One of the more beneficial aspects of reading the posts in various screenwriting groups occurs as I learn more about the expectations rookie writers have.
So many posts I see involve rookie writers asking about finding a producer, an agent, or a manager after that writer has completed one script.
One. Script.
They treat screenwriting as if it's a lottery, as if all they need is one script (or even one idea without a script) that will make them instantly rich and famous.
No. Just. No.
Your script is not a lottery ticket. Your script should be a starting place for a career.
A "career" implies more than one script, in more than one genre, and more than one style.
If you think that you can write one script, sell it to a studio, make millions of dollars, and never write another word, here's some advice from a professional writer:
Quit.
Quit now.
You are not a writer.
You are a wannabe.
You make it that much more difficult for those who hone their craft, sweat bullets on their keyboards, and put in the actual work to be true professional writers.
If you can't put that much effort into your scripts, if you think that your idea is "too special" or that your writing is "too good", then you should throw your script into the dumpster fire that life started in March 2020 and shows no signs of burning itself out.
If your aim is to "make it big in Hollywood" with your single feature or TV pilot, then save all of us the time and quit now.
Save yourself the time and frustration in writing the script.
Save the professional readers, consultants, and contest judges (like ME) the time and frustration in evaluating your substandard efforts.
Save the planet by saving the electricity needed to power your device and the paper needed to print your script.
Turn off your desktop, close your laptop, shut down your tablet, and give up on your dreams of being a Hollywood screenwriter.
…
…
…
…
Are they gone?
Good.
Let's assume that those of you who are still here are more interested in telling great stories and building a career than in hitting the lottery with a subpar script.
If you've ever wanted advice from a professional writer on how to "make it", here's the answer.
Write more scripts. Write better scripts.
Write features. Write shorts. Write pilots.
Write dramas. Write comedies. Write adventure stories. Write period pieces.
Write horror. Write sci-fi. Write intimate character studies. Write sweeping epics.
Write something amazing.
Then rewrite it.
Then get coverage and notes. Then rewrite it again.
Then get professional feedback. Then rewrite it again.
Then go over it with a critical eye. Then rewrite it again.
Then rewrite it again.
Then write another script and go through the same process.
I have a feature script that reached the finals of a major comedy screenwriting competition.
Am I shopping it around to top Hollywood agents?
Have I inked a million-dollar deal with a major studio to write their next blockbuster comedy?
Hell, no!
I'm rewriting it from scratch, not just because I know that it COULD be better, but because I know it NEEDS to be better.
If you've read this far, then your goal likely stems more from being a better writer than being a "Hollywood Big Shot" or a multi-millionaire.
If that's the case, then Story Into Screenplay can help.
Story Into Screenplay offers consulting services and script breakdowns from a professional screenwriter and script analyst.
If you're a wannabe who sees their sole screenplay as a ticket to fame and fortune, go play the lottery.
If you're serious about developing your skills as a screenwriter…
If you have more than one story to tell…
If you need to write like you need to breathe…
Then you need Story Into Screenplay.
For a limited time, Story Into Screenplay is offering a professional script analysis on the first ten pages of your script for only $10, along with a FREE one-hour consultation on those ten pages.
Contact Story Into Screenplay through our Facebook page or by emailing storyintoscreenplayblog(at)gmail(dot)com.
Good luck and keep writing!
