Push on through or edit the plan?
So, I'm 45 pages into my first draft. I've got this full head of steam and things are chugging right along... Great, right?
No.
Here's my problem. I'm just finishing ACT I! I'm going to have a 50 page first act! SHIT!
I know I've got to just keep going. Stopping to edit is simply out of the question, I'll never get going again.
What I was wondering is, should I adjust the rest of my plans for the script to better fit the shortened space or just stick to the plan, leave it as is, and cross the bridge of cutting down a 150 page script later?
I've gone over these first 45 pages all day looking for some quick cuts I could make where I may have gone off track, but looking through my "first-draft eyes," what's here all looks pretty good. Don't get me wrong, there's editing to be done and I've got a lot of talking heads that I need to make do more stuff, but otherwise, right at this moment, I think it's all worth keeping around for a bit.
Anyone got thoughts on the matter?
Would you change your plan or risk churning out 150-170 pages that would just have to be chopped later?
No.
Here's my problem. I'm just finishing ACT I! I'm going to have a 50 page first act! SHIT!
I know I've got to just keep going. Stopping to edit is simply out of the question, I'll never get going again.
What I was wondering is, should I adjust the rest of my plans for the script to better fit the shortened space or just stick to the plan, leave it as is, and cross the bridge of cutting down a 150 page script later?
I've gone over these first 45 pages all day looking for some quick cuts I could make where I may have gone off track, but looking through my "first-draft eyes," what's here all looks pretty good. Don't get me wrong, there's editing to be done and I've got a lot of talking heads that I need to make do more stuff, but otherwise, right at this moment, I think it's all worth keeping around for a bit.
Anyone got thoughts on the matter?
Would you change your plan or risk churning out 150-170 pages that would just have to be chopped later?
Keep on pushing. There is plenty of time to edit once it's done.
I'll tell you that as a newcomer having done 150 pages and over, I'd
Simply just read over what's written so far, and if it connects the way you intended, keep it as it is, not every good story is short, but if the quantity of pages is something of inconvenience, then trim down the lines and still keep the main picture more present and approachable when reading your script.
If it's no more than 90, then you know it can be tweaked into more general simple, and sweet bits, so take advantage of that, so you leave room for something better along the way when brainstorming, that way, you can keep the detailed idea/information, or just scratch it out, and edit it in something better.
Simply just read over what's written so far, and if it connects the way you intended, keep it as it is, not every good story is short, but if the quantity of pages is something of inconvenience, then trim down the lines and still keep the main picture more present and approachable when reading your script.
If it's no more than 90, then you know it can be tweaked into more general simple, and sweet bits, so take advantage of that, so you leave room for something better along the way when brainstorming, that way, you can keep the detailed idea/information, or just scratch it out, and edit it in something better.
Your first draft is gonna suck no matter what anyone ever tells you or no matter how much planning you do.
And you cant edit half a book. You wind up with a polished front and a backend that looks like ... you know.
If you are an "organic" writer: the guy who sits down and writes, no planning just tell themselves a story... yes those people do exist in Hollywood. Then just write it out.
Who knows what story(ies) is/are buried in that 170 pages?
You know you have to get get 40-50 scenes done in 120 pages or less. Have fun till its not.
Some people write a 120 "planned" pages, that should be sixty. How many times have you sat in a movie and said it was a half hour too long?
Next time that happens get the script and look at the script length and see.All that fluff and yet still produced... hmmmm.
Namaste,
G
Just write. The first draft always always always suxs anyway. might as well just get it out of the way till you find the real story.
And you cant edit half a book. You wind up with a polished front and a backend that looks like ... you know.
If you are an "organic" writer: the guy who sits down and writes, no planning just tell themselves a story... yes those people do exist in Hollywood. Then just write it out.
Who knows what story(ies) is/are buried in that 170 pages?
You know you have to get get 40-50 scenes done in 120 pages or less. Have fun till its not.
Some people write a 120 "planned" pages, that should be sixty. How many times have you sat in a movie and said it was a half hour too long?
Next time that happens get the script and look at the script length and see.All that fluff and yet still produced... hmmmm.
