I Hate Screenwriters

[alexwhitmer]

So, as I put the career back together, I thought I'd retrace my old footsteps and go back to the screenwriter forums. That was stupid. I don't know what it is about them that generates so much arrogance, animosities and just plain trolling for arguments. You can't start a single thread, or comment on an exisiting one without being called an idiot, useless, or that your work sucks and therefore you can offer no valid advice. In seven years, it has not changed one iota. There is an uncomfortable comfort knowing that.

That said, where I find the greatest feedbacks and encouragement as a screenwriter in the field of filmmaking is in the filmmaker forums. Hands down. Not that they are attitude free, but somehow the guys and gals shlepping the cameras, interacting with all of the unique diciplines, and seeing story in a more dissected but cinematic point of view makes them - I don't know - user friendly.

I frequented the screenwriter forums during my first few years learning the craft , and took many a lashing. When I finally grew weary of it, I starting poking around looking for other options and stumbled on a few filmmaker forums, including Red. Then everything changed, and I started getting short films produced, which eventually led to feature work with one in the can and a few more in development.

Things get done among filmmakers. Screenwriters just can't bitch enough. I actually had my fill during the strike some few years back. I was getting thumped for writing during the strike - I'm non-union and forever will be - and there were just endless arguemnts that 'without us there would be no industry.' 'We are the kings!' And on and on and on, and they gave zero value to anyone else' contribution to the whole. Of the 100-ish screenwriters (as opposed to filmmakers that write and film their own material) I know or have known, maybe ten at best embrace the cooperative and collaborative nature of filmmaking. They understand that the guy or gal frantically sewing buttons on a last-minute costume change is just as valuable to the finished film as the writer, the director, or the bestboy.

The hostilities are just endless and predictable as punch. God I hate screenwriters.

alex

[Tim Whitcomb]

sooo, you're a screenwriter then Alex?

Was it intentional irony you came on here bitching about screenwriters bitching too much? ;)

[alexwhitmer]

Intentional irony, yes. Funny that.

Letting off steam after a sound beating for saying something to the effect that all feedback is valid, whether it be from a produced writer or not.

Anyways, back to the filmmaker forums. I can already feel the love.

a

[paulherrin]

ah... just write. you can hang out with us :)

[Robino_J]

All feedback is valid around here!

---> just testing if i'm going to get a beating for saying that...

EDIT: Alex just make sure you don't talk about other high speed cameras, digital still cameras, 2.5K cameras and also "sponsored" camera tests and everything should be fine ;)

[Mark Toia]

Hi found a great screen writer !!!! out of 50 that I have tried! Finally!!! Your correct in saying that they are all crazy !
And I'm keeping this guy close to me. !

If anyone wants his name, PM me...

[Erich Ocean]

When I finally grew weary of it, I starting poking around looking for other options and stumbled on a few filmmaker forums, including Red.

Not sure I consider "RedUser" a filmmaker forum, but whatever. What other filmmaker forums have you found? Enquiring minds want to know. :)

[Will Keir]

Filmmakers are awesome, so are screenwriters, it's just tuff to find what fits for you.

i am one of the guys that wants to get out and shoot but the more i do this, the more i understand the value of a well written script and planning. we've been on the hunt for the right screenwriter for the last year and a half, at some point you just decide, i am the right screenwriter and begin. it helps to have put all the time and energy into the right gear, EPiC camera for one, so now when the script is in working order you can shoot. Creative freedom for those willing to dig enough ditches.

So, as I put the career back together, I thought I'd retrace my old footsteps and go back to the screenwriter forums. That was stupid. I don't know what it is about them that generates so much arrogance, animosities and just plain trolling for arguments. You can't start a single thread, or comment on an exisiting one without being called an idiot, useless, or that your work sucks and therefore you can offer no valid advice. In seven years, it has not changed one iota. There is an uncomfortable comfort knowing that.

That said, where I find the greatest feedbacks and encouragement as a screenwriter in the field of filmmaking is in the filmmaker forums. Hands down. Not that they are attitude free, but somehow the guys and gals shlepping the cameras, interacting with all of the unique diciplines, and seeing story in a more dissected but cinematic point of view makes them - I don't know - user friendly.

I frequented the screenwriter forums during my first few years learning the craft , and took many a lashing. When I finally grew weary of it, I starting poking around looking for other options and stumbled on a few filmmaker forums, including Red. Then everything changed, and I started getting short films produced, which eventually led to feature work with one in the can and a few more in development.

