Aspiring writer - Needs help.

Teetotaler · Apr 17, 2006

Hello Screenwriters,

I have just made it a goal to become an accomplished screenwriter. I hold in my fingers the ability to write scripts that gross $100 million plus. I know what the public wants and I know what they're not getting. With all this said, I am still scared sh*tless that the door to Hollywood is closed.

My ignorant questions are:

Is it difficult to get a script bought? Is it impossible to get a script bought? Is it strictly a who-you-know business; or can a social phobic genius find success? And after I have my finalized script, what should be my next goal? Is it finding an agent?

Seriously, If allowed, I will be greater than Michael Mann.

Arden · Apr 17, 2006

Teetotaler said:
Hello Screenwriters,

I have just made it a goal to become an accomplished screenwriter. I hold in my fingers the ability to write scripts that gross $100 million plus. I know what the public wants and I know what they're not getting. With all this said, I am still scared sh*tless that the door to Hollywood is closed.

My ignorant questions are:

Is it difficult to get a script bought? Is it impossible to get a script bought? Is it strictly a who-you-know business; or can a social phobic genius find success? And after I have my finalized script, what should be my next goal? Is it finding an agent?

Seriously, If allowed, I will be greater than Michael Mann.

HaHaHa, another joke post. You missed April Fools day, oh well.

scripter1 · Apr 17, 2006

Welcome to the boards.

Yes, it is very difficult to get a decent read let alone a sale.

Is it impossible? No. Happens from time. But it is few and far between that a totally brand new writer breaks in.
Most of the time though there is an existing connection. Family, past jobs, friends, etc.

dpaterso · Apr 17, 2006

Welcome... to the sanity check...

Sorry Tee, I had the same reaction as Arden. If it were that easy, we'd all be doing it. We're all trying to, but alas, 99 point something percent of us won't make it according to statistical facts.

You might want to take a peek at this thread on DDP: The Futility of Pursuing an Agent ...which is kinda disappointing, but is a realistic "insider" look at the situation. The thread title speaks for itself.

Contests may give you a better shot at getting a foot inside the door. Visit the MovieBytes site and check out the screenwriting contests page, plus contest report cards (feedback from entrants). Just for example's sake, 3 big (in terms of prizes and exposure) contest deadlines are approaching, and by golly I'm entering 'em all this year:

Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting - May 1
ScriptPIMP - Pipeline Into Motion Pictures - May 1
Final Draft Big Break - June 1 (extended June 15)

If you haven't already, check out the tips thread which contains info plus links that you may find useful, including ways to submit queries to production companies.

Once you get your head around all that, if you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Welcome to the forum!

-Derek
My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies.
Take the critiques you get with a grain of salt. Invariably, some of the critics will be kooks, bitter curmudgeons, or complete fools. ~odocoileus

Mac H. · Apr 17, 2006

Seriously, If allowed, I will be greater than Michael Mann.

The sad thing is that I had to google to find out who Michael Mann is.

I'm still torn if the reference is to the writer of the new 'Miami Vice' or the new 'Lassie'.

I can answer one question for you: "And after I have my finalized script, what should be my next goal?"

The answer: Write another one. A better one.

The first script you ever write is NOT going to be something that can gross $100 million. Guaranteed.

If a would-be portrait artist picks up a brush for the first time - do you think they'll be able to sell the portrait for $1 million ? Why not ???

Mac
(PS: I still suspect it is a joke post. Apologies if it isn't)

Arden · Apr 17, 2006

Mac H. said:
The sad thing is that I had to google to find out who Michael Mann is.

I'm still torn if the reference is to the writer of the new 'Miami Vice' or the new 'Lassie'.
QUOTE]

Mac, you are joking, too, right?

Michael Mann... the screenwriter who changed how scripts were written with THIEF? The man who co-wrote COLLATERAL?

His short-lived TV series, Robbery Homicide, was like a series of mini-features.

His minimalist TV series Miami Vice, whether you like it or not, changed the face of television.

He's an absolute, no-holds barred genius.

Everybody does stuff for cash... the producer of Walk The Line recently did the new Larry The Cable Guy pic.

