Can you be just a screenwriter anymore?
Recently, I struck up a correspondence with a successful screenwriter and asked him for advice on how to move my career forward. He told me that I should focus on making films instead of writing them, because that now was the best if not only way to break in.
Do you think that is true? I was inspired to take up screenwriting by people like William Goldman and Richard Price, who worked in the business solely as screenwriters. That’s what you’ve been able to do thus far in your career. Is it still a possibility?
– Vince
Seattle, WA
While films, short and otherwise, are increasingly being used as the foot-in-the-door for young writer-directors, if your goal is to become strictly a screenwriter, I’m not sure it’s the best use of your time and money. Yes, it’s still viable to be “just” a screenwriter. Not only will Richard Price and WIlliam Goldman continue to work, but new screenwriters emerge every year, propelled by nothing more than the quality of their writing.
What may have changed over the last decade is the degree to which a screenwriter is required to have social interaction. The classic nebbishy writer who gets spooked by his own shadow would have a hard time in modern Hollywood.
Take me. I’ve produced and directed, but 90% of my work consists of pushing words around on the page. The other 10% is crucial, however. It consists of making phone calls, taking meetings, discussing notes, and feigning interest in terrible projects just to be polite. My writing is what makes me hirable, but it’s sociableness that gets me hired.
One reason this sucessful screenwriter may have given you this advice is because you’re in Seattle, and while it’s easy to shoot a film there, it’s harder to come in contact with the people (agents, managers, producers) who can help you get your career going as a screenwriter. Since you can’t do the social part of a screenwriter’s job in Seattle, making a film isn’t a terrible idea. But neither is moving to Los Angeles, which might be the better use of your money.
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September 27th, 2004 at 12:15 pm
I’ve been fighting with this a lot lately, and it’s rough going from writing for weeks on an end to having to take meetings and shoot the breeze with an agent or producer. Add to that a bad case of nerves, and it’s even harder.
My manager broke it down to me like this: “Everyone’s using everyone. They [agents, producers, managers] want to make money off you, and likewise you want to make money off them. But almost as important, they want to work with someone who’s going to be pleasant, fun, and won’t buckle under pressure or flip out. Plus, if it’s an agent you’re meeting, they want to know if you’re good in a room so they could send you out on a pitch.”
I’ve only had a handful of meetings thus far, but it seems to get easier each time, which leads me to suspect even neurotic scribes like myself can socially adapt.
September 28th, 2004 at 8:12 am
Understanding how a film works and is put together is not a bad thing for a writer to learn. If he’s young, like I am, I recommend working as a production assistant or an intern once and a while. Even working in TV is interesting.
Actually, on the commute back and forth from my current internship at NBC I got a great idea on how to rework an early script of mine. See? It pays off.
September 28th, 2004 at 1:55 pm
I second what Eric says. Vince should contact the Washington Film Commision for details on how to get started. Working on film projects is a great way to learn how to make a movie and connect with like minded people.
September 29th, 2004 at 5:57 am
I’m trying to get into the producing and screenwriting business but i don’t know how so if you could send me info on how to get started i would really thank you for that.
September 29th, 2004 at 11:48 am
Marq. Jones’ first stop should be a book store. There a hundreds of books that can point you in the right direction.
February 25th, 2005 at 6:17 pm
I’ve got some stuff on my FAQ, too.
January 5th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Dear John,
Thanks for Helping so many Screenwriters out there.
“There are two kinds of Screenwriters, those treat writing as a profession & those who treat it as a hobby”.
Guess which ones are more successful?
I am working on my first novel and having a great time writing
it. I Live in Bangkok, grew up in LA, and can write anywhere.
Too many writers “waste time” worrying about silly things that they can’t
control.
If you write a Great Script, or Play, or Novel - it
will SELL. Period.
Forget about agents, trends, or who you know, or don’t know,
until you have something WORTHY of selling.
Good luck to all.