A "Stubborn" Screenplay?

JayEss · Jun 14, 2005

Hi all, advice needed.

There was a screenplay I was working on for a long time, I first started it in 1995 (or thereabouts) and washed my hands of it about 5 years later. I declared it was finished -- though I was not happy with the result and I still feel that way.

I felt the story was too naive and ordinary, and the more I tried to add or embellish, the worse it seemed - it was as though I was trying too hard to make something of it. I decided that my little project belonged to the "it's been done before (way too many times before)" category and should just stay there. Hence, I refused to spend any more time on it.

My question to you all is... should I try again with this screenplay? Should I try to better it? Should I challenge myself to re-invent the script, even if it means changing the plot dramatically - if not entirely? Or should I accept that not all of my ideas will work or can be developed to my liking, that maybe this is a sentimental thing (seeing that I worked on it for so long and it was one of my first ideas for a film), that maybe I should put it down to a learning experience only?

Frankly, when does one give up?

dpaterso · Jun 15, 2005

Give up?! Unthinkable!

My vote, if you still like the story, and think it will make a good film, keep working on it.

What with so much time having passed, I'd throw away the script and start over, writing down the salient plot points and rebuilding from there.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity.

JustinoXXV · Jun 15, 2005

I think Dpat gave you good advice. Why not have someone else look over the script and point out what's good and what's not good?

That should help you a lot.

dichucks · Jun 15, 2005

This reminds me..

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my mentor a while back. I was telling her I wanted to pull out an old screenplay and rework it.

She said, "never look back. Always look forward."

My reponse: "but I have some good writing behind me."

Her reply: "And you have even better writing in front of you."

Of course, stubborn me ignored her and pulled out two old scripts, rewrote them and sent them to Nicholl's.

Joe Calabrese · Jun 15, 2005

And?

How did they do?

dichucks · Jun 15, 2005

still waiting. won't hear back till august. but thanks for asking.

Jaoman · Jun 15, 2005

The question is, Jay, what can you give it this time that you couldn't before?

dpaterso · Jun 15, 2005

Possibly the answer is, 5 years' worth of additional writing experience, plus a fresh approach after the long break from the screenplay.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity.

Demonica · Jun 15, 2005

Can you read the script, thinking of it as someone else's work, as if you were given the assignment to rewrite it? Would you be genuinely excited and pleased at the opportunity, bursting with ideas?

I suspect from the fact that you are asking, chances are you would be better off starting fresh.

Jaoman · Jun 15, 2005

dpaterso said:
Possibly the answer is, 5 years' worth of additional writing experience, plus a fresh approach after the long break from the screenplay.

-Derek

I wasn't asking the question as an abstraction. Whatever your experience, if you aren't sure beforehand that you have something, you're better off working on something else.

Boo_Radley · Jun 15, 2005

I've had this problem a time or two. Each time I had trouble with a "stubborn" script, it's because I had seen a movie I really liked and wanted to emulate. So, I basically spent time, for all intents and purposes, writing a screenplay for a film I just saw. And it never worked for several reasons. One being that whoever wrote the script, it was a story the screenwriter himself had to tell, his own story. Not MY story. And in the back of my mind, I knew that, despite spending several years doing my best to make myself think I was making the story mine, while in reality I STILL wanted it to be exactly like the movie which I was trying to emulate. And that's just not what screenwriting is about.

Any other stubborn scripts I have were stubborn not because of the script itself, but because I would get into it and find I really just had no interest in finishing it. But, I didn't want to feel like I'd wasted my time writing what I had so far, so I forced myself to work on it more. And when you're writing something you really don't want to write, you lose passion for it and subconsciously you stack the bricks against yourself. If you're meant to write that stubborn story, do yourself a favor and leave it alone. Work on something else instead. When your mind's ready to write that script, it'll let you know.

JayEss · Jun 16, 2005

Decided!

Jaoman said:
The question is, Jay, what can you give it this time that you couldn't before?

Thanks everyone for throwing your thoughts my way.

Even though the majority of people's comments suggest that I should move on, Jaoman's comment above hit me like a falling brick.

And there you have it -- I am moving on and shall not look back.

dpaterso · Jun 16, 2005

Well, that was easy! If you're happy then it's the right decision.

But know that it will niggle you every day for the rest of your life. That's what mine do, anyway. And then there's the calling to you in the middle of the night. That sucks, too.

Onward, and good luck.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity.

JayEss · Jun 16, 2005

dpaterso said:
But know that it will niggle you every day for the rest of your life. That's what mine do, anyway. And then there's the calling to you in the middle of the night. That sucks, too.

Hehe. I think in my case I was calling the screenplay in the middle of the night and such. I think it will be glad to be finally rid of me. Heh.

It was like when you know what to do but ya just got to hear people say it!

Thanks everybody.

WritingFool · Jun 16, 2005

I cant admit to being an accomplished screenwriter, or even a writer for that matter. Ivebeen working on the same story for almost a decade. And just like you, when I started the story early on it did seem naive, and cliche'-ish. But as Ive kept writing, the story has become more sophisticated, more contemporary. your story might keep to its original theme, then again it might now. But In only sure that it will be more fresh and more mature than it once was.
Best advice I can give you, is so long as writing it makes you content, then go with that, and see where it leads ya.
Hope it helps alittle.
But remember what thy say about free advice -- its usually not worth its price.

