You sell your first script (or series concept, in my case). For sake of discussion, let's call this Series A.
What's next?
I'm obviously hoping for the best case scenario; that being, the production company sources interest (READ: $$$) from a broadcaster for Series A, and we're off to the races on a bible and pilot. They seem confident that this will happen, and they have a strong track record of making it happen (including a pilot they're shooting for something else right now).
But what if it stagnates? What if nothing happens to Series A, and the option fee rolls in every year for the next four, and that's it? Today, as I mulled over other projects I've sketched out or brainstormed, I wondered: just how many other ideas should I be trying to get out there? How many other things should I be working on?
The upside of this first success is that it's connected me with an agent - the fabled, magical agent that newbie writers rip yarns around the proverbial campfire about. Though we're still sealing the deal on this first project, I'm wondering how soon is too soon to be tossing other ideas and work his way. Should I be tossing him work directly at all?
Additionally, should I be giving the company I'm now building a relationship with first crack at whatever tidbits come out of my brain? Or should I be saving tidbits, putting them aside, and working on building Series A and only Series A, until such time as it becomes clear that Series A ain't going anywhere?
So, to those who've been around this block a few times, I ask: how many projects do you have on the go, at any given time?
And: now what?
8 comments:
As you know, the magic number for me is 3. If I have three different projects (feature, sitcom pilot, short) on the go simultaneously, I have a better chance of finishing one of them. If stuck on one, I work on the other until the subroutine in my subconscious has worked out the problem and I can move on.
Now I'm not working on anything, merely agonizing angst about one of those three, and what I should change, what I should leave alone, and what's the magic combination or rewrite that will get me optioned.
I've no experience in this so I'm talking out my butt but as to your agent? I'd say talk to him about your thoughts. Agents are generally for developing careers, not just single projects, and he'll have some idea what to do with you.
Hey Erin,
I wrote up some thoughts on your post over on my blog.
http://tinyurl.com/la8y8d
I'm just starting to realize that I haven't actually seen you in person in maybe over a year.
I'll echo Arwen's statement: ask your agent. It's their job to help you with this stuff, after all, they make more money if you make more money, right?
As to whether it works or not, you've made it over an important first hurdle. Someone liked your idea enough to option it and is trying hard to make it into a series. When you get to the pilot stage, you'll be a writer who has a pilot. Whether or not it goes on from there, COOL, you know? And when it goes to series, you'll have a "created by" credit in people's faces every week. SUPER COOL!
But one step at a time.
Depends on how fast you write. Have as many projects circulating as you can polish to your satisfaction. If you write fast, this might be quite a few. If you write slowly, it won't be that many.
It depends on how fast your shows get rejected (so they're not out there any more) or picked up (so they're not circulating any more). What answers your question is how many good ideas you have -- don't circulate bad ones -- that you can get into excellent condition -- don't circulate anything half assed.
Thanks for the advice folks - and a celebrity blog-by to boot!
Garner, Arwen - I did chat with the agent, who helped somewhat. If my project doesn't go anywhere, he cautioned me that getting my foot in the door as staff on another show might be tricky, due to the current industry lull. I think, per Alex and Peter too, that I'm going to focus on going through all my work, polishing up the cream, and getting it out there.
Mr. Duncan, it has been to long. When am I going to see you? Although these days, I sometimes see far TOO MUCH of you on Facebook... hehe.
Post a Comment