Do you ever get paranoid over your script quality?

I'm a bit of a defeatist, so I get a bit paranoid that my script is terrible and poorly thought out.

I'd got about 1/3 of the way through my script and then convinced myself that the plot hadn't been established soon enough, but after a bit of feedback from this site I thought "Well, yeah I guess they're right".

Now that I'm getting close to finishing my first script, I'm starting to doubt whether the structure of my script is good enough. I've been on holiday today and had plenty of time to panic about whether my script does work. I suppose it has actually helped in a way, because I've thought of a few areas in my script that I need to expand on.

I suppose the main problem is that, as mentioned above, I'm a defeatist and if my first draft isn't a work of art then I'm just not good enough. I have managed to stick it out with my current script though. It's perhaps the first time I've ever stuck with something after getting pangs of paranoia early on.

It happens to every single one of us. Every artist is that way. Writer, musician, painter - all the same way. Just keep working on it.

I've written 5 different versions of my most recent pilot before I was completely content. However, I'm always doubting it and it was finished only a few days ago.

Just keep working on it. You may never be completely happy with it, but others may.

One thing to remember is not to give in halfway through the first draft because you think it's bollards. Accept that it's very unlikely your first draft will be barnstorming, lay down what you got and then work up from there.

I know loads of people who have their first scripts canned in a drawer because they couldn't stand writing badly to begin with.

Normally yes but I've just finsihed a draft with a group and it it fantastic I have read it over and over and really it's perfect. Never had that feeling before on any script, thought there was always something wrong.
I agree leave it a while then come back to it. other wise you'll chip away at it until there is nothing left trust me I've done it many many times

Quote: Winterlight @ July 30, 2007, 9:52 PM

I'm a bit of a defeatist, so I get a bit paranoid that my script is terrible and poorly thought out.

I'd got about 1/3 of the way through my script and then convinced myself that the plot hadn't been established soon enough, but after a bit of feedback from this site I thought "Well, yeah I guess they're right".

Now that I'm getting close to finishing my first script, I'm starting to doubt whether the structure of my script is good enough. I've been on holiday today and had plenty of time to panic about whether my script does work. I suppose it has actually helped in a way, because I've thought of a few areas in my script that I need to expand on.

I suppose the main problem is that, as mentioned above, I'm a defeatist and if my first draft isn't a work of art then I'm just not good enough. I have managed to stick it out with my current script though. It's perhaps the first time I've ever stuck with something after getting pangs of paranoia early on.

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It's exactly how I feel. You are not alone.

I used to be the same I think thats why I gave 3d up, I used to turn on the program start modelling then go. FOR FUCK SAKE PIXAR CAN DO BETTER!!! then give up. But if you don't get over the fact that your works not goingto be perfect first time round then you'll never produce anything.

The workman whos made something perfect had made nothing at all

It's something like that lol secret is to get something finished. I've gone back to 3D and I gotta say I really a pretty damn good at it considering I'm a self taught like so watch this space ....

Plan your script beforehand and then write and write and don't look back. Then look at it with fresh eyes another time. It'll seem like somebody else's work and you can then be objective about it.

Writing is rewriting. It's far better having something down, even if it is garbage, than having a blank piece of paper staring back at you.

Quote: Gavin @ July 30, 2007, 11:16 PM

It's something like that lol secret is to get something finished. I've gone back to 3D and I gotta say I really a pretty damn good at it considering I'm a self taught like so watch this space ....

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Do you have a portfolio?

I do on DVD. with twisty 3d menus I'm awfully intelligent you see.

One and a half words for you Wintelight 're-writes.' You have to remeber that your first draft is just that and you can re-write it until its up to standard. Also if you post some stuff on the critic forum i'm sure users will suggest improvments

Quote: ajp29 @ July 31, 2007, 12:47 AM

One and a half words for you Wintelight 're-writes.' You have to remeber that your first draft is just that and you can re-write it until its up to standard. Also if you post some stuff on the critic forum i'm sure users will suggest improvments

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I second this - it doesn't matter if you start to think it's rubbish or not, keep writing, the most important thing is to finish it. You can edit rubbish, you can't edit nothing....

For me it tends to balance out. I'll go 'Christ, that bit is shit' but then the next page is 'Oh, I do like that bit' so it keeps me going.

If I've got a scene that rubbish, I see it as a challenge and quite exciting to work on it and come up with new bits.

You can't edit what's not there so wank is better than blank.

And I'm sure everyone, even pros get that fear as you are never going to write your best stuff in one go.

For me, the frustration is in trying to matching the vision of a sitcom/idea with the actual writing. Some bits really work and some bits are struggling. I won't submit anything until all of it is working.

Ojne day you can read something and it's great - the next day you think it's crap.

It's just a question of getting someone's opinion you respect.