Hello Stage 32 Hopefuls,
My name is Philip David Lee and I'm a director/screenwriter and unlike some people on this site or in the industry, no matter what you want to do in the entertainment industry, they will tell you that you don't know squat or will want your help but only for their projects. I'm no different. I think my projects are the cream of the crop. You need that kind of confidence to take all the jealous rejections you have to face because other screenwriters don't care about you. You're the competition. Producers don't care about you even if you bring them a cakewalk because their opinions are better than yours and it's not about quality or progressions of logic or even the very core of the entertainment industry; to be entertaining! it's all about control. They want control over your thoughts, your I.P., your will and pretty much your very soul so walk cautiously.
Now me, I don't want control over you. I don't need it because in my humble, confident (sometimes mistaken as arrogance) opinion, my work is better than yours. My strategies are better than yours and my philosophies are better than yours. So yes, I'm a moron, but I'm a confident moron that literally has nothing to show for his bravado because you're dealing with people in power that have bigger egos.
Now that I've completely turned you off from getting to know me, if you want my opinion on something, I'll be happy to give you feedback, advice, help you plan something else, whatever you need and it won't cost you a thing. I want nothing and you don't have to listen to anything I say or suggest, but should we find we like each other, we might make a good team or a short term co-worker relationship. You'll get nothing but the truth from me and all I want in return is the same.
It's nice to meet you.
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Happy Holidays, Philip David Lee! I think we all should think our projects are the cream of the crop. Or at least think our projects can be the cream of the crop with work and feedback. We definitely need confidence in this industry. Whether it's confidence when writing scripts, pitching projects, filming movies, etc.
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Maurice Vaughan Happy Holidays to you as well, Maurice. I totally agree with you and if I hear feedback that makes sense, I'd be a fool not to listen to it, but you have to be able to separate the technical advice from the personal advice. As for the rest, you have to always have a guarded optimism when talking and meeting new people in the industry. If one is too eager to take a leap of faith, they could wind up hurting themselves in the long run. While I sometimes glance over the seminars and lessons presented by Stage 32, I don't recall seeing any on looking for clues that you're being scammed. I apologize if I have missed them, but then, this topic can't be stressed enough whether one is entering a studio agreement or a distribution deal.
My introduction may read as harsh but it has some hard truths and unapologetic warnings to be watchful of. It's more important to me that you trust what I'm saying then for you to like me.
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Hey Philip David Lee - gerat to see you here on IYW. Your passion always shines through, brother. Wishing yougreat success in 2025 and a wonderful holiday season.
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I get what you're saying, Philip David Lee. I made those mistakes back when I was a new screenwriter (not being able to separate technical advice from personal advice and being too eager to take a leap of faith, which led to me rewriting things in scripts when I didn't need to and me being scammed). If I would've known about these things (and other things about the industry) back then, I wouldn't have made the mistakes. That's one thing I like about Stage 32. Experienced members warn new writers, directors, etc. about what to watch out for.
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Hi Philip David Lee nice too meet you. You sound crazy, in a good way and I love that! Cool post and I agree with you on a lot of the stuff. It's a weird industry and it's funny how in a lot of areas there are people who controls something yet have less knowledge than someone who knows a lot.
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Hi Philip David Lee after thirty years in the advertising business I find the find the film industry incredibly refreshing. People are helpful. It’s not a zero sum game (we’re not all chasing the same big clients with identical offers). And it’s not a cult of personality, the work matters more than the relationships (although relationships are still vital). People are also willing to tell the truth, which can be in short supply in other industries.
I’m not saying it’s not tough. But because the bar is so high to get anything made, I’ve found that people tend to help each other rather than knock each other down.
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John Clive Carter nicely put. You know I've found the same thing. Some of the relationships that you build are really great and I've met some really cool people with whom we help each other all the time and then also work together.
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WOW! Honesty and no asking for money! i LOVE this guy!!!!!!!