Finished my first spec script

Bartholomew said:

It's nowhere near done, mind you, but I have a complete story in my rough draft. Editing seems straightforward, especially given all the examples of scripts I can go look at.

I'm excited about having finished the damn thing, but not entirely sure what to do next.

Click to expand...

Congrats! Though I've never found editing straightforward, heh. Are you doing it just for fun or to see how you like it or for a packet - do you have a pilot done as well?

Congrats! Getting there is no easy task.

What to do next, I have no idea, I'd certainly consider doing the obvious and posting the first 5 or 10 pages in Screenwriting SYW, and consider doing the same on DoneDealPro. Feedback on the first pages can often be applied throughout the screenplay!

If you haven't already, consider signing up to the InkTip weekly newsletter. If you want to look at the free version first to get a feel for the kind of tips they offer, the link's at the bottom of the Preferred Newsletter page. Look at their other products, too. Their success rate re putting screenwriters in contact with prodcos seeking scripts keeps rising.

Post #3 in the screenwriting tips thread makes a poor attempt to list sites and services where you can find more info on prodcos willing to receive queries (in logline form, usually) and contests open to submissions. The latter cost money, by and large.

Talking of loglines, have your elevator pitch ready in case someone asks. You never know who you might trip over on your quest.

-Derek

Rewrite...

What to do next?

Do another draft or two.
Then get five trusted people (preferably writers) to read the scripts and provide notes. (Warning: Do not give it to more than five people--too many cooks spoil the soup, etc.)
See what those five say. If three or four say there's a problem with something, then there probably is.
Do another draft based on notes you agree with.
Then get another reading.
Rewrite, critique, rewrite.
When will the script be finished? It won't be, it'll just be good enough for submission to a prodco. (Trust me, they'll want rewrites.)

I think the main things to remember are: Your script is NEVER as good as you think it is and, as Hemingway once said, "Writing is rewriting."

Good luck!

PS: Check out my site (link below) for tips on rewriting.