I have been thinking a lot lately about how to increase my productivity and as a result increase my chance of making it. I was struck by the realization that at best I can write 2 polished screenplays a year. I want to have way more, as more material means a better chance of something good happening.
The one thing I have going for me is I have some extra money from successful biz ventures. I am wanting to know about co -writing and if my plan is totally stupid or a viable option.
I wanted to hire a co-writer to write the first drafts of several of my somewhat developed ideas. I would work with them to develop a rough outline and have a dialog about characters and events in the script then send them off to write the first draft for an agreed upon fee. When done I would take the first draft and turn it into a polished final draft that I would own and shop. We would be credited as co-writers. It seems to me like a win-win. I greatly increase my production and have 4-6 polished scripts at the end of the year as apposed to 2. The co-writer has made money and has a piece of material out in the world that if purchased will help him get in the game just like me.
I just fear that I am missing something because I have not really heard of this arrangement before. I am sort of mixing producer and writer in a way. I have heard of co-writers who work together from start to finish on all drafts or scripts that get passed around town for countless re-writes. I would pay special care to get an entertainment lawyer to make sure everything was kosher and that in the end I would own the property. I have proven to myself both in my schooling and professional life (editor) that I am a phenomenal editor and script doctor, but painfully slow to start from scratch. By working with someone else on the first draft I am playing to my strengths. Would really appreciate any feedback. Also if I went forward with my idea would I have to pay what the WGA requires for a first draft to get it looked at or is that not a thing for non-established writers.
Thanks in advance!
The one thing I have going for me is I have some extra money from successful biz ventures. I am wanting to know about co -writing and if my plan is totally stupid or a viable option.
I wanted to hire a co-writer to write the first drafts of several of my somewhat developed ideas. I would work with them to develop a rough outline and have a dialog about characters and events in the script then send them off to write the first draft for an agreed upon fee. When done I would take the first draft and turn it into a polished final draft that I would own and shop. We would be credited as co-writers. It seems to me like a win-win. I greatly increase my production and have 4-6 polished scripts at the end of the year as apposed to 2. The co-writer has made money and has a piece of material out in the world that if purchased will help him get in the game just like me.
I just fear that I am missing something because I have not really heard of this arrangement before. I am sort of mixing producer and writer in a way. I have heard of co-writers who work together from start to finish on all drafts or scripts that get passed around town for countless re-writes. I would pay special care to get an entertainment lawyer to make sure everything was kosher and that in the end I would own the property. I have proven to myself both in my schooling and professional life (editor) that I am a phenomenal editor and script doctor, but painfully slow to start from scratch. By working with someone else on the first draft I am playing to my strengths. Would really appreciate any feedback. Also if I went forward with my idea would I have to pay what the WGA requires for a first draft to get it looked at or is that not a thing for non-established writers.
Thanks in advance!
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