Namaste,
G
Just write. The first draft always always always suxs anyway. might as well just get it out of the way till you find the real story.
I agree totally with Greg.
You walk into a Tailor shop to have your new Ten Thousand dollar suit trimmed to perfecto size. In two weeks you will be attending The Oscar's to receive your statue for your award winning script. But then, ooooops!!! The Tailor asks where your suit is?
He can't measure, cut and trim to perfection what you don't have. So, finish writing and then, after seeing the entire picture, start measuring, mark away, trim and finish a perfect script.
Best,
AR
He can't measure, cut and trim to perfection what you don't have. So, finish writing and then, after seeing the entire picture, start measuring, mark away, trim and finish a perfect script.
Best,
AR
just keep on tap tap tapping!
MY first draft is always perfect. THUMP! CRASH! Oops. My growing nose knocked over my laptop. Crap... I tend to edit as I write in my mind so I don't end up with a lot of pages. It just depends on what kind of writer you are: A do it right the first time, or write and go back to edit. For you, I'd say just keep writing. The story will fix itself.
This was bothering me so much I had to go back and fix it.
I restructured the story a bit and then, with a cut-cut here and an edit-edit there, I got the 50 pages down to 35...
Now, so long as my middle act doesn't come in past 95-100 pages, I think I'll be fine.
I restructured the story a bit and then, with a cut-cut here and an edit-edit there, I got the 50 pages down to 35...
Now, so long as my middle act doesn't come in past 95-100 pages, I think I'll be fine.
KEWL!!!!
Hey Doug, hows the draft doing? Am going to pop in and give it a read... will mail you later. :)
Doug :) Come on, give us the low down?
D
D
Well, I'd completed ACT I & II and had a hair over 100 pages. There's a lot to be cut and changed, so I'm trying something different for me... Basically, even though I haven't written ACT III, I've started to work on my second draft.
My thinking is that there are going to be enough changes that it's not worth getting the ending down until I've finalized most of them. I've got it all plotted and ready to go, just not on paper yet. I'll see how doing it this way works...
As for my revisions, I've just finished up the first ACT and I'm fairly pleased with it. I need to snuff out a couple talking heads scenes here and there, but I think the foundation is solid. The mess that is ACT II begins tonight/tomorrow.
I'm thinking I might post ACT I for folks around here to take a peek at tomorrow. Some kind words or, better yet, some cruel/constructive verbal beat-downs would go a long way to help my motivation.
My thinking is that there are going to be enough changes that it's not worth getting the ending down until I've finalized most of them. I've got it all plotted and ready to go, just not on paper yet. I'll see how doing it this way works...
As for my revisions, I've just finished up the first ACT and I'm fairly pleased with it. I need to snuff out a couple talking heads scenes here and there, but I think the foundation is solid. The mess that is ACT II begins tonight/tomorrow.
I'm thinking I might post ACT I for folks around here to take a peek at tomorrow. Some kind words or, better yet, some cruel/constructive verbal beat-downs would go a long way to help my motivation.
Douglas,
I have trouble understanding why anyone would post a good script in public. I know it is a wonderful opportunity for others to learn from writers who have done a lot of writing on a project, and a good source of feedback for the writer. But, I believe you risk copyright protection once your script is in the public domain, and would not have much of a legal leg to stand on in any subsequent copyright infringement action.
Literary works are copyrighted when you write them, but who is to say that I didn't write the story one year before you if my signature copyright states that I did. Perhaps you stole my story, or maybe we just think alike and came up with the same idea, only I had it first.
I can tell you this: as a viewer of public scripts here I have picked-up at least ten good story ideas; someone else's ideas, and they are filed away in my subconscious. A year from now I might very well think one of them is my own creative idea, and decide to do something with it.
My intent was never to steal. That idea was handed to me (freely given) on a silver platter. Protect your work. Give it to no one.
If we register for formal copyright protection, which is $35 at Library of Congress in the states, and I don't know how much at Writers Guild or other registries, the time of authorship may be more secured - but, still, we are not required to file or register, so my typed copyright notation that is earlier than yours could prevail. And all of that involving costly, time-consuming litigation.
