Screenwriting : How Long is Too Long to Spend on a Single Script? by Jorge J Prieto

Im never really done with my works. Maybe until they leave my hands and go straight to production. How long is too long? As long as it takes. Just keep updating the material with elements that will make it more unique and authentic.

Not sure there is a "too long", I write because I enjoy it, however, I also write as a means of earning money to pay the bills. If I spend too little working on something that is not earning me money then the bills won't be paid. So I guess its about prioritising your time firstly to ensure that you have sufficient funds to live on, and then secondly to ensure that you are working on projects that you still believe in.

My co-producer, who's a published author, spent 5 years developing her first screenplay, and we're probably going to spend an additional 2 years in pre-production.

Three years later and I'm still working on my scripts which have received Finalist status and some which have 'won'. I just keep polishing until I catch the eye of those who will produce the film. But sadly, Michael states the stark reality of a writer's plight.

Thanks for sharing, Jorge! I'm so happy to hear you're doing so well with your writing! That's fantastic! :) Great points in the video about getting the work out there, about the pitfalls of being too precious with one's writing. However I think it's unfortunate that Lee Jessup uses the word "failure" in this video—her idea of failure, what it means to her, and her imposing that notion onto others. I found it a bit reductive and negative. Every screenplay is different. Every writer is different, has a different process. Everyone's life situation is different. Some projects require more research, more time, more work, etc. Some projects don't. Sure, one should never allow any one project to become an albatross. Sure, don't get stuck emotionally or otherwise. Sure, one must be able to produce a body of work; get it on paper. Sure, some projects may have shorter deadlines. But some projects take years to develop. They just do. I've taken to working on a couple of projects at a time. Personally, I'd rather have a handful of solid, well-written spec scripts as calling cards or projects to produce myself then a high volume. But that's just me. Others feel differently. Again, to each their own. ;)

Not necessarily three rewrites as a rule, Jorge, but I do try to make sure my first draft is pretty tight so the rewrite process isn't a long slog of cutting things down. But, yes, at some point, you have to stop molding the clay and put the art on display.

I usually do a first draft, one fairly major rewrite after getting some feedback, and then I might tweak it here and there before I submit it to any execs or contests. If I happen to find a contest I want to enter, or I get a read request from someone, I do try to give it a read-through again. Because it seems like I always find SOMEthing to correct or change. I am not one to spend years on a single script. I have too many ideas and don't think a person should sit on their work if they ever want it to go somewhere. My output varies, but I'd say my average is three scripts a year. Which is all aside from my freelance work. Oh and the 45 hours a week I spend at the day job. Bleah. Lol.

I use to coach kids soccer. Just like some kids, you know when they have reached their limit. They are as good as they are going to get. Once you feel that start another script. I have four going at most times, I'd say two are just catching ideas. One is my real script. Once I think that story is told, I go to the second one, unless something has triggered a new story. There is no doubt more I could do on each script. But once the story is told, it is told. I think back to Vince Gilligan saying he did 40 rewrites of Hancock. Too much for me.

When I first started out it would take me a year to finish a screenplay. Now it takes me about three months. If I spend over three months now I think it is too long.

RB: its been a while, like I said, since you were ask the question, "how long is too long?" but at that time I had been working and rewriting the same script for years. I was not moving on, learning how to develop new material, so THANKS. BETH: yes some parts of Lee's interview came across "negative" but she's very blunt, that's her, I think she does it to tell us that this is a touch industry and it is. Always so happy to hear your perspective. Thank you, friend. Dan: I'm finally where you are. About three scripts per year. Thanks for stopping by. @Judy: always a fan of you. A big THANKS to all of you who took the time to give your perspective on this subject.

I don't think there's a specific answer to your question. I've knocked out award winning shorts in a week or so but I've also spent three or more years massaging others. I can put out a crappy FL script in a few months and then spend years making it usable/marketable. I don't think I've ever been satisfied with a script that hasn't been at least three rewrites and some go through ten or more. The simple answer is – it all depends on how you feel.

