Screenwriting

If you’re a CREATIVE writer, why do YOU write?

For the money? It’s a job? Competitions? Hoping for the big break? You like to read what you write? You love when others read what you write and they tell you, they liked it?

When I first started writing, I read somewhere: “So, you want to be a screenwr...

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If you’re a CREATIVE writer, why do YOU write?

For the money? It’s a job? Competitions? Hoping for the big break? You like to read what you write? You love when others read what you write and they tell you, they liked it?

When I first started writing, I read somewhere: “So, you want to be a screenwriter? You should: move to California, get a job in the industry, net-work.” I didn’t.

Now, I’m an old man in a wheel chair. I worked almost 40 years for a large corporation. I’m retired, financially sound, don’t need a job; great family, plenty of friends…. I know, big deal, good for you. No one cares. I get it. BUT, help me here. I still write. WHY?

Woody Allen references an old joke at the end of ANNIE HALL. It’s kind of a metaphor about relationships and why we keep getting into them.

This guy goes to a psychiatrist and says, “Doc, my brother’s crazy. He thinks he’s a chicken”. The doctor says, “Well, why don’t you turn him in?” The guy says, “I would but I need the eggs”.

So, it is 3:00AM, I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling. I’ve been doing this for 2 hours now. I’ve had it with the “gentle rain” application chiming softly, from my I Phone.

Face it, moron! Your second act “ain’t” going nowhere. I have a headache. What do I do? I need to do something! I rise, roll to my laptop and boot it up. While it boots, I brew some coffee.

My coffee sipping routine becomes more productive than my typing routine. Nothing is happening. I review what I’ve typed. Line after line of: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, Jack Nicholson, THE SHINING. I’ve got to get out of here!

I get into my van and start driving; 5 MPH circles around my neighborhood. An idea comes to me. I pull up. I’m excited! I turn my head in response to a tapping on my window. I lower it and face a police officer. He says, “Are you okay sir? Do you need some assistance”? To which I respond, “MY SECOND ACT SUCKS”!! As you might guess, the new idea for my second act has vanished.

Suddenly, I feel someone’s hands on my shoulders. From behind, my head is pulled back and up from the keyboard. I’m staring at a blank screen. Only my reflection is visible. My nose is running, indentations from the keyboard riddle my forehead and the channels of the keyboard are filled with spittle. My pajamas are soaked with spilled coffee. I have to pee.

I turn to face my wife. She has that look on her face. I’ve seen that look before. She smiles and says, “Why don’t you quit”? My response is always the same, “I would but I need the eggs.”

If you’re a creative writer, why do YOU write? I’m curious. Have you set a goals? Are you achieving them or do you just need the eggs?

There is a strange phenomenon amongst screenwriter’s and their profiles on Stage 32, where there is no Bio written. I don’t know why, as presumably we are good with words!

We all have a story to tell and we’d love to know more about you in our community and to connect with you, but it’s difficult to...

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Claudio Torres

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Another angle:

Each page of a novel costs some additional paper to print. The cost difference between a 400 pages or 700 pages novel is marginal. But movies are different. Each page of your script cost...

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Stefano Pavone

2
2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Richard Thrift
1 week ago

My latest script was 131 pages initially, now it's 123. I don't think 3 extra pages are going to be that much of an issue.

Manuele Bonafede

Claudio: For my screenplay it will take at least 200 thousand pounds for page, between actors, places to shoot, costumes and etc ... and in any case and the synthesis of a trilogy written in 17 years...

Cassandra Betancourt

5
5 people like this
1 week ago

I don't have trouble writing within the page limit. I do write horror and thriller and they usually come at 85-97. Maybe non-genre is harder to be under that 120?

Kiril Maksimoski

Haven't got a feature making up 90 let alone 120, 130 pages so far...like to keep the storyline clean and simple, less tirades, more action sequences...

Yet, I see most of the, say, blacklist script entries are all over 100 pgs...

Cara Rogers

Reading this passage, it's obvious you're a skilled writer and have words of wisdom to share with the rest of us! Thank you for this. (FYI I write to try to "leave the audience better than I found them" because this world is tough!)

Doug Nelson

Why do I write? I don't know - It must be addictive. I've tried giving it up. I've shifted to teaching, Producing, Directing and Editing but I always go back to writing. It's a hard habit to kick.

I don't know anything else. I can't remember wanting to be anything else other than a storyteller.

Abby Sandoitchi

Used to take notes while reading books, stuck with it, still filling up notebooks, but with/without all the other books, unless they're reference books, and those are keepers.

Phillip "Uncle Phil" Hardy

Ronald:

I've always been creative; my first love was playing rock and roll and jazz in many different bands in Los Angeles. However, I decided I would write a great novel when I hit forty. Unfortunatel...

