33 Responses to “I Wonder”

1. asiansurferchick on Wednesday: 21 April 2010|2012

   Wow, you totally read my mind. I was just considering to sign up for one of those seminars and I was like, let me google this guy, and the links I saw just didn’t quite convince me, and the video I saw of him talk definitely convinced me not to take it. I won’t name any names or anything (!) (though I’d like to) but I always think about, well what is the biography of this guy that I’m about to pay money to teach me. It’s not even really about the money but that I’m ingesting and believing his values and teaching and I don’t want to follow the wrong/guru/path, writing is hard enough already as it is! Thanks UNK for reminding us it’s not stupid, minor shit like (don’t read the final shooting draft, you must read earlier drafts, and then you’ll get in) you just need to write a GOOD FUCKING SCRIPT.

2. Robert on Wednesday: 21 April 2010|2128

   Just read Syd Fields book. Nothing new really. I think it’s all much simpler than folks make it out to be… writing a good script that is. It seems the human mind has a favoring toward a certain story structure… the one two three punch of the three act story. The more I read about it the easier it seems to follow the pattern. Damn near any story can be fit into the pattern with a little thought. What I find most difficult is creating those killer dialog exchanges that require reading between the lines. “Subtext” I guess everyone likes to call it. But really it’s about becoming your characters and actually feeling what your putting them through. If you can get there… the voices will speak for themselves… getting there is not easy… not for me anyway. But when it happens I think it is the biggest thrill of the whole writing process. Hatching up a story is easy… twisting it and turning it around, not so tough, but becoming your characters like some sort of split personality mind case is mentally taxing.

3. Unk on Wednesday: 21 April 2010|2144

   asiansurferchick,

   So how can we find you through your link? LOL.

   Can you spell SPAM? I let it go anyway because of what you said.

   Robert,

   I don’t happen to think structure is that simple to WRITE. It’s easy to figure out. Easy to outline. Easy to create. Harder to write so it has the impact you REALLY want it to have.

   Subtext on the other hand… I feel is very easy. Everything is subtext. Go do a search for a quotation site and start reading through the quotations. Listen to your favorite songs. Listen to jokes.

   It’s all subtext and all different kinds of subtext and once you have the EAR for it, it ain’t that hard.

   Unk

4. James on Wednesday: 21 April 2010|2243

   Preach on brutha.

   Every 17 year old (and 34 year old wannabe producer) that picks up Save the Cat is all of a sudden an expert on both screenwriting and its business.

   That’s got to be one of the most God awful books I’ve ever read concerning writing. It’s a lesson on how to fake it.

   And too many wannabes fall for it.

5. Lake on Wednesday: 21 April 2010|2317

   one word – AWESOME.

6. Jonathan Peace on Wednesday: 21 April 2010|2336

   Here’s my two cents…

   I’m new to this gig. I love movies. I love writing. Put the two together and BLAM! there’s my dream. I’ve never taken a class and have no intention. At the moment I can barely afford food… why shell out what spare cash I have to someone to tell me what I can find myself with a little hard work.

   And there’s the rub. Screenwriting is HARD WORK. Goddamn fun work, the best job in the world as far as I’m concerned (and I’m not even being paid yet and probably won’t be for a few years) but these courses seem to want to sell you the QUICK FIX, the golden goose.

   I might be new, still trying to crack the door open, but even I know there is no quick fix. As Unk say’s all you need to do is write a good script… stick the seat of your pants to the seat of the chair and write, write, write.

   The only book I bought was The Devil’s Guide To Hollywood: The Screenwriter As God by Joe Ezsterhas. It mixes small snippets of advice with anecdotes from his years of writing. I didn’t buy it for a quick fix; I bought it because I’m a fan. I just happened to learn as I played.

   JP

7. Mike on Thursday: 22 April 2010|0253

   Damn! Two posts in two days?!

   Be still my heart ;-)

   Hope you stay on this roll, Unk — your words of wisdom are much needed.

   Keep Writing!

8. Karel on Thursday: 22 April 2010|0531

   Find a need – fill a need.

   It’s the writers’ insecurities that create these gurus. They don’t believe they can’t do it themselves, so they put their faith in the Handsome Wise Man.

   I guess it attracts the type of people that would give their last cent to some MLM scheme that will “instantly start creating wealth”.

   So this post gets “Popularity: 1%” (LOL – I uninstalled the ‘Popularity Contest’ plugin because those figures are a bit random)

9. Unk on Thursday: 22 April 2010|0549

   It’s confirmed… asiansurferchick did NOT spam. Me happy now. Me also a surfer. Just ain’t no waves in New Mexico.

