Writing process

Probably been a thread of this type before but I can't see a recent one. I just wanted to know how long you guys tend to take to write a single script? How many drafts? Does it always go the same way?

I've done two pilot packages (ie: script plus bible with outlines, character breakdowns and everything else) and they've both taken about seven weeks. The first draft of the script I always think is great. For about an hour. Then I spend a week working out what to change before starting again from scratch. Am I normal?

I've always been fascinated by the different approaches people have. I've been writing for years but only relatively recently in this medium. Kind of invigorating to be able to come up with an idea, develop it and churn it out so quickly... but strange to then walk away from it when you've been together such a brief time. I guess it would be different if something got picked up.

For me, I tend to sit on an idea for maybe a month and just make notes. Then when I'm happy I'll sit down and churn out the first draft in a few hours, with a bit of tweaking for the rest of the day. Then I think it's the best thing ever, so I leave it for a few days, then go back when the shine has worn off and just keep combing over it for a few weeks. My big problem with sitcom is that I tend to under-write, so when I draft I have to add bits in just to bring it up to scratch, although a lot of the padding comes from drafting anyway so I don't have to add too much.

From conception to finished script I'd say about 2 months, although I'm always doing other stuff as well so in practice it takes longer.

Chris, that "churn out the first draft in a few hours" makes me jealous! I'm the same with all types of writing, though - I could push it harder but that would be painful, when it's eventually going to come out of its own accord anyway. Kind of like squeezing a zit.

Quote: Chris Forshaw @ February 16 2009, 10:37 PM GMT

churn out the first draft in a few hours,

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!!!

Chuck D, for my first script which I co-wrote, I had a basic idea for a story and basic characters and tried to write it from scratch. Literally it was being made up as we went along. The end result was very linear and required a lot of reworking to try and get right. In hindsight I would stay clear of this method.

For our second script we implimented a degree of story planning and I personally thought the end result was much better. It is so much easier to know where to go when you literally know where you are going. It was still far from perfect but definitely a step in the right direction.

I am currently working on two new ideas but I'm putting a great deal of planning into them. At the moment I am working on characters and have been for a couple of months. I haven't even looked at plot or story yet nor even attempted to try and write any part of a script. At present I am getting to know my characters and trying to build them into people with ready made conflicts, issues and backstories.

I already have the premise but my next step will be to work out a plot that is (hopefully) water tight and then let my characters loose in it. The hope is that the characters will act according to their design. Only once I have everything in place will I try and put a first draft of a script together.

So far I'm finding this method is working for me.

Def.

Quote: Chuck D @ February 18 2009, 7:34 AM GMT

Chris, that "churn out the first draft in a few hours" makes me jealous! I'm the same with all types of writing, though - I could push it harder but that would be painful, when it's eventually going to come out of its own accord anyway. Kind of like squeezing a zit.

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It's just because I hate writing first drafts. I'd rather spend 5 minutes on the first draft and then spend a year redrafting than take a lot of time with the first one.

That and I have a caffeine drip.

I tend to knock out a first incredibly rough draft in a day. Then I take a week to rewrite that. Then a couple of weeks to rewrite that. Then three or four weeks to rewrite that draft.

All above posts acknowledged.

If you're starting out, which I imagine you are, the most important thing is the quality of your work.
Only when you have achieved your required standards will you know roughly how long to allow for similar projects.

Geoff.

I note ideas and work out a plot over a month. Then it takes me about a week to do the first draft, which is always about 20 pages too long because I have to put it every single joke I think of while I'm writing it and conversations emerge I hadn't planned for etcetera.

Then I can go through it and take away everything which isn't absolutely necessary and all the least funny jokes. Or the funniest jokes which ruin the plot. Arse!

Then I give it to my girlfriend and she fixes all the spelling and the punctuation and says "That's not funny, that character wouldn't say that, word this differently... " And I fix all those things. Then leave it for a week. Then repeat the process at least twice.

Quote: Stuart Doherty @ February 19 2009, 10:37 AM GMT

Then I give it to my girlfriend and she fixes all the spelling and the punctuation and says "That's not funny, that character wouldn't say that, word this differently... "

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Does she ever say, "Get your hair cut, you look like a girl"?

Quote: Stuart Doherty @ February 19 2009, 10:37 AM GMT

Then I give it to my girlfriend and she fixes all the spelling and the punctuation and says "That's not funny, that character wouldn't say that, word this differently... "

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You obviously trust your girlfriend more than I trust my missus. Correcting punctuation and spelling is okay but I'd never take one person's word for it that your script isn't funny. For one thing, it's just one opinion. Get someone else to read it too. If they point out the same bits as your girlfriend, fine, there may be a problem. If not, you should always go with your instinct.
I think getting a general opinion is fine but changing technical stuff like character etc on the say-so of your girlfriend seems a bit mad to me. (Unless she's qualified to do so of course)

Quote: Lee Henman @ February 19 2009, 11:17 AM GMT

Get someone else to read it too. If they point out the same bits as your girlfriend, fine, there may be a problem. If not, you should always go with your instinct.

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Agreed. A good writer knows in his gut what works and what doesn't. Other peoples opinions usually just help to clarify nagging doubts you might have had about something.

I get my idea, work on characters then episode structure/outline etc, this takes me 2/3 weeks. Before I write a word of dialogue I make sure the structure and outline is good enough, if so, I then work on the first episode draft which takes me two weeks, then I work on drafts from then on until I'm happy. To complete a script it usually takes me (with planning) about 2-3 months.

I always plan out an idea first, plot, characters etc and then I start writing it. As far as editing goes, I write a script and then come back to it a day or more later as its easier to spot mistakes and make improvements with a fresh perspective. The first film script I wrote I sent out to the RISE films competition but know I won't win as I've made it so much better now with advice from the lecturer on my writing course.