10 EASY TO AVOID REASONS

I don’t write many screenwriting posts that attempt to ‘teach’ anything and the reason is simple:  It’s very difficult to teach something you haven’t experienced yourself.

XTRA | I’m not a screenwriting expert.  I just love to write screenplays.

With that in mind, I feel I have inside knowledge about screenplays that do not sell… Because I’ve never sold a screenplay.  Obviously, these aren’t the definitive reasons your screenplay won’t sell but they certainly don’t help.

1. You lack confidence.

2. You make excuses.

3. You rush to the finish line.

4. You think your first draft is glorious.

5. You’re Your grammar needs to improve

6. You spend more time talking about your script than actually writing it.

7. You can’t take criticism.

8. Your screenplay isn’t good enough.

9. You aren’t passionate enough.

10. Your screenplay has no heart.

THEY ARE ALL CONNECTED

Number 1 is a tough one to get over and is usually the cause of number 2.

Number 4 is an extension of number 3 because you never want to rush things but it happens.

If you think your first draft is incredible you likely aren’t enthusiastic about the rewrite process.  Which could mean your grammar is terrible.

When you’re stalled, you don’t put the work in.

Number 8 will haunt you.  You could easily lose focus and the work will suffer.  You can always make your screenplay better so stop talking about it (#6) and get the work done.

Most of all, if you aren’t passionate about the story you’re trying to tell, it won’t show in the pages you write.  Number 9 & 10.  Figure out those and you’ll find the fundamental cure to 1-8.

Of course, it’s my goal to one day write about the 10 things I did to SELL a screenplay…  It’s a work in progress.  I sincerely hope there are no grammar mistakes in this post.

Click here for more screenwriting.

Aug 9, 2012

I’ve had a copy of Strangers beside my bed for a few weeks now.  Every few mornings, I pick it up and skim through it.  I’ve completed my rewrites.  I’m happy with it.  It’s such a great feeling to finally finish a feature length screenplay.  Especially after challenging myself to finish it months ago.

Strangers represents around 6 months of development and writing.  But it also represents a big leap forward when it comes to confidence in my work.  I love the story.  It tackles themes that scare me and centers on stress and anxiety I’ve felt for a long time.

It’s done…

So what now?  What will I do with my screenplay now that it’s finished?

My first instinct was competitions but I’m still hesitant to put myself out there.  The whole point to this summer was to prove to myself that I could finish a script.  But that’s all I’ve got.  ONE script.  Or is it?  I’ve also got a seed for a tale I hope will be infinitely better than Strangers.

So my latest script will be on the bench for the foreseeable future.  At least until I finish another screenplay I can be proud of.  If Strangers is the best thing I’ve ever written than I have to challenge myself to top it.  I still have to get better.

I started developing a brand new script about a week ago.  My main character has a name and a brief history.  I’m getting to know the world I want to create.  I’m having fun.  Hopefully, this new project will be ready in the fall as I want a first draft by the end of 2012.

Then it’s my goal to put these two scripts side by side.  Can I write something better?  I want to answer the following question confidently:

“Have you got any other screenplays?”

Perhaps, I’m just delaying putting myself out there?  Perhaps…  I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to wondering if this script has what it takes to become a successful film.  It’s even more tempting knowing that some answers are easily attainable whether they are good or bad.  I just don’t think I’m ready for that yet.

Regardless, I set out to prove something to myself and I’ve done that.  Strangers is finished and I’m on to the next challenge.

The journey continues.

And so…  The Summer of Screenwriting series has come to an end.  What a journey it was.  It’s been 3 months since I officially completed the final draft of Strangers and I’m still proud.  But the sense of accomplishment stretches far beyond FADE OUT.  I laid down the gauntlet.  If I hadn’t taken time away from everything to focus solely on writing, I would still be struggling through my screenplay.

The summer of screenwriting taught me to prioritize.  That’s why I only post 2-3 articles a week on this blog.  It leaves me more time to write.  I’m still working on the same script I mentioned in the post.  It has transformed into an intense drama but also a touching romance and I can’t wait to finish it.

But I’m in no hurry.  I mentioned above that I wanted to have a first draft finished by the end of 2012.  That won’t happen.  This new project has been extremely difficult to develop and I’m not going to rush things.  Maybe I’ll be finished in the Spring.  Regardless, I’m excited about the journey.  I’m happy when I write.  I’m curious to find out what comes next for my screenplay and for myself.

I want to be a better writer.  Someday, I’ll look back on this little summer experiment as a turning point.  The moment when I decided to be a screenwriter again.

Mission Accomplished.

Click here for more screenwriting.

July 21, 2012

The day after I finished the first draft of my new screenplay, I immediately stuffed Denny Martin Flinn’s How NOT To Write A Screenplay in my bag.  For the next few days, I flipped through it on the subway to and from work.  It’s probably the 5th or 6th time I’ve read it now…

Check out the book here: How Not to Write a Screenplay: 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make

Yes…  I do realize the irony that exists having to constantly read a book subtitled: 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make.

Haven’t I learned anything?

