You’ve Finished Your Screenplay - Now What?
April 24, 2009
Today we got the final draft of a new spec script that we are planning on taking out next week. It’s a very high concept story that we are really excited about.
However, here’s the first thing I said to the writer after I corrected the last few typos and got the final, final version: This is great but what’s next?
Because the second you finish your script you must have several other ideas that are fleshed out and ready to go.
This is for two reasons:
1) If the script is good (which I am assuming it is because you have been revising and working on it and hearing all my tips on showmethescreenplay.com), then no matter if it sells or not, you will get a lot of meetings from it. And the first thing people will ask you is what are you working on next.
And you definitely want to have an answer because nobody wants to meet with writers who don’t have their next idea that they are working on. But, also, by having ideas that are ready to go, you can “soft pitch” them and see what people respond to.
By getting a sense of what people respond to you can get a feel for if the story is working. If it’s not working, you might want to think of some other ideas.
2) If your script should have the good fortune of selling, then the best time to sell your next work is right after this script sale. You will be hot and the “the buzz on the street” will be at its highest.
This is why we tell our clients that they must be working on several ideas at once. That way, once your script is done and you’ve turned it into your agents or managers or producers, you already have your next idea fleshed out and you can dive right into it.
Great point, and that’s what I’m going for right now. First one finished with the next great idea in the works.
However, how do I balance searching for representation while paying the second script the nurturing it needs? Just trying to get noticed and sell myself (in a non-prostitutiony way) seems like a full-time job in itself.
Maybe it’s just one of the hardships and mysteries of trying to break into the biz.
That’s a great question. The truth is that this business is 24/7 and time management is one of the hardest things to juggle. Often I’ll suggest really concentrate on your writing during the day and then do the networking, getting noticed at night when you can go to drinks, lectures, etc.
I just finished my first feature script and believe me I have several ideas running through my head, but I am curious, what do i do now? Should I find some contests to submit it into? Should I start looking for agents/managers? I live in SF, CA… do you know of any agencies here? What am I supposed to do once I have typed “the end” at the bottom of my screenplay?
Hi Anjelica,
That’s a very good question. You can find out all the answers to your questions at my blog ShowMeTheScreenplay.com which was launched to give honest answers about everything entertainment to emerging talent.
Good luck!
Love the pointers here. I’ve heard three scripts is a good number to have ready. Soft pitching sounds like the most fun of the job. I’d love it. Where do we find a manager, once our script is ready?
Draven Ames
Hi Draven,
Glad you like the pointers. You can find out more about finding a manager here:
http://www.showmethescreenplay.com/special-reports-entertainment-industry-insiders/
Best of luck!
How do I become a Manager to represent those aspiring Screenwriters? What do I need to learn?
The best thing to do is to go work for another manager and learn everything you can from them.