Did you know that Dances With Wolves was originally written as a spec script back in the 80s, but it didn't do any good?

There was one person who saw its potential, Costner. He thought if it were made into a novel, maybe it would have a better chance at selling the script. So, the author, Blake, broke and living out of his car wrote the novel.

It was passed on over 60 times, too.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is all you have to do is find "the right person".
Oh, and never give up on your dreams. :-)

Cindy

The stories around are that Wahlberg shopped for four years to get The Fighter financed, and Aronofsky's financing collapsed 3 weeks before principal photography was supposed to begin on Black Swan, but was miraculously revived - and that was with Portman, Kunis and Winona Ryder in tow...

True about never giving up on your dreams. But the word "dream" is dangerous, because it implies wishing and hoping. Unless you're willing to supply the blood, sweat and tears in the form of marketing your script, you're better off buying a lottery ticket...

Quoted from ajr True about never giving up on your dreams. But the word "dream" is dangerous, because it implies wishing and hoping. Unless you're willing to supply the blood, sweat and tears in the form of marketing your script, you're better off buying a lottery ticket...

Oh be quiet.  People move to LA by the thousands to market and pitch their scripts and get absolutely nowhere.  Not to mention people trying to produce their own stuff, direct their own movies, find acting gigs, etc. etc.  It's one of the toughest towns to make it big in, so sometimes simply having a dream based on wishing and hoping is enough to keep those individuals happy when they've fallen short elsewhere.  As Cindy said, it can come in the form of simply knowing someone who knows someone who knows someone.

Good post, Cindy.  I love these kinds of stories.  If it was on Facebook I would Like it.

Greg,

It's completely cool for you to knock my post because this is a message board and all opinions are respected. I kinda don't appreciate the 'oh be quiet' though...

Here's an article that shows persistence pays.  It's about the woman who wrote the novel "The Help", which has now been the #1 movie three weeks in a row.  

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/poweryourfuture/kathryn-stocketts-the-help-turned-down-60-times-before-becoming-a-best-seller-2523496/

That's a good story too, Ryan.  I love hearing stories of someone breaking bank after being stepped over so many times before.  Good stuff.  

Quoted from ajr It's completely cool for you to knock my post because this is a message board and all opinions are respected. I kinda don't appreciate the 'oh be quiet' though...

Yeah, that was uncalled for.  My apologies.

No prob -

Btw, if any of you are fans of the show WIPEOUT, the title of this thread makes me think of that really annoying woman who kept saying "Never give up, never surrender!"

She was on twice, and she finished in 2nd place both times. Yeah, I have way too much WIPEOUT knowledge, but it's kinda the best. show. ever...

As long as there is injustice...whenever a Targathian baby cries out, wherever a distress signal sounds among the stars...we'll be there. This fine ship, this fine crew...

Quoted from Heretic As long as there is injustice...whenever a Targathian baby cries out, wherever a distress signal sounds among the stars...we'll be there. This fine ship, this fine crew...

;D ;D ;D

Quoted from ajr No prob - Btw, if any of you are fans of the show WIPEOUT, the title of this thread makes me think of that really annoying woman who kept saying "Never give up, never surrender!"

Aw, I hope you don't think I'm annoying.  ??)

I posted this because I watched a show on television the other day about what this film and those involved with this film had gone through to finally see it through to fruitration.

I was amazed at how many times this wonderful film had been passed on.

Sometimes I feel like just giving up and I know "I should only be writing for fun" as everyone says, BUT I want to have a feature produced.

There I said it.

So I, for one, am not going to give up. I just wanted to maybe give a little hope to others who may be thinking along the same lines as I was.

Cindy

Nice post - I'm rewriting my first atempt at a feature at the moment - It's been a long journey - 10 years of research alone - but if you believe in something you have to keep moving - just be careful what you believe in :)

I think it's a good post, Cindy, and I'm glad you don't give up on a dream. I've read a lot of interviews over the last few months with writers who have recently found success, one thing is certainly true: there are many different paths.

In a way, whether you market it or not, it's like winning the lottery. Clearly, the odds are much better if you, like Brett, are in LA and can pitch in person and make contacts. But people that have a dream should keep pursuing it. You don't know where you'll be in your life a few years from now. Maybe you'll be in better opportunity to pitch. Or maybe your script will get discovered anyway, and that will get you a chance to pitch it. Should one sell the family jewels to pursue this dream? Probably not, even if you're in LA and live next to studio big. But, as you are saying, never give up on your dream! Thanks for the post.

I think selling a script and getting it prodcued by Hollywood is akin to winning the lottery, albeit you have a modicum control of your own destiny.

However you don't have to start at the top. You can work your way in by getting involved in a smaller film that does well enough to get funding for a slightly better film and having that being enough of a success to get you your shot.

Quoted from ajr No prob - Btw, if any of you are fans of the show WIPEOUT, the title of this thread makes me think of that really annoying woman who kept saying "Never give up, never surrender!" She was on twice, and she finished in 2nd place both times. Yeah, I have way too much WIPEOUT knowledge, but it's kinda the best. show. ever...

I have to stop watching because Jill Wagner's left / in the process of leaving.  :-/