   This post is not about the USUAL gurus… At least THEY actually talk screenwriting and attempt to teach you how to write a better screenplay. Nothing wrong with that as long as you understand there is no one perfect way to do this shit.

   What I am talking about here is a new kind of screenwriting guru… The kind that doesn’t seem to care about your writing… They care more about your attitude. Your personality. Your charisma.

   Your MONEY.

   Unk

10. Bigcat on Thursday: 22 April 2010|0550

    In my experience Save the Cat is one of the few methods out there with integrity behind it. At least he sold screenplays because the others haven’t. One guru, as of late, is using the angle that screenwriting groups, or buddies won’t be honest about your work because they don’t want to hurt your feelings. But he will hurt your feelings because he’s a good man.

    I have learned a lot from Mckee and Blake Snyder and it shows up in my writing, but I wouldn’t pay someone to comment on my work. Guru’s only make money if they find problems. Right?

11. Emily Blake on Thursday: 22 April 2010|0955

    I know a guy who is supposedly a screenwriter – he did once make a documentary feature and a few shorts – but talks about nothing but how to get a sale. He’s yet to sell anything, but that didn’t stop him from offering his own service for a crapload of money telling people how to be better writers. In the two years I knew him he never wrote anything.

    I’m appalled at the money people are paying him for guidance.

12. Robert on Thursday: 22 April 2010|1035

    I just wanted to tell a funny situation about my first screenplay. Had no clue about making sure it was written in the “active voice.” Had no clue each shot starts a new paragraph. No concept of plot points, etc etc.

    After writing another script and scouring it for such mistakes, I learned a lot about how to actually “write” in the active voice (without writer commentary) and the importance of structure. That first one taught me one thing for sure… the level of commitment required to pull off the job of completing a screenplay. So no harm done.

    I’m curious to know how many other writers consciously try to find as many different ways they can to say words like “walks” and “looks?”

    “Looks” becomes – glances, stares, gazes, eyeballs, glares, studies, examines, surveys, inspects, etc.

    “Walks” becomes – treks, plods, crosses, saunters, swaggers, shuffles, scurries, meanders, strolls, steps, trudges, etc.

13. Unk on Thursday: 22 April 2010|1236

    Emily,

    So far, I know of at least 3 of these guys…

    Robert,

    Almost every wannabe screenplay I read has THAT problem in it and that’s usually the FIRST thing (all else being equal) I make note of for the writer to change. In fact, if the script isn’t too bad overall, this one fix can create a serious improvement in readability.

    Unk

14. Mr. A on Thursday: 22 April 2010|1416

    Unk. Nice.

    This spawned a question from me, though… do you feel that good screenwriting can be learned, or depsite how much effort, how much determination and learning of the format there is, you still need innate talent?

15. Ashley at Selling Your Screenplay on Thursday: 22 April 2010|1426

    UNK;

    First, I want to start out by saying my blog and all my advice is free. I never have and never will try and pass myself off as some sort of “guru”. And I’m not in anyway recommending or defending any of these scammers – ’cause that’s what most of them are, pure scams.

    However, I do think that many screenwriters could use a lesson in marketing. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met over the years who have written multiple scripts but spent virtually no time or effort in trying to actually market them. Example: I read a really good script a few years ago and the writer had sent it out to about 5 companies, not heard anything from any of them and was discouraged. Sending out your script to 5 companies ain’t squat and I don’t care if you’ve got the next Hamlet, there’s a good chance that no one is going to recognize it if your marketing efforts are so mild.

    I agree that you have to first learn how to write a competent script but once you do there’s no guarantee that you’ll be recognized. You need to market your work aggressively no matter how good it is and many writer’s forget about this.

16. Jonathan Peace on Thursday: 22 April 2010|1433

    I’ve finished my first script, a thriller called READ ME which I am now actively trying to place. I agree with Unk… I am now really pushing this script by using online sites like InkTip, LinkedIn, Twitter and my blog. It’s starting to get some interest and I hope I’ll learn so when my next script is finished I’ll be better placed to get it into the right hands.

    And so on, ad infinitum.

17. GreyGhost on Thursday: 22 April 2010|1719

    @ Mr.A re: can good screenwriting be learned? Just ask yourself; would you expect to pick up a violin and produce a first-rate version of Mozart’s violin solo, let’s say his K6-373a Violin Sonata?

    Of course not. It takes time to learn the craft; screenwriting seems so easy but in fact it is not.

