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Is it a good thing for a writer to complete a story, even if it needs millions of pounds to execute?

8 years, 7 months ago - Louis Hessey-Antell

I'm in the middle of writing a WWII Japanese monster movie thriller because it's a story that's too good not to tell. But it needs a decent budget. Should I put it on the back burner and work on smaller things?

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8 years, 7 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

Thats depends upon a lot of factors. I'd ask firstly though, what else have you written? Are you represented by an agent? Are you a produced writer? If yes, what budgets so far have your film been produced at? Are all your script, if any, been in the same genre (cross multiple genre...)? Do you want to become a professional writer?

And a last bit of titbit advice. Writing is as much about the business of writing as it is about the creativity of writing. One of the first things that any professional writer does is to assess if the script he is going to spend the better part of the next 3-6 months on is relevant to the market?

If this is your first script or you have yet to sell a script, then the outline you pitch above is going to be probably over a hundred million dollars - you need to write to your level. No agent or producer is going to take this on with a newbie. In fact, it will be hard to get in the door with this type of script without representation and for a first script it screams 'Newbie'.

Sorry if that's harsh! But you could spend the next few months writing something that stands a much better chance of selling.

Good luck though :)

Wozy

Response from 8 years, 7 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren SHOW

8 years, 7 months ago - Louis Hessey-Antell

Not harsh at all! Many thanks for your input. I have in fact written a very simple script for a short film that only needs money to pay two actors. And next I have a slightly more ambitious story but it doesn't require action or a period setting etc. I should have specified that I have written lower-key fare, but I haven't actually had a script used in a finished film yet. Thanks again for the advice.
Louis.

Response from 8 years, 7 months ago - Louis Hessey-Antell SHOW

8 years, 6 months ago - Rakesh Malik

You do need to pay your crew as well...

Response from 8 years, 6 months ago - Rakesh Malik SHOW

8 years, 7 months ago - John Lubran

Maybe write that megabucks screenplay as a novel first. If it gets published as a novel and does well enough your percieved provinance is conciderably advanced. With literally hundreds of screenplays vieing for every single budget, it's a long odds aspiration, and as Wozy says, understanding the business is important. Having said that, there's been a great many cases that buck the generality. One can believe in ones own magic if one is a wizard.

Response from 8 years, 7 months ago - John Lubran SHOW

8 years, 7 months ago - Louis Hessey-Antell

Thanks, man. You'll be pleased to know that it's actually also manifesting as a novella that will accompany three other already completed stories. I also adore your last sentence there, too. I'm loving this site already, and I only joined today!

Response from 8 years, 7 months ago - Louis Hessey-Antell SHOW

8 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Write the script, get it out of your system, then chuck it in your drawer and write your second script... It's unlikely to be your best work and will benefit from later redrafts, and your skill will improve from knocking out a couple of lower budget scripts too

Response from 8 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW

8 years, 6 months ago - Andy Wilton

If you're planning on shooting this yourself, you should give consideration on the budget, the scale and if it's feasible.

If you're not intending to shoot it yourself, just write the film as best it can be.

Paddy's right though (above), that's good advice too.

Response from 8 years, 6 months ago - Andy Wilton SHOW

8 years, 6 months ago - Paul Campion

Finish the draft - anyone can start to write a script, but you're not going to be taken seriously until you can write a complete finished draft, and then at very least you can then use it as a writing sample.

Once it's finished try and get some feedback from someone in the industry whose opinion you trust, or pay for script coverage on it and see if it's worth continuing working on - it might be incredible and be that one in a million that gets noticed and picked up.

And if not, follow Paddy's advice, put it in the drawer and keep writing new scripts.

Response from 8 years, 6 months ago - Paul Campion SHOW

8 years, 6 months ago - Massimiliano (Max) Sappa

I completely agree with Paul Campion. It's very easy to just give up. Everyone is very good at that...

Response from 8 years, 6 months ago - Massimiliano (Max) Sappa SHOW

8 years, 6 months ago - Anthony Cole

If it's really as good as you believe I say go for it, some scripts won't be produced regardless of how good they are but can be used as a writing sample to get an agent/manager and can lead to paid assignments

Response from 8 years, 6 months ago - Anthony Cole SHOW

8 years, 6 months ago - James Argyll

I agree with a lot of what's been said here. Whatever you write you should finish (with re-writes) to the point where you can simply not better it. Then (hopefully) you have a pro-screenplay regardless of whether you have a producer or a studio who want to option it at any given moment. Build your portfolio of spec scripts so that you can show people samples when requested.

I hear the London Screenwriter Festival offers you the chance to pitch scripts to useful people. Have a look on their website and see if you could benefit. Also heard of a service in NY that will cover your scripts for a fee (two windows a year) and those who get consider or better are introduced to production companies looking for content.

I agree that there is value in knowing 'what's hot' but with all the experienced producers and studios in the world, most films still lose money so unless you're coming up with horror, comedy, action or scripts that studios can turn into a franchise, any script is a hard sell in this environment which is why having a drawer full of excellence is important so that if and when you do come across someone who's interested in hearing what you've got, you have variety.

Bottom line - finish the script, as many drafts as you need to make it a real page-turner. Don't concern yourself with the budget, that's the producer's headache. And lastly, if your script is the next Pulp Fiction or Saving Private Ryan nobody will care whether you haven't been produced before. It's not the job of the screenwriter to hand hold a production from soup to nuts.

Good luck!!

Response from 8 years, 6 months ago - James Argyll SHOW

8 years, 6 months ago - Franz von Habsburg FBKS MSc

Writing is a compulsion so nothing should stop you. Write it with all your energy BUT do your historic research to get it right too. Also (and many enthusiasts get this wrong) get the formatting right else it will go straight into the bin. Then I'll put you in touch with a leading Japanese distributor.

Response from 8 years, 6 months ago - Franz von Habsburg FBKS MSc SHOW