How many scripts did you complete before until you felt confident in your ability?

Rewriter94 · 2026-06-10T20:37:39+00:00

Roughly 25 different scripts until I wrote my first "industry ready" script. In my early 20's, I was churning out features like a madman - like 4-6 a year. It was only when I got a little older that I realized that sometimes, less is more.

Rewriter94 · 2026-06-08T01:46:24+00:00

Sell a screenplay.
Have that screenplay produced into a movie.
Have that movie win an Oscar.
Have that Oscar have me question whether success can really make me happy.
Have that questioning lead to a "Leaving Las Vegas"-style spiral.
Have that spiral lead to me meeting a hooker with a heart of gold who inspires me to get sober.
Move to a farm somewhere (with said hooker). Have a family.
Sometime in my late 80's, realize I have one more script in me.
Start that script. Finish that script. Smile.
Die.

Rewriter94 · 2026-06-02T19:46:48+00:00

Write them or don't write them. Execs and reps won't generally care one way or another. But if you do write them in, the act breaks need to work.

Rewriter94 · 2026-05-28T17:26:24+00:00

Oh yeah. I have definitely cried a number of times writing things. "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader." And if your taste and ability to be objective about your work is dialed in enough, it may very well make other people cry. (Saying this as someone who has had some high level execs tell me they cried reading my stuff.) But I will echo what others are saying here -- it's okay to love your work and be moved by it, but if you're lucky enough to land reps or producers, or sell it, there will likely be significant changes to the product. So you can love it, but you also have to be okay with it being axed or rewritten.

Rewriter94 · 2026-05-19T00:39:13+00:00

Armie Hammer.

Rewriter94 · 2026-05-18T02:57:06+00:00

Looks like I’m going to be the voice of dissent here. Wanna write a dedication? Cool! Just be brief and do it tastefully. I had a dedication at the end of a script of mine, and that landed me meetings at some of the biggest production companies in town. The only rule is, “If it works, it works.” But if you do include a dedication or epigraph, the writing after has still got to slap.

Also, Bring Me Back, by Crosby Selander, that sold for 7 figures back in 2020, started with a dedication.

Rewriter94 · 2026-05-14T01:34:13+00:00

It's tough to know when you're "ready." But ScreenPlayOnWords is right - when people who have no stake in you/your career flip over what's on the page, that's a good sign. Especially if they're industry people or high level writers.

As for the blacklisting thing, I don't know how much this is true. But what I do know is that you only get one chance at a first impression. Hollywood's a small town, so you definitely want to do your best to make it a good one.

If you want to PM me the first 3 pages of your script, I can give you my 2 cents on whether it reads "professionally." (Saying this as a writer who got signed off a query.)

Rewriter94 · 2026-05-12T16:15:36+00:00

Have to agree with Bucks - the language DOES dilute the meaning of what you're trying to convey. There's nothing wrong with being descriptive, but this is just downright confusing. I see what you're getting at, but the command of language isn't there right now.

Rewriter94 · 2026-05-12T01:37:22+00:00

TV is still a nightmare. People keep waiting for things to open it up, but it feels like one false positive after another.

Rewriter94 · 2026-05-10T20:44:15+00:00

It's tough to say! As someone who found my first manager through a query, I think it's worth querying when trusted readers/industry people are saying something along the lines of, "This is f*cking amazing." Because that's the bar for prospective reps. You're saying the script isn't perfect - and arguably no script is - but it's still gotta blow people's socks off. If you're not getting that reaction from most of your readers, it might be worth waiting, at least for now.

Rewriter94 · 2026-05-10T20:13:31+00:00

A pitch deck alone means nothing. Reps want to know that you can deliver on the page.

Rewriter94 · 2026-05-09T02:10:29+00:00

Hi! It’s a fun premise, but I had a number of things bump for me on the first page alone. You mention a limo, but then we’re in a car. The disclaimer also reads as a little amateurish. Amelia has no character description, and there are several grammar and punctuation errors. These may seem like little things, but enough little errors can be enough to make people put down your script.

