Screenwriting : Hey Stage 32, just curious—what’s your next move after finishing a screenplay? Do you shop it around, enter contests, or let it marinate for a bit? by Chase Cysco

Hey, Chase Cysco. I leave the script alone for a day, days, week, etc. after I finish writing it and rest or work on another project. After that, I rewrite the script, maybe leave the script alone again, and get feedback on it. When I feel like the script is ready, I make the pitch material and pitch the script. I haven't entered a script contest in a while, but I'm thinking about entering them again.

Chase Cysco I'm a rank amateur, but once I think I've got something close to being "done," I set it aside and work on the next one for a while, perhaps a month or so. Then I print it out and read it through again, often making lots of notes, and then I type in those notes. If, at that point, I feel it's as good as I can get it for the moment, I'll enter it into some contests as I work on the next screenplay. I've also sent some to others to read and give me feedback. One thing I have not done is pitch one, which is on my to do list. I just haven't felt ready yet. For one screenplay I did create a pitch deck though.

Maurice Vaughan That’s a solid process! Letting it breathe before diving into rewrites makes a lot of sense.also you should id feel like you would kill it in a contest

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Tucker Teague see i am the opposite , i am less nervous doing a pitch and more nervous joining a contest lol ..... Interesting

Thanks, Chase Cysco. I feel the same way. I've been so busy with ghostwriting jobs, pitching, and other things over the years, I just haven't put a lot of thought into entering contests. What's your process after finishing a script?

once im done i just give it like a good week , than go back than listen to it on audio . than i just hit the streets , im a dif kinda writer i dont really do all the attachment this is my baby that ive been working on for 7 years kinda stuff lol

90 pages , 3 months get in get out repeat process ( :

I'm readying my first finished screenplay - right now it's in for consulting to get story notes. After refinement, my plan is to send it onto a manager for potential representation and perhaps shopping it. I'll also be entering it into Nicholl, Screencraft, and AFF this year. Since it's been finished and into consulting, I'm working on my next idea, shaping it out and will likely create a synopsis and beat sheet this week until the other one comes back. Just my process and strategy so far.

I perfect it, ironing out the bugs and story beats that don't make sense, and then novelise it - that way, I have some insurance and can actually give myself some leverage.

Craig Anderson thats not bad at all ! at least you have some motion going on !

Stefano Pavone so funny you said that ! i was out having some drinks with a good friend of mine and he told me to do the same thing for insurance and value