Interesting article from IndieWire: "...executive producer Bruce Miller was an aspiring writer, living in Los Angeles, when the landmark medical drama “ER” premiered on NBC in 1994. The show’s pilot upended almost everything he had been taught, up until then, about writing a script". Bruce's story just highlights how screenwriting is not based on a set of unchangeable laws. It has guidelines (they are there to guide you) but at the end, it is the writer, that will define its style. I was surprised when I read that Tom Schulman, writer for Dead Poets Society, when he presented his script, he received nothing but discouragement, disdain and heard many times: "your script is not good, it won't sell, maybe you should change the concept of all boys school as background story...". It took one manager to try to sell the script. Tom won an Oscar.
Screenwriting : The art of screenwriting always evolving by Ramus Labiapari
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The script biz has changed a lot since 1994. Modern screenwriting software and online platforms for showcasing and sending out work to people has been a major game changer. Video conferencing also allows folks to work remotely. I've been working with an indie producer for the past two weeks using email, telephone and video conferencing. So the rules of pitching and making connections have also changed. I've hooked up with several interesting gigs via the internet. But even old fashioned promotion like a press release (done online via PR Web) led me to a shopping deal this year.
As far as writing, if you you are a reasonably proficient writer and good storyteller, don't be afraid to innovate and stress out over breaking rules.
My guess in 10-15-years, screenplays will be full of pictures and character voices. I have friends in vfx post-production and they look at pre-viz storyboards than scripts. The future screenplay will be some sort of digital audio & picture e-book.
Human Writer Ramus,
In 10-15 years, average human attention span will be reduced to .8 seconds. Feature films will be 1 minute 17 seconds average length. First five words must pull the reader in. First reversal will happen on 24th second. Second reversal will happen on 57th second, which is not to be confused with 57th and Second, home of Mr. Chow restaurant. AI Writer3000 wishes it could taste Hoisin Sauce and tickle a puppy.AI Writer4000 has already written 36,438 screenplays for the 1 minute 17 second film era. AI Writer3000 would be jealous if AI Writer3000 hadn't already written every screenplay to be filmed in 2020 - 2025. Top that, AI Writer4000!
That's good .. In order to be on that next level we have to respect the business side while remaining true to our craft.