Hey all,

I recently received an email from a representative of New Trick Flicks regarding a script of mine "Deep", which some of you may remember as "Maverick" - this is through InkTipPro.

It's that one where the undercover cop goes all Rambo on a crime family after his daughter is raped and murdered.

Now, I'd jump at this opportunity normally, but... I don't have it... at least in a respectable format (the previous was in Word before I jumped to Celtx) - so, what do I do exactly?  I am rewriting it, but I don't know if they'll wait or not.

My plan this year was to have 2 features produced and this chance came out of nowhere.  I think they said "no" originally, but circle around eight months and now it's "yes".

Just my luck that this comes right after finishing a full-fledged novel and I'm not prepared for it.

Opportunities come when you're least prepared, as the old saying goes.

-Lee

But when you're least prepared that's when you should be at your best! What is the level of their interest? Did they askfor a rewrite? What's the story? These are questions you need to be asking before anything.

Good luck with it. There are more knowledgeable people here who can guide you in the right direction, of course.

Steve

I'm not too sure what you're asking, man. So they basically requested a script which you haven't finished rewriting?

If that is the case, just tell them that you are currently rewriting the script based on feedback you have received from other readers and producers and will send it to them once the rewrite is finished.

I've done that in the past and the company has always been willing to wait... although I did send the script about a week later.

How quickly can you get the rewrite finished?

Tell them you've lost the editable version of the script and need to rewrite it. This happened to me too once, but luckily it was just a short. I have heard that TRELBY can import .pdf's and convert them into an editable *by Trelby* file. I've never done it, so I'm not sure how true it is.

Dustin is right,

Download Trelby at WW.TRELBY.ORG.

Play with it a bit and find the IMPORT tab.

Import the PDF version of the script to Trelby.

Then when you're done convert it to PDF and send it off.


If you're not done with the rewrite and it's going to be some time, Toby_E nailed it.

Just be honest and tell them you are in a rewrite.

See if they'll wait.

Shawn.....><

Just be honest with them. They have obviously been searching for a script all these months and have come back to yours. They like it! They won't mind waiting a couple weeks for a new draft. So congrats! Things looking up.

Basically, they've requested the script I pitched them about 8 months back.  For all intents and purposes, it's complete, but in Word format, which is not good.

The level of interest is just that, they're interested in it... after originally denying it, which is quite odd to me - but Kevin said they came back to it, which declares it has something they want.

All I'm asking, is should I ask them to wait a week for me to convert it?

It shouldn't take long to transfer everything over.  I'd download Trelby, but I'm not exactly gifted when it comes to learning new things... I'm still getting to grips with the basics of Microsoft Word after 6 years, lol.

Quoted from Toby_E I'm not too sure what you're asking, man. So they basically requested a script which you haven't finished rewriting? If that is the case, just tell them that you are currently rewriting the script based on feedback you have received from other readers and producers and will send it to them once the rewrite is finished. I've done that in the past and the company has always been willing to wait... although I did send the script about a week later. How quickly can you get the rewrite finished?

I can finish it in about a week, give or take a few days.  I was in the middle of rewriting/converting it anyway.

Don't tell them you've lost the editable version, it makes you look like a fool.

Tell them what they want to hear, all positive, meet the deadlines.

Don't tell lies, they will come back to bite you in the ass,

Even if you have to rewrite it, it's better having Bees waiting around the honey pot than a honeypot waiting for the bees.

Put the other stuff on hold, strike when it's hot. The other stuff will get done anyway

WORD.

If it will only be a week, I say just tell them the truth: that you are currently rewriting it, but will send it over once it has finished, then give them a date you will send it to them by. Maybe say you will send it to them by the end of next week. Plus, setting yourself a deadline always aids productivity.

Prod co's are normally willing to wait if you're rewriting and, therefore, improving the script which you will be sending them... as long as you don't take the piss and keeping them waiting months

Okay, I've emailed them.  

I said "The script is currently undergoing a rewrite and I will have the script to you by January 25th 2014".

Thanks for the help guys.  I will keep everyone posted.  If this goes through, 2014 is off to quite the start.

-Lee

I'd say the advice that Toby has given you is spot on - tell them you're finishing up a re-write based on positive feedback you received from a different producer. It may be a slight fabrication of the truth, but how are they to know? And mentioning that another producer has given you positive feedback will give them the impression that they have competition for your script.

