What if I Don’t Make It as a Screenwriter?
This question makes its way into my thoughts every now and then, and though I’m pretty confident, I can’t help but explore the possibility of the “what if.”
We see the typical screenwriter in the cafe where ever we go (super-common in LA), our family tells us to think about a plan B, and even people who know nothing about screenwriting or filmmaking know that screenwriting is a damn near impossible career — is it just me, or are screenwriters constantly reminded of how hard it is to be a screenwriter?
I’ve managed to hang on to that college-kid arrogance I developed during my three minute college career, so these warnings and reminders of just how hard it is to be a screenwriter tend not to phase me. Arrogance combined with confidence makes me a big believer that those who put in the hard work, have a little talent, and have a little luck will make it — no matter what the profession!
I was planning on writing an entire article covering possible fears we share as screenwriters in regards to the “what if” question, but I think I’ll go ahead and sign out early and leave you with this answer instead of focusing on the negative …
You will make it if you have to
It’s pretty simple actually. In order to make it as a screenwriter, you need to work hard, have a little talent, and a little luck.
Keep at it and you’re on your way.
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There are no guarantees in life. Not just screenwriting.
Write what you love, but don’t be in love with what you write, and you should be fine. Keep pushing forward and take charge of your own destiny. It sounds trite, but it’s true. If you’re doing it right, someone will respond to your tenacity.
Believe me, this is still what I’ve been struggling with even now. Especially when you have a family business, they expect you to take over everything. However, for love’s sake, I intended to be a screenwriter even if it sounds crazy. Thanks for the article man…at least now I know I ain’t alone out here.
Chris…this is some weak cheese. Not only that, you spammed us twice with FB emails pimping the article. Clearly, you’ve decided to promote yourself…but bringing this lame non-content (“Can you make it as a screenwriter? It’s hard. But I haven’t anything interesting to say, and I gotta get going, so: yes, you can!”) isn’t going to do a thing for you or anybody.
John, whats up?
There’s nothing wrong with this at all…I mean you could think whatever you want about whether or not if he’s promoting himself or the advices that he gives are cheap. But look man, what you said about his writings not doing any good to anybody is just load of crap…I mean your putting everyone down who has nothing against your point of view, if you think that what he’s writing is “weak-cheese,” then I would think it is better for you to just not come here with your downgrading comments.
The man’s helping out other people to just write something on their own and sharing his ideas. I don’t know what you could’ve done better, but I’m sure you are just talented as anyone else. If you believe the fact that being screenwriter is hard, well the fact is, it is hard but there are tons of people out there who takes it as something they love to do, and they are constantly looking for ways to make it themselves. Having Chris being able to share with us his experiences and how to write, its doing everyone a favor. It doesn’t matter if you think that he’s really promoting himself because whatever he does is up to him. As for the people that are visiting this web to get some advices, we’re just the same. All we want to know how to write better and get some more information.
I think that Chris is doing a good job of posting some things that people may like to read about especially if we’re all interested on how to write screenplays.
“Can you make it as a screenwriter?” This is the question that everybody thinks about for someone who’s interested like me and anyone else. So what’s wrong with saying that yes it is hard, but yes you can? Isn’t that the kind of motivation and optimistic view point that everybody needed to hear? something that can tell not to give up easily and keep striving to forward? What is wrong with that?
I’m not looking for an argument, but what I’m trying to say is that there are people like me who are really interested in screenwriting, and I’m sure that its not just only me, but for other people as well, that with the remark you just put, could either really disappoint other people, or make them understood what you mean.
For me it is both, because I don’t understand what you mean if it’s just only about the article that you don’t like, or do you mean the entire things on this web page. If its just the article, then Ooops sees my bad, I think I misunderstood your motive here and I apologize for that.
But it disappoints me because even though you do sound realistic about this idea to be a screenwriter, but your feeding some unhealthy stuff to people who have the motivation and inspiration to become a screenwriter. Maybe it doesn’t really matter to you, but please at least think about those people who do. Alright?
Thanks for reading man.
Kevin – Write on!
William – Thanks for reading. Good to know where in the same boat.
John – I’m sorry you feel my work is spam; perhaps its time you leave the screenwriting group on facebook.
William: yes, you were wrong — I just meant the article. There are other articles on this site I enjoyed and I can see how they could help or inspire you.
I was just pointing out that what Chris posted was a cop-out. The fact is, you will probably not make it as a screenwriter. You have a better chance of winning the lotto while getting hit by lightning at the same moment Angelina Jolie is slipping you her phone number.
If this is the Positive Affirmations site, then great…but what good does that do anyone? It’s frustrating to see such things, and it really doesn’t help you as a potential writer.
To make it as a screenwriter, you must work your ass off — write like crazy and develop a fresh, read-in and knowledgeable style — know what’s out there and what you’re up against — network like crazy and keep your contacts fresh and topped off — and have a healthy dose of arrogance and confidence to help others believe in you. That last one is important. People in Hollywood tend to take you seriously if you act like you know what you’re doing.
