Dispatch From The Quest: Sandy Leviton
Over the course of the 24 weeks I am working with the writers in The Quest, each will write a weekly dispatch to share with the GITS community. There are several reasons for doing this, the main one educational: Hopefully you will learn something of value for your own understanding of the craft from the experiences of the Questers. I should also add they are a great group of people, so I expect you will enjoy getting to know them.
Today: Sandy reflects on her experiences thus far in The Quest:
As we wind down our final weeks of prep and head into FADE IN, I’ve been reflecting on the process of The Quest. It’s been a thrilling ride; Intellectual, emotional, and illuminating. My background is predominantly in television — I’ve worked at agencies and at a network for a number of years. I’ve been the gatekeeper, the note-giver, and the messenger of both good and bad news for writers. This is my first time on the other side of the coin and thanks to Scott and the other Questers, I’ve learned so much about myself and my writing style.
I’ve learned just how much my television background informs my writing in terms of pacing, subplots, and character. I like to get into stories quickly, have big moments early on, and not waste time on any scenes or characters that don’t propel the story forward. Tangents are a pet peeve of mine; I’m waiting for the next meaty scene. It’s been great having the others remind me (us) that there can be value in these moments.
Being on the receiving end of notes has also been a great experience. It’s like an extended brainstorming session and I wholeheartedly enjoy it. Debates and new ideas infuse such life into our stories. Even when we don’t agree, those moments will always spark something new and exciting.
I’m so happy that I have had this opportunity to work with everyone and cannot wait to jump head first into our script. Miranda and I both have itchy fingers and FADE IN cannot come soon enough. Thank you to everyone for making the prep process so wonderful!
Beyond all the screenwriting theory and workshopping that goes on in The Quest, there is this: My attempt to convey to writers the degree of commitment, time and focus required to write professionally in Hollywood.
There are between 20,000–30,000 scripts funneled into and through the Hollywood development system each year. And 95% of them are substandard, most of them considerably so.
There are many reasons why this is so including obvious one such as lack of talent, lack of experience, and so on. But one thing I see over and over is that the writer has delivered an undercooked story. There very well may be ‘something’ there, but the writer needed to spend more time digging into the characters, generating more and better plot elements, more nuanced and well-handled dialogue, and on and on.
So while the Questers are all champing at the proverbial bit to get to FADE IN — and justifiably so! — part of the method to The Quest madness is simply to keep pushing them and pushing them to go deeper into the story.
That is not a guarantee of success, but it’s likely no script sells unless the writer has committed ample time — and then some — and then some more — before handing in a final draft.
So to all the Questers — and any of you involved in the Go On Your Own Quest initiative — beyond what you have learned about your stories, and hopefully will bring to bear in the writing of this first draft, I trust you have also come to understand even more the necessity of going beyond the call when you write a script.
Tomorrow: Another Dispatch From The Quest.
About Sandy: Bostonian that learned how to pronounce “R’s” upon moving to LA. A lefty that loves the unusual. Dreams of owning a taxidermy dodo bird. @scriptchix & @lil_sjl.
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