I have my first pilot in the drawer. I'm reading around the interwebs that newbie screenwriters should have two or three projects done before they start submitting to workshops and contests. Is that true? Should I stop writing the subsequent episodes for the pilot and focus on something completely different? A different genre for example?
Also, something completely off topic, does stage 32 have an app?
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I suggest having 2-3 projects in your portfolio before submitting to producers, contests, etc., Kyle Eidson.
I have different genres in my portfolio, but most of them are Horror and Action. I also have different things in my portfolio (feature scripts, short scripts, TV shows, commercials, and skits).
You usually only need a pilot script and a series bible for a TV series.
Stage 32 has a phone app (www.stage32.com/app).
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You have a bad advice source if you're being encouraged to go down the competition route.
You absolutely should not be writing TV episodes. Some showrunners don't even want to see a pilot. What's critical is the bible. If they like the concept, they'll bring it in house and give it to the writing team.
Nobody should really be running around town with just one script to their name. A portfolio suggests that a writer has had the time and experience to hone their craft and voice (although not always the case).
Now is really the time to study the craft (from trusted sources) and apply it what you have,
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Two very diffirent takes hence my dilemma.
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Just to chime in to the conversation it is always important to develop your craft. but trying to complete the last stage of the script by doing a series- bible first is counter-productive. Writing an outline is productive, but when we are writing in the early stages, we don't know the entire direction the story will go and we certainly don't know where it will end up. Just about everything that we think will unfold in our story usually does not happen, that is to say the way we believe it will translate as our story on the page. We are going to change during this writing process and therefore so is our writing style. By the time we've completed our script we will have to re-write the documents that we have in your series-bible. The hardest part is the work of writing the script and re-writing the script over and over. Writers must write. In my earlier years as a screenwriter, I once did that prior to writing my script and I found out the hard way, because I had to redo all my documents for the series-bible, because my stories had morphed. Years later I am now a seasoned writer, and I can say honestly writing a summary prior of what you want to cover in your script is great or an outline. But the moment when we try to get to the finish line before its time, we stagnant our creativity and cheat ourselves. We also miss important steps along the way and the most important elements concerning screenwriting. Building our portfolio is crucial in screenwriting and it's there where we are able to find our voice. I have a screenplay, several books, four tv pilots, a reality show and I'm still writing. The more we write is the better that we become at honing our craft. Pilots are always being sold! New and Compelling Voices as screenwriters are always needed. What executive or producer is going to allow you only to submit a series-bible without a script? What contest will allow you to submit only a series-bible? Even if you have a pitch-deck you still must have a script. take the time to invest in you and your skill and put in the work.
Keep on writing and telling your stories.
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I'll say this. If it lives in the drawer, it may never see the light of day. Every time I submit for something I learn. It's about progress not perfection!
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Is it a good script? Are you sure? Have you polished it? First, I would ask 4-5 buddies to read it. Not just any buddies, but people that know screenwriting. Get their feedback and don't listen to them. They will all have different opinions. But if all of them say "Don't kill Grandma, then you might want to listen to them.
Next, don't wait for two or three more scripts to sit on. Get your script out there to competitions. Pay for feedback if reasonably priced. Pay for a couple of readers to give you notes. Make sure you copyright it. Getting feedback is important.
I am consulting on a film this guy is making, His script has potential, but is bland, lacks payoffs. He starts filming soon and I already know it will not be a good film. The script is the cheapest portion to fix. All it takes is sweat and nimble fingers. Really hone your script.