Screenwriting : Self Assessment Tool for writers by Craig D Griffiths

Another way of looking at it is to see how we learn - Moving from being "unconsciously incompetent” (don't know you don't know), to “consciously incompetent” (you know you don't know), to “consciously competent” (you know but you still need to think about it) to “unconsciously competent” (you're competent without having to think about it). That’s why platforms like this are great so people can always be learning and ask questions.

I was struggling to remember the terms he used. Your comment hit like a bolt of lightning.

lots of Hollywood bashing. Folks on forums always know the how to answers, except securing the bag ($).

Here is advice from a writer who works for corporate America show business/Hollywood. Nothing glamourous about the jobs, or how to start a career (full-time occupation)

https://practical.substack.com/p/youre-not-trying-to-sell-your-first?r=4...

Believe me; there ain't nothing glamourous about being a grunt in the Writer's Room but it used to pay the rent.

Well, I'm here and I'm a novelist in the process of a book-to-film project that I'm beginning very slowly. I'm low crap on the totem pole here, as has been evidenced by any lack of response to me or interaction. From day one. It is what it is. My script is on deck but not written (therein lies the horror of it) However, I'm astutely aware of the hurdles to get a feature script read by ANYBODY in this industry unless you follow a systematic process of graduated programs that will flatten your wallet and put you in the poor house. It never ends. No one can waltz into a manger's or producer's office without a gold emblazoned invitation or a record of spent money that finally got you there in the first place. And yet, worse than the literary world, the chances of a valued film option are worse odds than the lottery. My ex-girlfriend was V.P. of Fox tax for years and had her own film company. I didn't even hit her up for contacts or ask her for a shove. She died from cancer before she could even intro me to prospective insiders which we'd set up. 40 years, 20 books, A-list agent and multiple awards mean nothing in this business when At First, you can't even get someone to comment on your log one without wanting a fistful of money. Mark me as ignorant--disaster. Sour grapes? Without a doubt! I'm deeply hurt and confused when even Jason can't answer one of my questions without sending a cut paste to me. I'm sour because we novelists here are really in need of help, and when we reach out, it's just not there. My wall posts look like shameful pleas. I'm not alone, the other book writers seem very down. Where is our Kindergarten in this massive site/forum?

Chris that is sad about the loss of someone dear to you. Have you reached out to your existing agent. Get them to ask around. They may not know anyone directly. But an agent to agent cold call is probably more effective than you calling. It would be like getting a reference for a job.

I refuse to pay for anything. I am that yappy dog outside your house. Eventually you will come see what I am barking at. When you do, I better have something worth you effort.

This post (on reflection) is a mediation on things like this forum, coverage, contests etc. Craft questions get my brain fired up and it is like my drug. Getting to talk about writing is a marriage saver (Jules will kill me if I talk craft anymore). But there are a lot of threads like "I have finished a screenplay how do I get in the hands of a producer". I would ask that person "where on this grid are you?"

But looking at screenplays as a mechanical structure that is codified removes the writer and makes something like self reflection irrelevant. Everyone says "we'll tell you what your script needs, never what you need".

As I understand it, this is the fundamental path to what's called "deliberate practice". By becoming aware of your weak areas, you are able to focus on them, patch up the holes, and hopefully succeed.

I see the reverse of this all the time in screenwriting; people just sitting in a comfort zone furious success hasn't come to them. It doesn't help that it's so easy to produce something that looks like a screenplay and enter an unlimited selection of lotteries in the hope of striking it rich.

This is partly why making films at any level is so powerful, especially when money is at stake. It forces to you see your blindspots and face them head on.

Craig D. Griffiths: agree with your purview on the Hollywood System. I have worked in it long enough to conclude that those individuals with enough clout or influence have no trouble finding material to get through the pipeline and produce. They rarely have need to surf sites such as this one to find material. That is why they refuse unsolicited material so their mail servers don't crash. It's an incestuous system that is hard to penetrate, but I believe so strongly in my projects and driven by positivity that I sublimate the idea that it's an uphill battle. I refuse to pay for more evals and pitches. If the individuals offering these services need to charge for it, then their actual individual merit within their system is most likely not so influential. Often times I look then up on IMDB or LinkedIn and conclude that the idea of paying for their opinions and a marked scorecard is just a waste of my money. The best tool is NETWORK. NETWORK. NETWORK. Get your work posted and out there for as many pairs of eyes to see. Maybe one day, it will be seen by the one individual who is on your wavelength and vision and considers your work worthwhile to put in development.

This post is spicy haha

I will say though, in defense of Stage 32 and other platforms like it... they state over and over that many of these pitches/services are not official pitches nor are they submissions... so if people overlook that, that's on them. But, if you're able to form a connection and they give you their email or contact info...BOOM there you go...a contact that you didn't have before. That's also on you to strenghten. There's many ways to network.

Nice Dan. I love when a community works together is something than crying how the world is hard. Dan G, your the man.

Thank you CJ. That is what this is. Even though I couldn’t articulate it. If we are self aware we would never ask the question “why can’t I sell anything”.

Hi, Dan! Sorry I'm a bit late on this but the answer it Yes! I do have 19 other books, and certainly some of them would fall into the "lower budget" territory. Some very good ones, in fact. I do have an A-list agent and promo manager, so we've got a lot of ground covered there. Let me know how we could collab on something, and I'd be really happy to consider it.---Chris H. Stevenson (aka Christy J. Breedlove)

Thanks Ewan for explaining so succinctly what the chart means. It is so true. One thing I like about Stage 32 is that in our isolated world of screenwriting, we do not yet know all the steps that need to happen to get the words on a page to a big or little screen. Stage 32 shows us what we don't yet know but then takes on a journey to knowingness.