Joe Santiago's Lounge Discussions

Hi Joe, great to have you in the community! I'm Molly, the Screenwriting Contest Coordinator at Stage 32. If you're ever interested in entering a script into one of our contests, please check out the Script Services tab and shoot me an email at contests@stage32.com if you have any questions. Glad we're connected!

at least everyone is being helpful though! :)

Michael Bott what do you mean?

Check with your local SAG for a list of certified agents and fee schedule. Also ask for references, your agent must provide you with sources he or she works with.

Invest in your social media brand & build it up with amazing insights - I know a few Youtubers that have new acting films out because of their subscriber base... This is key in today's world... You can do this by filming yourself by filming modeling sessions & short interviews how the acting world is in a fun way... I do not know the industry standard but Carlo Alvarez's answer sound about what I've heard... 20% is too steep ... How about we start off at 10% & work our way up from there... NO ?? ... Thank you... What are you going to get for double the standard??? At that rate you can open your own doors with a solid branding that you can build yourself ...

I'd check with the sag as well but I would also check to see who this person or organization is networked with. Once you find out ask yourself is it worth 20%. if it is then go for it.

Action/Thriller/Suspense, because of my own personal experiences. Writing from experience makes things that more authentic and original.

Christopher, my co-writer and I like putting in pieces of our personal experiences as well. But we like to exaggerate them too. ;)

Coming of Age, thriller, adventure, sci-fi seem to be my wheelhouse. I don't have a favorite things bout writing the genre nearly as much as I have a favorite thing about writing.

What would be your favorite thing about writing, Rick?

I get the same things out of writing that some people get when reading what others have written. The writing process, for me, is even more of an adventure than the people that will see the final product. It's my creative escape. An escape to a world I'm in complete control over; and in the end I can share with others. The others I've shared my writing with seem to enjoy the worlds I explore. Writing is simply my favorite drug. It can't be described as simply and accurately any other way.

Alle I like your definition from a technical aspect. I still however think that the movement, actions, expressions and dialogue are a in effect a view of what a writer has first in their mind even if it is narration of such. If a writer or reader doesn't have some kind of view in mind first how will a project be set to motion in pictures? Perhaps I'm just not understanding to the process. Or perhaps I put too much passion and emotion into things forgoing the technical practicality at times or maybe I just don't know what I'm doing. LOL!

Dang you Alle I would so love to eloquently argue that I'm right. As a writer I guess I have to realize that you are right and it is an interpreted view. Perhaps admitting that will help me down the road in whatever creative process I become part of. In effect by pointing this out you may have given me some golden advice. I guess in collaborative efforts there are times a writer needs to learn to let go hopefully with compromise with and from others as well as self. Still easier said than done dang ya. LOL!

Alle – after thinking carefully, I have to say that I (as the writer), do indeed have the full movie in view as I write/rewrite the script. When wearing my producer’s or director’s hat; that view morphs to something else – similar or not to the original view. I’ve written scripts that others have produced and it amazes me when I see the end product. Sometimes they’re better, sometimes, not so much. I teach that filmmaking is a team sport. Every player is necessary and important. My original question relates to defining a script in such a way so as every member of the team understands what it is and isn’t.

Doug, the way you put the definition is excellent. Are you trying to make your version smaller?

Kimberly, not necessarily smaller – just more concise - something that a newly minted Producer, Director or Filmmaker can write on the palm of their hand to reference when they’re out there on their first shoot. Oh, Alle, I think I forgot to answer your question about how long I’ve actively participated in the film industry. My first experience dates back to 1967/8 as a flunky on True Grit. I’ve been in and out of the film/TV industry as everything from a basic Gofer to Line Producer. I started shooting on a clock-work 16mm Bolex on Ski Free and Steamboat Winter Carnival. I’ve spent many a long night at the KEM table (they wouldn’t let me play on the Movieola.) I’ve worked in writer’s rooms on TV sit-coms. And during all that time, I maintained a well paying business career that now allows me the economic privilege of dedicating myself to working with various young Film Industry wannabes. Hopefully that satisfies your question. If not…oh well.

@ Michael, Historically, it is alleged that Playwright's are to blame for the treatment of screenwriters.

Hi Marvin, I have a pal who was an off Broadway playwright and even he when he went to films was astonished. I made the huge mistake of telling a former HBO producer who produced my friends series , Laurel Ave., of that and not knowing his wife is a theater producer and playwright. Foot in mouth disease. I rallied back by saying it's a different crowd, movie peeps pay 10 bucks, theater peeps pay 100 bucks, different socio economic strata and the whole nine yards. Nothing wrong with rich, hell I'd like to be one day, but the mindset of the people is different, a little more arrogance, a tad more rarefied air breathing, you know the deal...lol :-)

Re-reading your comment, I'm curious for further explanation, Marvin. Are playwrights more arrogant as well?

I heard the original idea and script for VALKYRIE was ripped off from an Australian guy. He didn't bother pursuing it because he thought he would have no chance.

Playwrights have the ultimate control of their material. They hire/fire and can close down production if someone changes a single word of their written words. Jack Warner, (guess the studio), didn't want screenwriters to exercise the same level of control over film production, so he made it his ambition to relegate screenwriters to the lowest level people in film. (Most screenwriters are not even allowed on film sets). Yet, without screenwriters, there is no film industry, nobody works.