18. Robert on Thursday: 22 April 2010|1840

    On marketing… I’m glad I didn’t press the issue on the first script I wrote… it was pretty weak. I recall what inspired me to try though… reading the script for “The Fugitive” right after watching it. The whole flick felt like a chase scene from front to back… then to read it and see how it was written was such a thrill, I had to try it for myself. I may one day revisit my first story, just to give it the polish it deserves, but you know how it feels to go back and rehash old work… ya kinda just wanna leave it in the drawer with a big “Maybe Someday” stamped on it and move forward.

    Thanks fer respondin ta the previous posts ya dern story tellers.

19. Unk on Thursday: 22 April 2010|1948

    Mr. A,

    I do feel that good screenwriting can be learned. I think innate talent is what separates good screenwriting and amazing screenwriting.

    Ashley,

    I agree with you 1000%. It’s good to know how to pitch, how to query, how to equery, how to approach producers, managers, and agents.

    I guess what I’m talking about however, is a program that costs several thousands of dollars along with a sub $100 a month fixed cost that really only comes down to listening how others have done it along with GETTING YOUR MIND RIGHT.

    Now I’m just SPECULATING here because THAT’S WHAT I DO…

    But what the FUCK did we do before these guys rolled into town? And nowhere can I find any stats on the progress of NEW STUDENTS selling screenplays.

    I think it’s great for us to be able to watch an online video about a successful screenwriter and how he or she maneuvered the dangerous waters of Hollywood… LOL.

    I just don’t want to pay THOUSANDS of dollars to do it. The information contained therein just cannot be that fucking groundbreaking.

    You have to know how to market your script… Of course. Just because you build it does not mean they will come. They have to find out about it. But these new gurus aren’t really telling anyone anything NEW. They are rehashing the same old techniques of marketing but with a completely NEW MINDSET! LOL.

    So I guess what I would like to know is how this new mindset makes sending a fucking query any different than it did before? Does a secret query formula come with the new mindset?

    I think it does…

    It’s spelled: B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T.

    Unk

20. Mr.A on Thursday: 22 April 2010|1951

    @ GreyGhost

    I think you misread. If you notice, I was making reference to talent IN ADDITION to what you’ve learned. Anyone can pick up a violin and spend years learning the craft… but how many who’ve studied their lives away are even remotely known?
    Thus, my question is whether or not you will need talent and creativity on top of all that. Follow?
    And I think it’s a pretty valid question. We can all dedicate ourselves to learning the craft and knowing said craft inside and out, but it guarantees nothing. A great many of us will still attempt and fail, regardless of our knowledge. Sure, we need to know all this, but ultimately, what can we do with it?
    See, yes, we must write an awesome script. It has to be good. It has to be fantastic. But… is it?

21. Robert on Thursday: 22 April 2010|2020

    There’s so many opinions on how to write a query email or letter, I decided to use my own technique.

    I looked at it from the receiver’s end and asked: “If I was to get queries all day, what would I want to see?”

    I wouldn’t want to hear a bunch of self-glorification or even a dear so-and-so intro… I’d just want to see a logline and a brief synopsis immediately. So that’s what I send, a logline and a five sentence teaser synopsis followed by a way to contact me if interested. That’s it. None of this, “I think my work is perfect for you” crap, or “I’ve been studying your recent productions” nonsense.

    Wasting time (mine or others) is a pet peeve for me. I figure if you don’t like the straight-to-the-point approach, we ain’t meant for each other anyway. Give me the premise, give it quick, if it sounds good, I’ll ask for more. If I had to read queries all day, that’s the way I’d want to get ‘em.

22. Jimmy D on Friday: 23 April 2010|0552

    Like anything else, some charlatans will take advantage of the internet to exploit screenwriters, while others genuinely want to help. It seems designed to take your money, one dollar/pound/shekel at a time.

    During the past fifteen years, I must’ve spent a fortune on books, classes, seminars, festivals, etc – now suddenly there’s a new way for me to part with my money – the internet. It’s very difficult to see who’s legit and who isn’t.
    I think I know the programme you’re referring to – I was stunned by the amount of money he was asking in his final pitch.

23. Kellene on Friday: 23 April 2010|0811

    I’m no genius, but I’d have to agree it all comes down to story. Story is king. I also think a lot of this is survival of the fittest. If you suck, sooner or later it will catch up with you (in an ideal and karmic world.) Hence why I educated myself beforehand so I at least have some kind of head start. I just want to write something really good and hope people like my style.

24. Robert on Friday: 23 April 2010|1526

    Rock-on fellow writers of the real world.

    May your pens glide free across the barren white landscape until the pages fill black with dramatic action and your plots twist in unforeseen ways such that tears of joy stream down the faces of those who devour these curious tales.