I imagine most writers aren't interested in registering for protection unless and until the script is complete, finished, as subsequent changes require further filing and registration, and more money. There is a VAULT option available here on the site somewhere that may offer some copyright protection; I don't know what it costs, or whether up-dates and re-filings cost even more; but, again, copyright protection does not require a filing or registration. My earlier hand-written, non-vaulted, unregistered copyright could be just as good as yours.
The burden is on you to prove when you wrote it. Why create that burden? Sell your script, or enter in a contest, before anyone but you sees it.
There are many, many thousands of copyright infringement cases in the courts today.
The same logic (for what it's worth) applies to public IDEAS here on the site.
As in patent law (inventions, products) once you disclose or go public with your idea and work, you lose the right to patent it - you freely gave it away. When you select 'public' on this site I believe you are warned that the script belongs to the advertised 60,000 member-community.
Why would you freely give away your hard work, or your inspired ideas, to 60,000 strangers (even though more than a few are Sunil)?
I believe a private group, with writers you know and trust, is the answer place for writers to find help, and a good source of published scripts here on the site the learning place for learners to go, along with the Discussion Board great learning and sharing of information opportunity.
You are not a pro-member but, even so, you should be entitled to create 2-3 private groups (scripts and ideas) over the course of a year.
As you get good at screenwriting, your work picked-up, or a contest finalist, you'll pay back the site with pro membership as early as you can.
I take time to post this because I would like to see the site become the best it can be, the best in the world, and never a place where writers can be hurt. I admire the Script Guys for recognizing the need for such a site, and especially Sunil whose creative idea it was I believe.
I have trouble understanding why anyone would post a good script in public. I know it is a wonderful opportunity for others to learn from writers who have done a lot of writing on a project, and a good source of feedback for the writer. But, I believe you risk copyright protection once your script is in the public domain, and would not have much of a legal leg to stand on in any subsequent copyright infringement action.
Literary works are copyrighted when you write them, but who is to say that I didn't write the story one year before you if my signature copyright states that I did. Perhaps you stole my story, or maybe we just think alike and came up with the same idea, only I had it first.
I can tell you this: as a viewer of public scripts here I have picked-up at least ten good story ideas; someone else's ideas, and they are filed away in my subconscious. A year from now I might very well think one of them is my own creative idea, and decide to do something with it.
My intent was never to steal. That idea was handed to me (freely given) on a silver platter. Protect your work. Give it to no one.
If we register for formal copyright protection, which is $35 at Library of Congress in the states, and I don't know how much at Writers Guild or other registries, the time of authorship may be more secured - but, still, we are not required to file or register, so my typed copyright notation that is earlier than yours could prevail. And all of that involving costly, time-consuming litigation.
I imagine most writers aren't interested in registering for protection unless and until the script is complete, finished, as subsequent changes require further filing and registration, and more money. There is a VAULT option available here on the site somewhere that may offer some copyright protection; I don't know what it costs, or whether up-dates and re-filings cost even more; but, again, copyright protection does not require a filing or registration. My earlier hand-written, non-vaulted, unregistered copyright could be just as good as yours.
The burden is on you to prove when you wrote it. Why create that burden? Sell your script, or enter in a contest, before anyone but you sees it.
There are many, many thousands of copyright infringement cases in the courts today.
The same logic (for what it's worth) applies to public IDEAS here on the site.
As in patent law (inventions, products) once you disclose or go public with your idea and work, you lose the right to patent it - you freely gave it away. When you select 'public' on this site I believe you are warned that the script belongs to the advertised 60,000 member-community.
Why would you freely give away your hard work, or your inspired ideas, to 60,000 strangers (even though more than a few are Sunil)?
I believe a private group, with writers you know and trust, is the answer place for writers to find help, and a good source of published scripts here on the site the learning place for learners to go, along with the Discussion Board great learning and sharing of information opportunity.
You are not a pro-member but, even so, you should be entitled to create 2-3 private groups (scripts and ideas) over the course of a year.
As you get good at screenwriting, your work picked-up, or a contest finalist, you'll pay back the site with pro membership as early as you can.
