Jimi Hendrix was maybe the best guitarist of all time, but if you watch an interview of him, he's meek, gentle, and kindhearted, not like today's musicians who are constantly bragging like Cassius Clay. But once onstage, Jimi's confidence exploded. The lesson? Learning three chords doesn't make you a guitar god, so just because you're literate doesn't mean you're a writer. Jimi was known for always having a guitar. I mean, ALWAYS. He'd fall asleep spooning it, make breakfast between riffs, drive, go to the bathroom. The point is an artist must be consumed by his or her work. Stephen King writes every day, even the day he was hit by a van. Eat, sleep and breathe your screenplay, and revise, revise, revise. Once you're done your first draft, read it, re-read it, mark it up, throw it away and start over. The best parts you'll have committed to memory. Read every book on screenwriting there is-- and there's a lot--but don't think that you absolutely have to follow the storyline formats of Syd Field or Blake Snyder. True artists like Jimi break all the rules, write their own rulebook, and etch it in history. Knowledge is power, but chutzpah is priceless. Just some thoughts. Do you have any you'd like to share? Let me know.
Screenwriting : Writing 100 Pages Does Not a Screenwriter Make by Brian Steinmetz
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Yeah it's true man. I think we all have to find that thing that we're consumed by.
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I agree Brian. Writing everyday has become a ritual which excites the imagination and tends to cause a loss of time. My stomach and bladder are sometimes my only ties to reality. In my earlier years, I used to judge first drafts as sh*t and wonder if I would ever develop any talent for writing. However, through the encouragement and guidance of others through the years and by constant trial and error, I have finally learned the first draft is only the first step in the process of creating something more effective. Thanks for the post.
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This path has lead to success for you as a screenwriter?
I sense a sarcastic undertone, William.
Ok, I get your point, but just know that Cassius Clay/Muhammed Ali, was not braggadocious outside of the boxing ring. He was mild mannered and very humble in person. His confidence came from knowing he was the best, just exactly as Jimi knew. I know, because he would usually run through the city I grew up in, and was friendly to everyone. When he ran past, people would say "hey Champ" and he was quiet, and respectful. His bragging in the ring wasn't for bragging sake, it was a psychological strategy to intimidate his opponent. I just don't want you to give the wrong impression of the man.
P.s yeah, I saw that Netflix doc on Jimi also.
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I saw an interview with Jon Bonamassa the other day. He is by all means one of the best guitar players in the world today. He said he was good from the get go but he is also 10 percent talent and 90 percent hard work. I think you learn how to do something with each try. I irks me to hear "If you got it you got it." I know there are people like that Coen comes to mind. But there are also stupid people like me who believe that as everyday goes by I get better and better. Persistence is a great quality but a dangerous one. I cradle my laptop with my treasures locked inside. I try to learn other people's ideas about how to make a good script great. I read as many scripts as I can, good and bad. I try not to duplicate the bad. Then I go back to all I wrote and try to expunge the bad out of them, like the Exorcist. Do you know how many bands Jimmy was fired from for being who he was? Either do I but I do know he got fired from many bands for his style until he met what we know as The Experience. Then Jimmy became famous. It was a group of guys who said, "We'll just try to keep up with you Jimmy." So to me that is what S32 is "The Experience." Jimmy's band. And as stupid as I am, Jon Bonamassa is my model.
Decent amount of comments to wad through here... Let's see what I can do. I believe that Jimi was Jimi because he was talented AND he worked very hard to get better and better. This is required of screenwriters as well. Regarding Cassius Clay/ Mohammad Ali and his public attitude a la Ingrid's comments, perhaps the "I am the greatest" attitude is appropriate in pitch meetings? Again, just some thoughts.
@Brian, I am sure Ali when setting up a fight with promoters orob did not say he was the greatest- in the other hand, he may have- but everyone already knew it. You don't understand the WHY of it. It was the 60's, civil rights fights raging. It was a public statement for a couple of reasons: 1) to let the whites at that time know, "I am equal, I am A MAN, And guess what? i am a better boxer than your great white hope." 2) it was so that all black men, and children could see a face like theirs publicly broadcasting those words, so they could relate, walk prouder. It was necessary for the current times, I know, I have lived through them. I just think using him in your example is a poor one, as maybe you were not familiar with the struggle. Lastly, don't think for a minute that Jimi was always humble, he did show off a bit in public also. Yes, it's true it takes time to cultivate craft skills, but I haven't noticed anyone in this forum who goes around bragging or saying they are the best. Have you?
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Ingrid-- I think maybe you're reading a little too much into it...
Lol. @Brian just verified what I said!
10,000 hours.