| One of the hardest parts about being an up and coming screenwriting is figuring out what you should write and when you should write it. When it’s time to start a new project, most writers are faced with three or four different concepts. They have no idea which one to pursue next, which will be most appealing to potential producers, and which will grow their portfolio in a good way. |  This is the first image that comes up when you google 'ugly baby.' It was not nearly the ugliest baby on the page. |
They don't have an agent or manager to help with the decision, and all of the options can feel a little overwhelming.
This article will address each of those issues, so whenever it’s time to choose a new project, come back here, and the process will be made that much easier.
Keep reading.
This article will address each of those issues, so whenever it’s time to choose a new project, come back here, and the process will be made that much easier.
Keep reading.
the ugly baby test
In addition to screenwriting, I'm really interested in entrepeneurship. The idea of starting businesses, marketing them, and launching start ups fascinates me.
It's part of what I love about Script Quack, actually. The business side.
I've read a lot about startups and tech businesses and I've learned that just like screenwriters, serial entrepreneurs are often faced with a tough decision when they’re trying to figure out which product or service to launch next.
Every startup takes ridiculous time and resources (like writing a script), and it’s really important that you make the right decision when it comes time to take that next step.
I was listening to a podcast recently (Social Triggers, if you’re interested), and the host suggested that entrepreneurs use the “Is My Baby Ugly?” test.
Here’s the basic idea:
No one you know is going to tell you if your baby is ugly. They won’t tell you if your concept sucks, because they want to be in your good graces if you become successful and find yourself in a position to make them money down the line.
So if you really want to find out if your baby is ugly, you need to find someone that doesn’t know you AT ALL.
Someone who doesn’t care if your feelings are hurt, or who doesn’t even know that the baby in question is YOURS.
Here’s the bottom line: You need to get honest, objective opinions on your ideas BEFORE you start writing (ideally from at least four or five sources).
That can be hard, but those opinions will really help you figure out what to write next.
Try posting your idea on forums, or sharing it with someone at a party.
And please don't be scared that someone is going to steal your concept. It's super unlikely, and even if someone stole the concept, they'd still need you to execute it, right?
So that's the first step to deciding what project to pursue next. Ask perfect strangers if your baby is ugly... You'll be surprised how honest the responses will be.
Still, that's only the tip of the iceberg. There are a few more important things to consider before you make your final decision about what script to write next...
It's part of what I love about Script Quack, actually. The business side.
I've read a lot about startups and tech businesses and I've learned that just like screenwriters, serial entrepreneurs are often faced with a tough decision when they’re trying to figure out which product or service to launch next.
Every startup takes ridiculous time and resources (like writing a script), and it’s really important that you make the right decision when it comes time to take that next step.
I was listening to a podcast recently (Social Triggers, if you’re interested), and the host suggested that entrepreneurs use the “Is My Baby Ugly?” test.
Here’s the basic idea:
No one you know is going to tell you if your baby is ugly. They won’t tell you if your concept sucks, because they want to be in your good graces if you become successful and find yourself in a position to make them money down the line.
So if you really want to find out if your baby is ugly, you need to find someone that doesn’t know you AT ALL.
Someone who doesn’t care if your feelings are hurt, or who doesn’t even know that the baby in question is YOURS.
Here’s the bottom line: You need to get honest, objective opinions on your ideas BEFORE you start writing (ideally from at least four or five sources).
That can be hard, but those opinions will really help you figure out what to write next.
Try posting your idea on forums, or sharing it with someone at a party.
And please don't be scared that someone is going to steal your concept. It's super unlikely, and even if someone stole the concept, they'd still need you to execute it, right?
So that's the first step to deciding what project to pursue next. Ask perfect strangers if your baby is ugly... You'll be surprised how honest the responses will be.
Still, that's only the tip of the iceberg. There are a few more important things to consider before you make your final decision about what script to write next...
what does your portfolio need?
Whether you like it or not, it’s easiest to position yourself as a writer if you have an obvious specialty in regards to genre, tone, audience, etc.
