hey scriptwriting creatives!
I’m taking a slow return back into the scriptwriting world after my last attempt didn’t yield the results I had hoped for. it’s a familiar story with everyone I’m sure, I had that “precious baby” of a story that I was so sure would be a game changer… that never amounted to much.
lots of positive feedback but nothing beyond that.
fast forward a few years I’m eyeing up scriptwriting once more, I need to find some way of using this ability in a way that actually has a return on the investment (of time) my family would have to sacrifice to see it work. I’ll still treasure that blockbuster of a script, and am still convinced it could be something, but in the meantime - how can a scriptwriter make a daily living out of the craft? especially someone not based around California or even the US?
hope everyone is good!
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I don’t think there’s a single clear answer to this. A lot of people on this platform — and in the industry in general — are struggling with the same thing. It really is a patience game, and breaking through as a first-time writer is incredibly difficult. I also believe in my own story, just like so many others do. I’ve received tons of strong, 4–5 star feedback myself, yet somehow the process still stalled.
All we can do is keep trying — not just here, but on every platform and through every opportunity we can find. One day our scripts may reach someone who sees what we see in them. And once that first breakthrough happens, everything does get a bit easier. At least that’s what I hold on to — and I think many of us here feel the same.
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In my country Macedonia you can't make a living only from screenwriting. You gotta have another job. But screenwriting according to my opinion is a way to honestly express yourself creatively, getting rid of the reality burdened by every day worries. I know writing is a tough job, but with some luck and persistence primarily we can break through with the scripts, making sure that our work can be seen, appreciated and recognised by someone who will decide to make it into a final product.
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For many, there is not single approach. And where you are based doesn't have a bearing on if you'll make a living or not. You need to be actively finding connections, have a positive outlook and willing to put in the time. Whatever you do, don't give up!
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Hey, Ian Buchanan! Welcome back to Stage 32 and screenwriting. You could check the Job Board (www.stage32.com/find-jobs). It gets updated regularly.
I've gotten a lot of jobs on Stage 32 by networking. Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. Producers, executives, directors, managers, writers, and more. www.stage32.com/blog/the-importance-of-community-and-collaboration-in-th...
Stage 32's November Community Open House was Tuesday. It'll help you connect with creatives and industry pros. The recording will be up soon. It's free to watch. www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-november-community-open-ho...
And it's the last week of Stage 32's November Write Club. It can help you reach a goal, it's a chance to connect with writers, directors, producers, etc., and you can get support for your goal and projects. There's three prizes this week and a grand prize drawing at the end of the month! Week 4's blog came out Monday. www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-4-the-art-of-the-pitch-wha...
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It's a bit of a fantasy, to be honest.
I'm outside of the US and have had five features made now. I can live on my screenwriting income.
It's taken over a decade to get to this point, and it's a very shaky profession to be in.
To good thing is that you can segue into a career. Writing an assignment around full time work is certainly possible, and there's always the option to reduce working hours as screenwriting work comes in.
Something people need to drop though is this blockbuster/break-in fantasy. It's lottery thinking that doesn't represent how most screenwriting careers are built. Most start from the bottom. A lot of the big spec sales you hear about, that seem like overnight success stories, tend to be from writers with over ten years working experience.