand. I would feel too invasive calling on the telephone and how would I know I have the right Jim Duffy? Looks like I'm in a quandry but I appreciate your offer, honest!

Best,
Lynn

Hi Bobbie,

Your a walking wealth of information. Thank you.

Best,
Lynn

Hi Lee,

Yep, a song should be a three minute movie. If you can't visualise it, it's not a song.

Why don't you post the song and see what imagery if brings up for folks. Can't hurt, and you might get some ideas which would add to your own.

cheers, niteshift

I'm sitting on the song for the moment.

I want to get the right tune for it before doing anything else.
Have a singer/songwriter in mind but haven't approached him yet.