And then it happened

So, I was hired over 10 years ago by a producer to write a script idea of hers. She had me write the script in two weeks. That was hell. Two weeks?! But she needed it, so I got it done. Here we are, over 10 years later, many, many rewrites later, many writers brought on and left, and it finally got made! So what did I learn from all of this?

First, when you're done writing a script, forget about it and start something new. I heard that many times from professional writers. It's true! I've written so many scripts since and thank god. Because if I waited for this to get made, I would have pulled my hair out.

Second, things can take time in this business. When I went to a WGA event with some big wig writer speaking, he said it took him over 10 years for his career to blossom. I was like, oh hell no, it better not take me that long! It's taken me longer. But if you're in this for the right reason, which is because you love to write, then just keep writing and stay in for the long haul.

Third, it was fun seeing my movie get made! I only went to one of the days on the set. They filmed three days in LA. I stayed as long as I was allowed. Then they go to India to film the rest. I'm not going. I was on sets years ago when I was in college and before I knew I was interested in being a writer. Back then I used to think being on a set was boring. Now that I love screenwriting, seeing my film was the coolest thing ever! Hearing actors read your piece, very cool. Seeing crew set up to film your movie, cool! Seeing craft services set up, for your movie, even cooler! Those are donuts, for my movie. Those are chips, for my movie. Those are apples, for my movie!

Fourth, seeing actor's faces and names in your movie imdb is really fun! I keep looking. Like wow, people!

Fifth, meeting the stars of your movie is pretty fun! Knowing people signed up because they liked your story and want to be in it, pretty darn cool! Okay, I've said cool a lot, I get it. But what else says that?

Sixth, waiting for the final piece is scary as hell. I have no idea what the movie will turn out to be. As a writer it sure is scary trusting that others will see your vision. You hope it's in the script. But directors and editors might have something else in mind. But, it's getting made. And everyone keeps telling me, that's all that matters. I hope! So in the meantime, I trust the others. And in the meantime, I keep working on all the other scripts I'm writing. Because...I'm in it for the long haul.

Combining a producer's notes with your writing

When you're finally working for someone else, there's going to be those times where they have what they want and that doesn't mean it's what you want. Of course you don't want to be difficult, so you have to do your best to please them and yourself. So how do you mesh the producer's notes with your own? As I'm doing a rewrite of a script I've had several passes on, plus another writer came in after me and before this last pass, I'm wondering who do I please most? Me? or the Producer? I've combined both versions in the way the producer asked me, so I got that down. But now I have to go over the script and make sure it's the best script that it can possibly be. I've done everything the producer asked. I definitely got rid of some things that I felt really did not belong, even if the producer thought they did. My feeling is that if I provide a really strong script, then that's what matters. I didn't do anything crazy to it, so it's not like there's anything jarring. But it's so hard to know if I've truly made it the best script possible. Sometimes when you're so close to it, when you've read it so many times, how can we tell? Well, I guess only time can. I think I'll sit with it, really go over everything I've written. Everything I've taken out. And hope for the best. I almost wish I was more cocky, because then I'd probably just cut more of the other writer's stuff with ease. But I'm not like that. I felt he was a good writer and well, perhaps some of his stuff does belong as is. It's a weird thing writing over another writer, at least for me. When I read another good writer, I don't feel envy, I feel inspired. So I read it and I go oh, okay, I can see what they were going for, and it's cool! But I think that actually might be a detriment to me as a writer if I'm keeping stuff that possibly doesn't belong there. I think I have to come in it with a clear idea of what the script needs. Come into it fresh and be willing to cut anything that can be. I hope I have that in me. And I guess if not, hopefully when the producer comes in, she will be the one who can. If not, there's always the director or the editor!