The reason the joke post was a joke is because the poster had the gall to compare himself to real talent, mega-money making creative ability.

dpaterso · Apr 17, 2006

Let's assume we're talkin' about the Michael Mann.

-Derek
My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies.
Take the critiques you get with a grain of salt. Invariably, some of the critics will be kooks, bitter curmudgeons, or complete fools. ~odocoileus

odocoileus · Apr 17, 2006

Is it difficult to get a script bought? Is it impossible to get a script bought? Is it strictly a who-you-know business; or can a social phobic genius find success? And after I have my finalized script, what should be my next goal? Is it finding an agent?

I can get you meetings with the right people. You can sell your script right away and start making big bucks.

I'll need ten grand up front. It seems like a lot of money, but it's just a small percentage of the millions you'll soon be making.

If you're serious, email me at [email protected]

icerose · Apr 17, 2006

odocoileus said:
I can get you meetings with the right people. You can sell your script right away and start making big bucks.

I'll need ten grand up front. It seems like a lot of money, but it's just a small percentage of the millions you'll soon be making.

If you're serious, email me at [email protected]

Yet another joke. This thread is full of jokes.

Original poster, please post a section of your script so we can all read it. How good you are should be determined by your audience or no one will take you seriously.

Sara

Arden · Apr 17, 2006

odocoileus said:
I can get you meetings with the right people. You can sell your script right away and start making big bucks.

I'll need ten grand up front. It seems like a lot of money, but it's just a small percentage of the millions you'll soon be making.

If you're serious, email me at [email protected]

Hey, Odo, great idea! I will give you a reference! You should get a P.O. box where the aspiring hordes can send their cashier's checks or money orders! Ten grand IS just a little money when you are talking about writers BETTER than Michael Mann -- they will soon be making hundreds of millions!

clockwork · Apr 17, 2006

Aspiring writer - Needs (serious) help

If you're at all serious about this (and right now, who the hell can say?) the first thing you need to do is check your attitude at the door. Producing scripts is not just about buying them, it's about working with the writer during the development process and beyond. If you ever got a first meeting with an interested party, top of the agenda as far as they're concerned would be - is this person someone we can work with? If you go into this with your current attitude, you'll do all the door closing yourself.

icerose · Apr 17, 2006

Arden said:
Hey, Odo, great idea! I will give you a reference! You should get a P.O. box where the aspiring hordes can send their cashier's checks or money orders! Ten grand IS just a little money when you are talking about writers BETTER than Michael Mann -- they will soon be making hundreds of millions!

You can't seriously be considering this?

Ah, my head hurts.

And clock is right.

Arden · Apr 17, 2006

icerose said:
Yet another joke. This thread is full of jokes.

Original poster, please post a section of your script so we can all read it. How good you are should be determined by your audience or no one will take you seriously.

Sara

I second that! Good suggestion, Sara

broughcut · Apr 17, 2006

Mac H. said:
The sad thing is that I had to google to find out who Michael Mann is.

I'm still torn if the reference is to the writer of the new 'Miami Vice' or the new 'Lassie'.

rich · Apr 17, 2006

I'm still wondering how you can be a teetotaler and still produce good stuff.

xhouseboy · Apr 17, 2006

icerose said:
Yet another joke. This thread is full of jokes.

Original poster, please post a section of your script so we can all read it. How good you are should be determined by your audience or no one will take you seriously.

Sara

That could prove difficult.

Teetotaler stated that he that he has made it his goal to become an accomplished screenwriter. That he has it in his fingertips, etc...

So I'd hazard a guess that he is not yet accomplished, that he hasn't yet instructed his fingers to do the talking for him..

Before he does, perhaps he should keep in mind the old screenwriting adage of 'show don't tell'...

dpaterso · Apr 17, 2006

Just a thought

Everyone, it might be worth bearing in mind that this is original poster's first foray into the forum, so the biting humor might not seem so funny to him. A major attitude adjustment seems required, but let's not beat him senseless just yet. After all, ignorance isn't a sin. Refusing to learn is.

-Derek
My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies.
Take the critiques you get with a grain of salt. Invariably, some of the critics will be kooks, bitter curmudgeons, or complete fools. ~odocoileus

icerose · Apr 17, 2006

xhouseboy said:
That could prove difficult.

