The Time It Takes to Write a Screenplay: Insights from a Professional
Writing a screenplay can be a complex process, with a myriad of factors influencing the time it takes to complete. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, understanding the time it takes to write a screenplay can help you better plan and manage your creative projects.
Factors Influencing Writing Time
The duration it takes to write a screenplay varies widely depending on several key factors including the writer's passion, vision, and personal writing speed. A writer with a clear vision, a strong passion, and a disciplined daily routine can produce a screenplay in a relatively short time. For instance, hitting three pages a day can result in a draft in just a month. Conversely, some writers may take up to a year to complete a first draft.
Different Examples of Writing Time
As an example, my partner and I took six months to get to a reasonable state with one of our scripts. In another instance, I managed to finish the last 75 out of 90 pages in 32 hours straight. These examples highlight that the writing process can be both quick and arduous, depending on the circumstances.
I want to address the common belief that one can write a screenplay in a short period of time as a professional, such as David O. Russell's claim to have written "Three Kings" in three days and sold it for $18 million. This is indeed possible for those who are motivated and have the necessary skill set. However, it is also true that prolonged periods of intense focus and near-complete revision are more common.
Estimating Time Frames
For those familiar with completing a first draft under tight schedules, such as professional screenwriters, the process can be condoned. Generally, it is advised to finish the first draft within three months. As a professional, you might get ten weeks to accomplish this, which is roughly two and a half months. Some writers, like myself, can accomplish this even faster if the conditions are right.
For a more specific example, writing a screenplay based on my experience, I can say that working on a first draft for two pages a day would take approximately 45 days. This is in line with the advice given by John Milius who is known for these stringent deadlines.
Compared to Writing Novels
Screenplays typically take less time than novels because they rely heavily on dialogue and are subject to time constraints. The average screenplay is around 90 pages, compared to the hundreds of pages in a novel. This reduces the overall writing time significantly. Descriptive passages are also usually brief and to the point, further speeding up the process.
In my experience, I wrote a 120-page script in only about a week and a half, while another 260-page script took me over three months to write. The difference in length can significantly affect the time required. Additionally, research-intensive tasks can also delay the writing process. For my current script, I have needed to wait for information from an ex-partner's nephew, which has slowed down my progress.
Conclusion
Writing a screenplay is undoubtedly a time-consuming but rewarding process. The duration can vary widely, depending on the individual writer's approach, the project's scope, and the availability of resources. While some scripts can be written relatively quickly, others may take much longer due to the complexity of the story and the need for extensive revisions. Understanding these factors can help you plan your projects more effectively and manage your time more efficiently.