You start another screenplay, right?
It took me exactly one year from start to finish to complete my latest sci-fi feature screenplay, "Rogue Wave" (see logline in my profile if you're curious). This was obviously part-time work since I'm a full-time scientist and have very little time to write So anyway, rather than sit around dwelling on the fact that spec scripts from unknown writers never get produced, today I am outlining the sequel script. Why? Because I really like writing screenplays. Far more than writing books for some reason.
So I am curious, what do the rest of you do when you complete a screenplay? Do you celebrate? Do you do something completely different or do you start writing again immediately?
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I celebrate with rest for a day or a few days after finishing a script (the final draft), Joseph Rhea. I'll either start a new spec script, look for a job (writing, ghostwriting, or pitch deck), or pitch finished scripts. Or a mix of those three (spec, job, and pitch).
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Maurice. Usually, I am relieved that I'm not trying to be a full-time screenwriter because it seems like a daunting challenge. But to be honest, I have found that I love scriptwriting so much that in another life I would give it a shot. To be honest I am in awe of artists like you who want to do this for a living. Good for you and best of luck!!
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Screenwriting full time is a daunting challenge sometimes, Joseph Rhea. Waiting to hear back about a job, a pitch, etc. is one of the toughest things to deal with. And sometimes I'll get a note from a producer or director that seems nearly impossible to add. I end up making the note fit though.
Thanks. Best to you on your projects.
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Joseph, I actually DO celebrate when I reach the "FADE OUT" page on a screenplay...something I did ten days ago with "Long way."
Then...after that, I go over the script again before registering it. Once that script of mine is registered, I'll come up with a synopsis.
With a synopsis in place, then I can put my screenplay/teleplay here on Stage 32 and on Script Revolution...afterwards, I'll create a Prewrite version and a ScriptHop "Packet."
Then I'll work on a new script.
Speaking of script...congratulations on completing "Rogue Wave," and here's wishing you tremendous success with it (and with your future scripts)!
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For me, when I finish the first draft, I know I have at least three more drafts ahead of me. I take a few days, sometimes send it out for coverage, and then start in on the new draft. While I'm working on the rewrites, I usually start kicking a new idea around in my head. When the script is done, I take a few days and then start in on the new project.
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Thanks for all of that information, Jim. I'll have to look up Prewrite and ScriptHop because I haven't heard of those. Regarding registration, for my previous (first ever) screenplay, I registered it with WGA and also paid for an official copyright, which was probably overkill.
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Jerry, what I just finished is my final draft, which is like the 10th draft. So this version has been fully edited and had some coverage and is about as good as it can get. It's a definitely a better script than my first screenplay (which made the second round at the 2021 Austin film festival) so we'll see how this goes.
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Some people register their scripts with the U.S. Copyright Office and the WGA, Joseph Rhea, but just registering a script with the Copyright Office is enough. And registering a script with the Copyright Office is the better option: www.linkedin.com/pulse/copyright-registration-usco-wga-william-gilmore
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Thanks for the copyright information, Maurice. Good to know
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You're welcome, Joseph Rhea.
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My last one was paid so I took my family to a vacation by the sea last year...sorta celebrating...anyways back to work this year, preparing another one for a workshop and so on and so on...
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@Joseph Depends on script & circumstances & how I feel on day. More often than not I go straight onto another script. Being an actual scientist yourself must aid in the craft of writing your own unique voice in Sci Fi. Don’t give up at all!
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It's great reading all of your inputs on this topic. So last night, in a fit of unbridled creativity, I wrote a 20-sequence outline of the sequel to the screenplay I just finalized. Why write a sequel to an unseen and unsold screenplay? When finished I'm planning to write my next novel based on this duology. So in a bizarro backwards universe, I plan to adapt 2 screenplays into a sci-fi novel, whereas the sci-fi novel DUNE was recently adapted into 2 screenplays. The fact that I sometimes describe my story as "Underwater Dune" is just a coincidence. Or is it???
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Marsy, that's exactly how I feel, but I'm a bit hyperactive when it comes to creative endeavors. As soon as I feel my book / screenplay / software is really "final" then it's time to start something new. It's a curse AND a blessing. ;)