Screenwriting : Another bullshit article and how to build a screenwriting career! by Phillip E. Hardy, "The Pro From Dover"

haha WOW.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/10000-hour-rule-not-real-180952...

Laura:

I have no problem with people putting time in behind the keyboard. I do have a problem with mavens telling people, "Gee, all you gotta do is win Page, NIcholl or AFF and you're on your way. With the average number of entries these contests get, the odds of you winning top three are approximately .0004. Not very good odds for a betting man/woman/transgender or alien.

Also to all aspiring writers: Go ahead, quit your job, pack your shit, move to LA and take meetings all day with agents and industry people that don't give f*#k and won't see you because you're nobody they've ever heard of before. I'm surprised more writers don't know that agents fall from the trees like leaves in Autumn in that magical place called LA.

PS, I forgot to post the article link if people want to read it. I've corrected that error in the original post.

Uncle Phil

screenwriting articles all feel like underhanded promotions for websites & consultant services. Whatever pays the bills. Talking about writing beats driving an Uber.

10,000 hours? Maybe for a DOCTOR!

As Eric links above, the 10,000 hour rule is complete bunk. In fact, the article says the research proves that "...Practice, they found, on average explains just 12 percent of skill mastery and subsequent success...other factors (age? intelligence? talent?) appear to play a bigger role..."

On a wider-reaching note, Uncle Phil, I agree about "mavens" spouting BS (Alex Simon's last feature writing credit was in 1997!), and with Dan's observation about articles that are thinly-veiled sales pitches.

But let's be constructive - what is good solid advice for writers trying to make a career at screenwriting? Come on, now, I know we can offer up a little positivity! :)

My advice is this:

1. Write a good screenplay

2. Write a good logline and succinct synopsis to get producers, agents, directors to read your script.

3. Answer adds looking for spec scripts for producers looking for writers to write something the want to make a film about. You're more likely to make a connection doing the latter.

4. Realize it will probably take years to get any kind of substantial movie made. I know producers who have made films that can't get much action these days.

5. Grasp how many other good to great writers you're competing against.

6. Do all this because you love doing it.

10000 hours of butt time reading and writing is not unreasonable; it is expected. The biggest lie, or one of the biggest lies of The Industry is people don't work. People do work, they put 60++ work weeks reading weekdays and weekends. Execs and Agents read all the time, stacks of scripts.

When I worked in the mailroom of an agency, we were required to read 25 to 50 scripts a week in addition to sorting mail 50hrs a week. Bulk mail. In the era before email.

How is it a Executive or a Rep know more about writing than an aspiring writer? Because people with the steady paying jobs read lots of scripts; they unconsciously know what is a good script from a bad script. So 10000 hours is almost a basic requirement now in the age of computers and PDF scripts and cellphones. I could read and skim a script on my phone in under 10mins.

The competition is hard. Somehow someway you gotta slay your mentors and beat them to jobs and have Reps & Execs talk abou you and your work. That is if you want a real career as a full time Screenwriter, 10 to 15 years writing and building a reputation. The A list Writers like justin marks, august, mazin, zak penn, mamet, sorkin, gilroy, goldsman, kasdan- they are not retiring.

Uncle Phil - good stuff!

Number 6 is probably the most important: because it's so difficult, you better love it!

And for Number 1 - how do you write a good screenplay? Dan answers that: read screenplays - lots and lots of screenplays! I'll add - watch movies (or TV shows, if that's your focus); lots and lots! Not for entertainment, but break them down for structure, character, dialogue.

Number 4 - it's gonna take a long time! You may hear of "instant" success stories, but if you gear your mind toward that, you'll never have the perseverance to make it. Be in it for the long haul (see Number 6).

And because I'm currently at this stage - always, always, always present yourself as a professional. The very next question (after the first question, which is: is this script good?) that producers/TV execs/investors ask is: can I work with this person? Are they able to collaborate? Will they personally add value, or be a hindrance? (Okay, that's 3 questions) Do not think that just because you're selling a script that who you are professionally doesn't matter - as a career builder, it's more important than the material!

