Screenwriting : Friendly Reminder! - "Don't Send Out a Project Too Soon" by Maurice Vaughan

We all have send material too soon. No sweat. wait 5-years for next crop of decision-makers. Ppl either quit or fired.

I've sent out projects too soon as well, Dan. Now, I take more time on a project before sending it out. I can't wait five years. :)

What is too soon? We revise perpetually.

Terry Podnar maybe like writing your first or second tv pilot and immediately "pitching", believing you're ready to be number 1 on call sheets with 0 tv experience/track record.

I think the project should be shown at the logline stage. there is no point in working on a project if no one is interested in the idea.

That's a great question, Terry. Too soon like sending out the first or second draft of a script, sending out a script that has plot holes, or sending out a script that's full of typos.

Showing a project at the logline stage is a smart idea if you're writing a spec script, Arthur. You're basically testing out the concept. If you're directing or producing the script, showing a project at the logline stage might not be that important since you're making the script yourself.

I don't think you're getting my comments, but I mentioned loglines should be a different discussion entirely. It's much more important than I once thought, but it'd be difficult to get a response unless you know someone.

Maurice Vaughan, I think if one person is interested in the logline, others will be interested in it. this opinion is based on my experience.

My logline of the project "Safe Place", at one time interested two editors and one director. Due to my inexperience, the project was not taken into work.

Therefore, I believe that time and effort should be invested in a project that has aroused someone's interest, rather than doing it blindly with a good script.

Sorry, Terry Podnar. I'm not getting your other comments.

Yeah, loglines are really important. They're probably one of the most important things for a writer. "but it'd be difficult to get a response unless you know someone." You're in the right place to get your loglines in front of producers, directors, production companies, etc. I sold four short scripts to a producer after he read the loglines on my profile. That's why I suggest that people post loglines on their profiles.

"Therefore, I believe that time and effort should be invested in a project that has aroused someone's interest, rather than doing it blindly with a good script." That reminds me of what some people were talking about on Stage 32 the other day, Arthur Charpentier. Testing out an idea. I like to use an outline to test out an idea. If the idea doesn't work during the outline stage, I've found that the idea won't work during the scriptwriting stage, so there's no need to invest time into writing the script. The same issues that I ran into during outlining will be the same issues I run into while writing the script.

If spec make it public ASAP...don't zero out anyone yes, but get it out there, as opinions and fbk's matter and there are always some wise guys on the net ready to help rather tutor...

Great post Maurice! While “perfection can be the enemy of done” it is worth taking the extra time before submitting to see if your work is the best it can be.

Thanks, Ewan Dunbar. It's a great feeling to catch a plot hole, typo, etc. before sending out a script (or query letter). :)

Great reminder Maurice Vaughan - thank you!!

You're welcome, Shellie. It's terrible when a screenwriting program shuts down in the middle of writing a scene. That's why I like to back up scripts every few minutes.

Maurice, that's good habit. I backup mine up every time I step away or if I've written a long section, which equals every few minutes.

Great advice

Thanks, Dathane.