I'd like to get some thoughts from other screenwriters. I won't bore you with all the details, but I've developed a concept that I could turn into a television series or more than one feature film. I'm not sure which would be the best approach. I've written the first feature, but it could very easily be pared down to a one-hour drama. I have actually started on a second feature with a similar setting, and it could very easily be converted into an episode of a series. I'm not sure what the better course would be for a relatively new writer such as myself. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Screenwriting : Advice by Steven M. Cross
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I'll let others with more expertise give the definitive word, but if you're a new writer, I think you have a better chance of having a feature noticed as a script sample than a series unless you have an agent who can set you up with pitch meetings directly to the streamers.
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I'd say turn it into a 2-part or even 4-part one-hour miniseries :) This way you could flesh out more of the characters' backstories, or your setting's origins which can easily add more color to your story concept.
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He asks "as a relatively new writer." My concern is that that's a ton of work when limited series are all going to well-established writers. I guess it depends on what his goals are for the piece.
Donna, you're probably right. I can think of dozens of possible expansions on the concept. I have optioned one screenplay to an independent producer, and I've had some people requesting scripts from queries, but I am not established as a screenwriter, and I don't have any kind of representation.
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Dan, thanks. You are always there with solid advice.
What do you think would be best for the story, Steven M. Cross (feature scripts or a series)?
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I think either way.
Ok, Steven M. Cross. I do think feature scripts are easier to pitch and produce. With writing a series, there's a lot more work needed (outlining seasons, series arc, storylines, etc.).
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Well, on the one side you have a format that hundreds of thousands of producers around the world can easily work with, fund, and get distribution for in a variety of forms from theatrical to AVOD.
On the other side, you have the hardest and least in demand format in the game that can take years of slog to get into only to find you're lucky to even so much as have your name still attached to by the end.
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CJ Walley In my gut, I think a limited series would be my best shot. I have so many idea that I could put into one.
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If you are thinking of converting it into a TV series, it is good to consider if the change in format will ensure each episode is interesting. For example, if you broke a longer feature into several episodes of TV there may be a few episodes in the middle that feel as if they are "waiting" for something to happen, rather than be interesting in themselves. There is no one-size-fits-all response to this question but my advice would be to map out how it would look in episodes and see if it works there.
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Ewan Dunbar This is really good advice. I think I could do this. From what I have read, each story needs to have a complete beginning, middle, and end, but there should also be an arc for the whole season.
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dont. End the story and move on to something else. Write one complete story. thats it.
tv world is fierce, dont know why pay to pitch executives tell aspiring writers with 0 track record to write tv. Number 1 on a call sheet position jobs? That's unicorn status.
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Arash Amel tweets he had his first 13 specs dead&burried no one can see...he started presenting his career with his FIRST sold one, that'd be his 14th...so as Dan says, don't waste time, move on...