I'm in a cynical mood myself (that I will have to shake soon or else get sucked into a black hole of negativity) so I hear you, man. The most useless piece of advice for screenwriters that I hear a lot is "Watch good movies!" Well, obviously! It's like telling an aspiring cook to eat good food.

Sorry, Eric, respectfully disagree. Watching movies/TV is a great way to learn screenwriting. Let's be clear - you're not sitting on your couch eating popcorn. It's watch a few seconds, pause, make notes, rewind, watch, pause make notes - rinse and repeat. Really analyze the dialogue for purpose, plot, character. Look at the action beats and what they accomplish story-wise. Keep time, so you can place the beats within the larger context of the plot. Do this a hundred times or so for all the movies in the genre you write in - ALL the movies (the good, bad, ugly). Then compare. What works and what doesn't. Why? How can I apply that to my work? It'll ruin you for watching something for entertainment (and your friends will hate you for your comments!), but it will make you a better writer.

Same old time worn stuff - so what! I do think it's important to learn and understand both the art & craft !0,000 hours - maybe/maybe not - it all depends on you, but I do think it takes a good long time to master screenwriting. During our learning process, it is important to make some connections in the biz. In the olden days, the film-making crowd was a small & tight knit group, where everybody knew all/most of the players. Being social and playing well with others was paramount. I don't sense that comradely in today's more diverse digital film-making environment. I think that's the greatest change that has befallen film making. I don't know if that's good, bad or indifferent; but I miss those more personal days. The anonymity behind a computer screen just doesn't cut it for me. Rather than teach the same-old-same-old, I'd like to see sociability added to the mix because it's still true that who you know plays an important role in your film (any) career.

Doug

if we go back to the good old days, it would be same filmmakers telling the same stories, the same agents & execs doing the same thing year after year. Nobody would break in. Technology has made the playing level sorta equal. A nobody can be discovered and be a Hollywood director (David Sandberg), If we didn't have technology, everybody would be forced to move to Los Angeles- that was the good old days when you had to move to LA; every Hollywood Boss was a guy and 99% of the Bosses were white guys... and yes, there was/is a glass ceiling in Hollywood. it's a liberal town but at the core, every person of color or WOC don't play by the same rules.

I'm glad the good old days are dead. new jobs, new players, new everything.

I think trying to break into the big studio system is a waste of time...at least right off the bat....just getting read seems to be the Mount Everest of tasks....why not start with indie film companies that are NOT studio affiliated...that said...googling "small indie film production companies" doesn't yield very comprehensive results.

It's all Mount Everest, seems to me. I try to stay open to all opportunities and target big or small outfits based on a match with the work itself. (But then I write what I want to write, rather than write catering to a market.)

Dan M - I think you're spinning off in the wrong direction; I understand what you're saying but it's not my point. I was aware of the Hollywood exclusionary clique and found it to be limiting, counterproductive & abhorrent - but it was what it was. I think/hope that it's over & gone. But the point I tried to make is that learning the screenwriting art/craft is a long and involved process and it's vitally important that today's learners must include face-to-face social interactions if success is their true goal.

Honestly, Phil, I read the article in question and I think you're being harsh. Yes, a lot of it is common sense, but still, I think you're being a bit harsh. As Eric pointed out it's about staying open to all opportunities. Also, I agreed with several of the points the author - Alex Simon - made. For instance, are you in a writing group? Writing groups can be really rewarding in so many ways. So, too, can networking groups. And, he aptly points out the importance of networking. Not to mention, the "Never Give Up!" This can certainly be an emotionally and financially draining career, but oh so rewarding! I can see you're frustrated - and this career path can do that to you. Instead of growing jaded, STAY OPEN to the magic that can still happen. And, if you can gain one good piece of information from an article - which you easily can from the article in question - then focus on that. DON'T GIVE UP! DON'T GET JADED! STAY STRONG ... and STAY FRESH! ;)

A few days back, I submitted a screenplay namely "Badtmeez Dil", in Hindi to a production house. The reply from the production house was that "don't write what we want and like, write what you deem fit and want to write. I could not understand if the production house is not interested in your work how that work can be turned into a movie.

