Screenwriting : The writer matters as much as the writing…

The writer matters as much as the writing

In my LBW(Life Before Writing), I was an HR Manager. What I learned about myself and people was invaluable. Whenever we ended up in a disciplinary hearing with an employee, it was almost consistently a Worker problem, not a Work problem. In other words, the guy had the skill, but not the character or the will to work.

After many years of exposure to the film and television industry, particularly in the area of screenwriting, I've realized that this industry is no different. Who you are and how you conduct yourself is just as important as what you can do. It's super important to work on your craft and skills as a writer, but I can assure you, it's just as important to work on you conflict management skills, your people skills, your administrative skills and even your business skills. It's all part of being a professional, and everyone wants to work with a professional, especially a nice one.

Being professional doesn't just refer to the fact that you may have credits to your name or that you earn a living off your writing, but it also alludes to how you conduct yourself when you're not at the keyboard. It relates to your etiquette in the writing room, your ability to handle notes and criticism, and conversely your ability to give criticism in an honest but uplifting way. It refers to the seriousness with which you approach deadlines, and your courtesy when you answer an email timeously instead of allowing the sender to languish, wondering if you've received the message.

Professionalism finds it's way into your punctuality and your positivity, your willingness to learn and grow, and your adeptness at curbing your ego so that the story can shine. It's teamwork, and being honest enough to admit when you don't know. It's being diligent and delivering more value than expected of you.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, become the person everyone wants to work with. No one wants to work with an unprofessional, difficult person, no matter how talented they are. So as you put work into your writing, also put work into yourself, because you're worth it. Prepare and position your character to handle the success your talent will bring you.

Back to my HR reference. When a worker failed at a job because they lacked skill, it was an easy problem to fix because I could train them. But when a worker failed because they had a character problem, the only person that could fix that, was the worker themselves. We all have issues and character weaknesses, but we all have the ability to fix ourselves. Don't let a weakness in your personality or character, hold you back from the success you deserve.

Keep dreaming. Keep Working. Keep Writing.

Ben

Emily J

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3 people like this
2 years ago

This is great Ben Johnson Jr.! Would you be interested in writing a blog post on the topic? I think it would be really great

Maurice Vaughan

Great points, Ben Johnson Jr.

"Who you are and how you conduct yourself is just as important as what you can do." You're right because I've seen people (including big-name celebrities) get fired because of their conduct.

GiGi Raines

4
4 people like this
2 years ago

Agree 100%.

Leonardo Ramirez

Absolutely agree - who you are at your core spreads to everything you do. The key is to prioritize the value in who we are and how we treat others. Nicely said!

Greg Wong

Being a reasonable person to work with is a prerequisite in any workplace. If you're essentially a freelancer, you better be easy to work with or no one will re-hire you. Bad behaviour is unconscionable. Treat others as you would like to be treated. What does it say about you if you treat others badly!

Tim Bragg

I agree with all of this, great read. I see potential in certain people and keep waiting for them to step it up, and if they did, what an asset they would make to the team.