Screenwriting : Just finished my first ever script... so now what? by Alden Tan

Nice work, Alden! Pat yourself on the back - send it off for professional coverage - get crackin' on your next one.

Alden, You need to get feedback but since this is your first script DO NOT pay for feedback/notes (it's notes, people, not coverage).

Do not pay for professional anything for your first script because you have no idea if it's any good or a steaming pile of crap. I don't want to be mean here but a writer's first script is most likely not worthy, it is merely practice. All of your early work will be practice, it is how you improve. Post it here or on one of the other sites for free feedback, to see how you're travelling, then take that feedback and use it to improve your writing for your next script.

All this advice I'm seeing that recommend people pay for professional feedback on their first script is bloody insane and irresponsible and a total waste of your money.

Alden: Congratulations! I bet that sure must have felt good to finish your first script.

When I finished my first script, I most definitely paid one of the most-respected script consultants in Hollywood at the time (back in 1999-ish.) That was the best $300 I ever spent. She not only helped me with that specific script, but she helped me better understand plot; rising action; character development, and the importance of writing visually. I actually optioned that script in 2001 - back when writers got up-front money for script options, and money if it didn't sell when the option expired.

So I would consider that first consultation to be "invaluable", since it helped me better understand drama and screenwriting, and made me become a better writer almost immediately.

So here it is 18 years later, and for the SAME AMOUNT of $300, you can get a highly-respected industry professional to read and analyze your screenplay, AND talk to you about your script and writing for an hour. 18 years later...and the price is the same. Just click on the Happy Writers Script Coverage/Script Consultant link at the top of this page, or do some research on other Script Consultants who are out there. There are quite a few reputable script consultants who have been doing this for a long time, and who have great credentials.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Good luck and Happy Writing, Alden!

Alden, everyone told me to keep my first script hidden because it will be no good. That pissed me off. But what they forgot to say was, your story is probably good, characters, dialogue, structure all good. But it probably isn't a good script. So I will give you the same advice but worded better. Scripts are specific beasts. They are not a finished product, someone will take it and make a movie from it. You have to write visually and know what makes a good movie. It would be like willing the lottery to do it in your first attempt. I suggest you start on your next one immediately. By the end of that you will see things missing or wrong in your first. Never ever stop writing. Each sentence will be better than the previous sentence. My first script placed well in comps etc but never sold.

Thanks guys!

So I am taking is...

Never stop writing. Never stop improving. Keep on keeping on. Writing is an art, a lifestyle, and that's the way to go.

With regard to pitching, it's about either finding an agent or finding places that accept submissions.

I am not located in Hollywood, so my best bet is to simply find outlets online. Yes?

You can pitch right here at Stage32. Keep it in the fellow ship!!!

My friend, I feel I can give you some good advice here because I'm someone who is just one or two steps up the ladder from you. Before you pitch or send in query letters you MUST find out if the screenplay is properly written. We all love our first screenplays and then we get too excited. After my first was done I entered contests and pitched only to find out from professionals later on that I had a great idea with some great writing but my formatting and style was deeply flawed. So don't make the mistakes of soooo many of us where you get ahead of yourself and put your screenplay out there before it's truly polished. I paid about $90 or so to get professional coverage and it was very helpful. It tells you what's good and more importantly what's not good or incorrect in your screenplay. Go to Happy Writers and get informed about the quality and readiness of your script. Also, be happy, but count to ten and prepare to be patient. This is a marathon.

Hi, Alden! Firstly, congratulations on finishing your very first script... I hope you are feeling proud and elated! If you're looking to get it out there and get feedback, then consider organizing a few focus groups to review your script. Think about who your (main) characters and target audience(s) are and organize them around those demographics. So, for example, if your protagonist is a woman, then consider organizing a focus group made up of women only to give you feedback on how your protagonist is being represented, how other women identify with her etc.. Or perhaps your target audience is the under 30 crowd, regardless of sex... You can organize a second focus group within that demographic. Organizing focus groups may also show studio executives that you've done your homework and that your script has tested positively among target markets (perhaps after a re-write or two), so save all the data/feedback you get from your groups. You can likely invite friends and family to participate, people that you trust and who will offer you constructive feedback and maintain confidentiality. If you want to step beyond your personal network, then consider having participants sign a confidentiality agreement. You can find plenty of helpful tools for organizing focus groups online. Good luck and I hope to see your script playing at a theatre near me soon! ; )

Write another one. And then another one. And then another one. Then come back to this first one and rewrite it.

Jared speaks the gospel.

I would pass it around to your network here for reading and feedback as well as what people above are saying. Also start writing another one and keep reading other screenplays. Then go back and re-read this one as sometimes writing another one or reading another one can trigger thoughts or considerations that you will want to go back into your script and add/change, etc.

I wouldn't listen to any advice from unproduced & Hobbyist writers in forums. Go to folks who have done it, "IT" meaning working in the Industry as a Writer, Producer, Executive. At least, unreppd Writers with a track record of contests place, work ethic like writing schedule, attending festivals, making short movies. nobody knows your financial resources, Industry connections ( since you asking here, we are assuming you have 0, none), or your education & background. if you have to pay for feedback from a "pro", then pay.

I'm not a believer you have to write stacks of scripts; and format is easy to learn. What folks are looking for are original great stories, with a strong, unique point of view. Better yet, be a Writer/Director. Make cheap indie movies that win Sundance.

There are plenty of great specs on shelves and lots of great unemployed screenwriters. (average screenwriter's shelf life is 5 years WGA member ) Gotta figure a way to cut lines, have access to decision makers, start and survive a career.

But wouldn't it be true Dan that the vast majority of people who have done "it", didn't start where he is starting? Not that you're chronically grumpy advice isn't sound.

where is Alden starting? Like his physical location? Folks overseas know to write & make movies. Hey, he can follow your advice. You're a great forum screenwriter.

Congratulations, Alden. Check out the Great American PitchFest, a great opportunity to present your script to people looking for new properties. www.scriptfest.com

Good luck!

Dan, I think I've done "it" (not in caps though). You bring up a very valid point - his physical location. He's in Singapore - I certainly have little/no knowledge about his neighborhood so I wouldn't be so free in handing out advice to him because I most likely be wrong. Suggesting he get another set of eyes on his script is a no-brainer - in any market.

In addition to learning from the pros & semi-pros, you gotta learn from other people's mistakes! If there were awards for making mistakes, hell, I'd be a Grand Master!

I meant he's starting as a novice, no film school, no industry contacts. Many people who have done "it" likely started out of film school or with a close connection. Thank you Dan for assuming I'm insulting to non Americans.

Congrats on completion! So many never finish! Now, perhaps, reward yourself with some in between Growth -- take a screenwriting class, take two... then read 1-3 scripts from mainstream writers in your genre that made it to screen... and only then attempt your next screenplay. You'll most likely create a new log line, outline, and beats for a promising screenplay under the tutelage of that instructor, besides. And get sharpened advice while doing it. Without this middle part, you're unlikely to grow as rapidly as you could, and more likely to repeat old habits and bad mistakes you may not even be aware of. Like that preposition at the end of my last sentence. :) Good luck!

If you haven't already done so have someone with more experience read your script to make sure it is really ready to be read by people in the business. I say that because finding a first script that it truly marketable is extremely rare.

EXTREMELY!

Here's now what:

https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/I-just-finished-my-screenpl...