Now what?

[Alien Enigma]

I'm using Celtx to create a screenplay. It's going well. I know that one page equals one minute in screenplays. What do I do when I'm finished with it? Who do I send it to? I'm at a loss here. I've also raised hell on this site in the past. I apologize for being a prick. I took some time off to re-evaluate things and I am doing screenplays. Can anyone help me out? I'm clueless.

[Alien Enigma]

Okay, I found what I was looking for. Now for my next question, it seems pretty easy to turn these scripts out with the software I'm using. What's the average time a person puts into a script?

[dpaterso]

Varies wildly from writer to writer.

I've seen a couple of pros say they can knock out a first draft within three weeks, or "Five good pages a day." I've seen others say six months. Or longer. Or shorter. Whatever pace suits you personally is the right pace.

I can and have done the three week thing, then spent uncountable weeks afterward tinkering with the script. They're never finished. I can be doing something else completely unrelated and an idea pops into my head to improve a script I haven't looked at in two years.

Just asking, you know we've got a Screenwriting (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=60) forum in Share Your Work? And you've maybe noticed the screenwriting tips (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24087) sticky thread? Sometimes a snippet of good advice can kick off a whole mess of fresh thoughts that lead to better things.

-Derek

[icerose]

Well first suggestion start reading. There are sites such as Simplyscripts.com and others that have a database of produced scripts. Dialog is a lot harder than it seems. Characters, action, pacing, and everything are a lot harder than they seem. Formatting is easy enough to get down, especially since you can just copy techniques from produced screenplays.

You'll want to read from spec scripts and get to know the difference between shooting scripts and spec scripts since their formatting differs somewhat.

Then you'll want to learn the wonderful art of editing. The stage I loath the most. Since you have finished one or two I strongly recommend getting someone else to read it, get honest feedback and take a good objective look at your work. It's hard but you'll learn a lot.

Chances are (you may have beaten them, I haven't read your work to judge) it's not ready for submission. It took me several screenplays and working with small time producers to get close enough to take up some gigs.

Also there is a writer's strike going on. Hollywood is basically shut down at the moment. Now is a great time to really work on perfecting the craft.

Good luck.

6 days is the fastest, it did and still does need a lot of work, I recently wrote an action script on assignment in 9 days. It needs some tinkering but it's no bad.

[nmstevens]

I'm using Celtx to create a screenplay. It's going well. I know that one page equals one minute in screenplays. What do I do when I'm finished with it? Who do I send it to? I'm at a loss here. I've also raised hell on this site in the past. I apologize for being a prick. I took some time off to re-evaluate things and I am doing screenplays. Can anyone help me out? I'm clueless.


Go to the following:

http://www.panix.com/~mwsm/nms_faq.html

This is the FAQ for another screenwriting site where I wrote a rather lengthy reply answering this exact question.

Take from it what you wish.

NMS

[brainandfingertips]

Also check out www.zoetrope.com. It's FFC's site, they allow you to submit work for others to review. Feedback is a CRUCIAL step in getting to a finished screenplay. I wouldn't worry about how fast most people 'turn out' scripts (although Celtx is great freeware), just focus on getting one piece of work perfect.

[Alien Enigma]

Thanks you guys. I appreciate the info. :D