Screenwriting : When was the moment you realised you might have a chance to break-in? by Florin Hanganu

Define, "break in"?

When Amazon Studios picked my script as a notable project. They chose something like 50 out of 10,000. It still only felt like a chance though and I never felt confident until my first feature was greenlit. To be honest, I don't think many people ever feel like they've truly broken in. Even with independent financing, being a producing partner, having complete autonomy, and going into feature film number three, it still feels like thin ice.

It's less like breaking in and more like clutching on.

When I started getting feedback.

After I wrote the first draft of a my very first script ever.

Getting my first award, and many positive reader comments on my dialogue.

Ah, pretty slim overseas...I have some chances my place as I know some local directors first hand (usually collaborated with them in the past)...However I just got a go to my latest over Coverfly contest (free don't sweat) and will try myself at blood list this fall...so, as Mike McDermott from "Rounders" says: "First prize at the World Series of Poker is a million bucks. Does it have my name on it? I don't know. But, I'm gonna find out."

After 78 years, I'm not holding my breath much longer.

If there's something I've learned in the last few years it's to take the wins and enjoy them, never mind how small. It's too easy to live in a constant state of worry, fear, and regret. That comes in spades with screenwriting at every level and, to be frank, it isn't a kind industry at all overall. It's important to enjoy the process and the moment, even if you have to force yourself to appreciate it sometimes. I've seen far too many miserable and bitter people, some of whom are wealthy, admired, and in-demand who's healthy ambition has turned into a self-destructive resentment.

EVERY writer has a place somewhere in film. Chasing validation and waiting for approval is futile. You have to find peace with the artist within. It's only then that you can embrace your authentic self and have fun doing what you love. The irony is, it's once you stop caring so much that your voice shines and people are drawn to you.

I see it as self employment. So for me, there is no “breaking in”. I hope to continue to sell my work.

I may have a different sense of this if someone comes to me with a projects and wants me to write it. That may indicate that I have some weight in my segment of the industry. This may be “breaking in”.

I am a producer of a product and so far people buy them.

I don't know. Maybe when I got an Agent or was hired to be a Staff Writer. However I never thought about this as a career so I never really gave it much thought.

The very first moment I thought that I might get a break in the film industry was when John Wayne invited me to be a gofer on the set of TRUE GRIT back in '66/7. That's when I thought this world of film could be fun. I was right - fun but not to be taken seriously.

Back in 1993 I moved to Los Angeles from New York, signed on with an agent for production artists and got to work on a small Dino de Laurentiis movie called " Temptation" starring Jeff Fahey The director was Strath Hamilton. Strath hired me to work on 2 other projects with him. Then I finally made the union roster working with a director at Paramount.

When a producer actually called me about a script I sent and said they liked it and wanted to show it to some people. Nothing happened with it, of course, but that was the moment I thought, "Hey - I actually might be able to succeed in this."

3 weeks ago. Just waiting to hear if they want to go to the next step.

Can't say I've ever felt like I'm going to 'break in'. For now, I write because I enjoy it. I submit to contests or get script notes to see if I'm getting better at it. I take some joy in my small accomplishments, but in the here and now, I'm still quite far from breaking in.