Screenwriting : Screenwriter Corey Mandell on "6 Script Cycles"? by Imo Wimana Chadband

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing, Imo.

You're welcome Phil Parker

https://www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/comments/6mgbcl/pitchperfect_auth...

Combining the comment above me with the video itself I'll say that I sort of "automatically" am writing in a similar cycle. With requisite ruts from time-to-time of course. I'm in a slightly different boat because I do get adaptation work. I also re-write with a partner on various projects. And I make shorts and features out of my own time and money. But, right now, I think I've been in the six script cycle for roughly twenty four months. I don't think people who want to break into screenwriting or movie making realize how slow the cycle is. I don't think the video accurately represents how slow things move. I also don't disagree with the contradiction of having your own voice but following the "structure". Some of what I write is spot on, perfect format, a relatable four quadrant subject in an appropriate genre and gets someone's attention pretty quickly. One of my biggest problems with my own work and with my side of marketing and promoting my partner's work is accurately describing the project. The weird part is that I can actually make better short films from the longer works than I can make a pitch document. This is something we've been gestating on for a while. But it ties back into the video above because the new marketing tool won't be on paper. It's almost already exclusively become a sort of "video look book" that is either a short film or a concept/sizzle reel. You can definitely still work in the six script cycle and get work. It will eventually become the "big work" that pays you enough to keep working. The thing is...if it was easy, then everyone would be doing it. I think the most interesting line from the video is the "lightning in a bottle" idea. I don't know that every writer will get that, even from six scripts. Some writers won't get that from two dozen scripts. Because it's unpredictable. It's an anomaly to get the stars aligned in your particular direction if you are only writing that becomes a little more accessible if you are making your look books or collaborating to get them made or producing your own short films. Your writing changes when you start to do these things because you find your strengths, you find your voice and you get work. But, ultimately, without producing your own work or other people's work, I don't think you get the growth you need in your writing to continue. And I'm not talking about shooting a million dollar feature. Or even a hundred thousand dollar feature or short. I'm talking about learning the process from development to post and release that gives you a completed film. It's not really a "teachable" thing because every script-to-movie experience is very different. But I think that has to happen in the six script cycle for the six script cycle idea to continue to work. And I think you have to figure out how to do something that isn't run-of-the-mill or by-the-books rule-wise in order to get some of those things noticed. It's a really hard industry to break into as "just a writer". That's becoming more and more evident in the last few years. You can definitely do it. I have a couple of screenwriting penpals of note that I talk to now and again. All of them have either major sales or options. One of them has a produced and released feature with bonafide A-listers. He wants to be an actor. It's the craziest thing to watch his career moves. I don't say anything negative and I give feedback when asked but I really disagree with what he's doing from a heat perspective. But on the fence as I may be as to what to say to him...he's happy trying. So, I can't tell him what to do. He doesn't fancy himself a writer at all. Another friend has not yet had a sale but he's been on all of the "lists". And I mean, all of them. He's done an adaptation or two at this point. He's had major meetings with major A-list players about three of his projects but he's gotten no traction. Just a little money. Again....he seems happy but he's way less happy than the guy with the sale that is basically torpedoing his own traction to make a go as an actor. I don't think something like the six script cycle would function in either of the worlds they are presently waking up to but who knows. Maybe it's what they are missing.

I don't know him; maybe he's a good guy. But if his system works, then why is his only claim-to-fame "Battlefield Earth"?

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Tom Batha He stated in the video he didn't go further than where he was as a screenwriter because he did not take the advice from his agent telling him to be consistent with his writing and adopt the method he's speaking about. It wasn't his system but what he learned being in the industry, at least from what he says in the video.

Dash Riprock, The competition is fierce. The market has become diverse with independents. He has credits I don't.