How do you know when it's time to abandon a film script that isn't working?

Just take a breather and be back, you'll be amazed by the fresher perspective you'll bring into the story; Twists, turns, story arc, character, characterization—many helpful things.

first of all a badly formatted script is literally unreadable that one of the the clue that I must leave the premise, unless the pitch is so impressive that other writer will join to fix but I will still wait when it looks proper for me to be able to go through it.

A powerful quote I recall often is to be wary of art you make that sparks no joy. I like how the phrase is purposefully open-ended. Does it refer to sparking joy in the artist? Or does it refer to the joy of the person viewing the art? What about the joy of art's patronage? So when we think of scripts, we have to remember they are products that are fueled by relentless focused creative output. The downside of such a task is it creates incredible burnout in the person responsible for the output. Passion for "why" you are writing helps avoid that burnout. It gives you a reason for wanting to make the script "Good". That reason can be anything, but you need to have one. So, if you are feeling burnt by a project - find a better reason.

Joseph schrieb davon, Abstand zu gewinnen, was ein guter Rat ist. Aber ebenso wichtig ist auch Konsistenz. Es gibt jene Tage, in denen es sich schwieriger schreibt, da heißt es: Routine. Und: Zurückgehen zur Ursprungsidee. Ich finde es hervorragend, wenn ich eine Synopsis oder ein PItchpapier meiner ursprünglichen Idee zur Hand habe und schaue, was mich ursprünglich an der Idee fasziniert hat. Oftmals stellt man fest, dass man sich verlaufen hat und man noch unnötiges Material kürzen und den dramatischen Kern straffen kann.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with abandoning crappy screenplays. You will not get a gold medal for finishing a piece of garbage. However you never know how good or bad something really is until you bother to write it down. If you find yourself hating what you write, being bored, frustrated and want to quit then ask yourself why. Why does this suck? Is my time spent on this wasted energy? Can I salvage this? Can I write this in a new and better fashion? If you come to the conclusion that it's an irredeemable piece of crap then abandon ship. You can always finish it later if a new great idea comes through but don't waste your time burning precious time if you see no future for this script. Dust yourself off and try it again!

Genau deshalb arbeite ich gerne mit einer auf die Essenz hin verdichteten Synopsis, aus der dann erst Exposé, dann Treatment, dann Bildertreatment entsteht, ohne mich bereits in Szenen und Dialogen zu verlieren. So kann ich immer zum zuvorigen Schritt zurückkehren und überprüfen, ob das Skelett der Handlung funktioniert. So arbeitet sich's effizient.

Writing in itself is a pleasurable activity but completing a finished piece can be torturous. It's hard being confronted with a half shapen piece of crap that's taken time and energy that seems like a waste of time. When the going gets tough you have to toughen up to keep going. Don't beat yourself up. Put your ego in the drawer. It sucks, big deal. Get the hell off your ass and ask yourself why and how it shouldn't suck. Sit there and think what would make this good. What am I going after here. Why should it be good? What can I change about it to make it good? What would excite me as a reader/viewer? What can I change? What sucks? If you can be brutally honest and start simplifying what the root of the story is, it will get better!

If you find yourself struggling to clearly express the purpose and message of your script, as well as how it effectively communicates that message, it could be a strong indication that it's time to let go of the current script. Starting fresh allows you to approach the storyline with renewed creativity and possibly gain a fresh perspective down the line. It's essential to develop a script that is well-defined and focused, ensuring it captivates and engages your audience. So, don't be afraid to set aside the current script and embark on a new journey towards creating a compelling and impactful story for your audience.

In my assessment, a critical red flag indicating a film script is not working is a lack of clarity in defining core elements such as genre, theme, premise, characters, conflict, and resolution. A successful script demands a clear and coherent structure, guiding the audience through a well-defined plot and the emotional journey of characters. If articulating the script's essence, its intended message, and the method of delivery becomes challenging, it may be indicative of a fundamental issue. In such cases, it might be prudent to consider abandoning the current script and embarking on a fresh start to ensure a compelling and lucid storytelling experience.

Es ist natürlich sehr schade, wenn bereits ein vollständiges Drehbuch geschrieben wurde und das Feedback dann erst ex post zeigt, dass die Grundidee uninspiriert ist und kein Glänzen in den Augen erzeugt und keine "Wows" hören lässt. Daher abermals der Rat, mit einer starken Grundidee bzw. starken Charakteren, einer Prämisse zu starten - und: with the end in mind. Die twists and turns der Handlung sollten früh festgezurrt werden. Natürlich lässt sich unterwegs noch abbiegen, aber es ist gut, eine solide Landkarte vor der Reise zu haben, auch wenn das Gebiet dann doch anders erkundet wird.

When it's time to get feedback, put your ego on the shelf. Nobody gives a crap about how long it took you, you're asking for their time. If they tell you it's confusing, could care less, it's a piece of garbage then listen. What you shouldn't listen to is their suggestions for changes. Their first instincts that it sucks are far more useful than their suggestions of how to make it better. The exception being if someone is a good writer themselves, even then take it with a grain of salt. It's your story. Face the fact that it might be an irredeemable piece of garbage. At least you tried, and are developing the muscle of writing. Reverse engineer the readers POV, why does it suck? What sucks most? What's good? Listen, adapt, rewrite!

