How long does it generally take to write a screenplay?

Question

Im writing my first film its a thriller does anyone know how long these scripts usually take to write? I did the outline already.

Answer 1

Not nearly long enough, have you seen the crap hollywood spits out on a regular basis?

Answer 2

It depends on the writer, and how much time you plan to devout to writing each day. If you have an outline, that's half the battle. A thriller will probably run you about 95 pages, so if you work a little each day, you should have the first draft in a couple months or less. The most important thing to remember is that writing is actualy REWRITING. Knock out the first draft quickly, get as much feedback as you can on it, and then take time to hone a really good second draft....

Answer 3

Depends on the writer. A crappy script can be written in no time, but of course, it takes time to write something good.

Also, don't forget, many screenplays are written almost by committee, going through many drafts (sometimes by many different writers) before finally making it to the screen.

And many times, the original writers ideas may get changed because the producers, stars or director may want to make the film more "commercial" or whatever.

One of the problems facing the film Alien 3, for example, was that they set a deadline for the film to be released, without having a finished script. More care in that department may have made for a much better film, but we shall never know.

Answer 4

Well I'm glad to see another screenwriter on here. It all depends. If you have training in screenwriting (i.e. schooling) then I'd say about a year for a feature length film (90 Minutes). If you have no schooling, like I did when I wrote my first screenplay, it took me just over 2 years. I would recommend getting the book "How to Write A Movie in 21 Days" it helped me a ton... so did school.

any more questions? check out myspace at
myspace.com/omenalford
and ill get back to you.

good luck

Kevin
Imperia Studios
President

Answer 5

First, do you know formatting? If the script isn't formatted correctly, your page count wil be all off. Remember, one page equals one minute of screen time. Most scripts are between 90 and 120 pages long.
There are a lot of books out there to help you get started.
With steady work, you can knock out a first draft in one to two months.

Answer 6

Writing a screenplay can take anywhere from one day to years.
The most important question is, what are your chances of getting someone who counts to read it?
Close to zero if you don't have a good agent.
What are your chances of getting a good agent?
probably 50,000 to 1.
Put those two realities together and you have to conclude that if you're not lucky, you will never be a successful screenwriter.
On the plus side, new screenwriters do get lucky.

Answer 7

It IS a rule of thumb for it to be one web page consistent with minute, however you additionally have got to don't forget that once capturing and chiefly enhancing, it's going to NEVER be as deliberate from the script. The script is simply the common define.