I'm not one to subscribe to any absolutes about anything. I'm sure that it's possible to be a brilliant screenwriter without watching hardly any movies at all and I'm sure there are such individuals out there, making more money in a month than I do in my entire lifetime (which in my case isn't very hard).

Having said that, watching a lot of movies definitely can't hurt. And more than watching movies, I've found it extremely valuable to analyze the films I watch. By making mental notes on what works on any film or television show you happen to see, you pick up insight almost subconsciously, because analyzing what I see has proven to be very easy for myself. Your results will naturally vary.

I watch about seven or eight films every week, especially after I got Netflix working with some proxy-magic. And the movies I find interesting in any way I tend to watch several times to get even better insight (as well as enjoyment).

So even though there are no set rules about what to do and what not to do, there are some good habits that you can follow. Familiarizing yourself with the artform you are functioning in cannot be anything but an advantage.

I'm not too sure I understand people who say they can write films but don't want them?

Last films I saw were 'Swordfish' and 'Raising Arizona' - the only stuff I ever watch on TV is a film - I never really watch any other form of TV.

So when I'm watching these two films above I'm watching all the plots point, the way the story moves, the beats, - blah de blah. I've seen 'Raising Arizona' before, but now it reads differently.

This is (theoretically) our finished product - so how would you not watch them?

Simon, I think you are correct that most screenwriters probably come into this through a love of film. Hopefully that is not the only way. I came into this a little different. I was never really into film. Sure, I liked a good movie now and again, but I mostly watched sports, news, History Channel.

I got into this kind of unexpectedly. I have always liked to read, and even when I was I kid I entertained the idea of being a novelist. But I didn't do a whole lotta writing, never developed the required skill or seriously pursued it.

When I lost my business a couple of years ago, I suddenly had time on my hands, and was in need of a new "career". I tried writing a novel, and things were moving ok, when I took a break from it to try to write a script based loosely on the things I had experienced in my business life. I didn't really intend to keep writing after that, but I got hooked on the screenplay craft and world.

Not being a movie guy, I am at a disadvantage. But I like the writing part, so I'm going to keep at it for now, see if it goes anywhere.

Funny thing is, I still can't get into most movies. I try, too. We have the package with all the premium channels. It just seems like most of these movies aren't very good, and I can't bring myself to sit through them.

I watch lots of films and lots of TV.  I've also studied the process of making both.  

I think it's more important to know how to put a film together to write a good script than it is to watch a lot of films.  

You can learn that to a degree from reading other scripts but I don't think you ever actually understand it until you try to put a film together yourself.

So my answer to this question is no, you don't really need to watch a lot of movies -- but you do need to know how they are made.

My two cents.    

Quoted from Dreamscale Uh hu...I see another quote of mine is now a discussion thread.  OK Pia...you better watch out...

There was nothing wrong with your post, Jeff. It just made me think and I thought the question valid.

I used to go to the movies twice/week and watch a movie every day while on the NordicTrac......This was many wrinkles and pounds ago... At that time though, I LOVED movies. I honestly can't say I do anymore. Seems like "new" films I watch, I have a hard time finishing. I watch movies though, but most of the time I watch films I know I like. This week I've seen Contact for maybe the 50th time. Yesterday, I watched The Shining for maybe the 80th time. Right now, I'm watching One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest. I can say that I absolutely hate super hero movies and I also HATE the heavy CGI laden films. They have honestly ruined my love for films. I went to see The Hunger Games today. Not bad, but nothing memorable. I liked the book much better. And that is usually the case. The books are so much better. I love books! I'm currently reading Cornwell's Red Mist when I'm sitting poolside relaxing. When the weather keeps me inside I'm currently reading a thriller written by several thriller writers. (can't remember their names...) When in my car, I'm listening to The Hunger Games and when I get ready for work in the morning, I'm listening to V. Flynn's Kill Shot. I just love books. I wish I could write books, but I can't. Screenplays are the only chance for me to write and I do have a need to write, but like I said, movies just aren't really my thing to watch anymore. I have 7+ thousands of pro screenplays. I honestly usually enjoy reading those more than watching the films.

Anyway, I have no idea what the "trends" are, nor will the trends change what I write. I appreciate everyone's answer. I think we all have different reasons why we write and different goals for our writing as well. I wish all of us the best, regardless of goals.  

There has to be many thoughts on this sort of theory.  There has to be.  As many different thoughts as there are people, writers and genres of films.  And each person's idea works for them as an individual.  Whether or not it translates into their being a successful screewriter is a different story altogether.  I do not believe any one approach will make one a success as a screenwriter.  Or any 'one's' approach.  Successful screenwriters are successful screewriters because that is what they were destined to be.  Sure they have to learn their craft, and yes, they have to understand how the business works and what the people want to see, but they do these things and understand these things because that is what they were meant to be.  Look at Pia's success,and her thoughts about movie watching.  She is a success because that is what she was meant to be.

I only try to write scripts because I love films.  I do agree with Jeff that watching films is very important, as I can say, "That's what I love to see on screen!", and then try to use that feeling in what I write.  I think watching film is important for writing film, but reading scripts is just so much fun.  It's all important.

You have to watch movies in order to write screenplays.  How else is someone going to write the next Total Recall, Arthur, Footloose, Fright Night or Conan?  You need to see the first movie in order to know how the story goes.

Quoted from Nomad You have to watch movies in order to write screenplays.  How else is someone going to write the next Total Recall, Arthur, Footloose, Fright Night or Conan?  You need to see the first movie in order to know how the story goes.

Hope this is sarcasm working overtime...  

Quoted from Baltis. Hope this is sarcasm working overtime...

Perhaps it was meant to be a sequel to another comment?  

Quoted from steven8 Perhaps it was meant to be a sequel to another comment?

Perhaps... I was thinking it might've just been his way of saying "how else is Hollywood going to keep re-writing movies without seeing the originals."  But then I thought to myself -- how could they possibly be watching the originals when the source material for the remakes are so far removed???

I think everyone is different... And everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt -- or 10 pages, whatever comes first.

Quoted from Baltis. Hope this is sarcasm working overtime...

Yes that was meant to be sarcastic.  

Every year there seem to be more and more "remakes", "reboots", "sequels".  Whatever you want to call them.  They aren't original.

You don't have to watch movies in order to be a good story teller, and that's what a screenwriter is.

You need to understand movies in order to effectively write screenplays. Sure, you can be a genius and invent a new way to write movies without ever seeing a movie, but chances are none of us are going to do that. Movies are not books. Movies do not take place inside of a character's mind (most of the time). It's a different type of story. I'm sure most of us understand that, but you need a certain level of understanding of what a movie is before you can be successful as a screenwriter.

In my awesome opinion at least....

Quoted from Nomad You don't have to watch movies in order to be a good story teller, and that's what a screenwriter is.

Um Balt, could you make your signature bigger?  There's still some room for text on the screen.

Was it here or elsewhere that there have been conversations about what constitutes a tasteful size for a signature?

Back to the topic.  

Quoted from mcornetto Um Balt, could you make your signature bigger?  There's still some room for text on the screen. Was it here or elsewhere that there have been conversations about what constitutes a tasteful size for a signature? Back to the topic.

I go big, man... I go big...

Actually, I've been using my phone so I didn't realize how big it was... I uploaded it from facespace -- I'll just make it a linkable instead.    I knew when I drafted it up it was only landscaped at 720... I'll re-scale it sometime.