Introduce Yourself : My Apollo13 story by Emilio Corsetti

Emilio Corsetti

My Apollo13 story

In 1990 I was living in Chicago and took a screenwriting class. At the end of the four-week course, we got to pitch a studio executive. I got a chance to pitch a studio executive from Disney Studios. I pitched him the story of Apollo 13. I grew up during the space program and knew the story inside and out. At the end of my pitch, he told me that people don't go to see movies where they already know the ending. That same executive greenlit the movie Encino Man. I ended up writing about the twentieth anniversary of the flight and got it published in the Chicago Tribune. I also created an interactive CD-ROM titled Apollo13: A Week to Remember. But I didn't pursue my script idea.

Karen "Kay" Ross

Wow - powerful stuff! Both the feedback, and the bounce back! If The Queen's Gambit took 30 years to produce, then your script can find legs. Besides, you can absolutely have a script where people know the ending (e.g. ARGO), you just have to find a way for people to enjoy the ride from beginning to end.

Have you received feedback on your script since? Why not pull it out, dust it off, give it a read and a tweak?

I'd recommend grabbing a handful of trusted peers to read your next draft, though, so you get uplifting and constructive feedback, and from several sources not just the one. You could start by reaching out in the Screenwriting Lounge and ask if anyone wants to do a script exchange for notes: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting

Keep at it, and keep us posted!

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