Writer2011 · Jun 16, 2005

I have the same problem....I've been working on a story idea for over 10 years now and wish I could find what i've written...unfortunately i've moved a few times in the last five years and have misplaced it.

Saying that, sometimes I have an idea and then think it's trivial/childish, whatever you want to call it. Then there are times I can't come up with anything...

So I know how you feel.

Presence · Jun 17, 2005

Sound like writingfool and I are in the same boat, I have been on the same screenplay now for a very long time and there have been those moments, draft after draft where I simply can not see the light in any of my words.

Then you see a small flicker in the change of this plot point, and another in that character change...suddenly...the fire begins and you are so excited about what is happening that you have to stop, go grab a coffee, or scotch lol, and take a deep breath. Because you know, you now have two more years worth of work ahead of you.

You never have to look back if you keep moving forward with it.

WritingFool · Jun 17, 2005

Hey, Aspiring Writer. Within the few times weve exchanged words, I think Im picking up on "the one that got away".

It appears, to me, that maybe youre focusing entirely too much on the script that you can't find. Like the man who drifts farther away, draws her closer and closer to him.

Hey, if it pops up, fine, if not, no sweat until it does. Do you recall what the premise of the story was about? What you really want to say with it?
Id suggest use what you remember, and fill in the gaps as you see fit. If youre aiming for the standard organized way of writing, sit yourself down and create a new outline.

You're smarter and more creative then you were bak then, so its bound to make your story that much more better than before.
I have about 15 boxes of writings and notes that I refuse to get rid of, and still debate with myself if it would be good to go through it now (during the writing) or after I complete it. I only know that each of the writings will spark something to write even more, so they sit there only a memory of what Im trying to work towards..a masterpiece.

So, move on forward, go from what you remember, and let it flow out of you. The story is burning a whole in your head for a reason, because you think it would make a good story. Well, write away, and see what develops. When all is said and done, and should you find that story hidden somewhere, I bet your newer piece will be better than that older piece on any given day.

Just my 2 cents.

Joe Calabrese · Jun 17, 2005

Let me tell you what I think of old, dead scripts.

It took over 10 years for E.R. to get greenlit. It went on and off the shelf so many times, Crichton almost forgot he even wrote it when Spielberg came in on it.

When David Berenbaum won the residency fellowship at Disney and penned Haunted Mansion, he started getting those calls. You know the "What else you got?" He said, "Well, I have this one I wrote 9 years ago called Elf." They returned with a "Great. We want it!." After that he got assignments for the new Herbie film, the upcoming Zoom and is now one of the richest writers around. Imagine if he threw that "Big" ripoff Elf script away or thought it was a dead script and shouldn't bother pitching it?

These are just two examples off the top of my head.

Nothing is dead. It's all about timing. What may not work today, may tomorrow. Every once and a while go through them and see if a spark of inspiration hits you to update or tweak it some.

I say, keep them around, as you never know when a producer on the phone will say:

"Nice script, but were really looking for a futuristic sci-fi Viking pic with evil penguins who shoot ray guns." You almost drop the phone. "Hold on a second. I'll be right back. You quickly rush down to the basement, weed through those mold infested boxes and see that dusty old script you wrote 15 years ago while on a cocaine binge at UMass. A big grin washes over your face. "What was I thinking? Boy! Glad I didn't throw this one out."

Presence · Jun 17, 2005

"It's all about timing"

He speaks the truth!!

JayEss · Jun 18, 2005

Joe Calabrese said:
What may not work today, may tomorrow. Every once and a while go through them and see if a spark of inspiration hits you to update or tweak it some.

Great words - I will keep this in mind!

popculturewriterhope · Jun 18, 2005

Just write down ideas and think about where they might fit in. If you have to rework it multiple times, it's casual. Nobody gets it right the first time...Just take your time.

Sincerely,

John Kilduff

Rock · Jun 26, 2005

Stubborn Screenplay

Hello JayEss:
Been there several times myself - have a half dozen unfinished scripts in the pile - I have found the best way to get past a stubborn plot is to ask - What If? Meaning - what if the main character was female instead of male? What if it took place in a big city instead of the country? What if the main characters hated each other and still needed to work together instead of loving each other?
Sometimes this helps get the thought process going again - and sometimes it makes for a complete rewrite - but it gets me past the "brain fart".
If your script is one that seems like everything else out there - then add a twist of some sort. But, as we all see in the movie houses today - what was old is coming back in remakes....
Good luck.....

Joe Calabrese · Jun 26, 2005

In fact, partially because of this thread and partly because a similar script passed by at my writer's group, I pulled out a half finished script from a year ago and BAM!

Inspiration stuck and forced me to write another 30 pages. I think I can finish it now. It may still suck, but then again, maybe not.

JayEss · Jun 26, 2005

Hehe. I have to stop reading this thread. I need to be strong. I had made a decision to move on but the last few comments have almost caused me to undecide what I had decided

I am working on a treatment for something else at this stage. If I really believe that I can offer the old script something that I couldn't before, then I'll take it out and see where it takes me.

A "Stubborn" Screenplay?

JayEss

dpaterso

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JustinoXXV

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