    I just couldn’t resist…

25. GreyGhost on Saturday: 24 April 2010|1552

    @ Robert :)) — nice. In a screenplay that would read: “May the force be with you!!

    It reminds me of a note I’ve gotten from one of the highest authorities in screenwriting re: one particular sequence in my last script. His note reads: “Fantastic literature indeed. Not threw it out and save for your next novel.” First principle: simplicity!

26. GreyGhost on Saturday: 24 April 2010|1553

    @ Mr. A — valid points. In my most honest moments I realize what really matters is the process and the process alone. Creating is the only real difference in between us and animals in us so if your pages create a whole new world that makes sense and deeply excites you, that’s it.

    Sooner or latter it will excite someone else and voila!, you’re on a roll. We should listen to Albert Camus and imagine Sisyphus happy.

27. Christian H. on Saturday: 24 April 2010|2006

    Wow, I missed a very good rant. I’m beginning to really understand your frustration. We’re here to make money making movies, not spend money on people who say they can tell you the “secret.” AT A PRICE.
    It’s a great market if you’re the SELLER. Buyer not so much…unless the seller has Ari’s cell number.

    It’s all a crap shoot for Paramount level but I’m in production on a short right now with another in talks – WITH PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY PLAN ON MAKING THE MOVIE.

    I can admit that reading different theories has advantages as it furthers your internal discourse, but I’m very careful not to pay someone for their opinion or advice.

    For readers, I can only accept, “it wasn’t funny,” “I didn’t cry,” “I felt nothing.” I’m not worried too much about scene construction, subplots, dialog or the technique of combination.

    I busted my ass all through the strike when my “spec-sale” momentum was shut down.

    For all: I highly recommend finding the texts used in BFA in Screenwriting courses. Quick fix, opinion texts work – as UNK said – after you actually “got it.” First you have to Google yourself to death. I found so many “free” resources that I didn’t have to attend the UCLA Extension – or beg Tisch to let me in. I’d rather pay an accredited program that has produced known talent.

    So I guess in my mind contests are just like “gurus” promising as long as you pay. I follow spec sales and I have yet to see either a winning screenplay make waves or screenwriter of ANY contest become a “for hire” writer.

    Hit the books. The real film making books.

28. Karel on Saturday: 24 April 2010|2033

    I just realized something…

    I know SCREENWRITERS, completely untalented HACKS, who can bullshit so well (which is where their REAL talent is), they convince people to part with their money to purchase or produce their lousy scripts.

    And yes, I know a few of them.

29. mark kassab on Monday: 26 April 2010|0314

    Great having you back and your point on gurus is spot on. I’ve been writing for seven years have done three short and just got a Producer to read synopsis and they loved it. I’m telling you this because everything that you said is so true just write and write you’ll know if you can do it or not.

30. Clint Pittenger on Tuesday: 27 April 2010|1554

    I definitely learned a valuable lesson when it comes to online Ads for screenwriting and online screenwriting classes. I Started to attend Hollywood scriptwriting Institute, http://www.moviewriting.com, Owned and operated by Donna Lee, who charges three hundred for the course and three months later dropped off the face the earth. No refunds, no apologies, nothing!!! She totally took advantage, and I am sure others were involved. I hope other screenwriters who are writing from heart don’t get ripped off, but I know for a fact there are quit a few ass-like-holes out there waiting to steal from anyone they can…..

31. Unk on Wednesday: 28 April 2010|0008

    Clint…

    That SUCKS.

    Unk

32. Kid In The Front Row on Friday: 14 May 2010|0208

    This is a great post. You approach this topic far more eloquently than I have been able to.

    This industry is rife with this kind of thing: people making a buck out of wannabes. i.e., short acting courses, producing weekends, etc, that cost thousands and are run by people whose experience amounts to one imdb credit as an associate producer in 1987. On the one hand, it’s worrying, but on the other hand, we’re all grown ups, we all have to take responsibility for ourselves.

    I interviewed Scott Rosenberg (Beautiful Girls, Con Air) recently for the site and he said about screenplay writing, that you just gotta write the damn script. Write an amazing script and Hollywood will come to you. I really believe that.

    GREAT post!

33. Sampdoria on Tuesday: 22 June 2010|1957

    You cannot teach good writing. You can teach good form and structure…which is what most screenplay books do. I never find writing fun, but once it gets going, it flows. Most writers I know find it to be hard work.

    Once you know the rules, you can play with them. MEMENTO and PULP FICTION are not a-b-c type stories, but they work. Many scripts that try to emulate that style do not.

    Even if you do learn to mix things up, content is still king…and you cannot teach that.

Leave a Reply