How do you decide which script you want to write when you have so many ideas? I have about 4-6 feature script ideas and cannot decide which to commit to writing. All have their own message and I think at least 4 would be impactful. Only one can be made on my own in the independent level, but does that make it the one to commit to by default of being able to make it?
There are also screenwriting festivals that can help get your scripts picked up.
What are your thoughts?
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My recommendation, start with the script you’re most passionate about and GET IT DONE. Your creativity will take it from there.
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Khiray Richards cheers, great challenge to articulate there.
I think it's good to write one project at a time. And hopefully we will be continuing to write more in the future, perhaps another new script every year or even more.
I suppose it is one of those essential aspects of screenwriting craft that is also a personal choice and empowerment, but certainly it can loom over my head during a project. The possibility to switch over to a different concept and story.
When I commit to a feature script concept I am writing as a spec, I know it will occupy my focus for 3-6 months.
Recently, in October, I completed writing one and had a concept for the next one that I selected from my list (similarly, I have four or five concepts waiting that I like and am considering writing). I picked the lowest-budget concept.
After about a month, I was bored with the new project, for specific reasons, and I came up with a new concept that I found more similar in tone to the one I just wrote, so I switched and took up the new one.
Now I am committed to it, so basically with each new project I give myself one "switcheroo" where I change my mind, but beyond that I tell myself that it is only through the writing that the work will actually take place, and even if I end up writing something that is unpitchable, convoluted or never gets its wings, I am creating and obtaining valuable practice and it's all about the pace and momentum for me to develop my skills by continuing to write.
So as writers we must choose which story to articulate, and then we follow through and accept our own choice, or switch to another one, but if we switch more than once or twice it can sabotage our momentum, so at some point we need to simply bring a concept through to the end, whatever it takes.
In this case I trusted my intuition and I am feeling good about the new project!
Usually there's one idea at a time that won't let me not write it. In other words, when it comes to spec scripts, I follow my passions.
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Khiray, the question is, are you a passionate writer or a methodical writer? Passionate writers tend to go with their gut feelings about a story (love, heartbreak, tragedy, uplifting, etc, etc). Wherein, a methodical writer will write what he/she knows They tend to write at a pace, no matter the idea. They have many ideas, but not a strong passion for either! Are you a methodical writer? if you are, outline all of the ideas. Then go with the one more efficient to complete!