Few months ago I was on top of the world gaining my first representative ever, that happiness slowly turned into a nightmare of frustration and feeling stuck in this cynical cycle. The reason it was so frustrating was because I have done everything right and tested the waters with contests when it came to my script, but it felt like nothing was happening with the representative I had. The rep kept delaying and seemingly stalling with a “lead”, and it turned into months of stalling. This person eventually stopped talking and it was like I wasn’t represented all over again like before. It made no sense to me how I was doing well and made a series Bible for a tv pilot plus other movie scripts and yet there was no sign of action at all. This person eventually dipped out and now I’m back to where I was before (In reality I was still in the same position anyways). Now I sit here, still going to contests, still trying to query and figure out who is even accepting queries, the frustration continues as it seems less people accept queries now than ever before and that window shrinks every day. Writing is all I know and I feel like I am being played with, this is all I know and all I ever been good at and it’s frustrating. For the first time ever, I considered giving writing up because of all of this, it has taken a financial and emotional toll. Nothing hurts more than having those thoughts.
Anything Goes : Representative frustrations by Jonathan Christian
Representative frustrations
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Don't give up!! Every success story I have ever heard comes with a dark road. I have been writing for years but have never put my stuff out there. I am just starting the process and already feel overwhelmed with all the conflicting information. All I know is everyone that has made it started where I am and went through what you are. Best of luck. Maybe one day we will meet each other as successful screenwriters and laugh about these times.
That’s true Nathan, it’s been a long road in a short amount of time. Writing is all I know and I been formulating a plan for a good day job to pay everything off.
It’s very different when one lies to you, and doesn’t have the pull to do the job, that’s like if I said that I’m a handyman but can’t fix stuff to even get started, the degree with the representative, this person didn’t even try and it almost felt like they were just saying they have stuff but they gave up on it, that’s the issue, when people say they are something and can do the job and don’t.
We’re in an epoch technology age where instead of “OTHERS” representing us, many artists are promoting themselves through Transmedia. I am no techie myself, I admit even needing a secretary to help me build my IceDance website however I’m following the concept of Eco System Storytelling. Artists are getting out their stories on platforms such as Facebook watch and those who can’t afford to make a cheap film are first creating novelettes etc and even building fan bases for their characters via free social media sites. Off course we still need to option or sell a story but leaving it in someone else’s work pile, as you point out, does not guarantee fresh eyes. @Johnathan Have you put your work out on Script Revolution because many there have had their work sold/optioned/filmed. It’s free and run by our CJ here. Get back “on the page” and write because in my experience if writing’s in your blood it’s the only way back out of negative stasis. Tomorrow is a blank page for you to make it what you will.
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Hey Debbie, I have an artist working on a comic version of my zombie pilot which was made into a script in two different ways, but much like everything else there hasn’t been continuous delays, it was supposed to be released back in may, and it’s almost July since there’s nothing being done, it’s overall been frustrating.
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@Johnathan COOL about your Zombie comic. I have artists working on similar projects and off course they do it at own pace. Frustration used to eat me till I accepted it ain’t gonna happen with other people, so I no longer dwell but just carry on executing new art in any way I can. I’ve had options and sold on a minor league scale compared to some here but the bug is embedded in me, like you say it’s in your blood. Stay Safe!
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Jonathan Christian I've been reading your post over and over 'this morning...not gonna enter into discussion here, so I'll just be short and concise as possible; no one fails or succeeds all the time...the name of the game is preservation...and that's all up to you.
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Preservation or perseverance? But I get your point.