Things get done among filmmakers. Screenwriters just can't bitch enough. I actually had my fill during the strike some few years back. I was getting thumped for writing during the strike - I'm non-union and forever will be - and there were just endless arguemnts that 'without us there would be no industry.' 'We are the kings!' And on and on and on, and they gave zero value to anyone else' contribution to the whole. Of the 100-ish screenwriters (as opposed to filmmakers that write and film their own material) I know or have known, maybe ten at best embrace the cooperative and collaborative nature of filmmaking. They understand that the guy or gal frantically sewing buttons on a last-minute costume change is just as valuable to the finished film as the writer, the director, or the bestboy.

The hostilities are just endless and predictable as punch. God I hate screenwriters.

alex

[Jeremy Torrie]

The art of writing -conceiving a universe, the characters who inhabit it, and their motivations- will literally take a true writer to other worlds...and for a few hours each day we are there, eventually emerging from our self-imposed exile, only to return the next day and hopefully make sense of it all.

Writing a screenplay -whether feature length narratives, hour long drama, half hour, or documentary- is anything but a simple task. If so, everyone would be doing it.

Very few people -and by 'them' I mean real writers- understand how we think, and what we need to do to get there. We are different birds. I don't know of these people Alex speaks of, though I'm sure they exist. I just don't spend any time on any other forums since I don't see the point. I'm not into writing competitions or whining about how nobody gets my work -I'm into making a living writing, directing, and invariably producing. And get this -I actually believe in collaboration with my actors so the dialogue (or lack thereof) can be as genuine as possible. Thankfully, commissioning editors, distributors, and co-producers agree I've got something sensible to say. If not, I couldn't stand behind these words.

Those who think they can write -even though they've never written anything prior to getting into the bizness- are delusional. Final Draft can do a lot by way of formatting, but that in and of itself means nothing. Try reading the words aloud for 8-10 pages. Generally, cringe-inducing...and it happens more often than not (needing a few more drafts with some serious script editing).

I have to read all manner of scripts all the time because of our provincial tax credit. It attracts bottom feeders with scripts that have no business being produced...but because our tax credit is so good they get made (somehow the director is going to save that polished turd!)

In closing, I don't hate screenwriters. I am one of them (to be fair, a writer/director so perhaps I am a bit different). Just as there are dirty cops and inept politicians we shouldn't cast aspersions: there are a few good ones out there.

[Rob Ruffo]

So, as I put the career back together, I thought I'd retrace my old footsteps and go back to the screenwriter forums. That was stupid. I don't know what it is about them that generates so much arrogance, animosities and just plain trolling for arguments. You can't start a single thread, or comment on an exisiting one without being called an idiot, useless, or that your work sucks and therefore you can offer no valid advice. In seven years, it has not changed one iota. There is an uncomfortable comfort knowing that.

That said, where I find the greatest feedbacks and encouragement as a screenwriter in the field of filmmaking is in the filmmaker forums. Hands down. Not that they are attitude free, but somehow the guys and gals shlepping the cameras, interacting with all of the unique diciplines, and seeing story in a more dissected but cinematic point of view makes them - I don't know - user friendly.

I frequented the screenwriter forums during my first few years learning the craft , and took many a lashing. When I finally grew weary of it, I starting poking around looking for other options and stumbled on a few filmmaker forums, including Red. Then everything changed, and I started getting short films produced, which eventually led to feature work with one in the can and a few more in development.

Things get done among filmmakers. Screenwriters just can't bitch enough. I actually had my fill during the strike some few years back. I was getting thumped for writing during the strike - I'm non-union and forever will be - and there were just endless arguemnts that 'without us there would be no industry.' 'We are the kings!' And on and on and on, and they gave zero value to anyone else' contribution to the whole. Of the 100-ish screenwriters (as opposed to filmmakers that write and film their own material) I know or have known, maybe ten at best embrace the cooperative and collaborative nature of filmmaking. They understand that the guy or gal frantically sewing buttons on a last-minute costume change is just as valuable to the finished film as the writer, the director, or the bestboy.

The hostilities are just endless and predictable as punch. God I hate screenwriters.

alex

Writers chose to work alone, all set staff chose to work in groups. For sure different personality types.