I have a spec script - Ghost Mamba - which I am very happy with, it has seen 13 drafts and tons of notes from script readers over the past 2 years. Since the beginning I have seen this as the opener of a trilogy, have made loglines for a trilogy, however just the 1st script is written (and revised), while the 2nd & 3rd are loglines with some outline work, more for the 2nd.
Would it be feasible to start pitching it all as a trilogy?
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Nope, sir, hard pass on spec trilogy; suggests (to me) you cant execute one complete story.
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Hey Michael Dzurak - execs typically take pitches on one script alone. I would focus on your first one and making that one complete story.
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Here's a solution, which I used for my novel when I adapted it into a trilogy of screenplays (it was already in 3 parts to begin with, making it easier). Part 1 is a self-contained story, but end it on a way that it could lead into a potential (but not necessary) continuation - a sequel hook, if you like (not to be confused with a cliffhanger). In the event of a success, you can make Parts 2 and 3 one large sequel split in half (Part 2 would end on a cliffhanger, which would be resolved at the beginning of Part 3, which would then tie up most of the loose ends and bring closure to the overall lore).
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The film is a complete story. if your story has several parts, then it's a series.
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Hey Michael Dzurak - thanks for the post - feel free to reach out to me at success@stage32.com. I am the Writer Consultant for Stage 32 and I can give you some advice on how to go about getting traction on your project. I hope to hear from you!
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No. realistically, it's not. you pitch ONE story with a beginning, middle and end. there can be something left open but there's no such thing as a sequel - or trilogy - until someone else tells you there is.
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Danny Manus Thanks. My script is one story and it does leave one key thing open. But I'll just work on pitching that one.
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Stefano Pavone "Part 1 is a self-contained story, but end it on a way that it could lead into a potential (but not necessary) continuation - a sequel hook"
That's exactly how I wrote this script. Maybe I got ahead of myself with prepping sequel loglines and outlines, but I really like this project so I went nuts with it for some time.
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Hi Michael Dzurak - what everyone else has already said, plus: many looking for projects to develop like the idea of sequel potential, so it might be worth setting up in your spec feature and mentioning at the end of your pitch. Cheers.
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Dan MaxXx "Nope, sir, hard pass on spec trilogy; suggests (to me) you cant execute one complete story."
Boom! Headshot! My head hurts. But I probably needed that.
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Honestly, I'd say it’s doable to pitch the trilogy, but make sure you’re leading with that first script since it’s the most fleshed out. Let them know you’ve got a bigger vision with the other two already outlined, but keep the focus on Ghost Mamba as a strong, standalone story that has franchise potential. If they vibe with the first one, they’ll be more interested in the rest. Just gotta make sure the first script stands on its own first, you feel me?
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Yeah, would stick to pitching it as one film. The trilogy card is one to keep in your back pocket. Pitching it as a trilogy would come off as probably overly ambitious, as most sequels potential would be based almost entirely on the success of the first film. Or in rare instances, the imminent easy and cheap producibility of sequels, like many horror sequels.
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Once again, I agree with Pat Alexander. One film... they will see the potential and it may give you an opportunity for more mola if the first one gets market traction!
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If your first film can stand up by itself then you can pitch it as having potential to be part of a trillogy. The original Star Wars was intended to be part of a series of movies but the first one was made as a stand alone.
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Yes, the truth is that most writers tend to think of what the sequel will be. They end a pitch with, "...and then that sets us up for the sequel!" While they think this is a value ad, the only think I am thinking is, "you need to focus on this project to make it the best it can be." Some of the most successful franchises in movie history (Back to the Future, Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc) were not planned that way.