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(N.B this rambling post is coming from a "I'm a little drunk at my parent's house over the holidays and my hometown is crap" state of mind, but I am genuine in my question here).
I know some of the posters here are actually in the industry, or have successfully produced feature films. Even more of us, myself included, have had shorts produced based on scripts they've written.
But most of us aren't, and statistically, won't be ever "paid screenwriters". For instance, I live in a country where the film industry is dismal and reliant almost entirely on grants from the federal government. Australia has produced many great films, writers, and directors. There are many people in the country who make a living producing Australian TV (whether that is in a creative capacity or not).
But I'm the oldest I've ever been, and (without any sadness or regret), I know I won't be someone who gets paid a living to write for the screen. I also lack the talent or knowledge to produce my own stuff, which is probably good (I vaguely and shamefully remember a period in my teens where I had paid money for a photographer's camera, but was too embarrassed to use it in public and mostly took "nice" photos of streams of lights through blinds in my parent's kitchen, or "artistic" nudes of myself -- turns out no one cares about male nudes, regardless of their artistic integrity and lighting).
My question is for -- this being the only screenwriting community/forum that isn't primarily about "breaking in" and is focused on scripts -- those of you who have day jobs, no real plans to turns your writing into a job, and just like writing for fun.
It's fine for me, but it also makes me feel a little silly asking for feedback from other people on something I've written when it's basically just a hobbied creation. I especially feel silly when I don't see the point in submitting to comps where the only potential reward (unless it's money) is exposure to industry professionals who I'll never meet.
Ben, I think most people write, regardless of fame or fortune, because it's something instinctive they feel the need to do. That's how I feel about it.
Not everyone is given the opportunity to make a living from it and not everyone can be famous and win Academy Awards.
If you enjoy writing keep doing it.
You shouldn't feel silly, or be concerned about being judged. Let your head go and do what you want.
Do painters paint pictures because they need money or fame? Do musicians? Do writers? I don't think so. I think they do because they like it and or have a need to. Can creative people/artists make a living doing what they love? IMO, the cream always rises to the top. There will always be that 1% that will, regardless of field. Sports, business, whatever. Most of us are not going to be part of that 1%, but that doesn't mean anyone should quit if they like doing what they're doing. Planning on making a living as one of the best in the field, might be setting oneself up for failure though. Not saying it can't be done, but it would take the dedication and talent of a top athlete. Hard work and discipline every day 365 days a year. Well, maybe a couple of days off.
For me personally, I like to write, but I'm not interested in writing as a job. I think that would take a lot of fun out of it. From what I understand, as a pro writer, you more often than not have to write stuff that other people want or fix what some other writer has written and on a deadline too. That doesn't sound like much fun at all to me. Even if I got paid a decent sum, it would still just be a job then. No way for me to write what I like. But, I would like to hold on to that minuscule possibility of selling a spec script for a few hundred thousand.
I write screenplays because I'm a film fanatic and it's great when someone films something you've written.
Personally, I don't believe there's such a thing as too old, spec scripts don't list your age on them
I'd love to sell a spec for a decent amount, or one of my TV pilots and see it go into production, and I don't think that's a pipe dream as a long as I keep writing and keep striving to be better.
For me personally, I like to write, but I'm not interested in writing as a job. I think that would take a lot of fun out of it. From what I understand, as a pro writer, you more often than not have to write stuff that other people want or fix what some other writer has written and on a deadline too. That doesn't sound like much fun at all to me. Even if I got paid a decent sum, it would still just be a job then. No way for me to write what I like. But, I would like to hold on to that minuscule possibility of selling a spec script for a few hundred thousand.
This sounds like a contractor, which could mean very lumpy pay unless one can take nearly any job that comes along.
But not the kind of contractor who comes in and remodels your bathroom... no, you're the contractor who comes in to fix the bathroom after the homeowner tried to remodel it on his own after watching a couple of YouTube videos. There should be a premium attached to that kind of fixing, but contract writing has been a buyer's market for a while.
I write because I enjoy it as a creative outlet and it hones my storytelling skills which are useful in my day job (it involves writing of a far more technical nature). I'd love to see something I wrote get made, and have even talked to people though nothing happened yet.
I have a similar opinion of contests as the OP... cash prizes and recognition are nice. Networking opportunities are useless to me. Seems to me the latter category of prizes are intended for someone who wants a staff writer gig or to embed themselves in the festival circuit. These contests often offer coverage for a fee, which might be useful if you have the spare cash and want a second viewpoint after you get excellent feedback at SS and you're squeamish about asking people to read it again.
