Melvin Johnson: Screenwriter in Edinburg, Texas.

Could be. It all depends on the size, the genre and how many rewrites. Also, if you need to do extensive research, you also need to take that in account. For me a first draft of a short usually takes a week and that's about 15 pages. But if you want to be really good, then take all the time you need.

The reason it takes so long for people to write something is that most people don't have a story. Wait, what!? This is how it happens: they start writing and figuring out things as they write it. Then you meander into never-never land going in circles - it's called "stuck in the Second Act" (Syndrome). Why? Because you don't know how to end it! So this is what you need to do before you pick up your pencil, or start pounding on the keyboard - know exactly "how will the story end". Then work backwards, you'll whip out stories/scripts in weeks. As a corollary, if the ending is mediocre or just run of the mill ho-hum, don't write it - change the ending until it's great, then write it. My opinion only, of course; and YMMV :)

If you have a story and know the characters it will take you two weeks. I just wrote my 65 page TV pilot in eight days. I wrote my first feature film 99 pages in two weeks.

I have been trying to find someone to explain What "hispanic" is? What defines a hispanic? For example if a person's parents immigrate to Spain from China, and she is born grows up only speaking spanish and then immigrates to the USA, is she "hispanic"?

Some one other than me would have to explain, I would end up "Googling it". I just know that in my husband's family it is a preferred description. Many folks from California like the term Chicano. Many Texans dislike that term a lot.

I doubt you will find answers to these questions on Google, or anywhere else. I certainly have not found anyone to answer questions like these. That is why I object to the use of such terms. If they have shared meaning they are useless for communicating. And worse it makes us think we are communicating when we are not.

I have been in this business for nearly 35 years, starting as an actor, and over 20 as a writer. This is stated so that this can be. No, you do not need to know anyone to write screenplays. Yes, you do have to meet people to get one of them produced. Be it a commercial, feature, short, or anything else. Now, here is the Catch 22 to the entire situation. You can't get an agent unless you have sold to a studio and you can sell to a studio unless you have an agent. This is also a fact, but with a shading of not always added. New writers happen to get a piece picked up through a variety of means all the time. They end up with an agent because of that piece. Well, then it is just off to the races after that. In my time in the film industry, I'll tell you a few facts. First, no matter how good your writing is, not only is there someone better out there, there is someone who will do it for less, able to revise it in a new way and generally take your masterpiece and turn it into a giant piece of crap. Get use to it. That is the business. Second, every brilliant idea you have written has been written by others at least 100 times. Just keep writing. Someone make like your take on it better than the other persons. Third, and this is the most important part of writing. This included writing of any time. The key to actual success in this business is to do two simple things, with one being as crucial to that end as the other. The first is to write. Most writers talk about writing, they tell about the story they want to write, but they don't actually push the pen. Once you get recognized as a writer, this is shocking point, people are going to expect you to actually write and complete projects. On schedule. Otherwise they will sue you. Remember, the average Hollywood writer only makes around $15K a year, if they are lucky. I write. I do much better than that. The second piece of this is to talk about what you have completed, what you are working on and the project you just sold. People want to associate with those that are doing things. Not those simply sitting there like a bump on a log waiting for an agent to come along and sweep them up because of an idea they have. I get projects because I'm out there shopping my services, telling and showing what I have and am working on, and completing projects in a timely fashion. A final piece of news. No, not everyone will be happy with your writing, this is one reason there are so many writers out there working on the same projects, but if you focus on your work and do the best you can, success of some sort just might come your way. Also, you may have written a great piece and they might still not be happy with it, just because they think that they have to treat a writer that way. The curse of working as a writer in this industry. So, to encapsulate this into a short... WRITE, TALK, WRITE, SHOP, WRITE, SELL, WRITE & WRITE. And when you are starting out, you will write a lot of projects for free. When you are successful, you will be writing a lot of projects for cheap. Simply the way things are. Enjoy!

network. get out there. write spec. use that to move up and get your gigs. you need to meet folk but you also need to develop your craft so get involved with sharpening your writing. but no, there is no perfect script that people will weep when they read. Even those with connections still have to make awesome scripts and still have to rewrite rewrite rewrite ... and then once perfected still have to hustle to get it out there ...

and remember , of the top 20 rules of screenwriting rules 1, 7, 13 and 20 are YOU WILL REWRITE.

Here...

Uh, yeah. Gotta be organized. Gotta outline - no time for writing screenplays that don't go anywhere. Gotta dedicate your lunch hour to writing, whether you're in the mood or not.

Of course it is hard to do this- the only way for most people is to be very disciplined and schedule specific time to write in your week. It is easier if you have a supportive family- some partners can become jealous of someone writing. Try and be practical about it and appreciative to others giving you space to do it. Get up earlier maybe. Then take occasional breaks away for a weekend or a week to have more concentrated burst of activity. Get used to writing anywhere when the opportunity arises. It is possible. Don't think everything has to be perfect to do any writing. Do it on a train, while waiting etc.

Check into the UCLA extension programs. They're expensive but worth taking as a way to make connections.

It usually isn't, but sometimes you have to follow your heart.

