Stages of Development

1. Stages of Development • We have touched upon aspects of today's presentation before but here is clarification of how you work within the industry as a Screenwriter.

2. Stages of Development • The script and the stages of development. • The role of the Script Editor • Writing as part of a team. Writer, or Writer Director. • Developing your script from First to Second Draft and Beyond.

3. Stages of Development • Before anyone takes you seriously as a Screenwriter you must have what is referred to as one or more ‘Spec’ scripts. • A spec script is an example/sample of writing to the best of your ability. • The story and subject can be anything you like just make it brilliant!

4. Stages of Development • Your Spec script should be between 90 and 120 pages long • Correct screenplay layout or it will not get read • Have a great story, convincing characters good dialogue, easy to read and compelling • The best possible script you could possbley write.

5. Stages of Development • Your Spec script: • Will never get made. • It’s intention is to get you attention and to get you meetings with producers and directors.

6. Stages of Development • Why wont it get made? Because it is all yours, there is no input at the start from a potential backer such as a producer or a director, they like to feel involved at a very early stage. • When you meet Producers they will ask you ‘What other ideas have you got?’

7. Stages of Development • Always have 5 – 6 story ideas you can pitch • Even if you have written or part written one fo the ideas that you pitch • If a producer makes a suggestion tell them it is a good idea, that will bring them on-board and more likely lead to a working relationship.

8. Stages of Development • You can work outside of the system and write/producer your own work but there is an expression: • ‘If it is worth making…it is worth making with someone else's money!’ • Some producers will also prefer much shorter scripts, 10 up to 30 pages.

9. Stages of Development • If you send your script to a production company it will generally not be read by producers, it will be passed on to a ‘Script Reader’ • The Script Reader will read your script and write a report based on a series of scoring attributes, if it scores highly a producer may look at it…..may.

10. Stages of Development • Script Readers are generally wannabe script writers. • You are also sometimes asked to sign a ‘disclaimer’ when you send in your script, this is intended to ‘protect’ the production company from you trying to sue them f they turn down your script then you see they have made something similar.

11. Stages of Development • The Disclaimer • Very common in the USA getting common here. • Basically it will say that you allow them to read your script even if they already have a script/story similar/close to the script you are sending them. If you sign and they say no thanks then you see your film (or very similar) you cannot sue, you have waived your rights.

12. Stages of Development • We have already covered the stages of writing: • Pitch • Outline • Treatment • Draft 1 - 3

13. Stages of Development • No payment for the pitch • You can get a payment to write an outline • Or you can occasionally be contracted to write the script, this will still start with you delivering an outline which they will have to ‘sign off’ before moving to the Treatment stage. • Delivery of your 1st draft is around 12 weeks.

14. Stages of Development • At each stage when working with a Production Company you will generally also be assigned a Script Editor for your script. • A good script editor is invaluable, they can spot just about everything that is wrong with the script and suggest changes or developments. • Best of all they never write or change a word themselves.

15. Stages of Development • Your script editor will work with you through to completion of the generally contracted 3rd draft. • If the script is in ‘difficulty’ after the 3rd draft the production company can bring who they like in to take over and you have no say.

16. Stages of Development • For BBC Doctors series you were not commissioned until after the Treatment stage and then had to deliver the script in 5 days (half hour daytime drama)

17. Stages of Development • Team Wrtining • Much more common in the USA, most of the top comedy shows are team written often called a ‘Stable’ of writers. • Friends • Roseanne

18. Stages of Development • Sit-coms • In the USA a series is usually 22 episodes made in a batch of the first 13 then a follow on 9 = 22 episodes in total! • In the UK a series is usually 6 episodes as they are most often written by a single writer

19. Stages of Development • Television and Film scripts follow different structures because of the slots allotted to them and the number of episodes commissioned. • EastEnders is on-going all year round an will have stories carrying over each episode, which will end with a cliff-hanger to persuade you to return the next evening.

20. Stages of Development • EastEnders • Will have storylines carrying over days, weeks and even months/years. • Each episode will have a ‘story of the day’ • Each episode will develop other stories that may not climax for days or even longer (see above).

21. Stages of Development • As a writer you are part of an industry. • You will probably not even be on set. • However if there is a problem with the script during shooting it is your job to put it right no matter what time or where you are! • No script is precious and difficult screenwriters are often not re-commissioned.

22. Stages of Development • Good writer are always needed • Good scripts are always needed • Write scripts • Make short films • Use them as calling cards to attract investment in your talents • Write every day to sharpen and improve constantly • Good Writing!