Screenwriting : Is it true that your first screenplay is a throwaway? by Skyler Chase

Usually, because you don't know what you're doing and are just basically experimenting. But I wouldn't call it a throw away because you can go back to it years later after you've written 2 or 3 more.

Alright, thanks.

Totally disagree with " that " guy, Skyler! Your first script is something that you created and brought into the world and I would cherish it. Many people say they'd like to write and never follow through. You, my friend, have followed through and now you have a piece of work to either fix or just hold on to. I haven't read your work but there is no reason in the world why it couldn't be great. You'll never know until you let someone other than your best friend or Mom read it and give you their unbiased opinion. Congrats on writing the first one now now get working on your second.

Thanks! That's my plan is to let my friend read it, before I post it on a script writing contest.

I don't throw any script away and that goes for unfinished work, single scenes, story outlines, one line ideas, etc. None of my early stuff has gone out to the big wide world but I'll never throw it out.

"Throw it away, NEVER!!!! Put it in a cabinet, there'll be a few more over the years, pull it out and re-read it, you'll be amazed at how far you've come. Also remember life is like fashion, it travels in cycles and years down the track your story will be in vogue, again.

Yes and Yes. its not a throwaway in that you will learn something from it. But most likely, especially at 16, its not something that's going to sell. you've got a loooooong way in front of you. But you're lucky you started early so by the time you're 18-20, you'll have a big leg up on your peers!

Shelve and catalog. Go back a couple years later. Spend a little bit a year on a website just to have an accessible place for all your idea's. Its even safer than cloud in my opinion. Print out a hard copy and date it as well. I'm going back to a cartoon blend I wrote in 2010 on microsoft office now that I completed my television and screen speculations. It's going to be quite interesting. I remeber what I wrote but I'm sure it is pitiful. Who knows 4-5 years later maybe my stuff is still pitiful but I have fun and keep trying.

Thanks! I also have the same feelings about all of my work.

Skyler, do not throw it away. And make sure you can FIND it when you're looking for it next year.

Nothing I did for the very first time was as good as what I did later. I wonder if the very first script you write will be excellent. Could be. As a producer if I were to ever find a 16 year old writer whose first script is excellent I would hire that 16 year old in a second!

@ D Marcus - your words are like an aria to my 9-year-old newcomer self, when I wrote my first one-act stage play (cast: 5 females), and it was staged when I was 10 years old and ran for months in NYC. This experience = a signpost. Perhaps my writing has improved somewhat over time. :-D

There are few elements that make success to your story. If you meet all the criteria, then your story won't be thrown away. Besides, sometimes you pitch your story and it is not successful because may be the exec is not interested or they have another similar project they are working on or may be it is not in the line of what they need at that moment. Regardless of the reasons, another exec might be interested on your idea. Good Luck Skyler!!!!

I haven't got the stories & scripts I wrote in school, but I've just dug out the first script I completed when I returned to writing in 2008. It's amazing. That doesn't mean it's good, it's hand written, scribblings out, pages sellotaped in, scrawled notes in the margins, no act structure - just ideas & characters. And those are the parts I'm going to take away. Buried beneath the amateur crap is worthy characters and ideas begging to be developed into something new.

There is no such thing like your first screenplay or anything like that. If that is the case, write a screenplay and keep it to yourself, or "courier it to yourself" and write the second one for general availability :-). It all depends on who needs what, when and why.

Hi Skyler. Congratulations on completing your first script! That's huge! My first script did well for me -- placing high in a couple of screenwriting contests. I hope to produce it someday. So, don't throw yours. Hang on to it, but do move on to write another and another and another. Perhaps come back to that first script after you've gained further life and writing experience. You never know, there could be gold in that first one... Best to you!

LindaAnne, I acknowledge there are prodigies. I'm sure you acknowledge that very few 9 year olds are as exceptional as you were. Yours is an amazing success story!

I think Thelma and Louise was a first so, no.

Thanks from everybody. Also D Marcus from your previous comment about you would hire a 16 year old in a second, if their script was good. Well I am currently working on five scripts now and when I finish, if you're not too busy, would you read them and review them for me?

I will read the script you feel is the very best work you can do. One that is ready to made into a movie. A project that will attract top actors, top behind the scenes talent and an audience willing to pay to see it. That's what I look for as a producer.

The first screenplay should be a learning experience. The first draft of anything should be considered inherently bad - and then you learn from it to write the second draft. That's been my experience.

Well D Marcus when I write a script I keep in mind people I'd like to see in it. I don't just like writing the script, I like to think about the other important things as well. So when I finish in what I think will be the best I can do with it, I will email it to you.

I think Shane Black sold Lethal Weapon when he was 22, and I believe it was for a record-setting 2 million. It could have been his 20th screenplay, but I doubt it.

As writers we all know the worth of our piece. Though many might say that we have a biased opinion of our own work, I don't believe that. Lot many times when we get a writer's block and do a bad job, we know our work does not make the cut. So if we make a judgment call of what's its worth according to the feasibility for the kind of budget and resources required, I think we know if it is throwaway or not.

It's just a phrase, we shouldn't take it so literally. It simply means you won't get it right the first time round so this should be treated as a practice script. I love my ideas. Even if I'm embarrassed by the quality of my early scripts I still think there is merit to revisit the stories as my writing improves.