Here's an awesome article about moving out there I found: http://thecastingpitt.com/article/1428334709

@loralie Sorry to dredge up ancient history, but I'm ashamed to say I've not seen your contribution to this post 'til now. Obviously Shakespeare was writing for an audience which was not overly stuffed with Greek critics. Besides, he was writing on the basis of the classical education he'd got at the grammar school he attended on account of his father's high office. But the point is - neither Venus nor Adonis, nor really any of the characters Shakespeare created, as opposed to them being historical figures like Henry V, is the part of a white person, to be played by a white person; neither is it specifically for black people. The original question did, after all, specify that it was a black character that was to be written for, rather than a part which could be played by a person of any colour.

yes, that's true, but then the conversation went a little off track and I followed it there :p

@Richard, thank you - that's exactly what I am doing... and i have to say, its coming along pretty good!!! Loving every aspect of it!!! - "Autumn"

yeah Noel, but this is true for all kind of scripts.

empaty

Nicola, exactly. Some of the best action films are also where average people are forced to contend in extraordinary circumstances. I'm just saying that the movies that really disturb me are the ones that make you feel you could be the main character. That the moral choices and challenges are something you yourself would have a problem with making. But to tell you the truth if you write a horror film script and shoot it with the right crew you'll be able to market it. We have one in distribution now. We made it just to show investors we could. The script was written in two weeks and had we had it cast and shot in three months.

Welcome to screenwriting. Hope you have a thick skin! I can promise you'll get a review that stings like all get out, but you have to glean what's useful and discard the rest. Plus, it's hard to hear our script isn't as good as we think it is. We all love the attaboy, but they don't really help you improve. Nothing wrong with being told your story is great, but is there somthing you can improve? Of course, and hopefully the reviews you get let you know what it is. I'll comment here on your other post about mutiple projects. If your time is really tight, you have to manage your writing pretty well. I was working full time, going to school full time, am married, volunteered and still found time to write. I just didn't sleep. Easy. LOL Some ways to maximize available time. 1. Keep a notebook with you (or I use my IPhone) at all times for when an idea comes. You never know when it'll happen. Especially by the bed at night. When you relax sometimes the creative energy flows. 2. Set aside a day/time to work on notes. Even if it's only a half hour every few days, it's time you won't plan on doing anything else. You can't make yourself write when you don't feel like it, so if that's the case make up the time another time. 3. Read lots of scripts and watch movies. See what works for you and what doesn't. 4. Get peer reviews of your work when you think it's ready. Your first draft will likely suck. That's just the way it works. Some people only have to do a few rewrites, but they're the lucky ones. Or liars. 5. I'd suggest minimizing how many projects you try at once until you get the hang of screenwriting. It's a very unnatural way to write so it takes a lot of practice. Keep notes on the ones you're not working on at the time so you don't lose them. Best of luck and best wishes.

Cool! Good luck with your projects! There have been people out there telling me that there is no audience for an "every-woman" action hero and that I shouldn't bother trying. good to know there are others who agree with me and are trying. :)

I could get behind that. I look forward to tracking this one.

Anime provides lots of inspiration for this. "I love a girl who can kick my ass." -- dubscript of "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie." Funny thing how the feminist conversation hasn't really happened in Japan, there is still so much sexism in the culture, yet there are so many awesome, dimensional warrior woman characters in Anime. I'm Michelle Klein-Hass, wannabe editor and do-it-all documentarian. Grew up thoroughly marinated in geek culture.

my first draft usually is really expanded notes for me. Quite honestly I dont have "Drafts". I just keep going at the original. moving, deleting, adding, redeleting etc until I like that scene. then sure enough after 6 months I will redo that scene to match the ending i changed 15 times or to coincide with a line I added. Its really a work in progress

If you've done your homework ahead of time, it shouldn't take too many rewrites. I'm not a huge fan of writing outlines per se, but I tend to outline my key points based off of this: http://www.storymastery.com/articles/30-screenplay-structure

I agree with everyone's comments. From experience, the first draft is the finished article, everything else is a polish.

It appears there are people paying to show shorts. My short, 'The Devil's Toy' just got picked up by PopcornHorror.com, a smart phone app for watching short films.

@Chris Keaton Oh, Chris. That's great news! Congrats! That exciting news. Shorts, I Feel, can be just as intense. Smaller, just as big a bang for the buck. :-)

Good job Chris

Ok, I have a fear. I do not want to post my scripts because I fear them being stolen, plagiarized, etc.... I realize I am being slightly paranoid and possibly a little arrogant, but just feel weird... Make me feel better about this...

Copyright them. Simple. BUT in reality, your ideas are fair game, it's the way you INTERPRET them that is in-stealable (un-stealable???) So, you could have an idea about two sheep who take a rocket to the moon, in the genre of comedy. I could steal your idea and make a horror from it, and that's OK! But really, in the grand scheme of things, us writers are a vain bunch, and we all think our work is better than any other writer's anyway, so why would they want to steal yours? You are severely limiting yourself and career prospects by not posting scripts, just make sure you copyright them.

The idea of being an artist to get your work seen. How can you get it seen if you don't want to put it out there? We say Hollywood need fresh ideas but no one wants to share them because they are afraid they will get stole. If mine gets stolen I will speak up but it doesn't mean I am not creating new and better ones at the same time. No one can write your idea like you can. ;-) Always remember that.