David Wappel is a screenwriter who grew up in North Carolina, and currently lives and works in Los Angeles.  He used to read screenplays for production companies/producers, has a produced film and offers screenwriting services for writers.  I was looking for a new set of eyes to read my latest draft of BREAK AWAY.  I wasn’t  totally satisfied with the coverage I was getting from another service.  I found David via twitter where a fellow screenwriter praised his services.  When I dug a little deeper, I found interviews he gave on youtube where he talks about the craft of screenwriting.  You can visit David’s website HERE and learn more about him.  Based on what I learned, I reached out to him.  We had a Zoom call this past Friday about BREAK AWAY.

We spoke about my goals regarding the script, the craft of screenwriting, the business, screenwriting contests.   Regarding contests, David talked about how if you make the top % of any given contest, to get to the very top becomes less about talent/creativity and more of a subjective thing.  You can write the best script possible, but it may not win if everything doesn’t quite line up (like the right reader, subject matter, etc).  David went onto to say that sometimes you feel a script is done and there is not much more you can do with it.  It checks all the boxes – complex characters, the right tone, conflict in every scene – and the list goes on.   You’ve given the script to more than one reader.   You’ve gotten feedback.  You’ve put in the work and applied the notes to the re-writes.   You’ve accomplished what you set out to do.   It’s time to set it aside and start a new script…something that I have struggled with all year.

This is why it’s important to keep writing and keep sending scripts out because if you have some talent and ability, you never know when your lottery ticket comes up and the hard work pays off.   A note about hard work – it doesn’t always pay off, that’s the cruel nature of life.  BUT the more work you put into something, the more chances you give yourself at winning that elusive lottery.   The Nicholl Fellowship this year had nearly 8000 thousand screenplays entered.  To rise to the top, it would take somewhat of a miracle.  My script LET IT SHINE made it to the top 15% of the Nicholl Fellowship this year…Who knows?  Maybe next year I can make the top 10% or 5 or…..

After speaking with David, I came away with a couple solid points that I will work on in the next draft of BREAK AWAY.  This will be less of a new draft and more surgical cuts/additions.  In other words, I’ll be using a scalpel, not a butcher’s knife.   The script has a solid foundation and this was something David confirmed.   Could there be more work down the line?  Perhaps, but for now,  I will send BREAK AWAY out into the world and see if she finds her wings and flies.  Hope for the best in the new year.   2020 is a year many of us will not forget…or want to remember.

I’m currently reading a Stephen King book called 11/22/63.  Now here’s a dude who knows a thing or two about writing.  I’ll leave you a quote from him.  Until next time, stay safe.