Editing

I will be editing today.  And perhaps much of this week.  Unlike the last movie script I edited, which seemed more like tweaking things here and there (that’s the Quarterfinalist entry – pre-edits), this edit, I anticipate, will be more like an overhaul.  A re-modeling, if you will.  Granted, I think the last half of the script is quite solid, but the first half, I think, will require the bulk of the work.

I’m glad I’ll be editing, because now is the time I need to edit.  In other words, I started a new script lately and I was kind of on fire writing it for awhile there.  But, things have cooled off – slowed down.  So, editing something else seems great for two reasons. 1) It’s something new – a break from that other script.  Also, when I return to that other script (post editing), I’ll be ready to continue writing in a flurry again.  (Although, snow flurries are kind of meak, aren’t they?) 2) I’ll be that much closer (if not at) a level of completion for another script.  It’s a great sense of accomplishment to have.  Also, the sense of getting things done may be extra motivation when I return to writing that in-progress script. 3) I’ll jot down extra ideas for the in-progress script this week, while I’m busy editing, undoubtedly.  So, that too, will help. 4) Editing itself brings a nice sense of accomplishment when I re-read one of my wonderful creations.  Yay!  I love reading my stuff!  Ha ha.

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.