Ok I'm just not that good.
I jokingly offered to write
"George Galloway lap for glory"
for Cotter. I might do that.
What should I be working on? Page 2
How much does a screenplay sell for these days anyway? Is there actually any money in this whole writing malarky?
I've sold 1 script and another negotiating now.
Depends on experience, who your selling it to. If it's a entire series concept or just a single script.
Best to get your craft trained before worrying about money.
If your script is really good and sought after, you will be paid a lot of money because more people will be interested in it.
You might want to actually write a 'calling card' script that highlights your talent. A stand-alone drama lasting up to an hour is a good start. It might seem a waste of time to put effort into something that's just for show and nothing else, but it really is a good idea and something you can keep going back to and editing as your skills improve.
As I've said before, doing a treatment is a great way to get your ideas down in a logical way. Then you can start scripting each part and really make a good job of it. There's nothing worse than having someone read your script and find a lot of missing links and contradictions that could have been avoided if you'd done some groundwork. Yes, I know it sounds like a lot of hard work, but the end result is a tight script that makes sense and has credibility.
Another thing to think about is having a break every now and again to let your ideas wash back and forth over your brain. You'll be surprised how much you can 'write' in your head when you're away from your keyboard. When your starting out, the temptation is to keep at it 24/7 until your script is complete. If this suits you, then good luck with it. However, I've always found it makes me a very grouchy old lady (yes, more than usual).
You sound really keen. I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do.
Immediately, you want to write for The Sitcom Trials (thread in 'Writing Opportunities') as your script will be entered into two separate events (one Manchester, one Bristol). You probably won't get anywhere, but there will be a week of reviewing everyone else's scripts as it's (sort of) decided by peer review.
Reading and reviewing all those scripts you will learn more than you did from writing your entry. You will see what's wrong with their characters, their plots, the jokes and you will see what does and doesn't work. Most importantly, you will see where your script is lacking in comparison to the better scripts.
You are also writing to a brief, which is what you will be doing most of the time if this writing malarkey comes off.
(To be honest, you are still eligible to read/review without having entered, but you might as well try as you want to write comedy)
After Sitcom Trials, Newsjack should be returning for series 7, which is a topical sketch show that takes open submissions. Your aim for that is to get one thing on, even if it's a one-liner. In fact, if you're just starting out, you should be ecstatic at getting a one-liner one. There is a lot of support on these forums for NJ writers, plus one-liner threads with thousands of examples to follow and hundreds of individual sketches all in the Critique forum (usually prefixed 'NJ:' if you want to do a search).
Comedy podcast Live From Kirrin Island is also returning soon and they accept submissions from (and exclusively) via BCG. It's very NJ in tone, so similar sketches will be required. It's an independent production (for which I am script-editor, so am biased) but it's a credit if you get something on.
January-time, Sitcom Mission will be back. This is a 'put your money where your mouth is' as entry costs money but it's an excellent opportunity as if you get to the 'staged scripts' stage, you are put in front of industry bods, which is really where you want your script to be.
Also, you can pay for different 'grades' of feedback from Sitcom Mission[/i], which is very handy, as they know what they are talking about. Again, a lot of support on these forums for this, because both organisers (Simon Wright and Declan Hill) reside on these here forums to help out with queries and take on board all suggestions.
Best advice here is rewrite, rewrite and rewrite your Sitcom Trials failure, polish it off then send to Mission.
The Sitcom Trials is going a bit stellar this year with franchises popping up all over the place: Manchester, Bristol, London. All these run numerous times throughout the year. Ideally, I'd try and write a new episode of your sitcom for each (though appreciate there's not always time).
News Revue and The Treason Show are ongoing topical stage sketch shows that accept submissions. A lot of writers around here get their first credit on these.
All these opportunities are in the Writing Opportunities sub-forum.
Hope all that is useful
Dan
Quote: CJ Beadle @ August 1 2012, 9:51 PM BSTHow much does a screenplay sell for these days anyway? Is there actually any money in this whole writing malarky?
Depends who you are!
Your first screenplay will probably sell for £1 - yep, you read it right.
But actually, that's not a sale, it's an option, which means the production company has the right to raise interest/money - being sole representatives of that script for however long the option lasts ( 1 year usually, with the right to renew for a further year).
That means you can't talk to anyone else.
Written within that option is a 'production bonus' of, say, 3% of budget if the thing gets made (the Prod Co will put a ceiling on this figure, your agent will put in a floor!).
YOU make money from rewrites, of which there will be at least one - quite often several (I'm on a fourth at the moment).
What you can charge for this depends on experience.
As a first timer, anything less than £5k and they're taking the piss.
As in any business, you can only start to raise your rates ( both as a writer and for options) when more than one person wants your services/scripts - or you have proven success.
Hence the importance of credits.
That's for screenplays - it's different in TV land.
Quote: swerytd @ August 2 2012, 9:33 AM BSTHope all that is useful
Useful? That's exactly the metaphorical boot up the arse I need to actually stick with one project long enough to have a finished script. Finished, if not exactly polished... I, and any other newbies reading this, thank you for setting it out in such an clear way.
And good luck with the rewrite Lazzard; I never thought I'd make my fortune writing, but it's nice to know what to expect.
Now, to write!
... or eat enchiladas and watch How I Met Your Mother. You know, for research.