However, others who write for a living freely acknowledge their editors, and we know that some editors re-write asignificantly. What’s the problem? If your scripts always get “doctored” does that mean you are less likely to get your next movie produced? Do you get less money for your script if you have a reputation as the writer of “sick” scripts?

Just to help stem the tide a little for the blogger himself, John worked as a freelance reader (“Getting a reader job”), and it’s common for screenwriters starting out. Terry Rossio (one of the writing pair behind “The Mask of Zorro” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” has written about his experience as a reader in his Wordplay columns (“Death to Readers”) which I highly recommend.

Caveat: I’ve never sold a screenplay, and I live in North Carolina, so I am hardly one to criticize. But I find a screenwriter who has never heard of readers somewhat dubious.

from moviehole.net

Always nice to hear.

Sure you can study to become a producer — all you have to do is to do it. I’m not sure where you are, but there are people wanting to be filmmakers everywhere. Find ‘em, befriend ‘em, and see if there’s one that has something they’re trying to get off the ground that you believe in too. Finding a friend who wanted to produce films was the best part of my Group 101 experience (group101films.com). He helped me get my short, Dudley and the Toy Keeper’s Chest, off the ground and now it has won several awards in the US and Mexico, and has just started touring as part of Heather Henson’s Handmade Puppet Dreams. All because I found someone looking to produce.

I was lucky enough in the past to meet Steven Spielberg, and I asked him what advice he could give me on getting started. He told me to keep making movies, to not be afraid of making mistakes, as they are the best learning opportunities, and to just never give up. I’ve found that advice works for making movies and more.

So, just get out there and start doing it. If you have a voice, someone will hear it.

I know this isn´t the place for asking this (no, this is NOT the “would you read my script” question), but: in October 2006 you had a little article about the Montage Screenwriting software.

http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/macworld-review-of-montage

My question would be if you´ve tried out the latest update(s), or – the big one – if there´s any kind of new screenwriting software that might finally kill the crappy stuff that´s out there. Perhaps one day you could give an update on what you´re using etc.

Cheers – Jason

I read in a recent article in Script magazine how a screenwriter claimed to have made his start as a script READER. He made it out to be a freelance position where someone does the reading on behalf of an agent/studio and passes along recommendations. The writer HIGHLY recommended this route to newbies as a way to help hone their craft. I asked a screenwriter friend of mine and he said it sounded sketchy and he’d never heard of it. Thoughts?

Oh, and what’s your opinion about Script magazine versus Creative Screenwriting magazine?

Love the blog,

Jeff

I agree with John in that if that’s all you want to do, and you don’t much want to develop an entire story and write a spec for it, then you should probably persue becoming a producer. Unfortunantly, you can’t study to become a producer.. or can you?

I supposed this brings up a question I have, John: I love writing, and I love creating stories. However, another thing I think I would absolutely love is producing. Is there any particular course of study in college that yields itself well to becoming a producer (I’m a Marketing major), or is the largest aspect of it social networking? I’m perfectly good at networking, but something tells me I couldn’t just charm my way to becoming an assistant, or someone who writes coverage. To quote Eric from Entourage: “There are guys out here in the mail room with Wharton MBAs.”

I Could’ve Written a Better Movie Than That! : How to Make Six Figures as a Script Consultant Even If You’re Not a Screenwriter http://www.amazon.com/Couldve-Written-Better-Movie-Than/dp/1932907076/ref=sr11/102-0188161-9645741?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178668073&sr=8-1

I got it from the library a few weeks ago, just to see what it could possibly say. It was ridiculous, of course, telling people amazing script consultant secrets like “You will need an internet connection and a separate phone line to stay in touch with clients.”

It seems like it was written with the goal of suckering people like Heather’s friend.

http://www.atomfilms.com/film/script_doctor.jsp