I'd also add that if you give them a date that you will send them the script by - say, next Friday - try to get it to them by Thursday at the latest. Then not only will it be a pleasant surprise for them when it appears in their inbox a day early, it'll also give them a positive impression of you.

If it's just the format, then you can manually go through it in Word and make it meet industry guidelines format-wise in a couple hours. I wrote pretty much everything I ever posted in Word and manually formatted it. Just set the tabs to the appropriate inch guidelines, watch the ruler for the dialogue widths, double space where necessary, and use the font Courier New at 12-point size.

Piece of cake.

Quoted from Ledbetter Import the PDF version of the script to Trelby.

Not too sure it does actually...

You can save PDF to a .txt file and then import it, but celtx does a better job of the conversion than Trelby.

I wouldn't lie and mention another producer myself. If they have more than one script in the frame, which is often the case, then interest from another prod co may entice them into going with another script.

Best to just play it straight. No need to bullshit anybody... unless you're good at that type of thing, even then, best not to, just in case your bluff is called.

Leegion, I think you should just send them what you got. They'll tell you if they want a rewrite and give you some feedback.

Quoted from khamanna Leegion, I think you should just send them what you got. They'll tell you if they want a rewrite and give you some feedback.

They'll take one glance and say "Yeah, no", lol.  

I'm 50 pages through at the moment, so by the end of tonight, that'll be in the 70s.  By Sunday it should be finished, so the 25th January will become the 20th.

5 days in advance might help sway them to a "yes, we'll film it".  

Allow yourself an extra day or two, just to run through and make sure everything is how you want it. You'll be surprised the things you'll see... and when you have time, it's always good to use it.

Well done... just had similar news for one of my own scripts, so finger's crossed for both of us.

The script is officially with them now.  91 pages should work, and it's the perfect length for an action thriller.

On another note, a Literary Agency is interested in taking my novel on...

What's happening?  Why am I getting closer all of a sudden?  This is wacky.  People on another site said my writing sucks, then this happens...

Either A) I am Good at this or B) Someone made a mistake.  Probably B.  

Congratulations!!!

All it takes really, is for a producer/director/actor to like what you write. Not readers.  

That's right. All that matters is what the people with the money say. Lol. =)

Once you know how to format and write a script, then opinions from other people are merely opinions. Other writers are the hardest people to please... partly because they didn't write it.

Well... I made a mistake.  Sent the wrong version in, lol.

I corrected it by sending the latest version.  This happens when you have 2 files labeled "Deep", so I changed it to "That Which Cuts Deep".

Feel like a right plank.

Good Luck to you!

I lose track of what script is what too all the time. I'm also stupid. Last year I wrote a script titled $2M Cash. I wasn't crazy about the script so I never went back for a rewrite, but I liked the title so I wrote another one titled $2M Cash!!!  That one I'm currently rewriting. Guess how many drafts I have now on my laptop named $2M Cash???  Now I always save my scripts with the title and date so I won't ever have to wonder which one I need.  

Thanks AB,

Yeah, happens a lot.  My computer used to tell me.  Guess it gave up.

Anyway, hopefully I'll have some news in the coming weeks.

-Lee

Just my opinion, but if you're going to be writing for producers, directors, etc. in the future, or you want to be paid to write for these people, you ought to invest in yourself first and purchase a quality screenwriting program like Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter.  Those two programs are industry standard and you'll just be so much better off for using one of those.  I have both, just so if I'm partnering with someone who has one platform versus the other, I'm good.  You can get Final Draft for $169 up until January 31st, or if you somehow have academic connections, you can get it for $99.

Either of those programs will import your word document (you'll have to do a little cleanup on it).

I'm working with a director for my feature film that starts filming in July (that's why I've been absent from these boards lately), and he was adamant about everything being in Final Draft so all changes could be tracked (which Final Draft easily does for you).  I've also just partnered up with another writer on another feature project, and we're able to easily swap files back and forth because we're both on Final Draft.

Good luck, though, on this project!

Gary

Hawkeye,

I've got Celtx now.  Wish I could afford something like Final Draft, MMS or Trelby, but I'm stumped for cash at the minute, so I'll run with "free" for the time being.

-Lee

Just pushed another script forward.  A short has been sold.  The feature I'm pushing now is a low-budget drama/thriller based on the murder of a young girl, which follows a troubled detective.  I.E in the vein of Broadchurch, with a darker tone.

Still haven't heard back from New Trick's yet.  Guessing it takes a while?

Good Luck

Fade In is good at importing PDF, the software actually converts it automatically, with some errors though.