I Hate Screenwriters

[alexwhitmer]

That said, do you think that it has become harder for aspiring screenwriters to break into the industry and do you consider screenwriting a craft that is still worth pursuing? Would love to hear your comment on that matter.

It most certainly is, but much depends on what you want out of it. In the aforementioned 'hostile' writer's forum (along with a few others) the aspiring writers have their sights set on the big purchase from a major studio, or at the very least a well-know and established Indy. They will settle for nothing less, and gauge success as a writer on the big sale. That and they all dream of an A-list cast.

This is certainly an aim-high goal, but it isn't for everyone. And the chances of it are just so fractional. The right place at the right time factor is high, and you need to be involved in the cream competitions, and querrying day and night with little hope. If you choose to write because you love to write, and are content with seeing your work produced in short format or even features through lesser-known indy producers, and willing to make the long trek to a hopeful and eventual major motion picture, then by all means it is emphatically encouraged. What matters most is a strong body of work, which means writing everyday, and practicing your craft like any serious musician would.

I'm of the opinion that screenwriting is closer to writng music (notes and such, not the lyrics) than to writing novels or stageplays or copy, etc. There is a certain musical quality to a well-written screenplay once it's cadence and rhythms are taken into account. The cresendos, the pauses, the structure. Like music, a screenplay can also be off key. Point is, write everyday so you master all a screenplay is intended to be beyond just its purpose of story.

a

 

[alexwhitmer]

"I hate to write, but love to have written." For me, the most rewarding time is when you hear your script being performed for the first time. When the words you carefully crafted suddenly come to life and slowly turn into a more meaningful and visual medium. That's when writing really pays off.

It really is a game changer. It doesn't even need to be a great film, or follow the screenplay verbatim. What matters is seeing your work moved from paper to film, and seeing what happens to it once it has been edited to fit a budget, interpreted by the director and actors, lit, boomed, costumed and fluffed. It will make ones very next screenplay all the more cinematic in the approach. This matters. A lot.

a

 

[Michael Dalton]

That said, do you think that it has become harder for aspiring screenwriters to break into the industry and do you consider screenwriting a craft that is still worth pursuing? Would love to hear your comment on that matter.

I think trying to attain a high level in anything is very difficult. It often takes more then just skill as a writer or what ever. Unless your skills really stand of the page, and your clearly above everyone else in creative talent, then you need one or two other elements to take you to the top. Maybe you fill a niche market, have incredible business sense. Some doors are close, can you open them through another direction? I think it comes down to the fact, at the end of the day, most aspiring writers can't write or tell a story at the levels needed. I like reading about guys like Lucas and Spielberg and how they got started. Speilberg's advice to lucas was if you want to direct, you better write something. For them, timing was right too. I doubt they'd have an easy go of it today.

 

[Bob Gruen]

That said, do you think that it has become harder for aspiring screenwriters to break into the industry and do you consider screenwriting a craft that is still worth pursuing? Would love to hear your comment on that matter.

Movies are visual stories; good screenwriters will always be needed. Just keep in mind writing is one thing in this industry that anyone can do for free (as in on their own time). This makes for tonnes of flotsum and jetsum floating around Hollywood looking for a purchase. Odds are long if you go this route.

HAVE A STRATEGY/ HAVE A PLAN! If I were to recommend a strategy it would be two-fold.

First, get involved in the local indie film community. Every region seems to have one. Here you will find numerous posers who spend their weekends running through the woods with a handy-cam and condoms full of fake blood and firecrackers. But hopefully you will find a few serious film makers as well. Get to know these people and figure out which you have common creative ground with.

Second, start writing the low budget, compelling story. Low budget means a minimum of local get-able locations and a small cast. This means that you might have to start by doing a few producer tasks, like scouting & quasi-securing locations before you even start writing. Be practical, don't write anything that you and the local producer(s) cannot pull off.

Beyond that the cardinal rule is that film is visual storytelling, so SHOW it, don't dialog it. I just watched "The Grey", which started out with a lot of background dialog that actually spoiled what could have been a great reveal. Very ham-handed...

Also, I think that the oft given advice of staying away from comedy is actually bad advice. I believe an audience will forgive the low budget production foibles that your film will certainly have IF you can make them laugh. Think dramedy, dramatic storyline to get you into festivals and over the top comedic events to make 'em laugh.

Bob