The truth is William Goldman wrote the first draft of script for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in just four weeks. He won an Oscar for his script.* But that’s not the whole story if you factor in all the research he did on the outlaws:
“When someone asks how long it takes to write a screenplay, I’m never quite sure what to answer. Because I don’t think four weeks is what it took to do Butch. For me, eight years is closer to the truth. In any case, before you begin, you must have everything clear in your head and you must be comfortable with the story you’re trying to tell. Once you start writing, go like hell—but don’t fire till you’re ready….”
William Goldman
Adventures in the Screen Trade
pages 123-124
*Overall, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid won Four Oscars.
There’s a little over three weeks to go in the Screenwriting from Iowa…and Other Unlikely Places Kickstarter campaign– please consider helping this book project.
[…] The truth is William Goldman wrote the first draft of script for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kidin just four weeks. He won an Oscar for his script.* But that’s not the whole story if you factor in all the research he did on the outlaws: “When someone asks how long it takes to write […] Original Source… […]
This is exactly why this blog needs to go on…