Hi there! University student specialising in screenwriting here!
If anyone has the time, I'd like to gather a bit of insight from the community by asking a couple questions based around writing, the first being what skills/talents would you personally say are needed to succeed as a screenwriter in the industry. And secondly (if anyone would like to share) what was your first ever job?
Thank you for your time!
3 people like this
Welcome, Jamie! : ) I'm new to screenwriting myself, so I don't feel that I have any useful advice to offer you sadly, but I look forward to seeing you grow as a writer and hope you'll share your progress here with the Stage 32 crowd... Go get 'em! ; )
2 people like this
Hi Jamie, though I can't quit my day job yet, I'm among the more experienced writers here, and have won a few contest awards over the years. Among the abilities essential to turning pro, I would include:
- Diligence: cranking out the pages consistently, not just talking about it.
- Understanding the marketplace, esp. the elusive paradox of "familiar novelty" aka "the same, only different". It's vital to keep up on what's in the pipeline, not what's already out there.
- Social skills: esp. the ability to network, judge character, cultivate relationships, and be a team player.
- Salesmanship: Every writer must be Sales Rep #1. Embrace it.
- Perseverance, esp. the ability not only to endure rejection, but to learn from it.- "The Right Kind of Crazy": it's understood that show business is not for those who want stable, predictable, rational lives. The pro needs to stay on the right side of the "fine line between genius and madness".
That's it for now. Oh, about my first job in the Industry: I was a film/TV actor, with agents in SF & LA.
The overall craft can be overwhelming, but at the same time really simple. First, I would say wherever you go and whatever you are doing, listen to the way people talk to one another and if you get lucky, listen to how they talk to themselves. :) Second, just read. Scripts, plays, books, whatever you can get your hand on and break it all down. Start there and you'll find your voice and visions will come. Write on brother!
Hello Jamie! I still don't have a first job yet, so I can't offer you any advice on how to be a successful screenwriter because I have no success of my own. All I want to say is Welcome to S32!
All in good time, Ally! You'll get that first job, and hopefully many more after that one.
1 person likes this
Thank you Kyle!
Welcome, Jamie!