I got an email from the production company that is making “The Valley”, a script that I sold late last year. The email asked “Do you have anything that can be shot in a warehouse?”.
They have access to a location and have a plan that allows them to shoot and maintain safe pandemic practises. They are aware of a previous script I sold and wanted to know if I have anything that is similar.
I sent them a close fit. But not close enough I am guessing. I do have a script that would be perfect, but only 50% done.
The reason for this post is to tell you, that you need multiple scripts. The idea that one is enough isn’t good. You need a library so you can take multiple meetings and have options for future collaborators. Don’t sabotage your career before it starts.
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Craig - I have a single-location two-actor script that could be shot in a warehouse. Happy to provide it if your producer is interested.
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You 100% right, Craig D Griffiths. I just took a mentoring call with an aspiring writing female team and they only have one script so far - which is fine - but I told them they need at last 2 more feature screenplays and a TV pilot if they want to secure representation or have an answer to the question, "What else do you have?" that inevitably comes up in every meeting.
So in the short term they are going to work on a few concepts that they can start to develop and write in an effort to build a portfolio.
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The odds of writing one screenplay and using it to break into the business is extremely slim. The odds would be about the same as a golfer hitting hole in one and getting struck by lightning on the way home. I wrote four or five before I landed and agent to rep me. I probably had six or seven before I sold a screenplay and received a writing assignment. I think people tend to get better the more screenplays they write. I think a lot of people in the business believe that as well so the more you have under your belt the more people will take you seriously and will want to read your screenplays which is always the first step.
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Richard Buzzell I will hand on your details. I’ve sent you a network request.
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CJ Walley I told them I am a while off. They are happy to wait, but will look at this bit of work in the meantime.
I was comfortable as we have a good working relationship. But it is also a sign post for other writers. That request could have been after our first meeting as well.
It has inspired me to finish two scripts that are nearly done. I do tend to stop once I know the story. I guess I am driven by the discovery.
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You got me curious - so I just now looked. I've got 10 completed scripts in 3 - ring binders sitting on my shelves right now and I've got another 4 or 5 partial scripts floating around. Remember, I'm retired so there are no hurry-hurry deadlines.
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Doug Nelson and when someone asks “what you got?” You have a bucket load of answers.
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Big problem...Every day-two i see a add where thriller-horror is needed and I have perfect one to offer...just need time off to write it....but being hobby-writer there's to much of full time job and raising kids in between....
ballpark $$$ how much do they pay for a screenplay?
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I got a bucket load of something, anyway.
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Dan MaxXx depends on the budget and the quality of the work they produce.
My plan is to get two indies made by quality directors and use those as calling cards for paid work and a stepping stone to high fees.
I take a few thousand for a script of the output is going to be quality. I write these in my spare time. I am after the credit at the moment.
I have two that are sitting waiting for big money to be made. Again part of the strategy. I wrote the first two films (The Valley, Hostage) focusing on keeping the budget as low as possible. This made them easier to sell and gave me a choice. I wasn’t desperate for a sale. These being well written (yep kissing my own butt) and cheap meant a few people showed interest. I could then sell to the people that was going to progress my strategy.
Next moves.
SBS (local network) has an international distribution division. Once these are made I am pitching to them for a locally produced Crime Drama.
Then I will look for an agent to get me paid writing assignments. No agent that would take me at the moment is worth having as an agent.
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Kiril Maksimoski Get a cloud based software that has a phone and tablet app. You can write on a commute. I also get up an hour early and do some writing then.
I never get a huge chunk of time. I have trained myself to write in short sprints.
Craig, with all do respect, I honestly thought coming to your age will provide those chunks of time to me :)))...'really discouraged now... anyway I never can work efficiently more than 1-2 hours per day, so I think I'll go with those short sprints as well for time being.
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That's why companies invest in research and development, you should always be pumping out new scripts.
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Craig, Congratulations on the sale, and that they came back to you asking for another one.! That's great..!
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Kiril Maksimoski I was hoping as well. But adult children have adult problems LOL.
Time is the hardest thing to achieve. I have found that working in sprints, I tend to do my thinking in traffic or the shower. I think I have sprinkled my creative thinking across the entire day
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Thanks on enlightening the future Craig :)...I think that approach will suite me best for now...
CJ, I got to know this over the time. Now, as I grow old more tend to be adventurist in this job.
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Kiril Maksimoski we are all slaves to our processes.
I was talking to my brother who was a comedy and TV writer. He reminded me he maintained an entirely separate apartment so he could lock himself away and write. I am completely different. I do little sprint and let my brain rest.
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Graig, my wife's just reconstructing the old summer house...thanks for the tip :))))
I have four scripts in totally different genres, so maybe I'm safe??
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Rebecca D Robinson yep. You are much safer than 90% of other writers. Constantly writing makes you a writer, not someone that once wrote a screenplay.
I apply the shop theory. Would you go to a shop that had one pair of shoes? Especially if you are were looking to see what’s around. Or would you prefer a shop that had a few to choose from. It takes the same effort to contact the two retailers.
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Craig. I agree with that shop theory. I've written 30 screenplays in a lot of different genres and I also adapted a several novels.
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I have 20 different scripts but they're never quite what the producer is looking for.
So my big budget medieval period drama is going to need major money to produce! This is why I need an agent/manager who’s as passionate about my project as me. A couple of governments, a museum or two and I’m set!
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Jon Spaights wrote a big budget sci-fi spec. He waited 10 years to make "Passengers" and in the time waiting, he kept busy writing franchise movies: Alien reboot, Dr Strange, The Mummy.
Aim to write a spectacular sample screenplay that gets you meetings and writing jobs. Just about every pro screenwriter (not writer-directors) says writing specs don't put food on the table.
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Dan MaxXx 100%, writing never puts food on the table. Selling does. That can be work for hire, specs or writing assignments. I hope we all agree and help others understand that we need product. Even if it doesn’t sell it has various value.
1) sample of your skill and voice.
2) proof that you can produce work. Not one script in 10 years
3) a second stream of possible income.
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Dan, I'm 100% agreeing on this...but what if that interested party says "Hi, that's great script! Can I have some more samples please?"