Filmmaking / Directing : Why does Everybody Think They Can Write? by Michael Shandrick

Not everyone does. However, critics are usually rumoured to be people who carp about something they themselves cannot do. In other news, it's hard to keep a consistent line oftentimes, because one's rhetorical pencil is oft blunted by the continuous buffetting on the paper; yet even that which seems sublime and ridiculous to some comes to be seen as wholly sublime or wholly ridiculous when polished with the sands of time. Boring writers, however, are most often those whose works include "100 annoying cliches and how often I use them", and "bad sentence construction for the idiot in your life". Personally, I like to think that a high degree of levity and wit raises my game above the many faux pas which may otherwise grate about my literary endeavours.

I read recently that there are far fewer film critics these days than ever with the availability of comment sites like this. I have received criticism my whole life as a writer, and accept it as long as I know the critic has a sound understanding of the process and understands different styles and influences on the craft. Now with lay people thinking they are the critics, I really doubt they've got the experience to understand what they don't like. And this goes for independent filmmakers who believe that writing is not really part of story telling. In any event, in both Britain and Hollywood, the Barbarians are at the gate.

Everyone has the right to an opinion as life and art are subjective entities. The fact that people are so excited to voice an opinion either for good or bad is great! The art has done its job. It has challenged perception and caused people to think and shout. Great talent indeed. It's when no body says something that we must go back to the drawing board.

Very good point. The art has done it's job

I think everyone can write, its just that they might not be very good. I've written a novel, I had great fun doing so, but I haven't tried to get it published as I know its probably not good enough, I'm a musician and composer and no that it takes many many years to perfect ones craft. ps, I once was a very bad guitar player, now many years later and many many hours spent mastering the beast, I'm now quite good.

Currently, there are several very hot books on the best seller list. They are also badly written narrative s,tyle but they somehow connected to readers. Go figure. The point is to get one's voice out there and see what happens. And never could really learn to play the guitar. It does take patience and time, lots of time.

I think it's an occupational hazard - most everyone thinks they can write a letter, so they look at what we do and say "so what"- it just goes with the territory. Well crafted novels, scripts, even quality journalism, cost money to produce. An increasingly functionally-illiterate world is deluded enough to think that Content Farm desperados churning out thousands of words of bland 'content' for $50 a day can replace genuinely creative types who, on a good day, can paint with words and conjure up stories that engage and entertain. The written word is not valued, I fear. How we might begin to rebuild literary critical-thinking is an important question for all civilised societies.

Who is this "everyone" that can write? Everyone known in the circles of those posting? Everyone in the film industry? Everyone who can read? Everyone who learned how to spell in third grade? There are people in the world that cannot make a string of words make sense, much less tell a story. And it's not to suggest they are all illiterate. I have read the work of graduate students that would embarrass anyone with an advanced degree. Some people may be able to tell a story verbally, which after all, isn't that writing too?

Sometimes, I get that impression too about people, but I don't think everyone feels like that. Writers, especially, are brutally honest when it comes to their own writing. They are their biggest critics.

everybody loves movies and t.v. and wants to be a part of it.

Good input! There was a time when only the critics wrote criticism, and I guess it's now be redefined by those who simply want to be part of the movie process. You know, everyone. :)

I for one know darn well I can NOT write lol The few words that do manage to show up on paper seem to not move anyone whatsoever. So I stick with music. :)

I wish I had a nickle for everytime I heard a film school grad or independent filmmaker say they just needed some dialogue. Ouch! There really is very little known about structure, pacing, tone and character vs. plot, subtext.

As for writing James, I could never learn music and stuck with words.

Mel Gibson said he didn't write

I am actually grateful for the influx of so called writers. I enjoy the ones that think we need another zombie werewolf story! Thank you! With material like this out there it makes rising above a little easier. Of course a touch of talent and a hint of storytelling training certainly doesn't hurt either.

