Do Screenwriters Get Trailers?

To be honest...

I don't know and I don't care. If I am ever fortunate enough to get a script produced, the last thing on my mind will be whether I get a trailer or not. Hell, I'll sleep in my rental car if I have to.

R

fedorable1 said:

I was wondering. I knew actors and many production staff members get trailers which they essentially live out of during the filming of a project. Given a screenwriter isn't often on set - and sometimes banned completely - what are the odds of a writer getting their own trailer?

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I have no idea but my gut says no. Even in the case of a script doctor working closely with the director on writing pages for that day, I think they'd hammer stuff out in the director's trailer or the writer would work at home and email/fax pages in.

Not that I have any idea whatsoever.

In features, the writer is only on set if invited, or if he's a producer. Trailers for actors and directors are mandated by Guild contracts, but the size of those trailers is negotiable. For dayplayers, it's a room in the honeywagon - the trailer where the bathrooms are, and the AD's office usually is. For big stars, trailers as big as semis are not unusual.

I don't know if the WGA contract mandates a trailer for the writer if that writer is required to be on set for rewrites. I've never heard of a trailer dedicated exclusively for a writer on location. Since the writer would probably be conferencing with the director, he or she could probably camp out in that trailer, since the director will usually be on set.

What AD's usually do when an additional person requires a trailer temporarily is to put that person in the trailer of an actor who's not working that day. (It should be a relatively low status actor so he or she can't raise too much hell about somebody else being in "my" trailer. )

In TV writers are almost never on set, unless they are also producing or directing. The writers stay in their office area, unless there's good craft service. The writers' office can be located in the show's home soundstage, another building on the lot, or a building miles away from the soundstage. So when the production is at home, the writers have their offices. They generally don't go on location, unless they just want to hang out, say, for a Friday night shoot at the Marina. So no need for writers trailer there. If they needed one for some reason, they could hole up in the AD office/trailer room.

The idea behind trailers is that they function as mobile dressing rooms with shower and toilet, for people who have to stay for hours, and need someplace to rest, change, shower etc. It's more efficient, and better for tax reasons, to haul the dressing rooms around from location to location rather than fit every place with dressing rooms. That said, the soap operas and live tv shows I've worked on generally use dressing rooms, not trailers. With no location shooting, trailers aren't really needed.

edit

The DGA contract also mandates a hotel for directors working away from home, I think SAG has the same requirement, but I'm not sure. People usually sleep at the hotel, not their trailer. I have heard of writers doing rewrites being put up at hotels.

No, but there is every chance, as you run at this insane career choice, you'll end up living in one.

odocoileus said:

I don't know if the WGA contract mandates a trailer for the writer if that writer is required to be on set for rewrites. I've never heard of a trailer dedicated exclusively for a writer on location. Since the writer would probably be conferencing with the director, he or she could probably camp out in that trailer, since the director will usually be on set.

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It was only three years ago or so that the WGA got a clause in the MBA that stipulates a writer can be on the set if they choose. I don't know if this also mandates a trailer but I seriously doubt it. Trailers are normally for day use only and as you note crew are often domiciled at some local motel of appropriate capacity.

Why in God's name a screenwriter would be concerned about having a trailer exceeds my credulity, or shatters it to bits, whichever.

The real question here is, will the screenwriter be allowed to use the toilets in the trailers, or must he queue for the portable toilets used by the crew. Besides being quiet and peaceful, the trailer toilets have power outlets for laptops, crew toilets don't. Trailer toilets are unlikely to be knocked over during equipment moves. Quality of toilet paper and distracting noise from buzzing flies also come into the equation. To any screenwriter these are important issues.

-Derek

On the Project Greenlight shows and other shows that that purport to show 'real life screenwriting', it appears the writers have offices at the studios. Often shared offices, in the case of TV or a collaborative project (like Pixar movies).
Also, most of the pros I'm familiar with in the blogosphere work from home (or coffee shops!)
So, I would guess not... not like they have to be waiting around having their hair and makeup done.
You might be able to get some kind of hotel room per diem written into your contract or stipulate an office on site or something, but generally screenwriters, who are not also directing, don't seem to have much clout.

Goodwriterguy said:

Why in God's name a screenwriter would be concerned about having a trailer exceeds my credulity, or shatters it to bits, whichever.

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Amen. You don't write to become a celebrity.

TheRuleofThirds said:

Amen. You don't write to become a celebrity.

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Heck, I don't even ACT to become a celebrity!

wordmonkey said:

No, but there is every chance, as you run at this insane career choice, you'll end up living in one.

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Bwwwahahahahaahahahahha!!!! Now THAT is funny! LOL. Yah, that's a good one.

addict

TheRuleofThirds said:

Amen. You don't write to become a celebrity.

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Indeed. How many screenwriters have ever become household names? You can count 'em on one hand.

There was a bit of a blast in the last few years to give writers more exposure in the media, M. Knight S. was promoted this way and his films advertised as being "another from M. Knight S." and Tarantino and Shane Black got some press, but it all faded away no sooner than it had begun.

Inside the industry is another story, good writers are very well known and highly regarded within the circle of the blessed, and you're always hearing stars give acceptance speeches at award shows in which they thank their writers profusely ... they know what the deal is. This is especially true in television, of course.

You want fame, rob a bank in some new and flashy way. You'll get your fifteen seconds of fame alright. And if you're really interesting about it, you'll get a few minutes on Nancy Grace and she'll tear you to shreds.

But "famous writer" is an oxymoron.

Goodwriterguy said:

But "famous writer" is an oxymoron.

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That's not true exactly. "Famous screenwriter" maybe, but lots of writers are household names: James Patterson, Nora Roberts, etc.

Screenwriting is great for the big paychecks, the anonymity, and the freedom.

Fame is overrated.

Think of all the money you save by not needing bodyguards. Enough to buy a lake house and a sports car.

PerditaDrury said:

That's not true exactly. "Famous screenwriter" maybe, but lots of writers are household names: James Patterson, Nora Roberts, etc.

Screenwriting is great for the big paychecks, the anonymity, and the freedom.

Fame is overrated.

Think of all the money you save by not needing bodyguards. Enough to buy a lake house and a sports car.

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You're right, of course. I should have written "famous screenwriter," but since this form is for screenwriters ... well, you get the picture.

I agree, too, that fame overrated, I'd even say badly overrated. At least a screenwriter can walk down Hollywood Boulevard or go skating on the boardwalk at Venice and not be swamped by the Paparazzi.