Screenwriting : Am I in this stack of scripts? If I am, I remind myself there's always another pile. by Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Am I in this stack of scripts? If I am, I remind myself there's always another pile.

This past week, one of the most popular threads was one offering an amusing picture of a manager's corner office with a giant pile of paper scripts. My only contribution was to say I was in the third stack, fourth from the bottom. Yet, this thread has inspired quite a bit of debate. And, that is a beautiful thing. I've been in the entertainment industry for a long time. As a musician and writer, I've had interactions with record labels, band managers, music attorneys, publishers and club owners. I've also been up to bat at major auditions including Eddie Money and Billy Idol. As a writer, I've worked with several producers, a director and a literary agent. As a result, I've been fortunate enough to get my work in front of some heavy hitters. And I didn't get it there by sending unsolicited material to people that don't give a rat's ass about it. This transpired by me seeking out people that have a fighting chance of getting someone to actually read what I've written. IMHO, to be a working writer, the necessary ingredients are talent, discipline, luck and establishing long term relationships with people involved in making films. And the last ingredient is the most difficult, because you have to determine if someone can help further your career. And often times that requires rolling the dice. The last ingredients include persistence and being able to handle rejection. Even the most successful writers have experienced rejection. It's a form of masochism for any artist seeking financial remuneration. What keeps me going is writing and always moving forward after every setback. For me, the goal of seeing my work make it to the screen is like searching for gold; if I keep digging one day I might hit pay dirt. What keeps you going? Addendum: And be original!

Mariano Amézaga

What keeps me going is that I love writing, simple as that. If I have to compete against thousands of other scripts and writers, so be it. That makes it a big challenge and makes me have to write better to stand out. If it isnt challenging, its not worth it :)

David Levy

I've spent a long time in the entertainment industry as well. My persistence to keep moving forward, working hard, and knowing in the pit of my soul I have what it takes to succeed keeps driving me forward. Every setback or rejection for me makes me work harder. Plus, having my wife's support keeps me pushing forward. Making good connections and friends in the industry who enjoy my work and what I create keeps me moving forward. Their support of my writing fuels my passion to keep going. As a pro wrestler, documentary filmmaker, and sports writer I always worked hard and got myself out there. This is no different. Have to say the support of writers like you Phillip and others on S32 keeps me thinking positive!

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Dan M: Funny! David: Thanks!

Jody Ellis

Some days I wonder why I keep at it. I'm sure I could find more productive ways to fill my time, lol. But then I sit down and give it another go. Because I'm crazy like that. :-p Seriously, positive feedback and any "wins" I get give me the momentum I need to keep striving. I've learned to take criticism constructively, yet also with a grain of salt, because this industry is sooooo subjective. And while I don't think I will ever stop learning new ways to become a better writer, I do also have confidence in my ability.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Dan: I used to hang with guys that had great coke. One of them owned the studio where I rehearsed.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Jody Wins are good.

Zlatan Mustafica

For me it´s rewarding every time I actually finish a piece of creative content. Loving the Movies, finishing a screenplay, polishing it, making it the best I can possibly make it is something I truly enjoy. When a person loves something for real it is never hard or difficult to do. That keeps me going. The love I have for the creative part of it all. With both feet on the ground, knowing I probably have about 0,000001 % to actually make it from where I live, I am still not disheartened about it. People also told me I would never walk again as a kid (long story) but I did. So I know percentages don´t always matter as long as we work hard and fight the good fight. If or when I make it... well, that´s a bed time story for another time, I guess :)

Jody Ellis

@Phillip, oh the great coke of the 80's....I remember it well. ;-)

Stephen Barber

I (seriously) cannot stop thinking creatively. I’ve done (for my age) so many things before I’d ever installed Final Draft and stared at the blinking curser… However, the feeling I got in my stomach after I later typed Fade Out was undoubtedly, the PUREST form of confidence that I’ve ever felt. I just knew it then as I know now... I must.

Stephen Barber

^ Pun intended on the Blow^

Shawn Speake

Great post, P. We have a lot in common, my friend. I'm obsessed with living the richest, fullest life possible. For me that means the freedom of doing whatever I want - every second of every day. That keeps me goin'.

Brian Walsh

Agreed Stephen. I felt much the same way the first time I finished off a draft. Thanks for the post, Phil. As always you find ways to inspire me to keep going and try harder!

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

@Jody & Dan M: Dem was good days! @Shawn and Brian: You are both fine gents.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Patricia: Well done!

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

@Katie As they said in the 60s, keep the faith baby!

Cherie Grant

Look at that stack of scripts Katie. They are all "brilliant".

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Katie: I'd like to read your pilot.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Dan: That sounds like an AA meeting.

Cherie Grant

Christ Katie don't be such a child.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Dan: I have a good friend who is a retired LA police officer and is now celebrity bodyguard. About three years ago, he told me I'm very intimidating to people because of my confidence and my quick thinking, fast talking style. So, I try to dial it back and spread as much positive energy as possible when conducting my creative affairs. And what you did tonight with the agent is a good way to go. I equate it to dating. Don't be too needy or act like a pest. People will respond better.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

FFR: Thanks and some of my favorite folks checking in, including you. Dan M: I always told my buddies be a combination of Clint Eastwood and James Dean and you'll be fine. I met my wife one night playing at the Viper Room in Hollywood. Bill C knows. It's a musician thing.

David Taylor

The LOUIS LATOUR wine boxes in the photo says it all. "I was well into the second box, when I discovered this fantastic screenplay..." :)

Stephen Barber

☝️Not gonna touch that line with a 10' pole...