One can be obsessive about writing, but there is nothing wrong with reworking a script. I have one script that I have edited and improved from time to time over the last 11 years, and it is definitely better now than in 2005.

Jorge: If it's a spec script, I normally write a first draft, polish it during the writing process, read it through twice and move on. That being said, I always return to the first drafts at later dates and spend a few days fine tuning. I've polished my Angela Davis script, (which was originally optioned) several times as well as my JD Salinger biopic. I once had a long debate with a guy who told me he rewrote his script 42 times over a five year period. Last year, that guy's script was a second round finalist at Austin Film Festival, while my first draft was also a second rounder. So to say this gent was flogging his work would be an understatement. When you are working with producers or directors, you will most certainly rewrite your work. In 2016, I worked with director David Blyth on a sci-fi/horror film concept. We started with his rough draft treatment, then I wrote formal scene by scene treat, then a first draft, second draft, David rewrote a third draft, I rewrote a fourth draft and now David's writing a fifth draft after feedback on the fourth draft was not stellar. And so it goes.

@Jorge. Its clear every writer has different working methods. Im quite gifted in multitasking; even if a work is finished and done with, its still subject to further scrutiny and development.

It is okay to spend a year or whatever writing a spec screenplay but if you get hire you better be prepared to write a screenplay in 90 days because that seems to be what they want when they hire you.

Yes I think if a person is working on their own pet projects they can play with them as long as they want. But if someone is paying you, you have to adhere to their deadlines. Otherwise it might be the last time someone pays you.

Some really good points everyone, thanks. Now, like I said, the only way I was able to grow as a writer, was to finally decide that my pet project was finished for the time being and it was only then that I was able to write seven more scripts, which now need work of course. Hope this helps many of you, it sure is helping me, so # grateful.

@Jody. I quite disagree. I don't think any writer should pray to be under pressure when writing. It affects output and creativity. There is no income that can compare with the one gotten from a work, quality time and energy has been spent on. A good material solidifies a brand. Well, I personally don't want to be employed for a writing position. I want to be a writer on demand.

Has something been missed? I thought the original question was whether an idea should be discarded if it doesn't develop sufficiently in a short time. In my experience, inspiration sometimes comes like a lightning bolt, and the piece writes itself. However, the most inspired work can be refined by repeated revision.

Indeed, Jessica, but for how long? For me, I had spend close to five years on the same screenplay, mostly because of the different feedback I was getting, until I said enough, I'm done with this one! And don't get me wrong, like I said, that screenplay , which you can read in my logline section, title "Shared Scars" still is one of my favorites, followed by the one I'm writing now. Let's keep the conversation going. I love this most about Stage 32!!

@Christian have you ever been hired to write something? Every piece I've ever been paid to write (and there have been a lot) has involved a deadline of some sort. There is a huge difference between writing for fun (or simply when inspiration strikes) and writing for a career. It's all about what direction one wants to take. I'd guess the majority here would like to make a career of writing if they can, which means you WILL be under pressure at some point because if you can't do the work, there are 10 people lined up behind you that can. And I don't know what you mean by wanting to be a "writer on demand"

If I may refer to one of Gibbs' rules, I would refer to rule No. 3B. Don't stop checking and rechecking evidence until you are satisfied. However, for purposes of this discussion, I would say to keep working on your story until you are satisfied.

If you are writing your own script take as long as you need.

@Jody. Yeah, I have been hired as an extra writer for a major magazine. I very much understand the concept of meeting up with deadlines. Even though you are a super expert in it, the feeling is not the same with the inspiration and passion one has for a project. Writing for inspiration should model a career. I cant really become a professional if im not touching people's lives. Yeah, writers must pay their bills doing what they love. I'm not discouraging anyone from getting a job. But my point is my point, we should be more. "Writer on demand..." I would like to quote Dan Maxx in his comment on a different lounge discussion. "Writers are like nails. Wake up and be a hammer". I think that comment rocks!!

I watched Focus over the break, Dan. Cliche City. Your post made me laugh, man.