Sam:

You see a lot. Are you a psychologist? I'm frustrated with many things in life but I don't sit around wallowing in self pity or being jaded. As far as never giving up? Since age 40, I've acquired a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Management, a Certified Project Management degree from Stanford University and I'm about to take a real estate exam later today in Texas. I'm also currently working with a film director on a true crime screenplay and have several other scripts being reviewed by production companies. And, I finished two first draft scripts in August. So, I'm hardly sitting around feeling frustrated. I'm calling this article out because it's spouting the same tired generalizations. For example, move to LA and get an agent. My experience is that producers and often times agents, are project specific. They might like one script, shop it and nothing happens. More often than not, that's been my experience. Uncle Phil can be mean and occasionally cynical... but jaded? God forbid! I'm here to help. Ask anyone who really knows me.

Dan G: Thanks!

Uncle Phil harsh?... Naw... he's a pussycat and he writes some pretty good stuff too.

Go get em, Phil.

Uncle Phil, I wasn't "calling you out," so to speak, but giving you my opinion. A lot of people get jaded or frustrated, so it wasn't an indictment - the business can do that to you. Also, I don't know you, so honestly, I can only go by the one thing I read. I understand your feelings, but I don't necessarily agree with you about the article. That's all. No hard feelings. I LOVE this career - and have produced 11 pictures. I've directed five and written five with several more on the way. So, I respect your efforts. I've been mentored by a 2-time Oscar-Winning producer, who has guided me on my projects and I've worked in the capacity of producer and director with two Oscar-Winners in Benicio Del Toro and Ernest Borgnine, so I've done a few things myself. Didn't mean to offend you, but I do disagree with you about the advice article. An Award-Winning actor once said to me, "Never bash another artist publicly," and by bashing the article, it seems you are bashing the author. Which is your right, as well. I was just giving another opinion. That's all. No hard feelings. Glad you are doing so well! :) Onward and Upward!

Travis Sharp: You should check out someone's background before proclaiming "Back off!" That's my advice to you.

Sam: We're good. And it's clear you're an intelligent, experienced gent. But Johnny Cammareri is still a big baby! And Michael Corleone says "Hello".

You quoting my cuz as Tony Rosato in that last line? ;)

Sam: Yes, as a nod to your cuz.

Also Johnny Cammareri is one of my favorite Danny A parts.

My apologies Sam. I was kidding around and I meant no harm.

Im with Phil...this article is the most basic, misleading, regurgitated amateur bullshit ive read in a while. sorry folks.

Yep, Uncle Phil, another muppet wrote another BS clickbait story ... I've moved to re-writing my screenplays as Novels, so I have screenplay for structure and novel for depth and additional story

Danny M:

Respect!

So much goes into writing screenplays and a screenwriting career. These articles are poison. Thanks Phil.

Let me put this article into perspective...If you truly found this article helpful, you're at least 5 years away from being ready to submit your scripts.

Too many "experts" like the person who wrote the article...too many "experts" trying to teach how to get lucky ... it takes as much effort and hard work to sell a screenplay, be it your first or your 10th as it does to get the right acting role. The people in positions of power who can help you, don't owe you anything. Show them your talent, your passion and your desire and with luck and a headwind you might get picked. If not, smile and move on to the next opportunity. I've been fighting to get in for so long now I would probably faint the first yes I got. I have the added fun of being Canadian and the Canadian film industry is even harder to get in because we are not a self sustaining system. So, take all advice with a grain of salt, this advice included, and just write.