How BlueCat Shifted My Priorities

For the first time in my script-writing career, I have endeavored to write a sequel.  It was recently announced in a previous post that a script of mine was named a Quarterfinalist in the BlueCat Screenplay Competition.  However, there is an interesting story behind the circumstances of the script making the Quarterfinals.  Namely, I did not expect it to.  Not because it’s not good, but for other reasons…

The script in question was more for me than anything or anyone else.  It was, essentially, the script I always wanted to write.  Simultaneously, I didn’t think it had the proper  mass appeal.  Honestly, I thought it was one of those scripts that would sit around for ten or twenty years until I became a hugely popular writer and then, only because of my success, would I be granted permission to turn my passionate story into a movie.  With that being the case, I actually submitted to BlueCat merely for the feedback – I never expected others to appreciate it the way I do.

I have since edited and polished (turtle wax is best) the script.  As a matter of fact, I finished editing shortly before being informed of the script advancing in the competition.  When I heard the news, I was baffled, at first.  But, really, all it meant was that my judgement was off.  And, what it really meant was MY PASSIONATE PROJECTS CAN SUCCEED IN THIS WORLD!  Which meant HOPE!  I could live MY DREAM!  VERY EXCITING (in case the all caps did not convey such).

When I got the news, I was working on three scripts in progress – two psychological dramas and a comedy.  As it is, three scripts is a lot to juggle.  Sometimes, it feels like you’re not progressing, because you’re not finishing a script, just slowly adding to three scripts.  The thought of adding a fourth script to the pile is daunting.  But, with my judgement realigned, there was no choice but for me to write a sequel to my most passionate script.  Afterall, I was instilled with hope.  The projects that I thought would sit around for ten years might actually be the projects that will succeed.

It truly is a momentus day.  Such a realization is life-altering.  So, don’t worry about me, I’ll be gleefully writing my first sequel.

The Good News and the Bad News

Today, I was announced as a Quarterfinalist in the 2008 BlueCat Screenplay Competition.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that since entering my Quarterfinalist script in the competition, I’ve polished it.  Okay, maybe not so much bad news in the sense that the script is better than it used to be, but bad news in the sense that my polished version is not the one competiting.  Therefore, the script in question probably has a less likely chance of advancing.

However, it’s good to know that I can reach the Quarterfinals with a script that I’ve since improved on.  I think it bodes well for the current state of the script.  Although, I wish they were judging the new version.

I know what you may be thinking… or, at least, what I may be thinking.  Can the earlier script be better?  No.  That’s highly doubtful.  I have improved upon the script.  I think the latest version is quite stellar, if I may say so myself (I just did, didn’t I?).  But, how stellar is the old version?  At least, in the eyes of the judges of the BlueCat Screenplay Competition?