Screenwriting : Torn by Scott Michael Kimball

In some genres, you can do both (and keep the same character). Why do you want to write a sequel? Are you not wrapping up the story in the first script? If so, is there a character in the first that is not the main but figures prominently enough to make the emphasis of part 2?

I was considering both but at the same time I feel the unpermadeath (just made that up...) is a bit overdone. I'm considering a sequel because I love the script and there is a lot more I can do with it. There is another character that could take lead but without the duo I feel it would lose a lot of what I love about the two. I might just have him get severely jacked up... It's a good thing I can spend hours editing what I have so that I can continue working the finale over in my head!

Well, if this is a screenplay - don't worry about the sequel. There's very little chance that you will be hired to write a sequel if the first film is successful enough to warrant it. I wrote a film that generated 4 sequels, and they let me pitch for the first sequel... and went with somebody else. When you sell your script, you sell all sequel rights (etc) and they can hire anyone they want. Most of the time, you've been rewritten on the first film and they tend to give the last writer first dibs on pitching the sequel. Don't get your carts before the horse - write the best screenplay possible. Odds of selling it are slim, odds that once it is sold it will be made are slim, odds that you will be involved in the film when it gets made are very slim. But all of this starts with the best screenplay possible - so write that, whether the character lives or dies at the end.

Well that's depressing.

Can't you negotiate the right to write the sequels?

No. That's a deal killer. Best you can get is first right of refusal - you pitch a sequel, and they can say no. Shane Black sold LETHAL WEAPON for a bundle, was the most famous screenwriter in town, and LW2 was still written by Jeffrey Boam. Once you sell a screenplay, it is their's. Not depressing - just the way the real world works. Just write the greatest possible version of the screenplay.

Kill everyone. Wife says I am the Black Plague of screenwriters.

don't kill the main character it could lead to something down the line.

I agree with William, don't worry about potential sequels, if the best script you can write involves killing off your main character then do so, if the studio decides they want a sequel then it's most likely someone else's problem working out how.

I agree with Pierre. Also keep in mind a spec screenplay really is a screenwriter's calling card. You use it to make contacts in the business that can help you launch your career.

Do it! Write sequels. Do whatever you want. A really good script is all that matters. If you have it, those industry execs will come trailing under your feet.

This is why god created prequels. In all seriousness, the advice above is gold.

Write novels. Be successful like JK Rowling and then, you can do whatever you want-- hire & fire Oscar directors & Writers. $$$ is power and that's Show Biz.

Hey, Scott! Your premise should dictate your closing image. It's a matter of what you're trying to say with your story. Ex: If your premise is: greed destroys - your lead dies.

I guess the issue is I have a lot I want and can do with the world I created and I can't possibly do it all in one movie. I have a point in which I would like to end the first script but it's an obvious lead into a sequel. Is that bad even if I think it's best for the script?

Dan MaXxXxXx ;) I'm not sure I'm descriptive enough for novels but I do want to start trying my hand at a few shorts.

'A lot' is broad, brother. Specific language. How many sequences do you have for this story? If you have 20/23 sequences you're good for a movie, 40 plus, you're good for two... what you got?

Got you, Scott! No worries, that's what I'm here for. Gonna check out your profile and get back in 2...

Unfortunately I can't load scripts to my taglines. I had wanted to put my first 10 pages at least but can't seem to. I put in a help ticket a while back but they're still working on it and don't seem to know what's causing it.

Yeah, the system is still under construction... I believe screenwriting is sequence writing, but let's slow it dow. I didn't see where you've taken any classes. What kind of homework have you done so far. I don't wanna overwhelm you. Just help you with your next steps.

Sent you a PM!

Do what the soaps do and make him a lookalike cousin or twin.

Bahaha no.

Scott. I secured the rights to a trilogy and wrote the three screenplays. I optioned the trilogy to a production company. So if you are still thinking of writing a sequel then write it now so you can marketing it as a package deal.

I was thinking about just writing it all before I try and market any of it. I might just stick with 2 and end it like that - doesn't need to be a trilogy but I won't discount the idea this soon.

Don't embrace a poor ending in order to jump into a sequel. End the story the way it should be ended and let the sequel arise if it has life. When in doubt, look for a third way to end the story that contains both death and sequel?

Why stop at 3? Go forever like James Bond, Jason Bourne. Reboot with new Actors or use Computer Animation. Dream big! Buy a castle and collect 8-figure residual pay checks :)

Sounds good to me!

Go with your instincts.

Clones dude, bring in the clones.

I feel like that direction would feel cheap if I've achieved the oh so difficult task of making the audience care about my characters so I won't do that...

The sequel can take place in hell.

You have created one, you'll create more, kill them. My wife says I've killed more people than the Black Plague.

Easy just make the death a opened end one. Drowning, shot etc.