Ello Ello

Just a quick one from a not too active member.

Do you guys think making it as a screenwriter is not down to your strength as a writer but down to the strength of the stories you have to tell?


Thanks

Matthew

Very few writers achieve success without having both aspects of screenwriting locked down.

Matthew,

I second what Toby says.  If I had to pick one, then I would say strength of story would trump strength of skill.  

If you wrote a perfectly formatted story about a guy who watches paint dry on his days off from maintaining the card catalog at his public library, I'd stop reading around page 1.  

However, if you wrote a story with horrible grammar about a serial killer who captures people and amputates their limbs but keeps them alive, only to starve them and feed their own limbs back to them, I'd read that as long as it was interesting.

Jordan

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this is very true in terms of who makes it and who doesn't make it.

Those with talent, who persevere can make it as well, but it will be a rough journey.

The funny thing to me is that so many writers who have made it, lack talent in both areas, IMO.  Look at all the movies that tanked.  Look at all the movies that recieve scathing reviews form both real critics and the general movie going public.

A great story is completely a personal opinion and it's those personal opinions of those in power, who make the decisions.

JUst because a script is made into a movie, big budget, small budget, no budget, doesn't mean it's a great story or a great script.  It simply means that someone(s) liked it enough to take a chance.

Quoted from Dreamscale The funny thing to me is that so many writers who have made it, lack talent in both areas, IMO.  Look at all the movies that tanked.  Look at all the movies that recieve scathing reviews form both real critics and the general movie going public.

A film is a lot more than just a script. A script is merely a blueprint and can be pHucked up by so many more factors than the writing.

Name one writer that has made it you consider you are better than.

Quoted from Dreamscale JUst because a script is made into a movie, big budget, small budget, no budget, doesn't mean it's a great story or a great script.  It simply means that someone(s) liked it enough to take a chance.

Writers (that have made it) are mostly commissioned based on their past achievements.

Famous haha?

You are in the wrong business, kid.

Ask any non-writing friend who is their favorite screenwriter -- then take note of that blank stare.

Quoted from DustinBowcot A film is a lot more than just a script. A script is merely a blueprint and can be pHucked up by so many more factors than the writing.

Really, Dustin?  Gee, that's amazing news.  I had no idea.  I thought the writer not only wrote the script, but also did the filming, the set building, the FX, the wardrobe, the directing, and the producing.

Thanks for that nugget of in info.

It always amazes me when peeps stick up for writers and act like they can do no wrong.  News Flash!  News Flash!  Many, MANY times, it's the script that sucks ass and the shit movie that follows has no chance because of the shit script.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Name one writer that has made it you consider you are better than.

Jim Wynorski,  J. Andrews, Jay Andrews, H.R. Blueberry, Harold Blueberry, Bob E. Brown, Daniel Fast, David Gibbs, Heny Henri, Noble Henri, Nobel Henry, Noble Henry, Andrew James, J.R. Mandish, Rip Masters, Sam Pepperman, Tom Popatopolous, Bob Robertson, Rob Robertson, Salvadore Ross, Arch Stanton, Jamie Wagner, and Thaddeus Wickwire.

Happy now?

I think this probably relates more to fame within the industry... being the go-to writer that everybody expects success from.

I would love that. The thrill of accomplishment and then the adoration that follows. Not for the person, but for the work and general ability of the writer.

In regards to the question, it is the complete package and then some.

Quoted from Dreamscale Really, Dustin?  Gee, that's amazing news.  I had no idea.  I thought the writer not only wrote the script, but also did the filming, the set building, the FX, the wardrobe, the directing, and the producing. Thanks for that nugget of in info.

Well you went from talking about bad writing to talking about movies. The script and the movie are two different things.

Quoted from Dreamscale It always amazes me when peeps stick up for writers and act like they can do no wrong.  News Flash!  News Flash!  Many, MANY times, it's the script that sucks ass and the shit movie that follows has no chance because of the shit script.

I think we're talking about two different things. We started out talking about writers that have made it. Clearly our definitions of 'making it' differ.


To me, this...

Quoted from Dreamscale Jim Wynorski

...is not making it.

I imdb'd some of those names, Jeffro, and got a good laugh.

The Hills Have Thighs. lmao

Wynorski has over 150 movie credits to his name and is a very wealthy man, Dustin.

Steve, you know all those names are the same person, right?  They're all Wynorski's alias'.

Quoted from Dreamscale Wynorski has over 150 movie credits to his name and is a very wealthy man, Dustin. Steve, you know all those names are the same person, right?  They're all Wynorski's alias'.

Exactly. To me, making it isn't about the money. It's about respect.

Clearly, there is no-one in the world better at this stuff than Jim Wynorski!

Another thing... he's also a director and producer.

If you're just talking about being a writer of crap like that you have very little chance.

I like Jim Wynorski.

Some of his stuff is unwatchable. But then some of it's like 'Chopping Mall'. Good fun.