Script Tip: Write a Screenplay in 8 weeks!

Here are some tips for writing your screenplay in 8 weeks.  Note, this is just the first draft to get the movie in your head out on the page.   Then the rewriting starts but you have to have something to rewrite, right?  Here goes it.  Give it a whirl. For more informaton on selling your script, check out my book on Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.com, The #1 Secret to Sell Your Screenplay to Hollywood.

Week One:


Write your logline and synopsis

Write an outline of the story using paragraph or beat sheet format



Week Two:

Write the inciting incident and first 15 pages.



Week Three:

Write next 15 pages—Finishing Act I.

Your screenplay should be around 30 pages.



Week Four:

Write next 15 pages.

Be sure to include enough conflict to keep the story moving and interesting.

Your screenplay should be around 45 pages.



Week Five:

Write next 15 pages.

Consult the beat sheet regularly to make sure you are staying on track.

Your screenplay should be around 60 pages.



Week Six:

Write the next 15 pages.

You should be finishing Act II.

Your screenplay should be around 75 pages.



Week Seven:

Write the next 15 pages.

Act II should be completed and are approaching Act III.

Your screenplay should be around 90 pages.



Week Eight:

Write the final 15 pages.

Be sure to tie up all loose ends.

Congratulations! You should have approximately 105 – 110 pages. You have finished ACT III and completed your screenplay. Put the script away and celebrate.



Week Nine:

Now that you have the first draft of your screenplay, re-read the screenplay.

Use the Script Tip Rewrite Sheet as a guide. (Found in my book, The #1 Secret to Sell Your Screenplay to Hollywood".)



Week Ten:

Once you have written your script and it’s the best you can get it, give it to someone else to read. You may consider hiring a Script Consultant to provide an unbiased evaluation.



Week Eleven:

While your script is away getting a second opinion, rework the logline and synopsis. Create a dynamic one page for marketing your script to sellers. Identify potential buyers for your screenplay.



Week Twelve:

If you have received your script analysis back, incorporate the ideas to make your script better. Once the revisions have been made, reread the screenplay once more. If needed, you can usually resend the same script back to the script consultant for a new analysis based on the changes and revisions for a discounted fee. If you feel your script is as good as it gets, revised the logline, synopsis and “One Page” with any new information. Write query letters to the potential buyers previously identified. While waiting for them to come back with a read request, start outlining your next movie. Then start the process all over again. Note: If they do not ask to read it, continue to do research to find other potential buyers. Also, do not forget to search for pitch festivals where you can meet buyers face-to-face. Also, consider attending workshops and conferences that provide networking opportunities such as the Screenplay EXPO (usually held in October of every year) and any Sherwood Oaks Experimental College events (various dates throughout the year).



Follow-up Notes:

Remember, giving up is not an option. Winners never quit and quitters never sell. Keep on pressing on until something happens. Those who make it are those who continue to show up.

Good luck.
Here's to making all your endings happy ones.