tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post2870042081737074507..comments2024-03-07T20:15:45.996-08:00Comments on The Bitter Script Reader: Webshow: "Reader question about rewriting screenplay as a pilot"The Bitter Script Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16575166527272639709noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-70365464457167739372013-10-17T08:29:44.198-07:002013-10-17T08:29:44.198-07:00I did this recently. I spent awhile developing a f...I did this recently. I spent awhile developing a feature length script, really got into the world and when it was over decided the world needed to exist beyond the self-contained story of the feature. Indeed, in the process of shifting that world into the structure of a pilot, things changed, so much so that the two scripts are like cousins- You can see the similarities, but they really exist as their own separate entities. The pilot version got me into a good contest and the screenplay version is there if I need to show someone a feature. I don't think there's anything wrong with this approach as long as you let the story evolve and change, sometimes in big ways as the structure dictates.WhopperKinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09043371473943228106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-25996873777368610912013-10-16T11:49:48.016-07:002013-10-16T11:49:48.016-07:00IMO, there's a fundamental difference in the s...IMO, there's a fundamental difference in the structure of a television story versus a feature story and how those two types of scripts are approached. I agree with all your advice, Bitter, but I would also caution people against writing two versions of a screen story, assuming it's just a matter of formatting, and thinking it'll maximize their chances of reaching multiple markets. <br /><br />If through the course of developing a story you realize your script works better as a television pilot, I'd stick with the pilot because it's truly the best version of/structure for the story. I wouldn't make a habit of going back to the feature and saying, "Here's an alternative if you're interested," unless the rare case comes along where it's clear that a feature version of the pilot concept is exactly what something someone is looking for. Even if the two don't necessarily overlap, I'm not a fan of having a sub-par version of a story floating around any more than I absolutely have to.JWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00231799137104948924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-65039897317093396592013-10-16T02:07:41.812-07:002013-10-16T02:07:41.812-07:00I'm working on an open-ended TV movie about an...I'm working on an open-ended TV movie about an airline captain who's into kinky sex. It's called BACKDOOR PILOT... I'll be here all week!Joel Silbermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16875625699885542243noreply@blogger.com