There are a lot of mistakes I’ve made years ago that are burned deep into my creative core.  The biggest improvements I’ve made are in areas like clarity and structure.  This book contains so many great tips that you may already know but it’s nice to be reminded in case you didn’t.

The truth is, it’s a fantastic check list to have nearby when you’re rewriting your script.

THE REWRITE ROUTINE

As I read the book, I was making notes on my iPhone.  The following morning, I would wake up and implement the changes then continue making my screenplay better.  It’s important to note, most of the rewrites the book inspired were based on structure and my overall writing skills.  The language, the details and everything in between.

But I’ve got story rewrites as well.  Characters need better development and I’ve got at least one plot hole that needs plugging.  There is a lot of work to be done but I’m not going to get caught on there/their type errors and 100 other common mistakes I may have missed along the way.

“I didn’t write this because I can write screenplays.  I wrote this because I have read tons of them” Writes Flinn

More than likely, he’ll never read any of my screenplays.  If that day ever came, he may not like the story.  But I like to think he would be proud that his book helped eliminate the mistakes that would surely make him cringe.

Click here for my review of the book.

July 31, 2012

Hot pages are erupting from my printer and my heart is racing.  I’m about to hold my brand new screenplay for the first time.  I can’t wait to flip through the pages.  I’m looking forward to reading it without sitting in front of a computer screen or holding up my iPad.

Halfway through, the printer spits out a blank page.  My heart skips a beat.   Thankfully, it’s a false alarm as page 49 is printed as planned.

Then…  My worst nightmare…  (At least from a screenwriting point of view.)  With 30 pages to go, the ink starts to fade.  My first print out isn’t perfect!?  Unacceptable!  Still, the pages are still readable.  With 10 pages left there is virtually nothing left.  The ink cartridge is living on borrowed time.  I’m starting to wonder if it’ll make it to page 1.

5 is readable.

4 requires mild straining.

3 will need several words penned in.

…  2…  Never made it.

And so my first print out was ruined.  I didn’t even get a full script.  103 out of 105 pages with 30 of them faded.  My celebration must wait.  I’ll be visiting a printing place first thing in the morning.

It took an extra week before I finally got to hold the script in my hands.  (Isn’t that a great feeling?) I finally sat down to read and found a typo on page 20.  But at least I got to punch holes in my work and slip a couple brass brads in them.  A feature length screenplay that I wrote.

The pinnacle of the screenwriter’s journey.

I have a new journey to complete now and I can’t wait for my printer to break down at the worst possible moment again.

July 24, 2012

If you’ve read this blog in the past, it’s no secret that I’m slightly terrified of showing people my screenplays.  Considering I haven’t finished a feature length script in a while, you can imagine the unneeded stress I put on myself.  It’s scary to put so much work into something hoping people will like it.  Eventually your work will reach the eyes of someone other than you.

XTRA | Screenwriting vs Anxiety

It’s a moment between terror and excitement.  Perhaps that’s why I’ve always been scared to allow people to read my work.  You spend so much time wondering what people will think.   What if they hate it?  Most of the time, my scripts reach my family and close friends and then I retire them.

But times are changing for me.  Now that I’ve regained a little confidence in my screenwriting abilities, I feel the need to find out where I stand.  Can I write something that a producer will like?  Is it possible to attract an agent?  I don’t know if this is the proper story to showcase my work but I’m getting closer.  I’m getting excited.

Still, somebody has to read this one!  Basically, I need to stop whining and summon the courage to put myself out there…  Since that day has yet to arrive, I gave my script to my good friend Eric.  He is  a massive film fan, an award winning director and an honest critic of my work.

He’s read nearly every screenplay I’ve ever written and has no problem telling me the truth.  Which is why I wait to hear his thoughts before expanding to the rest of my inner circle.

For someone like me, who has trouble sending work out there, having a friend like Eric is vital.

Obviously, the true test is a reader who doesn’t know me.  I think that’s a test for the final draft.  Until that draft is complete, I think the first reader should be someone you know.  Someone you trust.  There are a couple areas in my screenplay that I have doubts about.  I like to bounce ideas and potential changes off my friend.  This allows me to gauge whether or not my concerns are justified.

Then it’s back to rewriting and refining the script.

When that work is done, I expand to others but this script scares me.  I’ve never written anything so personal and thus, my fear will be doubled once people start flipping through the pages.

Speaking of which, I’m pretty sure he’s reading the script as I type this.  Months of work and someone is finally reading it.

I’m excited…  And scared.

WHO READS YOUR SCREENPLAY FIRST?

I’m happy to report that Eric liked the script.  I’m not as thrilled to report that I haven’t sent it to many people since then.  I got stuck on the idea that I need to complete something else.  If you were to ask me how many screenplays I have worth reading I would answer: One.

The scripts I wrote in the past aren’t as good and I need to prove to myself that I can continue to produce pages I’m proud of.  Thankfully, I’m in no rush.  I just like to write.  The Summer of Screenwriting taught me how to eliminate needless pressure I put on myself.

Maybe someday I’ll sell a screenplay.  Scratch that…  Maybe someday I’ll submit a screenplay.

Until then, I’m having so much fun simply because I love to write.  That’s enough for me right now.