Is it really one or the other or is it about a good combination of both? Are they interested in a Product or The Writer? I see so many well written scripts with medium to low concepts and on the other side I see Great concepts that are not as well written. Is there a difference between a Storyteller and a Writer (Technician)?
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It's both. And you can't judge a screenplay by its movie.
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Both, either. From a Hollywood perspective, in film (not as much in TV), there are certain writers known as "idea guys." This is a reductive description. They may have a track record of selling pitches or spec scripts, but they typically won't have the craft to close out the script. Another writer with stronger craft will be hired to rewrite the guy who came up with a cool concept. Ideally, the writer is capable in both conceptualization and craft. Again, this is a reductive answer to a complex question.
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Hi, Regina. I'm working on an idea that when I describe it, people seem to love the idea. But my creative writing has been dormant for many years, and so my "craft," as you put it lags behind. So here's a hypothetical to ponder. I'm a pretty good writer in other areas, but I feel like Bambi trying to walk for the first time in writing fiction dialog. What do you think it takes to get to a fiction writing skill level that "pops," as you say, with commercial value?
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Hi Joe, if dialogue is your weakness, in my opinion, that's often an area that typically won't hold you back too much. Nailing the dialogue is often one of the last priorities in a closing a script. However, in certain genres, dialogue is much more important. For example, if you're writing a relationship drama like REVOLUTIONARY ROAD or if you're writing a dialogue-driven comedy, then you have to bank on your ability to write dialogue. If you're writing a horror movie, war movie, sci fi thriller, etc., I really don't think you need to get hung up on your ability to nail the dialogue. It's just not the biggest priority. In terms of what it takes to improve your craft, screenwriting is like many other disciplines that must be improved over time with rigor. Not unlike learning to play piano: practice everyday with discipline, listen to great recordings and understand what makes them great, have some natural talent, learn from a teacher, etc. Screenwriting, like playing the piano, is easier for some people than for others, but almost anyone can improve their craft if they put in the effort.