You've heard that from people who aren't writers. Writers
don't have a hard time knowing what to write - writers
write all the time.

You have ONE rejection letter. You will get hundreds more
if you continue any artistic pursuit. And sometimes they
DO mean you suck.

So what? You get better. And you write more and you
get even better. Frankly, I think that "the judges that
year weren't into what you did" is the most harmful thing
a writer (or actor or director...) can hear. If you suck
and no one will tell you, how do you get better? If as a
writer you keep thinking your scripts are getting rejected
because the judges just weren't into your script, you may
never work harder to write better.

quote:

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Originally posted by 15filmakernyc
Question: I have a month. Should I be extremely skilled at time management and continue work on the superhero and re submit or try something else?

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What are you passionate about? What story keeps you awake
at night because you can't think of anything but that story?
What story do you spend every moment working on in your
head? What story make you happy only when you are sitting
down and writing?

That's the story you should work on. Do you have a story like
that? Is it the superhero story?

Now is a good time for you to look deep inside and be very
honest with yourself. Put your ego aside. But aside your dreams
of winning a scholarship. Is that superhero story really your
very best work? Is the superhero script really your driving
passion as a writer?

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

quote:

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Originally posted by 15filmakernyc

I've heard the hardest thing about screenwriting or writing in general is knowing what to write.

I'm applying to the young arts (youngarts.org) scholarship. I applied last year as a senior and this is my last time to try again. This is the chance for several young people in many different art catergories to win $10,000 toward their art. Last year I submitted a short film and 16 pages of a feature. (It's the female superhero story some of you helped me figure out a while back)

I'm not very good with the confidence thing, but after a while I thought I might actually have a chance...then I lost in both catergories.

I'm trying to for acting , screenwriting, and cinematic arts this time. I already have a film i want to submit and god help me maybe there's hope for acting.

In the rejection letter which I still have. They made sure to explain this doesn't mean you suck, It just means the judges that year weren't into what you did.

I've been working on this superhero script for four years and I have several unfinished ones to consider.

Question: I have a month. Should I be extremely skilled at time management and continue work on the superhero and re submit or try something else?

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The most important question is "what do YOU want to do with your life?" Weird question, I know, given that you are asking about finishing a specific script in a month, but it's relevant, trust me.

As you said, how something is judged may or may not have anything at all to do with how good it is. There are other factors that come into play that may have absolutely NOTHING at all to do with you.

Which is why it is SO important that you do NOT have just one script that you obsess over. By all means, definitely write the very best script about superheroes you can, but ALSO write other things that are NOT about that topic. The key to building a career as a Writer is to have variety, to be able to demonstrate that you are capable of writing in a variety of styles with well-drawn characters and great dialogue.

Understand that it is possible that NONE of your own scripts/stories may never be made into movies, but you could be given the chance to have a lucrative career as a Writer based on the talent you demonstrate from the work you do on your own.

I urge you to check out the website http://www.wordplayer.com and the book http://www.amazon.com/Film-Scriptwriting-Second-Practical-Manual/dp/0240511905/ref=cm_syf_dtl_top_3_rdssss0 for some of the very best advice and guidance you'll ever see.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

If you feel this current screenplay is fine the way it is, or if you know you can improve on it somehow (even if you only have a month, it's still possible to re-adjust everything to your liking), then by all means do it. I would get in touch with some filmmakers you can trust to give an honest opinion, and ask them about it. Other people's critiquing it really the only way to know if your screenplay is worthwhile or not.

"Let every eye negotiate for itself, and trust no agent" - www.YouTube.com/RyanMccX