I take time to post this because I would like to see the site become the best it can be, the best in the world, and never a place where writers can be hurt. I admire the Script Guys for recognizing the need for such a site, and especially Sunil whose creative idea it was I believe.
That’s a very dark and paranoid way to live. I understand that your intentions here may be good, but I think your post will do little more than work to scare writers away from using Scripped to its fullest potential.
First, scripts posted in the public forum are protected under the creative commons license. Is this as concrete as WGA or US Copyright? No, of course not, especially in a court of law. However, it does protect from some other writer simply taking your script, scene for scene, and running with it.
When it comes to someone stealing the essence of the script, the idea at its heart, for use in their own project, then nothing in the legal world can prevent it. Look at Dante’s Peak and Volcano. Deep Impact and Armageddon. Avatar and Dances with Wolves. Not to mention the numerous low budget takes on summer blockbusters that always pop up on DVD.
Basically, if someone really wants to use your idea, there is nothing that can be done about it. They’ll still have to put their own spin on the project and if they manage to sell theirs, well...
I guess what I’m saying is, post away. Help others and get helped. Have fun. That’s what this site is for. Fun and help. Writers are suspicious enough as it is and 99.99999% of the time, it’s completely unwarranted
First, scripts posted in the public forum are protected under the creative commons license. Is this as concrete as WGA or US Copyright? No, of course not, especially in a court of law. However, it does protect from some other writer simply taking your script, scene for scene, and running with it.
When it comes to someone stealing the essence of the script, the idea at its heart, for use in their own project, then nothing in the legal world can prevent it. Look at Dante’s Peak and Volcano. Deep Impact and Armageddon. Avatar and Dances with Wolves. Not to mention the numerous low budget takes on summer blockbusters that always pop up on DVD.
Basically, if someone really wants to use your idea, there is nothing that can be done about it. They’ll still have to put their own spin on the project and if they manage to sell theirs, well...
I guess what I’m saying is, post away. Help others and get helped. Have fun. That’s what this site is for. Fun and help. Writers are suspicious enough as it is and 99.99999% of the time, it’s completely unwarranted
I do agree with Doug, how are you ever going to be able to benefit from sharing your work if you're so paranoid.
Would you even consider sending it to a production company? Most of them nowadays get you to sign a waiver when you submit your work, in case that it's similar to anything they're already working on. What would you do then? Never send it in? Because you'd never sell anything either.
What I really like about scripped is you can prove you're edits over the course of time. You can vault things, protect it and the ideas progression.
I myself have 4 different copyright registrations on TSK, and ALL of the Episodes are copyright protected too. As are all my short films and everything else. Yes I have probably the best part of $800 worth of protection, but at least I have it. I also don't believe anyone would really steal something, more so for the fact that it could cost them their living.
Newer writers need assistance, and nurturing. Why hoard everything away, with never a hope of improving your craft?
Just my thoughts.
Dawn
Would you even consider sending it to a production company? Most of them nowadays get you to sign a waiver when you submit your work, in case that it's similar to anything they're already working on. What would you do then? Never send it in? Because you'd never sell anything either.
What I really like about scripped is you can prove you're edits over the course of time. You can vault things, protect it and the ideas progression.
I myself have 4 different copyright registrations on TSK, and ALL of the Episodes are copyright protected too. As are all my short films and everything else. Yes I have probably the best part of $800 worth of protection, but at least I have it. I also don't believe anyone would really steal something, more so for the fact that it could cost them their living.
Newer writers need assistance, and nurturing. Why hoard everything away, with never a hope of improving your craft?
Just my thoughts.
Dawn
I understand your feelings Dawn and Douglas. It is just that I am keenly aware of all the litigation, and I also know how hard it is, and how much effort it takes, to write a good script, or to come up with that one GREAT idea.
I wouldn't want to see any writer on the site lose it, or not be fully protected.
I happen to believe there are better and safer ways to accomplish what everyone needs.
Perhaps site management might get in on the discussion?
I wouldn't want to see any writer on the site lose it, or not be fully protected.
I happen to believe there are better and safer ways to accomplish what everyone needs.
Perhaps site management might get in on the discussion?
I'm sure there are some other things we can do now. Like writing.
D
D
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