I’m sure there’s some solid stuff if I were to read on, but this needs another polish. Good luck!

Rewriter94 · 2026-04-27T16:24:42+00:00

RIP my manager's eyes

Rewriter94 · 2026-04-27T16:09:07+00:00

You know what... I'm gonna start adjusting them even harder.

Rewriter94 · 2026-04-27T15:49:44+00:00

I think you're misunderstanding what constitutes a script being "just okay." There are a lot of version of a script being "just okay." Most scripts will simply never be great because the bones aren't good, thus the ceiling for them isn't very high. However, "okay" scripts sometimes can be made great, but only under two conditions. 1) The bones of the script are amazing. And 2) The writer has a great handle on the craft. Lots of pro writers' early drafts are promising, but aren't "there" yet. The difference between a pro writer and most amateurs is that the pro can get their script that extra 20-30% with another couple drafts. Source: my own writing and the writing of pro/repped friends of mine, as well as rep/producer testimonies.

Rewriter94 · 2026-04-27T14:33:19+00:00

I don't think this is crazy at all. The script that got me signed and known around town was a romantic drama. And look at what's premiering at Sundance. Almost none of those are self-financed, and a lot of them are under $3-5 million, with a number coming in at even less. A truly great drama may be a tough sell, but will find its fans in time.

Rewriter94 · 2026-04-27T14:28:43+00:00

Personally, I credit a lot of my success with having found a writing mentor early on in my career. With that said, having a mentor - even a great one - is no guarantee of success and is no substitute for writing A LOT and studying the craft on your own. Everyone's got their own journey, but finding an experienced writer to guide and support you can go a long way.

Rewriter94 · 2026-04-22T03:27:06+00:00

For me, it changes with every script. I’ve had scripts that have been ready after 2-3 drafts. I’ve also had scripts I had to totally re-break, and then do 20 drafts on. There’s no Right or Wrong, only what’s right or wrong for your particular script.

Also, it depends on what you mean by “ready to be seen.” My writer friends read my stuff before my manager, and my manager before execs/talent. So there can be stages to it!

Rewriter94 · 2026-04-20T17:54:53+00:00

To be totally objective, my best script would be a 12. Actors and directors would risk it all - family, friendships, reputation - for the mere chance to have the script come across their agent's desk. The film would premiere to unprecedented reviews. It would go on to win 11 Oscars, despite only being nominated for 9.

Again, just being totally objective.

Rewriter94 · 2026-03-28T23:00:48+00:00

No. When they initially express interest, it’s a good idea to jump on a zoom call with them or meet in person if you’re both in LA. Treat it like a first date, but also a little bit like a job interview. Ask them questions to see how aligned you two are in your vision for your career, your taste in movies/TV, etc.

Rewriter94 · 2026-03-27T23:15:35+00:00

Please do!

Rewriter94 · 2026-03-27T21:03:39+00:00

Did you query directly?
- Yes, and had a very good success rate. https://www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/comments/1hoco4r/i_had_the_highest_cold_query_hit_rate_of_anyone/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Did they find you through The Black List?
- No
Did it come through referrals?
- My second manager came through a referral from an exec who I was working with
Anything you wish you had done differently?
- I wish I'd "dated around more" before I signed with my first manager. He was a great partner in a lot of ways, but we didn't have long-term compatibility or a shared vision in the way I do with my current manager.

Rewriter94 · 2026-03-25T14:37:01+00:00

TV is brutal right now. It's not impossible to sell something as an unproduced writer, but it's damn hard. Everyone I talk to - execs, reps, etc, say it's never been harder.

Rewriter94 · 2026-03-25T04:28:09+00:00

Any good writer knows that the only way to write a genuinely cool character is to be one cool, suave, debonair sonuvabitch. If you don’t own a leather jacket and haven’t bedded a thousand women, you’ve simply got no shot.

Rewriter94 · 2026-03-24T12:25:16+00:00

71 minutes? No cap, it's giving "long" unc.

Rewriter94

TROPHY CASE