Question about police tactics for my screenplay.

[pac201]

For the life of me, I do not understand why we are going 'round and 'round with this.

It's not as if his (or any of the other wannabe writers) "screenplay" is ever going to see the light of day.

Any real writer actually committed to some level of realism would research his material in person, instead of bouncing little spitballs off an anonymous Internet forum.

Thank God I am not the only one that feels this way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[harmonica]

Well I could go down the to station and ask cops even more questions, but I have done it so many times already, and thought it would just be easier to ask on here. But for some reason it seems cops prefer to be interviewed in person rather than online. I guess it couldn't hurt to go again.

[MountainMan]

Try paying someone as a consultant. Law Enforcement does not exist to answer questions for your screen play, books or for your entertainment.

Its a pet peev of mine. People waste our time instead of going to a lawyer or other proffesional to ask questions. If someone has a legitmate need I am more than happy to help. On duty or off because I truly love my community. Try reasearching the topic instead of wanting everything handed to you. It will make you a better and more enlightened person.

[harmonica]

Based on the outcome I see on the big (and small) screens, the paid advisors are often overrulled by producers who want to take artistic license with things.

This happens even in great, successful shows.

For instance, I am watching the last season of "24" right now. It's one of my favorite shows ever, but there are multiple scenes where the director of the NY office of CTU calling the president of the IRK directly to ask him questions about their operations in the United States.

There is no way that anything approaching that would ever happen in real life no matter what the situation is on the ground. Do you think they got hung up on the State Department people telling them that would never happen? No. They needed to have that happen for the plot to proceed in the best way, so they did it.

Lethal Weapon is another great example of a great movie franchise that wasn't overly concerned about getting police proceedure exactly correct. Let the plot go where it will, and don't let reality get in the way of a great story.

-Citicop.

Yeah I could fictionalize to make the story great, however, I have this passion for making it as realistic as can be aside from the parts that have to be fictionalized. Like for example I have hostage crisis scene where the negotiations aren't working, and a hostage will be killed so the green light has to be given. But who gives it? It could be either the hostage negotiator, cause he can't do anything more, the Sargent, the Lieutenant (if he has to be on the scene and give it), but not sure. So I will just have to pick one as long with many other things.

I guess I have a worry that too many people will see it as fake or not enough research was done. Plus I feel that if I write a thriller that even the police would buy that could make it a better screenplay.

[deputywave]

Yeah I could fictionalize to make the story great

That might be a stretch even by Hollywood standards.

however, I have this passion for making it as realistic as can be aside from the parts that have to be fictionalized.

Truer words never spoken.

Like for example I have hostage crisis scene where the negotiations aren't working, and a hostage will be killed so the green light has to be given. But who gives it? It could be either the hostage negotiator, cause he can't do anything more, the Sargent, the Lieutenant (if he has to be on the scene and give it), but not sure. So I will just have to pick one as long with many other things.

This one I can give you. It would fall on the GLAROD (Green Light Activation Resource Officer of the Day). It can be an officer of any rank as determined by a lottery held by the precinct Rear Admiral.

I guess I have a worry that too many people will see it as fake or not enough research was done. Plus I feel that if I write a thriller that even the police would buy that could make it a better screenplay.

You have nothing to worry about.