Speed vs. Quality

[spidey12]

I'd like to submit a screenplay to Greenlight, but none of my current scripts could be done for $1 million. That means I'll have to start a brand-spankin-new script from scratch. My question is this:

Should I try and hammer out a script in just 3 short weeks and submit it, possibly before it's ready, or should I just take my time to insure that it's as good as I can make it and wait til next year?

Waddya think?

Thanks,
dan

[Hangfire 2]

Think of it as an opportunity. Yes, go for it. Hammer it out. There are often assignments on which 3 weeks is generous to turn in a full length script. It's not impossible.

[Couchguy]

So what if you don't think it could be filmed for a million? Maybe someone will see it (toothy Matt, hunky Ben) that will want to pick it up as a real project....hey, stranger things have happened, right? Good luck.

Your pal,
Couchguy

[The Professional]

YA well im @#%$ed also: i wont be getting my new pc till the 18th

o well

[Cornell]

Spidey, I don't think I'd ever jeopardize the quality of a screenplay to rush it to someone.

To the other guys--couldn't he just send in the one he wants to send in with a sidenote indicating that he'd be willing to re-write it for the stipulated budget guidelines?

Thanks,
Cornell

[spidey12]

Now that you guys and gals mention it, using a finished screenplay isn't a bad idea at all. They at least have to look at it, and that's the whole idea, isn't it?

Hey, Pro, don't lose heart...you'll still have 4 full days to write it. That's only about 30 pages a day! :)

muchos nachos,
dan

[steeves]

I am with Cornell all the way on this one.

One of the very few ROCK SOLID rules in which I believe, similar to that California (paul masson?) wine ad campaign, is simply sell no script before its' time.

If it is not ready, 100% polished, do not send it, do not submit it... don't even waste paper printing it. You never know who might be reading and you do not want your name associated with your own work in any negative light... it could ultimately come back on you.

[GirlinGray]

They are looking for a script they can shoot for a million dollars. If you send in a script that can't be shot for a million dollars with a nice note you will rewrite so it can be, well someone else will send in a script that already can be, that person was paying attention to the needs of the person they sent to, and they win, you are out of there.

If you have an existing script you can alter to meet the criteria, alter it. Assuming that is less work than starting from scratch on a new one.

If you don't, pound out a new script. You can write a good script in 3 weeks. I know this because I have done it.

Do it, beat the deadline, and good luck. The worst thing that can happen is you lose. The best thing that can happen is you win.

in contrast, the best thing that can happen if you don't do it is, well you lose again because you didn't even submit in the first place.

Look, this is a contest. This is not CAA. Coverage of the scripts submitted to a contest don't limit your future in the industry. Do what you need to do to enter. This is a big opportunity. Be daring.

[Shaker 7]

I just submitted my review of the assigned screenplay i read for Greenlight an hour ago. The review system is automated, and specified the reviewer cite # of locations, settings, etc. They really are looking for projects that are able to be produced for under a mil. But... it's just like Zoetrope, in that they're trolling for scripts but are using average web linked reviewers to cover material.

On speed... hey, anything that motivates you to get thru the work is all good. It won't be as good as, or polished as something crafted for longer, but it WILL be done.
I have things I'm 'crafting' which will never be done.