Screenwriting : Writing more than one project at once?? Can it be done? by David China Woolf

I am doing sides and changes as shooting starts in NYC while doing a rewrite for funding for a UK company. That is the norm, not the exception.

Attempting to become a screenwriter is the very definition of crazy. That's why we've all voluntarily checked in here. Personally, I've written multiple screenplays at once. When I become distracted on one, I'd bounce to the other. It helps to keep your eyes fresh.

Word of advice - 130 pages is long for a screenplay. Cut the fat to make your story stronger. Write like a madman, cut like an editor.

I did it. Proof is in the pudding.

https://www.instagram.com/larry.degala/

That's the only way I work.

David, you're darn right it can be done!

Currently, I'm working on three screenplays of my own...and trying to help another Stage 32 member develop a lead character for her own script.

All the VERY BEST to you, David! And you're not crazy at all for taking on multiple projects!

I have a hard enough time working on one project at a time. Working on 3 at once would likely overtax the few brain cells I still have.

Absolutely not!

Most working screenwriters I know are working on at least 2 projects at once.Typically doing rewrites on 1 or more independent films along with working on a spec script.It's the nature of the beast.

Barry John Terblanche so true. I noticed that. I find myself commenting on this that other people are probably thinking “that was so yesterday”.

I only work on one screenplay at a time unless I am forced to work on more than one which doesn't happen very often.

Dan Guardino I can’t be that disciplined. When I get stuck or angry with a story I go visit the other stories and bitch about the first one.

Hey David, Go for it dude, I'm starting my next Sci-Fic "Zutaros " Protectors of the Universe" and I'm on the third instalment on a nine episode saga "Warriors of MA/ The Killing of Saiva" check out and rate them if you please, there on my profile with a synopsis of both. Merry Christmas :-)

Thanks for all the comments and insights... I am crazy and proud to be crazy!!

Barry. I had to laugh because I did something similar once. In my case it was rather embarrassing because I was in the middle of a spec screenplay when I received an assignment to adapt a novel for Americana Films. When I sent the producer what I had written he said, "looks good so far but where did this Bob character come from." I had to tell him from another script I was working on. That was the last time I worked on two screenplays at the same time.

Sounds like a regular day to me! ;)

I consistently work on several projects at a time, it is the nature of the business and how I make a living at it. I currently am on 8 active writing projects on top of the marketing and production of ones already written. It helps to stack them, ie: an outline of one, a first draft of another, a rewrite of another. That's not always possible, but in theory that's how I keep the plates spinning.

Sometimes working on three projects can open your mind to other ways to develop one versus the others.

I'm always rewriting one script while writing a second one, and often times I'm brainstorming the next one.

David China Woolf, it might be a long shot, but do you know of a Amit Hecht in Israel? We went to film school together. Thanks and be well.

Larry DeGala , It is a long shot, I don't know him personally however I have heard his name, I think he writes a blog about cinema