I was reading a bit about screenwriting online, and how a lot of folks think you should just write novels instead with a boatload of reasons to support the notion.
My question is whether or not these horror stories are true, or are they largely the result of folks who failed to break into the biz, t...
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I haven't posted in here in awhile. But what kind of music do you all listen to while you write?
Complete Silence.
I shut the world out.
I can write in a crowded train surrounded by noise and movement. As long as I don't have to interact with anything.
Avenged Sevenfold
Love David Gray.
Ivan Torrent
This Will Destroy You
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A lot of great answers and advice dispensed here! Thanks everyone!
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Nikki, Find an experienced producer to help you and transform that short script into a short film! ;)
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CJ Walley Thanks for giving some counterbalance to the negativity. I look forward to reading your post when you get around to it!
Just curious CJ, have you ever worked at Studio level? Have you sold a script qualifying you for the WGA? Worked for a prolific, high profile Producer, Director, or Actor?
How would one know whether o...
Expand commentJust curious CJ, have you ever worked at Studio level? Have you sold a script qualifying you for the WGA? Worked for a prolific, high profile Producer, Director, or Actor?
How would one know whether or not these horror stories are true if one isn't on the inside? There's reality, then there's negativity. these are 2 separate things.
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Yes indeed that makes sense. No apology necessary...
I guess the initial thesis of the post has been lost in all the hoopla, but I took it more as a referral to these aspects of the initial post:
"Here...
Expand commentYes indeed that makes sense. No apology necessary...
I guess the initial thesis of the post has been lost in all the hoopla, but I took it more as a referral to these aspects of the initial post:
"Here's some examples of what I've read.
1.) It's almost impossible to get into the business.
2.) Screenwriters get no respect or credit for how a movie turns out.
3.) Directors and producers reinterpreting your work until the final product is unrecognizable."
2 and 3 are things I've seen up close. I mean look at something like 12 Years A Slave, word was that John Ridley & Steve McQueen hated each other and McQueen wanted credit for the script... The guy couldn't even clap when Ridley won for best script and btw because Ridley was FiCore and the film was not a WGA signatory the two couldn't go thru the credit arbitration process. (Which in fairness is somewhat maddening, so much so that George Clooney quite the WGA 'cause he didn't like the credit arbitration on Leathernecks...)
read John Gregory Dunne's book Monster in a Box. They write the Jessica Savitch story about an up and coming anchor w/ a booze and drug problem who dies in a car accident. The Disney exec says to Dunne and his wife/co-writer Joan Didion, "I love the script, great stuff... we just need her not to die..." lol Dunne says the only reason he stayed on was because the WGA insurance was great and he needed bypass surgery.
A Fox TV writer I know had money owed to him forever and was getting behind on his mortgage. he was on the lot to pitch a new pilot and went by biz affairs to get his check... he waited, and waited, and waited... he finally said 'I'm behind on my mortgage and I'm not leaving 'til I get it.' security came, his agent was screaming at him to not fuck up their deal, etc. Sure enough after several hours of haggling they came out w/ a check! That's the reason on every announcement on Variety, THR, etc. You read about the Agent, manager... and The Lawyer:) Everyone in the biz I know at one time or another has had to sue to bet paid... or get paid right. just ask Frank Darabont and AMC & The Walking Dead. 'Hey thanks Frank for creating this monster hit, now get lost and fuck off and we''ll screw you out of millions...' til we settle out of court.