Here it is, a few days into July, which means it's time to ask that all-important question:
How was the first half of 2019 for you as a screenwriter?
Completed a latest draft? Started a new script? Revised an old one?
Hit a wall? Had a breakthrough?
Entered, and potentially placed, in a contest or three?
Got representation? Lost representation?
Made a short? For the lucky select few - made a feature?
Working with a producer? A director? Taken on both roles yourself? Had a script optioned?
Something important to keep in mind - don't compare your success or progress to that of others. We all have our own individual path. Find the route and pace that work best for you.
No matter how your year's been, I sincerely hope you've continued to derive a little bit of joy out of this topsy-turvy creative process.
FYI - mine's been pretty good. Some nice developments here and there. Nothing earth-shattering, but pleasantly encouraging on several fronts. Plus, as is usually the case, lots and lots of writing, editing and rewriting.
3 people like this
Paul, 2019 has turned out to be a real learning experience for me as I get back into the screenwriting pool. It's not only been humbling...it's also been FUN!
I've learned a whole lot more about this craft since joining Stage 32 at the beginning of this year than I ever did in the previous 39 years since I took a screenwriting class in college.
Currently got six screenplays right here on Stage 32 (five of them originally written in the 1980-1994 period, the other originally written in 2016); hoping to hike that to ten by the time 2019 ends. (Right now, I'm fixing up three more 1980-1994 efforts and cooking up a brand-new script...in fact, my newest screenplay, "Pixie Dust," is at the 69% completion mark.)
At first, I thought the rewriting process would be scary...but thanks to the tricks out there that 32 provides, rewriting's something I look forward to and enjoy.
Because of those tricks, I've finally- truthfully- got something I can pitch right now ("Jingle Belles") to a producer (or enter in a contest) and feel good about it...win, lose, or tie.
And I'm working, slowly but surely, to get the other projects to that point.
I thought I was ready in January. (Man, was I wrong...and that's the humbling part!)
Time for me to get off my soapbox...and Paul, I wish you all the VERY BEST!
1 person likes this
Thank you, sir, and a hearty congrats on all your progress!
3 people like this
The first half of 2019 is good, picked up two reality shows to write and direct in Houston. Got asked to write and direct a paranormal show in Louisiana later this year. Entered 4 screenwriting comps. Writing my first ever true story full script and will make it a novel as well. Endless small projects for filmmaking and editing a lot lately for folks. In the trenches!
4 people like this
I've had ups and downs (surprise, surprise). A producer-director who wished to make a film of my action script didn't get his funding, so that project's dead (apparently). On the other hand, my latest script, a darkly comic caper, now has a shopping agreement and will be presented to Blumhouse shortly.
2 people like this
First half of my 2019 has been fruitful. Given my new path in screenwriting, I've had some overwhelming moments, but I've really gained some back bone and have been really enjoying learning, growing, and developing. It's really fun right now, and it's having a great effect in my writing, because I'm taking it all in stride. Aware of my faults but having a good time correcting and improving them. Currently revising one of my scripts to get it market ready.
Wishing you the best with all on your plate Paul.
1 person likes this
I have felt some hope this year so far. Received notes back on a script and doing a rewrite. Hit a wall last night and am considering a complete rewrite. But I'm too tired today to do much about it. I have received feedback that it is has immense potential and some people really want to see this so I have also been trying to put it in novel form. I am up to 30k words, but have to stop to go back to script. Really want both done by end of year. I need script done by end of month actually. Need to send it off to someone. And I did a rough draft of another pilot, but that's on hold, but I'm busting to get into it more. So I have my plate well and truly full.
1 person likes this
Mine has been quite a rush so far this half year. I've been on one script in drama that I started a couple of months ago and because I have so much love for a comedy, it's taken me only a couple of weeks of intensive writing that I'm just about finish up before I go back to finishing up this drama. When done, I'll have four, then five screenplays and then I'll also have two seasons of eight episodes each of a comedy series I've already scripted out with a co-writer. So can anyone tell me if that's enough to start trying to pitch to buyers?
3 people like this
I finished the sixth and final script of my franchise and am in talks with a talent and literary agency (i.e., the co-head of the literary department answers all of my emails--that's big). I am currently doing a continuity check on the scripts to make sure everything lines up, and I am putting together a pitch deck for the franchise.
The pitch deck is detailed, yet easy to read. It includes an overview of the franchise, information (including the logline and synopsis) for each script, a possible pathway to production and theatrical release of the franchise, and background/contact information.
My goal is to have both the continuity check and the pitch deck completed by July 19 (family vacation starts then)--I'm on track to meet that goal.
By the way, the co-head of the literary department is looking forward to seeing the pitch deck when it's finished.
1 person likes this
First half has been very productive, thanx. Found solutions to a couple of ideas that had flaws. Now the implausible is plausible.
2 people like this
Currently, I am working on finishing the story for a movie called Neighboorhood Zombie Party. Right after this, I am jumping into the scripting part and so far everything has been great. Ending the story for my movie was very rough though and I did run into a little bit of trouble. What allowed me to get through it was the idea of how an ending should look like and I broke it down from there. There was no way I wanted to implement a boring ending that's for sure.
Hahaha Pamela Bolinder
Mostly just getting my cable 'Independent Filmmaker's Showcase' production up & running. Content is supper hard to find - who'd of ever thought that small filmmakers don't want anyone to see their work?
Oh vey!