Screenwriting : Stuck on a trilogy by Jason Rogers

Here's the truth with writing trilogy epics...Don't. Here's the thing - unless you've written the book series and have a publisher, there's not much point writing all 3 films. There's not such thing as a sequel until someone else tells you there is. And what I constantly find, is that when a writer envisions a trilogy, what they do is make the first film ALL backstory and set up, the 2nd film is the next step in their arcs and there's the first few battles or big scenes, and then it's the THIRD script that's ACTUALLY the movie and story. The save all the great stuff for the last one. And most of the time - I'd say 90% of the time - the trilogy could and should actually be ONE film script. Believe me, IF it deserves to be a trilogy, someone will figure out a way to make it one. But you only need to concentrate on the FIRST one and put all of your biggest, best ideas into THAT one. Otherwise, you're really just wasting your time. No offense Steven but I'm not sure #3, 4 or 5 is really great advice on this one...

Write. Write-write-write. You can fix it later.

I agree with Danny. Write a killer script don't worry about a trilogy. I would keep a macro arch in the back of my mind just incase the story was optioned. Even George Lucas didn't write the prequels he just had a rough treatment of anakins past.

Steven I already have the story copy written. and I got the certificate. And I think my issue is I just cant get my mind around the screen play. I have the narrative treatment done and I know the characters. Can you get burned out on your own stuff?

Geoffrey you have a point the Lucas comment struck a cord. I have been writing this with the structure of The matrix and star wars in mind for the way it was told. the second story has the characters learn more and some questions get answered. and they are placed in a bad situation to be rectified in the 3rd. The first is a stand alone with a small scene added to create the opening for a squeal. It can be omitted and still work.

First of all, you can totally be burned out on your own stuff. That's when you step away and refresh. Just don't take a break for too long because that is where most writers fail.

Jason, try writing your trilogy as one long screenplay. Look at it as a one entity instead of three. Like a 15 act structure. That way when you lay it out, you'll know when things happen throughout the whole trilogy.

There's nothing wrong with taking a break to refresh the mind. As long as you come back to it.

If you are writing your trilogy as novels, great! If you are writing them as screenplays - DON'T! Screenwriters do not get to write sequels to their own screenplays. You sell the rights to the (first) screenplay, and if it is ever made and if you get a screenplay credit on it and if the movie is a success... then the studio hires whoever they want to write the sequels. Almost never the original screenwriters, because they have been rewritten by a dozen other writers by that time and often the last writer hired has a better chance of writing the sequel than the original writer. Shane Black made a big splash with LETHAL WEAPON, but even though he was brought in for the sequel... he was replaced by other writers and ended up not writing the screenplay. That's how it usually works. The producer owns the sequel rights, you do not. They own your characters, you do not. So writing sequels to your screenplay is a complete waste of time.

Jessie: On a practical level, William Martel has offered you the wisest counsel. However, on a technical level, if you don't want to get stuck writing a story it's really best to operate off a definitive outline. This is applicable to writing any script. You may also want to just practice brainstorming ideas. What I mean, is sit down at your computer or if your old school, the typewriter and just bullet point ideas for scenes. For example, something as simple as Mark walks to the liquor store and witnesses a robbery. But whatever you do, just make sure the scenes move your story along.