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Can a Gay Latino Find Success as a Screenwriter? (currently 1888 views)
Ledbetter
Posted: June 11th, 2012, 6:05pm
Guest User
Original point or original post Si? If you are referring to the person who posted his blog here, his name is Jim. If You are referring to the original post after the thread was started, then That would be me. You should clarify yourself seeing how you brought my panties Into it. For the record, I go commando!
A few people have asked me why I felt it was important to interview a gay Latino screenwriter. Well, for one thing, many wannabe scribes figure they can't find success because they're a "minority." They'll say, "If you're not a white male, you'll never make it!" I personally think that's hogwash.
The interview I did with Martin Aguilera is my way of saying, "It doesn't matter who you are or what your background is. Anyone—white, black, brown, yellow, blue, straight, gay, male, female—can find success as a screenwriter if they have a) writing talent, b) their head screwed on at least somewhat straight, c) the guts to keep working on the career and the fortitude to never give up, and d) a personality people want to work with."
Last summer I interviewed Justin Samuels, an African-American gentleman who sued CAA and William Morris for racial prejudice and discrimination. He felt that because he was black and didn't come from a certain social circle (i.e., rich and white), he'd never sell a script to the powers that be in Hollywood. So instead of spending more time honing his writing ability and getting cozy with those aforementioned powers that be, he decides to spend a few years in court and sabotaging any career he might have had.
My interview with Martin Aguilera is, in its way, a shout out to Mr. Samuels. Martin is not white, not rich, not from any privileged social circle. OK, so why is he getting attention for his writing. With all due respect, Mr. Samuels, do the math.
The fact that Martin has yet to sell a million dollar script is irrelevant. Point is he’s making some smart moves, finding a decent measure of success, and doing it in a relatively short span of time. Based on what I know of Martin’s talent, attitude, personality, and professionalism, I’m confident a solid screenwriting career is right around the corner for him. I'd actually be willing to put money on it.
A few people have asked me why I felt it was important to interview a gay Latino screenwriter. Well, for one thing, many wannabe scribes figure they can't find success because they're a "minority." They'll say, "If you're not a white male, you'll never make it!"
You know, in all my years trying to learn how to write, I have never heard anyone say that. If that was the case then no woman would have a chance either....
I'm in complete agreement with you, Shawn. If you read my interview with Justin Samuels you'd see that you're making the same points I've made. Producers, agents, etc. don't really care what you are— they just want a great script. I've been in this business a while (I've taught writing, talked about it on panels, done interviews, been a part of many writing groups), and believe me, there are writers who feel they'll never make it cuz they're not white and they're not male. Silly, of course, but there’s a small segment of the budding writer population that actually thinks this way. My interview with Martin was another of my attempts to tell these people, "Don't worry about who you are—just be a great writer."
Though I do see your point, Shawn, I never said Martin was "successful," I merely pointed out that he had "found success." (Obtaining the services of a Beverly Hills lit manager, optioning a screenplay, and getting a deal to pen a screenplay could definitely be considered "finding success.")
If you write a story that will make billions of dollars, then nobody is going to care if you're gay, or Latino, or straight, or white, or male, or female, or whatever.
Of course, that's assuming that you define success by dollar signs or Euro signs. If you define success as simply getting your work produced, then you have a much better chance.