Geting rich quick as a screenwriter... not

Someone just posted this over on Done Deal and I thought it was worth sharing:

"See, he’s under the same delusion that a lot of wanna-bee screenwriters are also under. Screenwriting is easy. It must be easy. Look at all the stupid movies that get made. Anybody can write that crap. Would my friend be asking me that dumb shit if I was a brain surgeon, or a composer, or even a plumber? NO!

Here’s a tip: If you’re writing screenplays because you think it’s an easy way to get paid … YOU’RE AN IDIOT.

Yes, yes, yes … anybody can write a screenplay but not just anybody can write a good screenplay. Not just anybody can write a screenplay that can sell. Want to know why?..."

More at:

http://scriptmag.blogspot.com/2009/11/dwayne-alexander-smith-screenwriting-is.html

If that was playwright as in stage plays I might agree.

Because writers in the theatre are treated with respect and for the most part never rewritten.

From what Ive seen

The hardest part of being a screenplay writer is

shutting up when some director wants to turn you screenplay into doo doo.

Or if not the director, an actor or two, a studio exec who never graduated high school, or the nearest grip.

Screenwriting is one of the few professions where writers strive to be excellent to put out crap.

So, how much is a screenplay worth?

Answer: As much as you are willing to sell it for.

The endless debate about who can write a 'good' screenplay:)

(I won't include myself in these thoughts, because I'm just learning and a rube:)

But I will say the idea of 'pedigree' for a writer is a funny one.

(and here's where I use one or two personal examples - which of course is in no way representative of anything:) but...

I have a friend, erudite, very highly educated, and unusually brilliant. This friend let me read their body of screenplays, which have placed high in a 'top' (you know the one) screenwriting contest.

I didn't know how to respond to them. I wanted to effuse, or be polite. I was polite.

None of them resulted in sales after a flurry of interest. And I could see why.
They were technically perfect. This writer had vast vocabulary, perfect understanding of form, building dramatic tension, modulated beats, great dialogue, character depth, etc.
And yet, I frankly didn't give a damn about the outcome of any story.
They felt sterile to me.
I have experienced this reading many technically perfect stories.

I have read screenplays in very colloquial language by writers who were definitely not ivy league, not even close.

But the reverse is also true.

I know that's not exactly the point the writer of the article was making, but he does say his ivy league friend assumed because he understood 'higher forms' of writing, a 'lowly' pop culture form would be a snap. He undervalued it.

Well, the only thing I've noticed from all the screenplays I've read, even on here is that education or lack of it does not determine whether someone can write. These condition are not mutually exclusive.

It seems evident that someone who has spent years studying, doing critical thinking, and writing papers at a certain level would be more likely to have grasp of all the elements that come together to make a great work, because of training, discipline. There's also writer's with this pedigree who stand out because they really can tell a story.
And I've read misspelled, roughly told stories that riveted me.

For me the bottom line is engagement. Very few people who attempt writing actually tell 'great stories', because they lack that very unlikely combination of mastering technical proficiency, and having a sort of rare attunement with what they observe in the world that they can present in a way that forms a connection.
I've read so many well written stories that lack that ineffable spark.

Obviously there is a lot that sells that doesn't have that:)

But , yeah, I think I went off topic.
Respect for the writer!
LOL

It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMFIejZgJSM

So, how much is a screenplay worth?

Answer: As much as you are willing to sell it for.

No - it's what someone is willing to pay for it. If you're willing to sell your screenplay for $2 million, that doesn't make it worth that much. It's worth the highest offer you are given. If you never accept an offer on it and take it to your grave, then it's worth nothing. It's that simple. Until it is sold, there is no financial value on it.

From what I understand about Hollywood

It is not the writing of the screenplay that is the hard part. (maybe making oneself write is)

Its not even the long line of butt kissing you have to do to get your screenplay sold.

Its knowing whos butt to kiss first.

Thats the hard part.

I will buy cherry flavored Chapstick before I go to L.A. :)

I'd love to have the money that comes from a big payday after selling a script. Here's the thing. I don't really want to sell any script. I want to turn my scripts into movies and put them in front of audiences. If someone comes along who wants to help facilitate that process, I would welcome that opportunity. If someone wants to buy my script and then OWN it... I recoil. In horror.

