Uncle Phil has written a crap load of scripts. By the way, some of them are crap. But that ain't the point I"m trying to make. This thread is for you to post whether or not you got one of them-there MFA degrees, or whether you're road scholar like me. No, not a Rhodes Scholar. I mean the school o' hard knocks. Before I wrote my first script, I read a fancy screenwriting book and took an online scriptwriting class that cost me almost twenty dollars.
What's your story?
I've also posted a link what some writer thinks are the best screenwriting programs. http://independent-magazine.org/2008/12/screenwritingten/
Both.
Self taught movie buff who thought... 'I could do that' ;-)
Half-finished English degree here. I could go back and have my degree in a year if I wanted, but I just don't have the time or inclination. The majority of my education when it comes to writing comes from books. That's how I started my freelance career and how I learned screenwriting.
Self taught, but study everything I can.
Self taught. Took an interest to writing in high school. Wrote non-fiction, then decided to write a novel. Couple hundred pages in that turned into a screenplay through the influence of screenwriters I met. Since, I have written fiction short stories, more non-fiction, extensively online in a variety of columns, some magazine work, all the while writing screenplays at the rate of at least a couple a year.
A degree at a film school would have been great, but not how my life path weaved. It can be done successfully either with formal training or self taught. Either course requires dedication, diligence and unrelenting perseverance and passion.
Like my namesake who started this thing, I penned a boatload of scripts.
Self taught and still learning. Halfway through my life I was working at a retail store. I assisted an older couple out the door with their purchases. We struck up a conversation about my background. The man then asked me the $60,000 question: "So what will you do during the second half of your life?"
I used my body to make a living in my youth, now I'll use my brain.
I is self mastered. Not clever but a craftsman. I have two completed projects that are worthy of a proper production.
I'm self-taught, and still continue to. Because you never really quit learning in life. Even with me turning 40 this year, I still have a lot of learning to do.
1 person likes this
Richard G:
you have a good attitude about learning. The goal of enlightenment lies in the continual evolution of our cranial endowments.
Laura, Boston University seems to be a good outfit. In 2008, I was looking at one of their online degree certificate programs for project management. I chose Stanford University instead. But it was a tough decision.
Self taught and still learning. Got a BA in English Lit and that has proven worthless...
BA in Studio Art with Independent Studies in Screenwriting & Filmmaking. Taking filmmaking & screenwriting classes at some point is essential. Maybe not a master degree but a class or something is key. If you watch inside actors and Directors Guilds vids youll find many if not all had some kinds of film related education. BA in English Lit gives you a one up on many cause youre familiar with books which are like the number one source of film. You have a connection to stories others do not. Many agents and producers look for known IP (intellectual property) or material based on existing, books, articles, etc. My recommendation is take an in person screenwriting 1 course at least. not online. That will help you get the general structure down and maybe finally get that script youve always wanted done. If will also force you to interact with other writers face to face.
1 person likes this
Got me two of them there college degrees: one in Psychology, and one in Philosophy. Never really used 'em for much. Well, not formally anyway. Also studied Theology at seminary for a few years. Didn't fit me either.
So, both, I guess. I've learned as much in barrooms as I have in classrooms. But, I always wrote. I am always writing. And, I always will write. Can't stop.
So, at the nagging of friends in this business, I bought and read a buncha books, watched way too many YouTube videos, and started spitting out screenplays.
But, what I really need to learn more about is the courage to let others read them. Never been a very fearful person. But, for some damn reason, I get crazy anxiety when others read my stuff. So, I still have a lot to learn I guess.
2 people like this
I is educated - Aero/Mechanical under grad with a MBA. That's been indispensable to my screenwriting - not! But I know how to make your script fly.
2 people like this
Self taught with books and the internet of screenwriting and reading lots and lots of screenplays both produced and non-produced.