I went to a meeting last week in Vancouver. There were 18 producers who, like last year, were surprised there were 400 writers sitting cheek by jowl, hanging on every breath to find nuance in what the producers wanted from writers. In sum, the producers wanted what they always want, something they haven't seen before that was "fresh & original", yet they, themselves, don't actually produce anything in that category. What was amazing is that I wish there was some way to harness all that amazing talent from the oldsters, young people and in-betweens. As long as people are dreaming up stories, they will want to write stories for film, books and the stage. I agree, Tim, I think we need some fresh blood in the zombie werewolf stories of late. It takes a great deal of courage to march out there on a cold night and expose oneself with a one-pager and tell people your "story" ideas. There is something vital in the spirit that knaws away at our vitals until we do just that.

Michael I'm with you on this. What is sad, and I mean this in the very truth of the word, is new, fresh ideas are scary. There is tremendous risk involved in new and fresh thus we have countless reboots from the 80s. I know, I know! I am beating an old drum but the truth is fresh and new does not pay bills. If it did I would be a zillionaire and I wouldn't have bills. The advantage we have, as we lean around the fire and grumble, is the opportunity to reach out to one another. Perhaps if we chucked the idea time is money and money makes miracles then we could produce something that would give the public pause. Maybe, if we all donated some talent and some energy despite the cost in time (forget money, what is that anyway?) a legitimate story of quality can be released for the public to enjoy. Paranormal Activity started that way alongside a host of other indie features. If the story is in place the rest should fall into step. Maybe I am naive. It's possible. I like to kick the can around the edges and say soon, my time will be soon! Who knows. For me I still believe and that's enough, right?

I thought "True Blood" was pretty fresh. The idea that Vampires lived among us ...and had a blood drink instead of human blood. There are new idea's out there and some are very good.

Hey Mark. I have to be honest I don't watch True Blood. I tend to run away from the vampire monsters only because they have been beaten to undeath. I liked Del Torro's Cronos, but aside from that I am no longer a believer! The problem I have these days is the idea that a) vampires/werewolves/zombies etc are scary and b) this is the only monster pool to pull from. I know there are a host of opportunities out there. I don't want to kick off a horror tangent but I think we can all agree horror has seen better days. We seem to be re-writing horror flicks from the Golden Age of the 80s and the genre is suffering. Either that are we have decided the repulsive is horror with films like Centipede and Hostel coming to mind. Horror should be scary, right? Not just grotesque. As far as the original topic goes (after rereading it a couple of times now) I have to say writing seems to be suffering in general. News articles, screenplays, reviews, these are all suffering from a sad lack of education. Somehow making a snarky comment delivers scores of followers leading the author to believe they have written something profound. There is no real thought or direction, simply a collection of unconnected one liners. Sad. Add to that an opportunity to display to the masses and voila! Instant success without quality.

I am a producer as well as a businessman for 40 years. I would not, and understand those that are affraid to invest money in a product that is 30% "maybe" make money 70% "not to" make money. Vampires/werewolves/zombies has a little of a track record to give me a little sleep at night. There is bad writing but it's the money guy that is trusting a guy that does not know quality. We really can't blame writers, it's the money and "above the liners" that work the material that are inept.

The only rule is that there are no rules .... Formulaic film making has killed Hollywood: Sequels, prequels, shoddy remakes, gimmicks, short cuts , PR stunts... The big production houses are using predictive software to prejudge films commercial success FFS. I could just rest my case here. The outcome, generally, is so mediocre even the audience is underwhelmed and pursuing other entertainment options - of which there are one or two about. It's why so few films are being made in Hollywood now. The business is imploding because the gate keepers are a talentless mafia, cluelessly trying to play safe in a business that is and always has been about risk and surprises.

Henry I guess I'm simple but I like the new Batman THE HOBBIT To Rome with Love “The Color Wheel ”Damsels in Distress”The Invisible War How to Survive a Plague as well as much of the Hollywood Fare. But please tell more on the FFS, that sounds interesting.

The offices are still in LA. The reason the productions are moving is tax incentives.

Rachael I would love you to read my new script. Great vehicle for a 24 year old young woman as the Star. Tnx Mark

Hey Mark! I'm a little swamped right now workwise, get hold of me in about three months, things may have calmed down a little. I can't think of a specific actor at the moment, but finding a young one in NYC is easy.

And True Blood is based on a book series that's been out and selling for 12 years :)

Tnx Rachael I may have a way to get it to Amy Adams I'll tell you what happens. Mark

Good luck, Mark!