With all the lessons you have learned, with all the classes, editing, reviews on your other screenplays, can you rework your very first into a solid story.
I tried to be too ambitious with my first; it was a time jump from 1955 Las Vegas. I did research in the Las Vegas Moulin Rouge; looked at the road maps from 1960's and tried to write an authentic exciting plot.
My mistake? Too many 'magical' moments, empty villains and not enough conflict. What? was the most common response to my story, 'Wait, what?'
I think I can make it work now. Leave my ego alone.
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I don't care. I have moved on.
Why not? If it's a story you're passionate about but lacked the skills to do it justice the first time around, then dust it off.
Peter: I've written 37 scripts and rewritten most of them. There's a few I've never messed with again. If you think the story can work, give it another whirl.
You can salvage them. Sometimes you have to make some pretty drastic changes but if it needs it you do what you have to do.
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Hi Peter - my first screenplay has gone through more revisions than you can imagine over the 11 years since I wrote the first draft. After five years of harsh notes, I buckled down and read books that were recommended, put the original script aside, wrote a low budget horror, then a holiday script, and after MORE brutal notes from script coverage, I focused on that first script again - major re-writes. A few more drafts and it got two "Recommend" ratings from a tough coverage service, then won several awards, and just recently a Nicholls Quarterfinalist - which blew me away because this script and me have been through war together lol. It's light years away from that first draft, but it's the now the story that I KNEW was in there - it just took a long time to find it.
Peter Roach I'm actually doing it. I'm pending an screenplay workshop entry on which I've applied with my very first feature script. Still consider it my best.
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My first two scripts are still in my portfolio and the second kicked off my career.
Our earliest scripts often contain a fearless energy which is well worth revisiting.
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CJ Walley sometimes I feel like I'm chasing that same energy...
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Yes, you can salvage them. Often the issue is not having a solid grasp on structure/story, so now with experience you're looking through a different lens and can properly lay out a good, better story. Some things will stay while others get tossed.
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Sure. There's SOMETHING there that motivated you to the end. Some kernel of truth, some relevant journey. Often the first script is long on inspiration, and short on execution. Revisit it - and see if it sparks in you again. Maybe it's the premise. Maybe it's just one of the characters you need to put in a different situation. Maybe the world has moved on and the values in that script - need to be looked at again under a new light - which changes everything.
But yeah - I never throw anything out.
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I optioned my first screenplay so anything is possible. I guess it would depend on the story which is the case with most screenplays.
Yes. But the premise and bones have to be okay.
Mostly we tend to write bad stuff first time. But if we have a good foundation it can be saved. But years later. The far more experienced you must approach it. Not the first time you.
I rewrote my first film and it sold. I lost 11 pages from the start and gave the antagonist and entire life to fight for. I wrote that in 2014 (I think).
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12502724/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1a
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I optioned my 2nd screenplay, but I loooove my 1st so much. That's like your first baby, you know? So many hopes and dreams! Then you pop out a few more and you're a bit more realistic about what you can do. Havin' babies and writin' screenplays...very similar.
I reckon if written with passion it could definitely be salvaged, a seed of thought at a time in your life where you maybe did not know what you know now but is still a part of you. Scripts can grow and change just same as we evolve but its up to us to force their hand. Wish I could find my first ever play (written for exam 90's) that got lost drama academy but weird thing is I know if I got hold of it now I could do script. Obviously there would be changes but the bare bones of the story would still resurrect and as @Craig states also premise would out.
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I'm reworking mine into a novel, in fact, all my screenplays I'm rewriting to be read rather than viewed.
I think there's a reason first novels are called 'trunk novels'. It's unbearably, embarrassingly BAD. In execution, concept or style. And that's okay. Same with scripts. They belong in the trunk, drawer, shelf or e-file. BUT - as I said - there's something there - that pushed you through to the end - that is probably worth revisiting.
I recall reading in Heinlein and Hemingway's memoirs and letters, how each went back and pulled out old ideas to rework 'for the money'. This was after each had become more successful.
Unfortunately, my first script, a coming-of-age spec, went viral. Unfortunate because at the time my knowledge of the real craft of screenwriting was nonexistent. My phone rang nonstop. Agents of hot teen actors sent their stars to meet me. Big names. Famous. Stars you'd recognize. One agent promised to finance my script if I'd star his big-name actor. I went to see his latest movie....yawned....said 'no'.... and the whole illusion of success collapsed shortly afterwards as Hollywood moved on. Looking back, the script was a joke, woefully undeveloped. And no, I have no desire to resurrect it.
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In all honesty I had an idea but no plot. So I strung a couple events together thinking I had a screenplay.