Hello,
So yes coronavirus is happening and it will affect what scripts are viable for production because of social distancing and safety regulations.
A script I wrote was requested like a month before the pandemic was announced. My screenplay is a big budget, big scenes and lots of extras in the scenes type of script. I believed that the project could still be salvaged somehow. So I sat at my desk and brainstormed some ideas on how to downscale the screenplay. After coming up with ideas on how to downscale the two biggest scenes I emailed the producer who requested the script to inform him that I'd be writing a new draft of the script that will have a smaller cast in each scene. I asked him if he'd be interested in reading the new draft and he was thankful. So during my country's 21 day lockdown I'll be writing a new coronavirus friendly version of my script for the producer and the market.
I'm not suggesting that you start cyberstalking producers to try and salvage your big project but the producer's reaction to my email made me believe that there's hope and I had to share it here. If you have made contact and you think your script might be shelved because of the pandemic, take initiative and offer rewrites to try and make your script viable again. It might work for you as it did for me...
I wish you all the best in your writing endeavors.
Ally
What? I don’t understand why would you do a free rewrite when the other person - producer- didn’t ask for it. No feedback exchange, no promises other than a read request. OR maybe I misread the post and you have an established working relationship with this one Producer
I can see why I am. I am having chats with the Director of The Valley. I see a scene problem. He doesn't. I did a rewrite and shared it to make my point.
Oh Dan, I'm not beneath earning my keep. I'm not about that pay me for every breath I take or my agent will deal with you life. Plus I'd rather do a free rewrite than have my script shelved.
Nice Craig, I hope it goes well with the director.
Thanks Ally. I love the faith he has. But it is like when you know you have a crap haircut and your friends are “it’s great”.
Everyone needs friends like that. He sounds terrific.
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Hi Ally, I think you offering to do a rewrite of your screenplay although was a god step showing your good will but it does not solve the problem for smaller scenes or bigger they still require people to interact while shooting them and during the quarantine no such interactions small or big can take place. I am sure your producer was understanding and even happy to hear you are offering a rewrite because it offers a potential cut in costs of producing your film and thus the budget too. I do not know any director or producer who would not love this unless it is a very unique and specific project that requires a certain budget and the cuts and alterations would damage the quality. I am sure if your film is meant to be made it will still go ahead after the quarantine is over.
Thank you for your support Seraphima. I hope it's meant to be and will get the go ahead after quarantine is over. We'll see.