Jody Ellis

Not to hijack the thread, but I did have some good news today that reminded me why I do this. I finally heard back from the producer who liked my script. She is interested in having me possibly do some writer for hire work (just as I suspected!) and is sending me info in a couple days. She also said she might be able to "do something" with my script if I convert it from a feature script to a MOW script. Then I got an email from ANOTHER producer I'd sent the script to. Said he liked my writing but it wasn't for him. I gave my canned polite response, of 'thank you for taking the time to read and respond, if you would ever like to see any of my other scripts please let me know.' Went on to mention I had scripts in various genres, including a tv pilot. He asked about the pilot, I tossed him the logline. He said "send it". Problem? It's not quite done yet....so I know what I'm doing for the rest of this week.... So at the end of the day, there is the reason "why". Because what you occasionally get back is so exciting and, well, amazing! Be careful what you wish for!!! :-)

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Dan: Work with what you got. Remember, Tony Manero had a picture of Bruce Lee in his room in "Saturday Night Fever".

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

FFR: In between posting, I'm judging short films for a festival. So far, the posts are better than the movies.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

@Jody: I get what you're saying and have pitched loglines and synopsis for scripts I hadn't yet written. The biggest one I pulled off was last year with "The Negro League", which made it to the President's of Tyler Perry Productions. I wrote the script in 10 days and the VP loved it. However, the President didn't like it enough to pull the trigger. Especially not with the kind of budget the film would require. I once answered an Inktip ad for a biopic about an obscure historical figure and wrote that script in a week. The guy loved it, requested a few minor changes and additions and optioned the script. That project went nowhere but that's the same producer who got me into Tyler Perry Studios, A&E, Jay Roach and William Morris Endeavor last year with several other scripts. Sometimes bold actions pay off. Also, there's nothing like a little pressure to inspire.

Jody Ellis

@Phillip I do well with quick deadlines. It's why I've carved out a moderately successful freelance career. And I'm queen bee of procrastination, so eleventh hour projects are kind of my thang ;-) not that I recommend it, lol.

Jody Ellis

@Dan thank you so much! It is, of course, all a bunch of "maybes" still, but I feel like I'm one step closer. This stuff moves at a snails pace!!!!

David Levy

@Phillip: I was in the pro wrestling industry for over fifteen years. Saw my fair share of drugs. One second Doink the Clown is making kids laugh and five minutes later he's in a hotel room doing coke with Greg Valentine. Not to mention the Iron Shiek pulling out his crack pipe after show. That;s not my style though.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

David: I had a coke phase but haven't touched the stuff in more than thirty years. It made me too jumpy. Quit smoking pot when I was 21. There's no room for drugs in a healthy lifestyle.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Dan: I have done both many times. But again, not in a long f#8king time. But unlike Clinton, if you ask me if I inhaled, I'll say hell yeah!. But as Beth would say, back to topic... LOL

Jody Ellis

@Phillip my late teens and 20's were pretty wild. Makes for great stories but it all sounds exhausting to me now. I can barely stay up past 10, much less imbibe in any vices, lol.

Brian Walsh

You know I look at the picture of the stack of scripts and I'm of two minds. First I think, "Wow, that's intimidating. If your script is in there it might never get read". But then the other side of my brain says "I would kill to have a script in that pile. At least it would have a chance to be read. It's not going to be read by anyone but me if it's sitting on my desk". It's all about perspective. When you're starting out, you have to take the small victories, and keep piling them on each other until you get a big victory. Then it'll still be hard work, but every crack you open that door makes it easier to get through it. So to the Katies and other beginners out there (myself included) don't stop, don't give up hope, if this is truly something that burns within you. And most of all, don't let the naysayers stop you from having your say. Keep contributing. I've made some great friends here, and I did it by ignoring the negativity and staying focused on why I'm here.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Brian: In less than an hour, I'm having a Skype meeting with a director to review ideas for the next draft of a sci-fi script. No big victories ever really come quickly. Any project that comes to fruition will take a great deal of time. One only needs to look at the stories about famous scripts like Unforgiven, Dallas Buyer's Club and Madmen that kicked around Hollywood for years. We have good days and bad days and keeping perspective is a necessary component of maintaining discipline. I'm always thankful for where I live, how much I've been blessed with and that I continue to have the energy to forge ahead. You're a super positive guy with a great attitude and I wish you some great future victories big and small.

Brian Walsh

Phillip: I hope your meeting went well. The way I look at it, this is truly a community and I celebrate everyone's victories, small or large. The more I see people succeed, the more I believe I will eventually join them, but the best part of it all is learning and growing as a creative. When I was young I didn't have mediums like this to learn in, and I appreciate all the encouragement and knowledge that people here share. Thanks for the kind words, and keep going strong!

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Brian: Yes, I'm with you on newer channels we have to promote ourselves. The internet has allowed me to put my music out to thousands of people around the world. My online book made me a nice chunk of change; and now I'm able to reach out to film makers around the world. Yesterday's Skype meeting went well and David and I brainstormed for two hours on things we wanted to add to what he calls our "selling document" (the screenplay). He is very excited about the project. This is exactly the reason I don't do multiple rewrites on my work until someone is interested in optioning or making a film. The changes we're making to my original draft will only constitute about 5 percent of the script. Consequently, I will have spent little time spinning my wheels.

Shawn Speake

That's what's up, P... You're my hero, brother!

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

Shawn: Right back at you.

Steven Harris Anzelowitz

Same stuff. You hit the nail on the head!! Go Phillip!

Jenny Masterton

Great pic. Hilarious.

David Levy

Kathleen: Not really. I can look at that photo everyday and still keep moving forward with a positive attitude. Poctures like those is what makes me work harder.

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