1
1 person likes this
- Maeve ThunderChild
1 week ago

Did you email writerhelp@stage32.com? That's supposed to be the source for pitching concerns. Hope everything is smoothed out for you, quickly.

Maeve ThunderChild

1 week ago

I did, Cara and am waiting to hear back. Thank you. I'm just upset this pitch that had to be rescheduled three times (all of which I got proper notice about) starting in early July had to be dismissed by the executive. I was so excited and looking forward to this.

Rutger:

Guilty as charged. I'm an and abuser.

Rutger Oosterhoff

I'm not sure, Checking out a screenplay, sometimes it feels it works, and sometimes it feels it doesn't.

Maurice Vaughan

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1 person likes this
- Jim Boston
1 week ago

You're right, Rutger Oosterhoff. "sometimes it feels it works, and sometimes it feels it doesn't." I try to write action lines without "and" to save space, but sometimes using "and" makes the action l...

Bob Johnson

Rutger, I use the least words possible, "And" is an early casualty.

Dan MaxXx

A famous name on the title page crushes all theorists. Eric Roth Woody Allen, Michael Mann scripts are huge blocks of text and yet, their sentences are easy to read and flow.

So I guess if your craft is not equal to peers, start playing with page formatting.

2
2 people like this
- Christiane Lange
- Jim Boston
2 weeks ago

Andre - I've been in & around the film industry since the '60s and yes I have written episodes, and scripts that have gone on to production. I've taught screenwriting, still do some and I'm a paid rea...

Christiane Lange

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1 person likes this
- Jim Boston
2 weeks ago

This useful article was posted in a couple of other threads: https://www.screenwritingstaffing.com/post/page-architecture

Your writer would do well to read it. Apart from the glaring grammar error in t...

Erik Meyers

2
2 people like this
- Jim Boston
- Kiril Maksimoski
2 weeks ago

Maybe I'm naive, or too nice , but helpful criticism starts with what is good about what someone writes/posts, rather than a harsh list of that they hate or think sucks.

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3 people like this
1 week ago

Erik:

I have to disagree with your post. When I went to school, I was taught how to write a thesis statement and defend my argument or position. I also took a criminal law class where I learned how to...

I have to disagree with your post. When I went to school, I was taught how to write a thesis statement and defend my argument or position. I also took a criminal law class where I learned how to assemble the elements of a crime. Since I was the first guy to offer my feedback on the thread, the poster then reacted by saying:

Out of all the negaitve hate-filled comments, which ones of You have ever Written a complete Screenplay, that was produced? Opinions are valuable when backed up with MONEY.

Please note the poster misspelled negative and capitalized Written, which was unnecessary. But, again, I'm not being petty; I'm merely pointing out that this one sentence has spelling and grammatical errors. So it might not be a stretch that their screenplay also has spelling and punctuation errors. My mistake was offering any feedback. Apparently, the writer was looking for a pat on the back. So that was my error. Though I began my original post with congratulations to him for finishing his script, let me repeat the sentiment and further add that is a wonderful accomplishment.

Let me address the author of this thread about my qualifications.

I've written 45 screenplays and teleplays and have placed and won at more than 230 contests, including Page Awards, Austin Film Festival, Emerging Writers, Screencraft Awards (7 times), Scriptlab, Page Turner, Filmmatic, Fade In Awards, Storypros, We Screenplay, and numerous other film festivals. I've signed 15 option and right-to-shop awards (three this year) and have a feature film going into production in September and another in early 2023. For the latter, I competed with over a hundred writers to get that project.

I've had work reviewed by Netflix, Shondaland, Paramount, Warner Brothers, Tyler Perry Productions, Amazon, Blumehouse, Millennium Films, Ridley Scott, Martin Scorsese, and many others. So I'm not a hobbyist. I'm constantly writing and pitching work, which includes recently completing an adaptation of Stephen Leather's Novel, The Tunnel Rats. Stephen's novel The Chinaman was the source material for the hit film The Foreigner with Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan.

In the real world of professional screenwriting, there are no participation awards. Some people dabble, and some live and breathe this craft. Last week, I reviewed my latest script using Grammarly and then read it through twice, once with the FD voice machine. Despite that, one of my colleagues still found about 20 omitted words, missing punctuation, etc. Of course, I didn't take that; personally, I was happy he took the time to read the script and correct those mistakes before I submitted it to my producer. To those who are delusional enough to think their excellent writing will rise above being rejected for punctuation and spelling errors, you may be in for a rude awakening.

I contend my pointers were politely offered, and my observations were correct. But please, show me anywhere in this thread where a poster said anything about hating or this sucks. Additionally, you seem to think honest feedback about formatting errors is harsh criticism. Beyond that, the most direct comment I made was the dialogue was stiff. OMG, Better call the Justice Department and report me for hate speech. Personally, I see nothing in this thread that was harsh or mean.

