I got this question recently:
“How long should it take me to write a script?”
This really varies from writer to writer and depends a lot on how much time a writer has each day to devote to writing.
When I first moved to Los Angeles I worked part time (about 30 hours per week) and was going to graduate school part time (two classes per semester) and I was able to write about two scripts per year.
On the other hand after I sold my first script, Dish Dogs, I quit my “day” job and did nothing but write screenplays full time. I was able to pump out 10 spec scripts (along with several small writing assignments) in about 2 years.
Currently I divide my time between my web projects and my film projects so I’m writing one or two scripts per year. On my most recent film project, Man Overboard, I was an executive producer and was involved in much of the production process. This is the direction I see my career going. I’ll probably be spending more time pushing my projects to fruition and less time trying to write lots of material to send out. I wouldn’t recommend this to a new writer. I think it’s important for new writers to spend lots of time actually writing so that he/she has lots of material to send out.
What about you? How long does it take you to write a script?
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I wrote my first script in a month while others have taken several months. I think it’s fair to mention that some time must be devoted to re-writes as well. There are so many external factors that go into completing the script but I believe that, the longer you’ve written – the less time it SHOULD take.
My answer to that question is, “as long you think it should take.”
I worked on my first full-length screenplay, “Hollywood House” for almost a year. In contrast, my second script took me 6 years to complete, mostly because of complex issues concerning my two lead characters.
My mind is always thinking about what to write next, but sometimes, I have a problem expressing myself on paper.
Keep in mind, I’m still a novice.
Currently working on my third script I started in March of this year. It’s about a quarter done and it’s all over the place! But, in any rate, I always take “baby steps” when it comes to writing.
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