Forget about luck…luck is for suckers. They don’t owe you anything, and they’re certainly not going to come looking for you. You have to generate quality writing and keep slipping it in front of their faces until they recognize its quality. And that’s only the beginning.
Sorry for the negativity — I don’t mean to be non-constructive. But I don’t know what the point if an article is if it’s just a positive affirmation dashed off in 15 minutes. You can get that from your grandmother!
I get what your saying…but why not say what you think in the first place instead of saying that could make other people misunderstand you?
I’ve already said that nobody has anything against your point of view in the first place, but honestly, it doesn’t really make other people feel comfortable about what you say to them. Maybe you think its the other way around, and maybe because you have more experience with screenwriting, but please understand that nobody’s like you. You can share your experiences, but why do you have to put other people down?
If you think that you have the knack of screenwriting and your a professional, or better than anyone else, then I would suggest that you take your comments else where because I get the feeling that now, your pretty upset about what I said. I think everybody knows that it is extremely difficult to be a screenwriter and that you have to work your ass off for it. If you think that luck is for suckers, then that is your thinking…but the point is to generate quality writing as you have mentioned…and of course that is the purpose of this website. Even with that article that you didn’t like from Chris, yeah maybe it’s really short and didn’t say much of a point, but what is wrong with that?
Is there something wrong with people who are just looking for some cheer-up? Everybody knows that it is hard to make it as a screenwriter, I think you didn’t have to tell everyone to work their ass off because they know…and everybody’s individual’s lives are different from the standard of your view. Maybe other people don’t have the same kind of free time as you to “work- your ass off” and just write for the whole day. I do understand your comments and suggestions and your viewpoints, but it doesn’t help anybody too. Especially with the lines your wrote about “my grandmother,” Why would you say that? are you trying to get me mad? or something? what’s with that smily face? you think that’s funny to say something about my family? if you think it is, and you were just trying to calm things down, then I would suggest you use a different approach, because I think you don’t understand that everybody, all the individual people are different from you.
If you don’t know the point of an article that is just for a positive affirmation, then just ignore it. Why leave something behind that might put down other people? Maybe for you it is nothing…but maybe that is because you don’t really care about how other people would react to your ways of thinking and point of view.
Is it non-constructive to encourage people to not give up what they want to do? Is it non-constructive to tell people to keep writing and yes they will become somebody? I think its more constructive than telling people’s efforts are in vain because of somebody else’s personal experiences good or bad. I don’t think your very constructive although you try to sound like it…because of course you do have experiences about your screenwriting, But you do not realize that there are many people who are looking for support and encouragement. Maybe you would need some too for yourself…
John – Trying to explain all this much to you, is just a waste of time…I think you know more than anybody about the need for people to receive encouragement and support, not just kickin yourself and work your ass off..trying to take control of everything in life. Yes you do need to go up to people and show that you really do know what your doing, but everything you say is just about yourself…and that is ok. But this web is where everybody comes together and discuss about their experiences as writers, and seeking encouragement from others…If your experiences are hard and sad in some ways, you could share with everyone, but not in the manner where you’re trying to convince about other people’s efforts are in vain or helpless.
All the time you guys are wasting in bickering back and forth when you could be writing instead.
he he
Thank You Paula^_^!
I saw the headline and kept reading because it tapped into a fear — namely that what I’m doing is a waste of time and effort; I must be nuts to think I’m going to make it; I’m going to die with a list of unproduced, unsold scripts; etc. etc. I think most of us have been here at one point (or keep coming back). What I got out of the post — and I did take it as a blog post, not a full-blown article — is that this is a mindset we have to pull outselves up out of. There really isn’t anything more to say. There isn’t a list of alternatives or step-by-step to go into.
William, I understand where you’re coming from, but I can’t take to heart what you’re espousing (i.e., that the odds are stacked overwhelmingly against me no matter what). If I do, it just makes me want to go back to bed. I’d rather hang on to the belief that this road I’m on is not for naught and that I have to write more, get better and better at it, stay diligent. And as Chris advocates: Treat it like a bad mood and get over, believe in yourself, keep writing.
Shelia, Thanks for the reply^^
I think my response may sound a bit intimidating, and honestly I think its because its where I’m coming from. I don’t really know where your coming from, I mean what kind of environment your in. But maybe if your in my shoes, then probably you would understand what its like. Some people are just too tired to listen complains coming from a guy like me and thats ok. I can understand if its making you feel uneasy at some points.
But my point is, depending on what kind of environment your in, there are ways in order for people to keep themselves going. Some people really do need that kind of extreme determination to hold on. While some places, it is easier to be talking and working with other people interested with what you do.
There’s nothing wrong with the bad mood, its a struggle that everybody nomatter where we came from, have to deal with.
Lastly, I don’t know if your getting any wrong impressions with my comments, but my point was only dealing with John. I think this is a good site where we can just share our experiences and nothing more, so I’m just trying to say that I am just like everyone else who’s trying to believe in myself and keep writing. Like you as well.
I hope this clarifies my intention.
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