If you write PG comedies, or family sitcoms, you can never have too many samples in that genre.
So when it comes time to write your next piece, the answer will probably lie within the work you’ve already completed.
Whenever possible, write something that continues to demonstrate a concentrated area of expertise in a very specific genre, and you’ll optimize your attractiveness to potential representation.
Because if you suddenly decide to write your *first* action movie, you're going to need at least two more before you've got a portfolio built up that supports that direction.
If you write PG comedies, or family sitcoms, you can never have too many samples in that genre.
So when it comes time to write your next piece, the answer will probably lie within the work you’ve already completed.
Whenever possible, write something that continues to demonstrate a concentrated area of expertise in a very specific genre, and you’ll optimize your attractiveness to potential representation.
Because if you suddenly decide to write your *first* action movie, you're going to need at least two more before you've got a portfolio built up that supports that direction.
What are you excited to write?
Figure out the answer to the first two questions on this list, then really ask yourself, “What am I most excited to write?”
Answer this question honestly, but don’t be beholden to it.
If the script you most want to write is a totally uncommercial story about old people dying in a cancer ward, proceed with EXTREME caution.
That’s an ugly baby (with cancer). And it’s not going to significantly add to any reasonable portfolio (unless you’re carving out a niche as a depressing old people movie writer, in which case, you should read last month’s article).
This is potentially a year (or more) of your life we’re talking about here. Respect that. Respect the realities of the marketplace. Respect how difficult it is to succeed in screenwriting, and try to write something that you’re excited about, that’s at least a reasonably cute, normal baby that could make you money someday.
Because what's the point in having kids, if they aren't going to pay for retirement?
Answer this question honestly, but don’t be beholden to it.
If the script you most want to write is a totally uncommercial story about old people dying in a cancer ward, proceed with EXTREME caution.
That’s an ugly baby (with cancer). And it’s not going to significantly add to any reasonable portfolio (unless you’re carving out a niche as a depressing old people movie writer, in which case, you should read last month’s article).
This is potentially a year (or more) of your life we’re talking about here. Respect that. Respect the realities of the marketplace. Respect how difficult it is to succeed in screenwriting, and try to write something that you’re excited about, that’s at least a reasonably cute, normal baby that could make you money someday.
Because what's the point in having kids, if they aren't going to pay for retirement?
Don't write for someone else
If you meet a producer that happens to be looking for zombie westerns, that doesn't mean you should go off and write a zombie western.
If you befriend an agent that only works with family comedies, that doesn't mean your next project should be a family comedy.
The truth is: There are plenty of 'producers' out there that will encourage you to write a script they think they might be able to sell, but that doesn't mean that they have any real chance getting the project sold.
It doesn't cost producers anything to tell you to write that zombie movie. But it'll cost you lots of time and heartache, especially if zombie movies aren't what you're best at writing.
We're brainstorming an article about how to spot BS producers, but for now, just know to trust your instincts. If there are red flags, heed them, and as TLC so aptly put it, "Don't go chasing waterfalls."
If you befriend an agent that only works with family comedies, that doesn't mean your next project should be a family comedy.
The truth is: There are plenty of 'producers' out there that will encourage you to write a script they think they might be able to sell, but that doesn't mean that they have any real chance getting the project sold.
It doesn't cost producers anything to tell you to write that zombie movie. But it'll cost you lots of time and heartache, especially if zombie movies aren't what you're best at writing.
We're brainstorming an article about how to spot BS producers, but for now, just know to trust your instincts. If there are red flags, heed them, and as TLC so aptly put it, "Don't go chasing waterfalls."
no regrets
We’ve all spent way too much time writing ‘ugly baby’ scripts. Don’t worry about that. Focus on what you learned when you were writing those scripts, and don’t have any regrets!
Remember: Every script you write has something to teach you, even the ugly ones.
Remember: Every script you write has something to teach you, even the ugly ones.
comment now
Are you trying to decide what project to write next? Comment with your loglines below, and we can all weigh in and help you figure out what the best next step is moving forward.