Hi there! As someone who is looking to get into this incredibly competitive industry, I seem to struggle with knowing where to start, in terms of getting out there. I guess I'm just looking for that little push in the right direction. Creating my own stories and characters is fascinating to me, but I don't know what the first step or action I should take in order to eventually turn this into a career. I've done a handful of screenwriting contests and that's about it. It's something I struggle with, and it really prevents me from looking forward to goals and such. I want to make my own cool projects, whether it be my own films or screenplays, but I often find myself procrastinating those projects I have in my head because I feel directionless. Kind of like why am I making this if I don't know the proper way to get myself and my work out there. Any tips would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Screenwriting : How to get started by Tyler Bazan
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Hey Tyler lovely to meet you! I think you are in the right place to get some guidance. I have some questions come to mind: so with the screenplays you wrote, what genre were they? do you want to direct your own movies or just screenwrite? what sort of stories are your passion?
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Self dicipline in writing was the hardest thing for me for a long time. I'd think about it for weeks and then write like a maniac for a few days, then go back to thinking about it again. First thing I did was get myself into the habit of writing every day. Somedays I'll add pages of scenes to the screenplay, some days I'll add a question mark. It keeps me focused and keeps me producing.
Just make yourself a chart to start it off. At the end of the week mark the number of pages you've produced Keep it up to date and keep looking. Hope it'll help you get on track again.
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Everyone has different opportunities or access to help further their career. So I wouldn't overthink this.
The way you start is, you make a short film. Then enter into festivals, go there, meet people, and then do it again. Eventually, you'll work your way up to a feature. Doors will open for you - but only if you put in the hard work.
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Start small (in this case short films/scripts). Proven method of success path for many now established directors/writers both sides of the ocean and elsewhere...
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All great questions Tyler Bazan. I recommend you reach out to the Stage 32 Education team directly at edu@stage32.com for guidance on career and courses with Stage 32 that can help you accomplish your goals.
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The only thing you will be competing on is skill and talent. You can break this down into a 100 different topics, but let’s keep it higher level for now.
So you must focus 10,000% on learning and honing your craft. This doesn’t mean reading a book. These promise shortcuts, avoid them. People will tell you they are a great first step, I strongly disagree.
Once you study and learn, your world will change.
I believe the first step is reading screenplays.
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Emma McBean Somewhere in the mix between sci-fi, drama and noir. I'd like to someday direct and write. I'm passionate about a wide variety of stories. I love grounded dramas, character studies, sci-fi, neo noir mysteries. I'm a fan the noir tropes from 40's and 50's films, like the femme fatale for example.
There's great advice in the comments, Tyler Bazan. I agree that you should start small. Maybe a commercial or short film. And I suggest making a Microsoft Word document or spreadsheet of what you want to do so it'll be easy to track your progress and accomplishments.
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Agree @Bill Write regularly, make it a non negotiable habit even if some days just fleshing out ideas or a few “review 2nd draft sentences” from a complete first draft. Study the craft, read as many successful screenplays as possible from different genres & budgets. Some known writers do free websites as well as their paid courses. Scott Myers @GoIntoTheStory has many archive links on a plethora of topics. Also Jurgen Wolff, Linda Aronson, & Lucy Hay (Bang2Write) are to name a few. You want to direct so write a short you can begin filming anytime on i phone, kickstarting any action is better than none at all. So many excuses we all give ourselves NOT to write but a quote from Scott M “only requires bumb on seat.” Like you @Tyler I dig early Noir. Aside from Femme Fatales you mention, hard boiled cops, psychotic lunatics, anti heroes, hoods & others drowning outside mainstream. Enjoy lusty gut & gore everything up for grabs & winner takes all films aswell as the mystery thrillers where we need to solve “pot noirs” black holes from our armchair.