In my evaluation, a lack of constructive feedback serves as a crucial indicator that a film script may not be working effectively. A well-crafted script typically elicits reactions, opinions, and suggestions from peers, mentors, or potential collaborators. If feedback is absent or proves vague, negative, or contradictory, it suggests a potential disconnect between the script and its audience. Recognizing the value of constructive criticism and the role it plays in refining and enhancing a script, a dearth of meaningful input may prompt consideration of abandoning the current project to explore alternative avenues for improvement and a fresh perspective.

Dem kann ich nur beipflichten. Hitchcock sagt in dem Interview-Klassiker Truffauts ("Mr. Hitchcok, wie haben Sie das gemacht?") nicht zu Unrecht: Nachdem wir das Treatment geschrieben und den Dialog HINZUGEFÜGT haben ... --> will sagen: Das Treatment formuliert den Subtext aus, der im Dialogbuch mitschwingen soll. So wird der nächste Schritt (das Dialogbuch) messbar vor Hintergrund des zuvorigen. Genau so soll es sein: stetiger, überprüfbarer Fortschritt. Das meint Effizienz beim Schreiben.

When you stall out it's time to look in the mirror and ask some uncomfortable questions. Why isn't this going anywhere? Why does this not inspire me? Why do I hate working on this? What would make this good? Do I have any old ideas I could incorporate? What would excite me? It's important to remember that you are the first audience member. If you're bored, the audience sure as hell will be too. That's OK. Remember it's a process and nobody ever produced a first draft. Going back over an old script and rewriting it will give you fresh ideas, perspectives and the distance to apply changes. You can make a change for the better but only if you're willing to be honest with yourself that it takes effort and will be painful.

There are times when creative inspiration dwindles, leaving you stuck in a rut. Despite multiple drafts, it's disheartening when no progress or improvement is seen. A well-crafted script should constantly evolve and refine through tweaks to dialogue, scenes, and storytelling. If trapped in a repetitive cycle, making the same mistakes , overthinking or adding complications, a different approach is definitely needed. Progress is vital for your motivation and momentum. Often letting go of your current script, and having a fresh perspective can be the creative breakthrough you’re looking for. So jump in the unknown , allow yourself to breathe new life into it and you just may find the true brilliance of your script is revealed!

In my experience, a lack of visible progress or improvement across multiple script drafts serves as a significant indication that the project may not be working optimally. A strong script should undergo evolution and refinement, with continuous enhancement of dialogue, scene precision, and overall story development. If you find yourself caught in a repetitive cycle, making the same errors or introducing unnecessary complexities, it signals a potential stagnation. Recognizing the importance of progress in maintaining momentum and motivation, it may be judicious to contemplate abandoning the current script in favor of exploring a different and potentially more fruitful approach.

Auch hier wieder: Arbeite zunächst mit Prämissen, Charakter- und Plotskizzen und spiele mit ihnen herum, bis sich eine solide Struktur ergibt und arbeite die peu à peu aus. Natürlich bedarf es der Inspiration, hier sollte genügend Zeit für punktuelle (Nach-)Recherche gegeben sein und sich anderweitig inspirieren zu lassen.

Did you write yourself into a boring corner? Don't fall for the "sunken cost phallacy" when it comes to writing. So what you spent 10 hours on a crappy scene that's totally derailed your screenplay? People spend 10 hours on their phone, at least you were using your brain. Don't let those 10 hours ruin what could be a good screenplay. The way you can make changes is by taking a step back and looking at it from an outside point of view. It's very easy to get caught up in what you've already written as somehow unchangeable. Keep in mind it was a blank page before and it can go back to being a blank page again. Delete. Rewrite. Cry if you have to. Mourn the past. Get back on the horse. Stop worrying what other people think... it's your baby

In my perspective, a notable sign that a film script is not working is when there is a lack of viable alternatives or backup plans. A strong script should exhibit flexibility, enabling exploration of various possibilities and scenarios. If you find yourself feeling constrained with no room for alternative approaches, or if an emotional attachment hinders consideration of changes, it may be an opportune moment to contemplate abandoning the current script. Embracing alternatives is essential for broadening creative horizons and discovering innovative solutions that could potentially lead to more promising opportunities.

Vision is like oxygen to a script. Without it, even a well crafted script will perish. If vision is the oxygen, persistence is the water. It won’t survive without it. Stay at it…

If you find yourself having difficulty envisioning how your script will be brought to life on the screen, including its visual elements, sound design, & overall atmosphere, or if you don't have a practical plan for its production, it may be wise to consider letting go of the script & shifting your attention to a more feasible project. It is crucial to have a clear and strong vision in order to transform your script into a film that has a significant impact & resonates with viewers. Without a clear vision, it becomes challenging to create a captivating and immersive experience that will truly engage and connect with the audience. Therefore, it is vital to prioritize projects with a tangible vision that you can confidently bring to fruition.

In my assessment, a lack of a clear vision on how a script will translate into a film is a significant indicator that the project may not be working effectively. A strong script should evoke a visual and cinematic experience, immersing the audience in a vivid portrayal. If the envisioning process proves challenging, hindering the ability to anticipate how the script will manifest on screen, or if a realistic production plan is absent, it could be a compelling reason to consider abandoning the script. A clear and compelling vision is essential for the successful transition from script to a visually impactful film.

More than the above points I feel the sign will come when you are not able to finish it and not able to find the right characters for it ..