Hey Comrades,

I just posted to let you all know what screenwriting means to me, and to see if you guys feel the same and commit the same.

I have been writing for a couple of years and commenced screenwriting some 4 to 5 months ago. During this time I have written 8 or 9 shorts, and most of them sucked at first, good ideas just bad execution (at first), though after help from a number of SS regulars, they have been rewritten and improved. I have signed away 6 of these shorts with 2 short movies completed.

I have now put my shorts in the closet, and stopped writing shorts and concentrating on a feature that I am in collaboration with another SS member and we hope to get it completed in the next few months.

Reason for this post !!!  
Screenwriting is controlling my life. I wake thinking about screenwriting, I go to sleep thinking about screenwriting, and all the time between as we'll.

When I'm not writing, I'm thinking about writing, when I'm not thinking about writing I'm thinking about scenes, when I'm not thinking about scenes, I'm thinking about marketing..... Etc etc etc...
When I'm at work, I am distracted with screenwriting thoughts.

Not to mention the time on SS.

It has taken over my life and I need it's stimulus every hour of every day, It is a passion that I can't put aside. I AM HOOKED totally!!!

Unless I can make it big, I am screwed, because the rest of my life is not complete without it.

I see my feature as my big shot at success and if it doesn't get across the line,  then the downside is what do I do then ?? Get my life back and reduce my blood, sweat and tears, or have a life and reduce my input into what I love.

How do you guys feel over the time you have been writing, is it a hobby that has become more, and where do you see yourself heading with it?

Let the emotions out !!

Alex

Hey Alex, good to hear your passion for screenwriting and that your writing a feature.

I love to write but my problem is time.  When you work two jobs it's hard to write anything, especially features.  I have set myself a goal of writing a new feature by Christmas and so far 40 pages in 3 weeks so I'm on the way.

I think a lot of members want to make it as professional writers but I think only a few will.  I know I would love to write for a living but I fear that wont happen.  I guess I'm saying, don't put all your eggs in one basket.  Don't give up on your dream but don't be devastated if it doesn't happen.

I like others have spent a lot of time on their baby, sorry feature, but I still don't hold out much hope that I will ever see it on the big screen....or a dodgy backstreet production lol.

Keep writing though, Alex.  Live the dream!!!!!

Oh, what's the feature about?

I love writing screenplays.  I wrote prose for years until I just got bored with all the regular conventions (I still enjoy reading experimental writing far more than anything else).  Picked up screenwriting and it lit the spark again.  While I've written a few shorts and a feature, I had different goals for each.  The shorts I wanted to see on screen, because it's attainable.  I have a short up on the boards that's being made into a graphic novel and a short film by two different people, and that's what I wanted.

Features, though, are just so massive an effort.  Chances are slim that it'll get picked up, and so much work has gone into it.  I don't ever expect Grid-Lock to get made, that's not why I wrote it.  It was a labor of love, and a promise to myself that I could get this freaking thing on paper, a whole story from my head onto 90 pages of crispy white.

I wouldn't base my addiction off getting sold, Alex.  Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.  Write because you love it (it's obvious you do), not because some guy wants to film it.

Writing, for me, is still just a hobby.

Quoted from Alex_212 Unless I can make it big, I am screwed, because the rest of my life is not complete without it.

Better pray to Jesus.  'Cuz yer gonna need a big fat miracle.  

...I can relate.


Mark 9:23

Thanks guys,

I can't let too much out about my feature, though to let you know, I have written a synopsis for the sequel and a prequel and think they all have a big wow factor. The story is absolutely amazing and the writing tech side is getting there slowly. I also have spoken to a few writers to create a novel based on the screenplay.

I have done a huge amount of research into it and there has never been anything like it done before.
It has taken around 2 and a half years of my time to date and I think it has the potential of going big.

Can't even let the name or Logline out as it would give too much away. Sorry.
All I can say is that it is a Psychological Thriller/Horror and will have quite an impact on the audience as it has also knocked the socks of my Co-writer.

Once compete and copyright are in place, the world won't be the same again. I really do mean this.

I am excited and optimistic, all my eggs are not in one basket ATM, I am a director and run my own company so success is not new to me, though I would drop it all in a flash.

If I get sold, then I can divert my life path. I hope I don't come across as arrogant, as I am far from being, just optimistic.

Alex

Quoted from Alex All I can say is that it is a Psychological Thriller/Horror and will have quite an impact on the audience as it has also knocked the socks of my Co-writer. Once compete and copyright are in place, the world won't be the same again.

