The 12 step Program

[ylekot43]

1. I have an awesome idea for a movie. Realize you have a problem. You're addicted to screenwriting.
2. Purchase books and software. Write the thing. Send it out to anyone that will listen.
3. Dismiss friendly/knowledgeable advice--do what you think is a rewrite--keep sending it out to overwhelming rejection/deafening silence. Read other scripts and wonder why those sold instead of yours. Ponder what the Know-nothing jerks are talking about because this is clearly the greatest script of all time.
4. Pack up your toys and go home...or wonder what "Marketable" means. Rewrite. Research the meaning of "Theme".
5. Write something "Marketable" completely devoid of the passion that made you write the first script--send it out--overwhelming rejection...repeat step 3...maybe take a little bit of advice and read other scripts. Rewrite. Apologize to your friends and family for subjecting them to an art-form they know nothing about.
6. Read more books. Fail at your one-year goal of taking the industry by storm and getting an agent. Blame other people. Focus your Query Letters. Rewrite. Wish you had started in 1998 when Spec sales were much more of a possibility.
7. Rewrite your first two scripts and send them to people that read them the first time. Pay for unhelpful coverage. Enter a few contests. Win nothing. This sucks. Pack up your toys and go home...or repeat Querys and do more research. Rewrite some more.
8. Re-dedicate yourself to the concept of "screenplay structure". Realize step eight should have been step two. Pay attention to the books. Rewrite your first two...and then write three more. "OK, now I know what I'm doing". Rewrite.
9. Quasi-Universal rejection. No agent after two years but some fans of your work. Do an honest assessment/comparison to sold scripts and realistically ask yourself if you have talent. Consider packing up your toys and going home... or keep trying. Develope your contacts. Rewrite. Start to exercise the uniqueness of your voice in both dialogue and action lines.
10. Get a nibble. Listen to your developed contacts that you trust. Maybe even get a pitch/script to a studio. Smell the checkbook. Ahhh this carrot smells delicious... much better than the "Pass" I am about to receive.
11. Repeat step seven or pack up your toys and go home.
12. Realize it is more than twelve steps...this is my passion... consider what you've learned, how far you've come...and never give up.
17. Work it some more.
20. Get Paid.

My goal is to have input on this list from writers at all levels and make this a sticky!!!!!!

[ylekot43]

I'm not CPU savy... so it would be cool if someone could post a "Hang in there" type poster/message below this

[sc111]

Your list made me smile. Step 12 is a winner.

[maralyn]

12 steps

1. Try to get out of bed (without having a swig of whiskey first)
2. Remove all unwanted life forms from the premises
3. Walk the dog
4. Put the kettle on
5. Ignore the phone (even if it keeps ringing)
6. Turn the computor on
7. Open up the file you were working on yesterday
8. Re-read the last few pages as well as notes on what comes next
9. Clack for a few hours
10. Have that swig of whiskey
11. Start cooking dinner
12. Allow the unwanted life forms to re enter the premises

[ylekot43]

Originally Posted by maralyn

12 steps

1. Try to get out of bed (without having a swig of whiskey first)
2. Remove all unwanted life forms from the premises
3. Walk the dog
4. Put the kettle on
5. Ignore the phone (even if it keeps ringing)
6. Turn the computor on
7. Open up the file you were working on yesterday
8. Re-read the last few pages as well as notes on what comes next
9. Clack for a few hours
10. Have that swig of whiskey
11. Start cooking dinner
12. Allow the unwanted life forms to re enter the premises

The comedy writer in me truly appreciates the above list.
The screenwriter in me appreciates the value of the above scene in that it has a concise beginning, middle, and end!!!! Nice work

[12916studios]

1. Write a script.
2. Write another script.
3. ????
4. Profit!!!

[ylekot43]

If you are only going to have four steps...I suggest you start your own thread and call it the 4 step program.

[12916studios]

Originally Posted by ylekot43

If you are only going to have four steps...I suggest you start your own thread and call it the 4 step program.

I was making a joke... Obviously you haven't ever come across the ????/Profit meme before, have you?

[ylekot43]

So was I. And no...I have not.