Hi everyone,
There’s a question that’s been on my mind lately: once a script is finished, what should I do next?
Since I’m at the very beginning of this journey, I know I need feedback and guidance, but I’m not sure what the most reliable way to get that is.
For those of you who’ve been through this stage — what did you do right after completing your first script? What was your very first step?
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Hi, Karen Ray. When I finish rewriting a script, I make the pitch material for it (treatment, pitch deck, etc.).
After that, I register my script with the U.S. Copyright Office (www.copyright.gov/registration/performing-arts).
Then I get feedback on the script. Stage 32 has feedback services (www.stage32.com/scriptservices).
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Assuming you’ve taken the script through your own self-edit/revision process, I like to get some feedback from someone who’s read a lot of scripts. If you don’t have a friend who can do it gratis, you can pay for feedback or enter a contest that has good feedback. Finish Line Script Competition gives 6 pages of excellent notes. While you’re waiting for feedback, write a paragraph-length synopsis and a one-pager. You’ll need these for queries later. Posters and pitchdecks can be fun to make and are sometimes useful for pitches.
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Participate in filming. You will learn a lot. So contact your local group with no-budget filmmakers. Tell them that you are willing to help. The more they like you, the more useful comments you will receive.
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This is an excellent question! What I would love to do between scripts is work on improving my craft and I'm having a hard time finding resources to help. I feel that in the past year I haven't been learning anything new from Stage32 classes (I've watched more than 40), or screenwriting books (read more than 20), that it's just a repeat of the same stuff again and again... but my craft is still severely lacking and I want to level up!
Anyone else feel the same?.... any ideas for resources?
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Goran has it. Get on set. Listen.
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Asked for an add. Willing to discuss this and trade.
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Have you read the Screenwriting Blogs on here, Michael David?
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Maurice Vaughan Yep, I've read them! They are very good, and definitely nothing wrong with them. I guess what I'm looking for is advice that targets my screenwriting weaknesses (of which there are many!) for example -
I know a scene needs to have the male lead reconcile with the female lead, but I don't want the scene to be:
MALE LEAD: Hey baby, I know I've been a selfish turd throughout Act One and Act Two. But I want to be better.
FEMALE LEAD: Okay.
Does that make sense? I want tips for how to make a scene like that not read like crap. It's an issue of dialogue, but also scene building technique which I really want to learn.
Anyone else have this problem? Where you know what your scene "has to do" but you want to write it so it doesn't take up just two lines?
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I have that problem sometimes, Michael David. I like to use subtext, an action, or a callback (like an object from earlier in the script) so it doesn't take up a lot of space.
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It all really depends on where you are in your journey.
If you are new to this:
Stay away from peer feedback.
Stay away from competitions.
Read a craft book or two.
Apply what you've learned.
Write another script.
Repeat
If you have got a lot of the craft down and feel you have a strong, authentic voice:
Copyright with the LoC.
Write a synopsis.
Stay away from peer feedback.
Stay away from competitions.
Let your network know about it (you've been networking all this time, right?)
Repeat
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Michael David In reference to a scene needs to have the male lead reconcile with the female lead. Why not review movies/TV shows where those characters reconcile in a believable, compelling way. Not to actually copy, but to get a sense of the rhythm of the scene based on who those characters actually are. My two cents.