Screenwriting : It's about the talent... no really, it is. by Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Phillip: As we both know....there are probably thousands of high-quality scripts ready to be made into films for every one fundable project or for every one producer looking for a high-quality script. I know aspiring writers don't like to hear that...but that's the truth, aspiring writers. Still...there has never been a better time in the history of cinema when it comes to trying to sell a script or trying to get a project done. Therein lies the rub. It's not for everyone, to be sure...but there has never been a greater time in the history of cinema to be trying to sell a script or get a project done. Don't fall in love with one script. Fall in love with writing, and making yourself the best writer that you can be. And fall in love with hustling, and trying to make relationships. And fall in love with trying to keep yourself in the picture in a potential funding deal in ways that go beyond being the screenwriter. Good luck to all!

Bill C: Thanks for posting. As you and I discussed a long while back, I gravitated to you because you are a very wise writer and I really enjoyed your posts. You are also one of the wittiest contributors to this forum, as well as a mega knowledgeable film scholar. As you know, I absolutely subscribe to the philosophy of "Don't fall in love with one script." This year, I've written five feature scripts, including rewriting Amorphous three times and eventually co-writing it with David Blyth. And now with producer Zane W. involved, I'm looking at yet another rewrite. Additionally, I just finished a pilot that's being reviewed by two producers and last week, I wrote and 8 episode show bible, just in case someone actually likes the pilot. So I never let grass grow under my fingers... or is that my feet? Perhaps, I'm blessed or perhaps I'm cursed. But I subscribe to the notion that I still have my best work ahead of me, rather than behind me. And I already have more ideas percolating around in thing I call a brain. No sir, being a long term screenwriter isn't for the faint of heart or the sensitive creative soul. Along with the talent and drive, one needs a myopic desire to succeed. Good luck to all that have the courage to keep going.

I've seen some very talented writers and scripts fall into the void simply because they believe it's all about craft and not at all about relationships. Dead wrong. Have to work your connections every day. Have to be visible every day. Have to hustle every day. Have to win champions, or at least try to, every day.

Mister RB: Absolutely, one hundred percent true! What good is your talent if nobody knows about it. Austin rooftop party... Austin rooftop party... Austin rooftop party? I got rained out last year.

Think it's going to happen again my friend. Should have more info soon!

Note to self: Get Phillip and RB drunk....and get a Texas Hold 'Em game going.

Too tame....

I say take acid and go nocturnal skeet shoot bats off the Congress Street bridge, then do a midnight séance at the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue. And then we can think of something creative.

Warmer ;)

And I need to know where this SRV statue is...

RB: Stevie is on Lady Bird Lake, near the center, just west of the Congress Street bridge.

RB: In addition to the rooftop thing, S32 could have a Woodstock style skinny dip mingle at Hamilton Pools, which is about 25 miles from downtown. Cavort with nature so to speak.

Again, another good post Phillip. The odds are bad when you first start out but the more screenplays you write and get out there the more contacts you will make. In real estate it is all about location, location, location. In this business it is all about contacts, contacts, contacts. People have to pitch their screenplays and submit them etc., but it isn’t just about making a sale it’s about making contacts along the way.

Been by there a million times and never realized that. I'll have to check it out.

RB: If you visit the statue with Phillip, just don't fall for his "Hey....let's see if we can get this in my backyard" line. I got enough tics on my rap sheet to kill a cocker spaniel because of Phillip's mischievous nocturnal ways.

Bill C. I thought I got you in trouble when we took this guy off the Western Exterminator truck in North Hollywood and loaded it on this trailer.

Phillip: Just so you know...you're the reason I stopped taking memory supplements, and need to up my dosage of anti-memory supplements like vodka and malt liquor smoothies. I was young and dumb during that escapade. I mean...middle-aged and dumb. I mean....old and dumb. I mean....oh....forget it. Where's that smoothie? Crikey....I forgot where I left it......

Bill C: I know... what were we talking about?

It's about talent & the patience to craft it like a jeweler (which equals hard work or 12+ hours of writing per day) & the patience to be patient :) & the power to stay true to yourself and find your voice and express it in the best possible way. And then, yes, it's about contacts. You need courage and 21 grams of craziness to make someone see your film hence your world through...even though only for a split of an eternal second... No, it's not difficult to succeed. It's difficult to believe with every cell of your body that you will succeed. And succeed = get that "bloody" film made in the best possible way, with integrity and creativity :)

Any measure of failure or success rests in the psyche of the content creator. If you've done your absolute best, the true reward is intrinsic and perceptual, independent of financial gain and popular acclaim.

Aray: I wouldn't suggest otherwise. But without talent, you're DOA.

Talent, a very thick skin, tenacity and not taking no for an answer (my boyfriend once said to me "No is really just the start of the conversation for you, isn't it") I never let rejection rule me or take me down. I've kept pushing and tried to use every "no" as a stepping stone to something more. I try to learn from all of it, get better and work harder. And at the end of the day, I keep writing.

Jody: I'm like you. I'm always trying to push myself to create more work. I've written 46 pages of a literary adaption this week. And finished a pilot script in September. I just got off the phone with a director and spoke with the producer earlier today, for a sci-fi project that were getting ready to shop. So I'm not letting the grass grow under my feet.

Conceptualize yourself as talent not necessarily just your work. That simple but be careful not to become the master of only your own mind. When you conceptualize yourself as and realize you are talent your concepts come easier and you don't have to blast out or be dependent of outside forces until work is ready or opportunity for your what's next arises. True talent can be shredded and reassembled many times over. Just my opinion of the subject.

David: Exactly correct.

I wanted to add, along the lines of not taking no for an answer, I have made a point of using those "No's" to start a conversation whenever I can. I've had a few read requests in which the producer was nice enough to email me and say the script wasn't for them. I have always emailed them back, thanking them for taking the time to read and respond, while also mentioning I have other scripts that might better suit their needs. This has resulted in not only some great conversations and connections, but additional read requests and meetings. So never let a rejection drag you down!!!!

Jody. That is how I optioned my first screenplay. A producer rejected two screenplays or maybe three of my screenplays before he optioned one. Then he recommended me to a producer friend of his which turned out to be my first for write a script for hire gigs.