That you, Balt?

:-)  Just a little bit of playing around.

I believe I saw a thread where Baltis claimed something to that same effect.  It looks like Balt is making good with his promise, though, so, who knows what you can do, Alex.  Good luck.

Screenwriting hasn't really taken a hold of my life.  There's too much going on for me right now for that, but stories in general have.  Anytime I get a free moment, I usually have a story I'm working on in my head.

Quoted from Alex_212 I see my feature as my big shot at success and if it doesn't get across the line,  then the downside is what do I do then ?? Get my life back and reduce my blood, sweat and tears, or have a life and reduce my input into what I love. Alex

It's great that you are hooked on writing and not to put a damper on your enthuasim, more 'grounded perspective', pinning all your hopes on hitting it big with your first feature is about as futile as pinning all your hopes on winning the lottery. It happens, sure, but you're playing against impossible odds.

Temper your enthuasim with logic. Accept that this is hard work. It takes a lot of features under your belt to get this pat down (I speak for myself too of course). It takes a lot of re writes to nail a script down. Let go of the expectation and just enjoy learning and writing, the rest will come with time.

Eoin

Quoted from Alex_212 Once compete and copyright are in place, the world won't be the same again. I really do mean this. Alex

Wow, bold claims, Alex.  I hope it does though.

Think big, Alex! You might not make it if you do, but you definitely won't make it if you don't!

We got your back. We're pulling for you!

Alex, like many other writers on SS you've found 'the thing.'

'The thing' for all of us is what gets you up every morning. It's what you think about when you wake up, it's what you think about when you go to sleep. There are many people out there who still haven't found it. They're living regular lives, without knowledge of where they actually want to go, what they actually want to do. And when they find it, their lives (as you say) will never be the same for them.

Screenwriting and filmmaking is my thing. It's what gets me up in the morning. It's what gets me to bed at night. It's what drives me to check my email every day. It's what drives me to come to websites like SS to meet some awesome people with the exact same ambitions. That's what screenwriting is to me.

If your feature doesn't get across that line, oh well, you had fun writing it. It's not the end of the world if that script doesn't sell. It would be worse to see a passionate writer such as yourself walk away from the art forever because he couldn't get that one screenplay sold. Don't let money drive you. Let the passion drive you. That's the different between the good writers and the great writers. The great writers don't write for anybody else, but themselves. They write stories that excite THEM, not what society wants.

Keep writing, Alex. You have an entire community backing you up.

Dan

Hey Alex - Good luck on the feature script.

I agree with you in that ever since I joined SS a couple of months ago I've been hooked. I'm currently writing my first feature length script. Hope to have it finished soon. Actually it's my first anything. Trying to learn the craft. I've had this story stuck in my head for several years now and I'm finally getting it on paper. Purely a hobby for me, enjoying the time it takes to write a script but it would be great if it became more one day. - Dirk

^ Yeah.

Remember that what you enjoy is the writing process, anyway.  That's where your enthusiasm is coming from -- what you're already doing.  "Success"...whatever.  It'd be awesome to be a successful working screenwriter, but it's also awesome just to be a screenwriter!

And even with your passion, balance is important.  Many of the great writers tell us this.  your writing will be better if you spend a bunch of time doing other stuff, too.

But, a new love is a new love...

Right on, Alex.  Love the tude.  You gotta believe first of all, and then you have to deliver.

Keep it real, my friend and keep writing.  You can do it.  If first you don't succeed, then, you...you know...you keep at it and find your niche.

Best, bro.

^^^ This is true.  My new love is consuming large, fibrous chunks of asbestos.  Friends and family keep telling me to pace myself and leave room for other things in my life, but the heart wants what the heart wants. :/

If your ability to write is equal to your obvious passion to write, it's just a matter of time.  But always, always keep one foot on the ground.  It's not a bad thing to be hopeful, just don't forget to be realistic.  There are a lot of scripts out there looking to be read and produced.  The competition is fierce.  The only way to set your work apart and better your chances is to keep writing, honing your craft, writing stories that you are passionate about telling.  

Well, that and eating asbestos.  It's a touch hard on the digestive system but the visions, man...the visions!

Good luck.

I love the positive thoughts! I mean why not? Anyone of us could 'make it' ...seriously. If we all dwell on how hard it is...and never getting an agent...and not selling a script....truth is...we won't.

Dream big. Write bigger. And if you fall in a mud puddle, dive in the stream...wash off and get back to it!

WRITE ON!

Best of luck to you, dude! I believe in ya!