But allow me to offer a few experiences about my first year as a screenwriter.

1) I had a writer at Trigger Street Labs say my script was the worst script he'd ever read.

2) I had a reviewer at The Black List (and I paid this guy) say my script was "A piece of shit*.

3) I posted a 155-page screenplay at Simplyscripts.com and had more than a dozen writers say nothing about the quality of the story because they couldn't get past the 150-page length, omitted words, and formatting errors. Though overwhelmed, I quickly apprehended that those writers were 100 percent correct.

4) I took those observations to heart, and six months later, three of my screenplays placed at the Screencraft Awards Action contest. And I won and placed in several other competitions. I’ve also been interviewed by Screencraft.

I see you've written one novel and apparently no screenplays. So yes, I think you're being naive. To anyone who wants to be a professional screenwriter, it's a challenging game, and odds are against most people being successful. Particularly if they're not in it for the long haul and don't have incredibly thick skin.

I suggest you read my post 14 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WRITING SCRIPTS

1. Screenwriting isn't for you if you're a delicate, sensitive woodland creature.

Finally, the poorest argument in the world is someone calling a person a hater or negative because they disagree with their statement or opinion.

I wish you tremendous success with your writing activities.

Erik (& friends) - the harsh reality is that commercial screenwriting is a business, and a very tough business too - very few make it to the top, and those that do grow very thick hides. It sounds to...

5 months ago

Congrats on winning, Ronald McQueen.

Ronald McQueen

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
5 months ago

Thanks Maurice, much appreciated. Now to see if this leads anywhere.

You're welcome, Ronald.

Ronald - nice going. Whether it leads anywhere - hold not thy breath. Go talk with CJ Wally @ Script Revolution in London.

Cherelynn Baker

Congratulations!

Nice to hear that. Looking forward to seeing you between the red velvet ropes soon.

Sabrina Miller

2
2 people like this
- Jim Boston
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Given your commitment to the craft, it sounds like you're on your way to a "recommend." Wishing you all the best.

Kelly Hendrickse

Congratulations! Your drive and commitment is inspirational. Rooting for you and your success :)

Congrats!

Rosemond Perdue

awesome! it's tough to take a step back and see what is and isn't working. well done making changes to your way of working and getting results.

Jamaal Richards

lol Vincent Turner

Thanks Maurice. I'll have a look at this now :)

You're welcome, Jamaal Richards.

M LaVoie

2
2 people like this
- Jamaal Richards
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

The EP will often get "A______production" credit and the director will get "A film by_______" credit. I negotiated that into a directing agreement so I have the right to claim that. Whether I will or not all depends on how it turns out.

Thanks all xxx

2 weeks ago

I assume these are bots or fake accounts.

Geoff Hall

Hi Erik, not always. A lot of the time they are real people.

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Geoff Hall
1 week ago

CJ: You are 100 percent correct.

I just spent two full days refining my pitch deck, rewriting my logline and synopsis, and creating a character description sheet, which was requested by my producer. I...

2
2 people like this
- Phillip "Uncle Phil" Hardy
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Nice one, Phillip! Agreed, the supporting documents are invaluable.

Geoff: Thanks!

Amanda Toney

2
2 people like this
- Ashanti Celeste
- JoLiegh Evans
2 months ago

Hi everyone - to avoid any confusion I just re-sent out the syllabus and questionnaires updated and I copied Thomas's email in the cc:, as well as included it on the syllabus.

Selma Karayalcin

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3 people like this
2 months ago

Hello, I am from London England and live in North Cyprus. I loved hearing your stories last night and can't wait to hear how they develop. It is going to be quite a ride for all of us!

Richard "RB" Botto

Couldn't be in better hands with Thomas. As good as it gets.

Paul Rivers

Hello fellow writers,

I am enjoying Tom's Lab, his patience and notes are wonderful.

I am relieved to find a creative process to write/finish my first draft of a feature length script.

Listening to you...

Hi Dan, your profile message is making me laugh .. I like the "fucking script" part hahahahhahah!

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2 people like this
- Jim Boston
- Manuele Bonafede
2 weeks ago

Yes, Mariatou Saho. Copyright your work before you submit it to festivals. Use the U.S. Copyright Office. https://www.copyright.gov/...

Dane Johnson

2
2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Philip Sedgwick
2 weeks ago

Copyright is already in the film. But you should register it with the Copyright Office before submitting to festivals. Damages for any infringement that happens before registration cannot be recovered.

Not really, unless the paranoia keeps you awake all night.

"Work" like a movie or script? Anyways, most festivals have disclaimers...Unless you have a "Usual Suspects" sequel script, I'd worry not...

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