Recently, a new acquaintance said, I've had such an interesting life, you should write a screenplay about me. I politely said, "Sure, I'll put it on my list of 30 other people who have great ideas and interesting life stories.* That typically nips it in the bud. Sometimes, I'll advise people to get a "how to" screenwriting book and that's usually another conversation stopper.
Does that ever happen to you?
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Yes, with family and some friends. And I imagine it will happen a lot more if/when I ever break in. People think their lives are way more interesting than they actually are. I’m not saying they can’t be, just most of the time they aren’t. That’s why writers need to make stuff up that’s entertaining. Because most of what happens everyday is pretty mundane and that ain’t entertaining.
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I agree, entertainment for arts sake. Going out to a movie truly should be about removing the audience from their everyday lives. Movies have and will always entertain people...Of course when I was going through a divorce, I didn't run out to see," Kramer vs Kramer"...lol
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Yeah Uncle Phil - happens quite often. I don't tell people I'm a screenwriter or producer - I just tell 'em I'm retired.
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I normally answer “it’s probably a novel. movies are shallow”.
If they persist.
You should write it down. Then you have rights to that as well. Not only does someone have to pay you for your life rights. But you may even get a “story by” credit.
Once they have to do something themselves, they stop.
You could refer them to Stage 32 who represents talent on all levels.
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Happens plenty ... my response is always, "The best thing for you to do is go write it out. Fire up Microsoft Word and get it out of your head. All the details. Whom did what to whom. Feelings. Reactions. Lessons learned. Everything because you need to get it out of your head so it can live. Take as much time as you need. After you do this, give me a call." The phone never rings ...
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I have it happen all the time. "You should write my life story" I politely ask them what makes their life so interesting. Everyone has problems, health, family and/or work. I then add, unless they were a spy or did something that I missed in the news, then their life isn't that interesting. Especially since I write Sci-Fi, not Biographies.
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my niece and her TikTok friends (9-year olds) pitched a movie idea about time travel. I liked it so much I am stealing it :)
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Dan Max, it truly ia amazing what comes from the mouths of Babes...Children always see," larger than life". I remember when I was that age, I certainly did....
If i had a dime for each person i met who told me that, man i'd have a serious budget for a feature.