I just finished my second screenplay. As I ponder the direction in which this 3rd film will go. I wonder how many other first time writers tackled a Trilogy? I am writing 3 screenplays about the adventures of growing up 50 miles north of NYC in the 80's. The main Character is the same in all 3. Although there is no direct link story wise (they are not sequels) to the films but they share characters.
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I adapted a trilogy. The problem with them nobody wants to read all three. I even optioned the first one and even they didn't care to read the second one or third one.
Congrats on finishing your second screenplay Rick Oldham My first idea when jumping into the industry was a trilogy, but after thinking it through I decided not to go that route just yet. While i'm happy about my first script, I still do intend to tackle that Trilogy concept in the long run.
Hope your trilogy project is received well.
It's only a trilogy in a sense. The stories are not linked per say. Just a the Town and the theme. More like a John Hughes type thing but a real town. 3 stories. One about Punk rock, One about wiffleball and one about break dancing. NYC influenced activities of an upstate suburb tiny town. IDK..lol It's what I need to write right now I guess. I'm obsessed.
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All spec screenplays are a crapshoot. So if this third one inspires you then I'd have fun with it.
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Create your own niche brand - a specialist. Kevin Smith writes about slackers. Dave Simon writes about cops and robbers. Tyler Perry writes about elderly women. You could be the "go-to" writer of suburban life.
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I would never write another trilogy but i have to admit adapting the trilogy was one if not the only good thing I ever did because it was the first script I ever optioned. It also lead to a couple of adaptations assignments.
Great feedback! Cheers!
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I do a satire piece for a local underground music scene, Enjoy https://www.worldwide-underground.com/single-post/2019/04/04/Shitty-band...
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Krzysztof Kieślowski, did Three Colours (Blue, White,. Red) as a planned trilogy honoring the three ideals of the French Revolution (liberty, equality, fraternity). That was planned.
Whit Stillman did Metropolitan, Barcelona and The Last Days of Disco as a loose trilogy. I don't think it was planned initially, but sort of evolved after Metropolitan broke out and he got a chance to make more.
Sounds intriguing and very Indie. I say write it all out and see if you can raise some money for the first, with a plan for the other two and see where it takes you.
Rick. Thanks for bring up this subject. The trilogy I wrote was from the GLASS HOUSE trilogy by Ariana Overton. I think I will market the screenplays separately and see which one sells. If someone wants the second one that is fine with me. I do have a sell-known director attached to it so who knows.
I finished the middle script for a trilogy (like in Star Wars, #1 is #4, mine is #1 is #2) and have a semi-solid idea for the sequel and a nebulous concept for the prequel. Would it be prudent to have a treatment for these before I shop the script? Would it be advantageous to pitch those as well? Would appreciate your thoughts and insights....and thanks, Rick, for bringing this up! D²
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As Dan G's post noted, for the most part the people you're pitching to don't want to hear buzzy things like "franchise potential" and sequels. It's hyperbolic and the hallmark of an amateur writer to even bring it up. It's going to take a miracle to get this one project off the ground and that takes this one script being amazing and the best thing since sliced bread. And even if it does get made, that doesn't mean it's going to make enough money to warrant a sequel. If you're pitching experienced people they can tell if a project has long term franchise potential just off the logline. It doesn't hurt to have an idea for a sequel in mind if they ask in the pitch meeting. But I wouldn't make it the cornerstone of the pitch and most likely would advise against even bringing it up unless asked. Unless you're adapting a New York Times bestselling fantasy or YA novel series. Then it's relevant.
Thanks, David, for the advice. Like they say, "Experience is the best teacher but if you can learn it second-hand the tuition costs less." It's helpful to know. Thanks again!
Such good advice on this feed
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My first story was a trilogy. It wasn't intended that way from the beginning, but the story it self, made it become one. I write following my own vision and creative instincts.
Mine was never intended. But 1 inspired 2 and 2 inspired 3 it's just happening that way
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Actually, you didnt write a trilogy. You wrote an Anthology. Which us much more sellable than a trilogy, which is really a waste of time for writers to do. There us no such thing as a Sequel (or Trilogy) until someone else tells you there is. So unless youre pitching this as an anthology TV series, I would not even mention the other 2 scripts.
Apologies for the us=is typos! d'oh!