I've finished a first draft of my first Feature script and am now in rewrites and getting some feedback. I'm curious when people think it is the time to start shopping the script? Is it a feeling? Is it when feedback starts to say this is ready?
Screenwriting : When to shop a script by James Murray
When to shop a script
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I agree with Aray. However I hope you don't write first on the cover page of the screenplay. All spec screenplays are a First Draft no matter how many times you rewrite them.
Hmmm James, yes but before they do, you should first appreciate it yourself, take up courage and believe in that vision you've been writing and rewriting all this while. I think if you've done the rewrite more than thrice, you'd be able to appreciate it. Maybe you don't need to wait for anything but yourself.
James: I agree with everything said before. But try to get some professional feedback, could be a screenwriter here, who has had success, and if you get similar criticism on same area of your screenplay, fix or change. Never say this is your first screenplay, write a couple more screenplays in case they say, " this is not what we are looking for, but do you have something else?" Or you can say, I have something else. Can I show you? I hear this alot. I didn't make it up. Good luck, buddy.
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Thanks! @Jorge, I've heard about having a second script and I'm on it. I'm not sure if I know when there will be no more rewrites, I might have a little bit of a Woody Allen neurosis and never think that it is finished ;-)
James: Rewrites are a necessary evil. But, wait to you get feedback that you feel will enhance your story.
Don´t be hung up on how many times you rewrote a piece. The story is the key! Ask yourself questions and try to answer those questions as you proof read your script. Is pacing okay? Then you read it and analyze it from that angle? Is structure okay? Then you read it again. Is dialogue boring, sufficient, on the nose and how you intended it to be to drive the story forward without telling and giving away to much at certain key Points in the script? Then you read it again.And you repeat this until you, the writer, feel like you´re happy with it. Then you send it out for feedback. The feedback you get back at that Point can really help you in so many ways. You have to do this or you´ll just be closing doors on yourself if you send something out that is outright bad or not very well constructed. I promise you, the more you ask about your own work, the better end result will be because you did the hard work working on it. Since this is your very first script, feedback could shoot you down if you take it the wrong way. Hope I get across what I mean. :)
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I think it depends on whom you're submitting to and what your relationship is to that entity. We each only have one chance to make the best first impression possible. Maybe you already know the people you're submitting to; maybe you don't. Maybe you've already made a great first impression, and the runway is clear for future subs. Maybe it isn't. Maybe you know they're looking for the kind of story you've written; maybe you don't. To me, there's no blanket answer, but you're making an impression, and you want it to be the best it can be.
I totally agree Regina. I'm starting out slowly and trying to create momentum. The people who are reading it now are people I've worked with.
Try connect with a writers group. Try the afw's 5150..
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When people who hate you and want you to fail love your screenplay, you're ready.
Only you know when it's ready. Me personally it's when I truly believe I cannot enhance the script anymore. Then you know it's ready to go out!
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William... "When people who hate you and want you to fail love your screenplay, you're ready..." - Bingo! Yep... I'm astonished that my worst enemies actually love my book - and, lo and behold... a Director came knocking
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@ William and Michael, high praise indeed!
If you're interested, James - www.SKA-at-Carnarvon.com
Using 'coverage' is also helpful. When the report is returned to you with a PASS, continue to revise your project. A CONSIDER is progress but the receipt of a RECOMMEND...go for it. Coverage is a 'good' tool for a writer.
You don't want the opinion of another writer. "If I hate it I'll think it's crap, and if I like it, I'll hate it even more" (Hemingway, Midnight in Paris)