Personally, I like very few films I see these days. My favorite film this year was Isle of Dogs and think Wes Anderson is in top form as a filmmaker. However, this movie had no influence on my recent screenwriting work.This Isle of Dog made 64 million, which was a solid box office performer but to me this movie was all about creativity and originality, while paying homage to Japanese cinema. As a screenwriter, I concern myself with being original, entertaining and writing a compelling story.
What about you? As a screenwriter, do you deliberate over what's what's hot at the box office? I've attached the article for if anyone is interested in reading what performed well and what did not.
http://scriptshadow.net/ten-2018-over-and-under-performers-and-why/
A.S. might have to put you in Dan MaxXx box. Post articles does not call for aggression. How about even if we disagree - play nice.
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You should keep an eye on the box office if that is your target audience. It is no good writing a strange little drama that runs 45 minutes expecting it to get theatrical release.
I haven't read the article and don't think I could be bothered with such an obvious argument.
There are so many channel now. "Restoration" was five, ten minutes episodes targeted as a web series. It was cut into a 50min show that is now on the Australian streaming service "STAN". This is a great film, probably made money, it was successful because it wrote for its target.
I always keep an eye on current box office grosses. Not just to know what's out there, but for a variety of reasons:
+ I like to know how films perform - in the U.S. and elsewhere.
+ I like to know how films from other parts of the world are doing.
+ I like to follow film production and film viewership totals in countries where those things are emerging.
+ I like to follow the longstanding decline in ticket sales in the U.S. and learn how the Powers-That-Be are trying to deal with that.
+ It makes me feel good when I see how well some smaller films can do.
I probably see around 60-70 films annually in my local theater, and the vast majority aren't tent-pole franchise films. Global film making is at an all-time high, and continues to grow annually. There has never been a better time in the history of the world to be a screenwriter. May Dionysus and all of the other Greek gods continue to bless the independent film makers and screenwriters around the world (and the big studios, too).
Nice topic, Phillip!
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I believe that as writers we should note what is trending and what is selling. However, that shouldn't be the biggest part of your backbone as a writer. Cause fads come and go but good storytelling is always in style
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Thank you Bill Costantini.
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Thank you Phillip.
I write what I feel. It's not until I'm pitching that I take a greater look at returns. I pitch to those who've produced similar in the past. Then I check to see how much they spent and how much return in both the US and world before I pitch. I do pitch to the mood i.e. if Christmas, Easter etc. I look to pitching to those looking for such scripts.
I don't get to theatres much these days. I watch about 5 or 6 'old' movies a day. A little restricted on mobility at the moment.
Guess you didn't get to Oaxaca either>
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Thank you Bill for the Gods' blessings. The Greeks were pretty smart. They had their Gods' and the 'unknown' for fear of offending (or so my wonderful dad taught me)
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Bill, actually - my dad's name was Bill. Not implying you're old or anything but knowledge of the Gods seems to come with wisdom in the name.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I'm tired of seeing the same movies being made, only with different names. I know everyone wants to have success and capture what is trending at the time, but there is a thing called too much of the same thing, like all superhero movies that are being made. My audience, love-struck women the ones that I write books for, well I know what they want, so that's why I mainly write screenplays based on my books or other authors of the same genres. Can they make money? I think they could with the right marketing and cast.