Teetotaler stated that he that he has made it his goal to become an accomplished screenwriter. That he has it in his fingertips, etc...

So I'd hazard a guess that he is not yet accomplished, that he hasn't yet instructed his fingers to do the talking for him..

Before he does, perhaps he should keep in mind the old screenwriting adage of 'show don't tell'...

You are absolutely correct. I completely missed that. I just assumed that if someone was boasting their ability they had tried and succeeded? in that attempt. He says he has it in his ability, which makes it seem he has not written it.

First word of advice. Write it. Post it. Because it's pointless to try and get an agent or sell a script that has not been written. And there are hundreds of thousands if not millions of people who say they are going to write a book or a script. There are far less who actually do it. So do it, then go from there.

Good luck.

rich · Apr 17, 2006

Nah. Although, from what I hear, they will inherit the Earth, but the meek can't write. I don't think the posts were all that biting--merely a few writers trying to put Teetotaler in touch with reality.

Mac H. · Apr 17, 2006

Arden said:
Mac H. said:

The sad thing is that I had to google to find out who Michael Mann is.

Click to expand...

>Mac, you are joking, too, right?

Unfortunately not. I appreciate he is probably a wonderful writer, but his name was unknown to me.

Yeah, I know, I'm ignorant. I got told that last week by Vig, so it must be true.

But now I'm a little bit less ignorant.

Mac

Maryn · Apr 17, 2006

dpaterso said:
Everyone, it might be worth bearing in mind that this is original poster's first foray into the forum, so the biting humor might not seem so funny to him. A major attitude adjustment seems required, but let's not beat him senseless just yet. After all, ignorance isn't a sin. Refusing to learn is.

Good point, and taken.

Some confidence in one's abilities is great. Too much is, ah, unseemly.

Maryn, as seemly as can be

Arden · Apr 17, 2006

Mac H. said:
Arden said:

>Mac, you are joking, too, right?

Unfortunately not. I appreciate he is probably a wonderful writer, but his name was unknown to me.

Yeah, I know, I'm ignorant. I got told that last week by Vig, so it must be true.

But now I'm a little bit less ignorant.

Mac

Click to expand...

Ah, I'm sorry, Mac... you're not ignorant. I don't think that's a nice thing to say. I think you are in the process of learning -- the very best place to be. Don't you find you learn something new everyday? I sure do. You seem to have a great attitude... humbleness is nice in such an ego-fueled world.

I think you will enjoy Michael Mann... if you can, read the script for Collateral and see the movie, too. He wrote Heat and The Insider. He's really a phenomenal talent.

Teetotaler · Apr 17, 2006

odocoileus said:
I can get you meetings with the right people. You can sell your script right away and start making big bucks.

I'll need ten grand up front. It seems like a lot of money, but it's just a small percentage of the millions you'll soon be making.

If you're serious, email me at [email protected]

I've seen movies about getting into the movies. The next thing you'll ask for is a sucky sucky. While your offer seems tantalizing, I'll pass.

icerose said:
You are absolutely correct. I completely missed that. I just assumed that if someone was boasting their ability they had tried and succeeded? in that attempt. He says he has it in his ability, which makes it seem he has not written it.

First word of advice. Write it. Post it. Because it's pointless to try and get an agent or sell a script that has not been written. And there are hundreds of thousands if not millions of people who say they are going to write a book or a script. There are far less who actually do it. So do it, then go from there.

Good luck.

I will be sure to do so when I write my first script.

Arden said:
I think you will enjoy Michael Mann... if you can, read the script for Collateral and see the movie, too. He wrote Heat and The Insider. He's really a phenomenal talent.

Michael Mann is a talented Man (no pun intended). I plan on becoming a screenwriting god!

Teetotaler · Apr 17, 2006

Hollywood movies such as "Transporter 2" and "2 Fast 2 Furious" are disgraces to American writing. People, we have lost our way. Our box office is dying. Why? The answer is because I don't have my foot in the door. Mark my words; I will change the face of American movies as you know it.

Teetotaler · Apr 17, 2006

Oh, and thanks to all those who gave meaningful input. I'll put you in my Oscar acceptance speech. I also will not forget to damn Arden to an eternal afterlife of nude, hellrock mining.

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