Hey, gang! I've recently taken up exercise and it's really helped my mind as far as screenwriting goes. I've been sharper and thinking more clearly. In fact, I've broken what may be a rule(?) of screenwriting in that I'm now working on two spec projects simultaneously. When i run out of juice on one, i turn to the other. Is this unusual? Have any of you ever done this? Do the pros out there not recommend it? I'm thrilled and exhilarated by the fact that i can actually do this, whereas before I would be stuck on one project until the end, dragging out months and months until I could work on the next one. Your thoughts? as always, thanks for your input!
Screenwriting : Write more than one project at a time? by J Medina
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I do the same lol
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Not a rule at all. I think you'll find that most people work on more than one project at a time.
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We have an entire inside of a closet door filled with different projects we work on, actually. We find that taking a break from one for a while actually helps us in developing more compelling storylines.
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I don't mind doing rewrites on projects at the same time. When writing a new concept I will focus on that. But if I need to step back from it, rehash the story or fix any issues I will work on my other scripts or smaller projects. Just use your time the best you know how. Everyone has their process.
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Working on more than one project at a time definitely helps me always have something to do. I often switch from my short films to my longer-term projects.
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I think it was writer Ron Bass, who's sold a lot of scripts... always has 2 on the go... his process he said is... he works on one in the morning and a different one in the afternoon... every day. :-)) My process these days is to stay away from Facebook and/or Stage 32 or the hours just slip away. Which leaves me ticked off with myself. Discipline... that's what I need. So I try to write first thing in the morning and my reward is to browse in the evenings... like right now. lol
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Exactly Sylvia! The less social media interaction while writing, the better! It takes precious time and thought process away from focusing on writing.
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I don't see any downside to this as long as you keep at both of them until they are as sharp as can be. My co-writer and I are rewriting two scripts. Have been for... a long time.
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Yes Becca, it takes time... some more then others... all the best to you and your co-writer. Onwards and upwards. :-))
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To David: I know, right? And yes it is 'precious' time. How's it going with you?
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Sylvia, things are moving along. Have one more act to finish on one rewrite. I have to rewrite the opening teaser and act or another script. I have the new teaser and act outlined and it starts a helluva lot better with more action. Not to mention I am writing a viral video piece titled "How To Dane Like A White Guy". If you watched any John Hughs film or teenage comedy from the 80s, you know the dance!
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Right now trying to find that precious piece of time to write anything! I try to slip some in early but with work, children, daily errands its hard to write for one let alone two! But I may dabble in 2 or more scripts at once depending on my mood. Get stuck on one, move on to the next one. Sometimes I let them sit around for months to years before I pick them up motivated by something happening that influences me. I could have a dozen in various stages. Problem is do they get done? Gotta stay on track lol.
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I have about four ideas in development at the moment. Sometimes it's frustrating but in another way, I get to pick the one I'm in the mood for. It helps me when I feel writers block. I switch over and when something comes to me I can easily switch back.
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I echo a lot of these comments about switching back and forth to stay motivated, etc. I have multiple projects to work on: scripts, research, other writing. Sometimes too many projects can be a bit overwhelming sometimes with all the work that needs to be done on them, but I like having stuff to work on that suits my mood for that day. I find I can only concentrate on two different projects in a day, one early and one in the late afternoon or evening, and make discernible progress that day. My concentration powers fade after that. But then I might let my mind wander to whatever project it wants to think about and work through that. I've had some good breakthroughs when I'm tired like that.
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That's brilliant. I've got used to doing that now and find it very refreshing especially if the two projects are in different genres.
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Thanks, Sylvia!
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I actually work on about 5 at once. I know it sounds crazy but it works. I have a main one and the others are my "pallette cleansers."
Lamar, do you ever confuse the names of the leads when you do that? I have.
You're welcome Becca. xo
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On any given day, I have at minimum four projects going. They are usually at different stages, i.e.: rewrite, 1st draft, outline. I do it out of necessity of the workload but YES, it absolutely helps to make you more productive. It's simple -- the more your write, the better you become at it and the more you are able to write.
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Sylvia....not yet I haven't. lol
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Yes, I always have at least a couple of projects on the go. I find they "refresh" each other, if I reach a stalemate on one, I go onto the other. When I get back to the one I left, the past hurdles are seen with fresh eyes. I used to find when only working on one script, it was easy to over think, and over anguish. Now I move around, so thoughts don't stick like glue, on any one task.
in today's market... the ability to multi-task is a necessity.