Screenwriting : What now? by Jimmy Sanders

Have you started pitching?

I pitched two people here; one asked for a script, but no response. Granted that was rougher and shorter version.

Clear up the confusion in your post: is it a pilot for a TV show or a movie? If it's a feature, see if you can get a director attached. If it's a TV series, make sure you have a TV Bible. Break a leg!

If you've already pitched it, you've gotten to Stage 2. Stage 1 is the query stage, the short compact ad to get attention. If you've pitched, you've already gotten attention. You wrote a pilot so ythat ou do not have to work on another project because a successful show runs for quite a while. I've been working for 8 years on Chrysalis and have similar feelings as you about my show. I'm a little confused by "feature-length pilot" because my understanding is shows tend to run one half or one hour. Sometimes, a special episode will air that is more like a movie and can be feature-length. But I don't believe pilots are feature-length. They generally run the standard episode length.

As for the idea of writing pilots until one of them catches attention, if you love the world of your show, why don't you keep writing it. I have 94 completed show episodes and a long arc still in progress. Like you, I do not feel the need to create more worlds just to get attention, but at the same time, I am happy to write for hire if and when the opportunity arises. But to do that, I would need a driver, someone who can light the fuse of their show and I can run with it.

Same Jimmy Sanders

Jimmy Sanders Finishing the screenplay is a huge milestone, but it's really the beginning of the next phase. If I were in that position, I'd focus on continuing to build relationships with producers, managers, and fellow filmmakers, entering reputable competitions and fellowships, seeking thoughtful feedback, and refining the pitch rather than waiting for the script to find its audience. I'd also keep writing. Even if you're passionate about this project and you absolutely should be having another script in development shows people you're building a career, not just hoping to sell one screenplay. Wishing you the very best with your pilot!

Well, I am kind stuck with one topic as well. Love my characters and I don’t want to give them up yet. So I started doing comic strips and writing verticals based on my movie script just to see how it is visuales.

I think many writers reach this stage after finishing a script. We become so invested in the characters that moving on almost feels like leaving them behind. One thing I've come to appreciate is that finishing a screenplay isn't necessarily the end of the journey, it's the beginning of finding the right audience for it. While you're pitching and building connections, I'd still encourage keeping the creative momentum alive. Sometimes the next script doesn't replace the first one; it simply strengthens your voice as a writer. Wishing you the very best with it.

Congratulations on reaching this milestone! Finishing a screenplay is an achievement in itself. I believe the next step is to keep building momentum continue writing, seek thoughtful feedback, and get your script in front of the right people through competitions, fellowships, pitch opportunities, and industry networking. Every finished script is another step toward the right opportunity. Wishing you the very best with your project!

iI'm in the same boat with Ark Cruises. I've created a trailer and many short proof of concept scenes. I'm continuing to make scenes in the world, even if they are not in my screenplay. I may start making a TV show out of it, or children's book. one thing I want to do is create coloring books to sell on Amazon. I've got over 200 production shots I can chop up and refine in line drawings. all this while I'm seeking people to pitch to.

That sounds like a great way to expand your story world, Kevin. Creating different forms of content can help build an audience and show the potential of the project. I think the idea of using production art for coloring books is a creative approach. Wishing you success as you continue developing and pitching Ark Cruises!

Congrats on completing your first screenplay! My biggest recommendation is to keep writing to add more to your portfolio. As someone who's working on breaking in for the first time, networking is your biggest friend and bringing up this screenplay in those conversations is the best way to get momentum going.

Often times though, the person your speaking with will want to know about the other projects you're writing. They may really like this screenplay idea and dig your vibe as a writer but not see a feasible way to push the project forward right now, so having a few backups when they ask, "what else do you have?" is a great way to keep the conversation going and get your work produced, even if it isn't this one first.