This impacts what kinds of stories I choose to tell. It impacts my growth as a writer in a myriad of ways. It makes life in some respects much, much harder.

But I don't care.

I've written short stories, novels and screenplays.

Screenplays are much much harder to write than "prose" in all departments but one: research. Don't get me wrong: you have to put your time in, know what you're talking about. But not to the depth and extent of a novel.

Which is why I write a lot of screenplays lately: I'd rather be writing than reading endless books on what I'm writing about (or worse than that, having to visit various locales and ring up people to talk to). It's a tougher form, but you prepare for it by studying the form, not immersing yourself in the subject matter.

And what was that you were saying about "getting paid?" What's that? Something new? Never heard of that before....

Writing is both the easiest and hardest profession.

It's the easiest because all you need is a few pens and a bunch of paper. Or a computer with minimum specs and any word processor.

But it's the hardest one to make any money off it, let alone a living, let alone millions.

Most screenplays are worth nothing. But if it's good enough, a screenplay is worth at least the WGA (or WGC in Canada) minimum.

It's my belief it's not a good screenplay that makes a sale. Look at the movies being produced: from famous books, super heroes, remakes, adaptations of all kinds, and pet projects brought in by stars or proven directors. Very few, if anyone in Hollywood is looking for a good screenplay based on an original story, although they say they are. It's bunk. Hollywood would do a remake of the three stooges, and Arthur, long before it would produce a good original story. So all the emphasis on good screenplays is misplaced.

"It's my belief it's not a good screenplay that makes a sale. Look at the movies being produced: from famous books, super heroes, remakes, adaptations of all kinds, and pet projects brought in by stars or proven directors."

None of those are spec scripts and I understood this thread was about spec scripts ("wanna-be screenwriters"). Those scripts are not sold, they are commissioned by someone with the money.

Heed what Ed says: "they are commissioned by someone with the money."

Agents and managers make 80% of their money by getting writing assignments for their clients.

If you don't want to do assignment writing, and would rather wait for the exactly right buyer to finally come along for your spec, good luck. An agent isn't going to waste her time helping you do that. Unless that spec is freaking brilliant tentpole material.

If you want that spec made, make it yourself. Nothing wrong with that. I hope I get the chance to do that too one day.

But even John August had to write Charlie's Angels before he was able to finally make Go.

If you want to be a writer, use your specs as the writing samples they are, so someone will hire you to write what they need written.

"But if it's good enough, a screenplay is worth at least the WGA (or WGC in Canada) minimum." Assuming the producer and project are Signatory. Plenty of great scripts get made by tiny indie filmmakers who aren't, and don't have the money to pay the big bucks for a tiny budgeted film. I have friends that make $100,000 movies that get international dist, redbox and amazon dist, and the writers are excited to have their work produced. And trust me, they aren't getting 80% of the budget to hit WGA minimum.

"I will buy cherry flavored Chapstick before I go to L.A. :)"

Yep -- all the ass kissing you have to do is really hard on the lips.



"I'd love to have the money that comes from a big payday after selling a script. Here's the thing. I don't really want to sell any script................ If someone wants to buy my script and then OWN it... I recoil. In horror."

then you better stick to writing novels. or become a filmmaker and produce them yourself.
screenplays are blueprints, not finished products. screenwriters are architects, but we don't build the house.

Darn, I only have strawberry chapstick... maybe that's where I'm going wrong?!

Ms. Starlet touch your toes... ;-0

Now this thread is producing some "real" ideas to make it: Film your own script, write a novel, a play, don't depend on Hollywood buying your spec script. It seldom happens. There's so little opportunity to sell a spec screenplay, you're better off playing mega millions.

@ Lisa

My sentiments exactly.

It'd be different if someone wanted to hire me to work on something they already owned. Entirely different.

“Here’s a tip: If you’re writing screenplays because you think it’s an easy way to get paid … YOU’RE AN IDIOT.”

By the time, I learned I was an idiot; I was hooked on telling a story. So taking the hard road wasn’t all for not…I am still writing. :- )

thumbs up ralph, i agree with you.

thumbs up ralph, i agree with you.

War Horse is a terrible example, as it is an adaption of a successful children's book and successful stage play. Adaptions don't fit into the equation of spec sales.

Jay... LOL