Screenwriting : How many is too many? by Oscar Ordonez

It can be harder to rewrite a bad script into something good than starting from a clean slate. For me, choosing to rewrite a script comes from the passion for the idea behind the script -- if I want that idea to make it on the screen, and I think I know how to do it, I'll work on it.

It's about knowing what's the best use of your time and learning curve. The precise number of scripts in the drawer is irrelevant.

For me it is not the script. It is the story.

Does the world need a story about an abused woman that finally gives up on her abuser after hitting rock bottom? No. So “Be worth it” stays in the draw.

Does a story that examines the question “Is a man his worst action or all the events in his life?”. I believe yes, So I am working on Reckoning.

You will do a lot until you feel confident with your craft. But for me rewrites are about the story and does the world need it.

They are all worthy of rewriting - no matter how good or bad you think they are. Frankly, it's not up to you to decide how good or bad they are - that's for others to determine and most of those folk have no idea if your script/story is worthy. Your story may morph into something else during rewrites.

Rewriting is part of learning... part of the practice. I did a couple of drafts on all of my scripts - at least tried on the ones that I thought were hopeless, because I was trying to figure out how to fix them so that I could apply that knowledge to the next script I wrote.

Dear Oscar, I have written stuff e.g. articles, reader's letters, scripts and e-books, and sometimes in retrospect, they look awful, other times you look back and think that's actually not half bad. Edgar Alan Poe, wasn't appreciated while alive, after he passed away, his writings became classics, and they even made around 7 different movies based on his writings e.g. The Pit and the Pendulum, and The House of Usher, to name a few. I started on a book over a year ago, and shelved it, as I had difficulty developing the idea. Then I thought about how I could expand it, and I ended up using it as a seed, and wrote a book called "A MESSAGE FROM BEYOND", which I then published as an e-book and then altered the manuscript so it could be published as a paperback. I am now looking for a collaborator to make an audiobook (see job post here on stage 32). - The book is broken into two parts, and I have already made a screenplay for the first part, and it is available here on stage32, the second part is in the pipeline. I also intend to convert it into a stage play for next year, and possibly a teleplay as well. Alternatively a radio drama. - In other words, revisit your work and look at it with fresh eyes, and see what can be done better. I moved my chapters around when I looked at the story from a different perspective, as well as looking at the story from the characters perspective, i.e. how would this character react to ... or if ... - It is amazing what inspiration that gives. Change the location in the story and you may receive divine inspiration. - Good luck with your revision. Helgi

When I had a first draft that looked like it was in the neighborhood, I sent it to a professional reader for feedback. Based on the notes from that reader and feedback from a few trusted friends (an actor and a screenwriter), I revised the script several times, taking one issue at a time.

Then I sent it to a second professional reader and redrafted certain things based on that feedback.

The next step was reading it out loud with a friend, and smoothing some of the dialogue, as well as adjusting details to make it truer to local culture (Greece).

I did not want to leave it half-finished. The process of polishing it is useful and interesting.

Geoff Wise I can say that I've felt that a few times when you just want the best for your baby haha! But you're right, the number doesn't matter, just need to figure out how to find what to spend my time on/what's worth it.

Craig D Griffiths Yes! I've heard this before. How as writers we kind of want to stay in front of the curve of what is needed/wanted. Ok, I can see how it's very beneficial. Imagine how well all the writers for zombie movies did before they became saturated?

Doug Nelson That is an interesting way to think about writing. And it kind of relates to what Craig D Griffiths and Geoff Wise were saying about letting the story and passion determine what you're willing to put effort towards. But are you saying that in theory every story can be rewritten because under someones lens it can be a good story? If so, how do we relate that to more sustainable methods so as to not place all the eggs in one basket so to speak?

Have you reached out for, or received, any feedback on your scripts? Can you explain your reasoning; "don't feel it's the right time for it"?

William Martell Ahh so here I see rewriting as merely functional. It is not an empty procedure since it will just help you on the next project. But it could also be hopeless since some of those rewrites (in our own opinion) are far from saving. I could see how fulfilling it would be though to "save" a script you marked as unsalvageable though.

Tiffany Johnson Thank you for that :) I do enjoy the grit of getting through arduous writing sometimes. And even more so when a script is complete, but now thinking about what you said, a script is never really complete until it's made. So absolutely these scripts need to be looked at. This will help out like what William Martell was talking about. I have about 4 that I should get back to... I do love them all. So that's not the problem, I just didn't want to waste time unnecessarily if it didn't need it.

Sigurjón Helgi Kristjánsson Helgi, that's awesome! I do believe that I've had plenty of time to let these fresh eyes take a look. But you're right, you never know what can come out of it!

Christiane Lange Would you say that by finishing the entire process you exhaust what you can do with a script? I've never heard of over editing a script but that'd be interesting to see. And I do hope your hard work pays off! The sheer will to see through it until the end is and achievement in itself.

Robert Sacchi Hey Robert, that's a great question. I have had feedback on what I think of as my best script (meaning most recent, more skills utilized, and least resistant in the process). I was pretty confident on it and received a score of 8/10 with feedback which I used to rewrite that script, but wasn't able to test the feedback since it didn't make the next round.

And what I meant about "not the right time" may be the way I write. We all like to write what we think is a good story, but If I'm writing a great story with elements I haven't mastered yet I'll let it rest until I've written enough to be able to take those skills back to that script. An example would be like trying to write an action scene that vividly brings the reader into the story but unfortunately ends lackluster (of course it can be anything, like writing dialogue that reveals character motivations without saying it). When I practice more action scenes as master that effect, then I'll feel like I can go back to it.

Oscar Ordonez No, I wouldn't say that. It's a particular medium and quite different from writing straight prose, whether workday or literary. It has to work in a number of dimensions, some purely literary, others quite technical. You have to think about what a producer will get out of reading it, but also how a director will make it come to life, and how the actors will grasp their characters based on what you wrote.

The first draft, for me, is to hash out the basic plot and outline the characters. Rewrites are to refine all of that, and as you do it, you will see new possibilities and twists. I sought feedback early in the process, because I first wanted to make sure that someone not familiar with Greek reality could grasp the story.

During the rewriting process you rethink the elements and get to know your characters better. One of mine turned out to be a closeted lesbian, for example, which I hadn't seen at the beginning. Another female character became more prominent in the story.

Another approach is to start on your pitch, because the process of writing a short synopsis will help you think about what really are the most important points of your story, which may lead to adjustments in the script.

Christiane Lange that makes a lot of sense. I appreciate your help and will definitely start working on some rewrites and practice my pitching. I know that's a huge part of selling a script.

You may want to consider going back to your scripts and rewriting the elements that you have mastered since first writing the scripts. If nothing else it would seem to give you more experience with you mastered elements.

I've written 30 screenplays and at least 20 in my opinion aren't worth rewriting. However maybe because I am not that motivated..