Comments on: It Only Takes One

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:05:36 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Nathan. You make some valid points. There’s definitely a point when it’s time to move on to the next script. Each script is a learning process. My point was that you shouldn’t let the pressure to finish X number of scripts per year keep you from making your current script as good as it can be.

I should have added a caveat. Your first 3-5 scripts more than likely aren’t going to be your “one”. Don’t waste too much time on those. You’ve got to get the crap out of your system before you’re capable of your best work.

By: Jeremiah Daws

Jeremiah Daws — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:47:28 +0000

I don’t think Josh meant only write one script and expect to get it made. I’m positive Shyamalan and Arndt wrote 10 scripts before the big one. So yes, great point. Learn the craft but along the way make each script you write as excellent as you can at this point in time.

Don’t move on too quickly – I think that was Josh’s point. Sometimes you learn more about a script and screenwriting the longer you work on a project instead of accepting walls or blocks (or even mediocre solutions) and moving on to the next thing. I believe it’s a balance and one we all must find for ourselves. On the extreme, Pixar works on projects for 4 years. But, there is a reason their stuff is so good. Maybe this is it.

Thanks for the comment. Great thoughts.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:14:48 +0000

It may only take one to “make it,” but it takes ten (or more) to get to that one. The reality is that most scripts will never leave the theaters of our imagination. If the goal is to get every script we write made, we’re fighting a losing battle. I write a lot, and part of my goal is to grow with each script I write. As a result, every script I write is better than the one before, and it’s paid off – literally. The lessons learned with each past script makes each next script better. A breadth of work yields a depth of work…