I just never realised I actually fully "explained" myself (which is why I could never write great prose).
When people ask about my hobbies, I say writing, they assume I mean writing as in short stories/prose. Which I sometimes do.
I think the "embaressment" I'm talking about (enjoy screenwriting as a hobby with no intention of """"making it"""") is because a screenplay isn't a final document, like a piece of prose.
Quoted from Angry Bear
Do painters paint pictures because they need money or fame? Do musicians? Do writers? I don't think so.
Of course not! But they finished a painting, and it's done. That's it's final form, so to speak.
Just wanted to clarify, now sober (but still hometown-bound).
It started in elementary school and it happened to be a part of me until today. Although I didn't pursue writing (in general) throughout all those years, only occasionaly, so I am not that good.
I got interested in screenplays specifically in drama class, but it was mostly focused on the acting aspect.
Its just fun to do something creative and I found writing to be the most fun to me.
It's just a hobby for me. I do it because I love it, and don’t think I could live without it.
This year is the first time I’ve entered paid competitions, lots of them with the same script, one I'm extremely passionate about. I think the anticipation and the excitement of progressing makes it fun even if you don’t make it all the way. Of course a nice little payday and some actual interest in the script would be great but I'm realistic enough to know that is unlikely.
(N.B this rambling post is coming from a "I'm a little drunk at my parent's house over the holidays and my hometown is crap" state of mind, but I am genuine in my question here).
I know some of the posters here are actually in the industry, or have successfully produced feature films. Even more of us, myself included, have had shorts produced based on scripts they've written.
But most of us aren't, and statistically, won't be ever "paid screenwriters". For instance, I live in a country where the film industry is dismal and reliant almost entirely on grants from the federal government. Australia has produced many great films, writers, and directors. There are many people in the country who make a living producing Australian TV (whether that is in a creative capacity or not).
But I'm the oldest I've ever been, and (without any sadness or regret), I know I won't be someone who gets paid a living to write for the screen. I also lack the talent or knowledge to produce my own stuff, which is probably good (I vaguely and shamefully remember a period in my teens where I had paid money for a photographer's camera, but was too embarrassed to use it in public and mostly took "nice" photos of streams of lights through blinds in my parent's kitchen, or "artistic" nudes of myself -- turns out no one cares about male nudes, regardless of their artistic integrity and lighting).
My question is for -- this being the only screenwriting community/forum that isn't primarily about "breaking in" and is focused on scripts -- those of you who have day jobs, no real plans to turns your writing into a job, and just like writing for fun.
It's fine for me, but it also makes me feel a little silly asking for feedback from other people on something I've written when it's basically just a hobbied creation. I especially feel silly when I don't see the point in submitting to comps where the only potential reward (unless it's money) is exposure to industry professionals who I'll never meet.
Anyway, happy Easter!
As a Brit, there's abolutely no shame in me in saying how much I apprecite the Australians. Often unfairly - and incorrectly - labelled, the straight forward directness and immersion in one of the most beautiful lands on this earth marinates an artistic people.
Having lived there for a year, it was diappointing to see that the industry is largely funded by Screen Australia and its many forms; this is actually a great opportunity for investors to tap into a deep pool of talent. Films like Animal Kingdom & Snowtown demonstrate what a critical voice Australians have.
Anyway, off piste.
I think if you think you can't make it, or won't make it because of [enter barrier here], then you it's never going to happen.
It can always happen, and talent doesn't discriminate.
I have a different take. If someone told me i�d never make a living screenwriting, i�d Stop immediately. Sure I get some fun from it. But I have a family and it�s a solitary and time consuming hobby. Luckily I have had a couple of commissions. And I have something getting close to being made. This is still no where near enough to give up my day job but enough so I can realistically continue my mission with a decent chance of success. Still just a chance though...
I write because I have this compulsion to. I’ve always had an overactive imagination and when an idea for a story pops into my brain, it won’t let me rest until I’ve written it down in some form. Writing is my passion.
I’ve had screenplays produced and stories published but the money this has generated has been minimal. My goal is to one day be able to give up the day job and earn enough a living from writing. That is the dream. I don’t mind if that is writing books, screenplays, audio dramas; whatever.
For more of my scripts, stories, produced movies and the ocassional blog, check out my new website. CLICK