New interview on my blog...


http://theworkingscreenwriter.blogspot.com/2012/06/can-gay-latino-find-success-as_8489.html

I just read your interview with Martin Aguilera

I know you’re trying to show the successful side of writing, but it seems as though he isn't really successful IMO.

Actually he sounds more like a poster here than someone who is hitting the high notes in Hollywood. Please don't get me wrong but there aren’t really credits under his belt for him to be called a Hollywood success story.

A third place showing at Slam dance for which he refers to as winning, one optioned script and a short his high school friend filmed.

I personally can think of several people here who are Gay that kicks those credentials A$$.

Dreamscale comes to mind. ;-)

I enjoyed the read but mustering up someone who has maybe put a feature up on screen, IMO opinion my better constitutes what a success may entail in this business.

Please also remember, these are just my opinion and I don't want to spook you or anyone else off with them.

Thanks for sharing your great website with us. I look forward to your next posting.

Take care!

Shawn…..><

Which is the sticking point for you here - him being gay or him being Latino?

Are you sure he wouldn't be pretty peed off if he saw this - the only reference he makes is about what others say and how they perceive gays on screen.

I think a more pertinent question would be as to whether a gay screen-play could succeed - which they have.

Quoted from Ledbetter I personally can think of several people here who are Gay that kicks those credentials A$$. Dreamscale comes to mind. ;-)

C'mon - out the rest of them then ...

Who cares if the guy is gay or Latino? It's not like he's the first gay and/or Latino screenwriter. This is just an example of the interviewer focusing on something which has absolutely no relevance to screenwriting per se. It's sensationalism for the sake of a headline and one that promotes prejuidice by highlighting something that has been received negatively by a narrow minded minority.

The guy will succeed if he has talent, has an incredible work ethic and understand the hollywood business dynamic and utilises that to make the right connections and promote his work.

Next week I'm being interviewed, 'Can a Straight Irishman Find success as a screenwriter?'

Quoted from Forgive Which is the sticking point for you here - him being gay or him being Latino?

I didn’t say there was a sticking point for me SiColl007. In fact, I could care less about his sexuality or his ethnicity.

Quoted from Forgive Are you sure he wouldn't be pretty peed off if he saw this - the only reference he makes is about what others say and how they perceive gays on screen.

I write for anyone to read and offer opinions on Si-

You shouldn’t post anything you don’t want honest feedback on. I wasn’t rude or arrogant. I simply questioned the credentials of the person being interviewed.

In the interview he said that a director asked about one scene in a script for which he asked the question if two boys kissing would be off putting. The director was asking him a question and his response IMO was less than professional. Read it yourself!

Quoted from Forgive I think a more pertinent question would be as to whether a gay screen-play could succeed - which they have.

If you think that is the more pertinent question-the one you mentioned, then start a blog, and post it on line and ask it. That was not the question Jim with his blog was asking.

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Eoin Who cares if the guy is gay or Latino? It's not like he's the first gay and/or Latino screenwriter.

It's funny you mention that because the only question in the entire interview that delt with either was ONE question about him being a minority.

Shawn.....><

I got the impression he was referring to the original poster.  :)

I agree with your post though.  About some people here at SS having done more than that guy. It would be interesting to know what the option amount was. I know several people here that have got anywhere from $1 - $8000. More than that, I haven't heard of, but I don't know everything.  ;D

Quoted from Eoin Next week I'm being interviewed, 'Can a Straight Irishman Find success as a screenwriter?'

I'm the week after you. "Can an bad tempered old Swedish woman find success as a screenwriter?   ;D

Hey now...easy there, Led...I'm not gay or latino, nor did I place in the Slam Dance or even 2 step.

You old goat!!!

Quoted from Grandma Bear I'm the week after you. "Can an bad tempered old Swedish woman find success as a screenwriter?   ;D

Yes!! Oh Yes!!! ;D

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Grandma Bear I'm the week after you. "Can an bad tempered old Swedish woman find success as a screenwriter?   ;D

You're not old, just well seasoned :)

Quoted from Dreamscale Hey now...easy there, Led...I'm not gay or latino, nor did I place in the Slam Dance or even 2 step. You old goat!!!

You're just the hairy old man on the mountain. Eh?

What exactly were you looking at in that avatar pic?

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Ledbetter You're just the hairy old man on the mountain. Eh? What exactly were you looking at in that avatar pic?

3 hot, nude coeds skiing down the mountain in perfect form.

Quoted from Ledbetter In fact, I could care less about his sexuality or his ethnicity.

Calm down Sir, - As the swedish chick pointed out -- I was referring to the original point, so no need to get your pants in a very camp twist.

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!

Shawn

Quoted from Ledbetter You should clarify yourself seeing how you brought my panties into it.

;D Mr Jim's post, most definitely. Your panties never crossed my mind -- until now ...

Quoted from Forgive Your panties never crossed my mind -- until now ...

And now they will haunt your dreams!  ;D

Thanks Si-

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Dreamscale 3 hot, nude coeds skiing down the mountain in perfect form.

Well played!!! ;D

Shawn.....><

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.

Quoted from The Working Screenwriter 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....

How would anyone ever even know your sexual orientation or color based on your writing?

When submitting a script to InkTip or a contest, I don't remember checking any of those box's off...

I read bunches of Pia's work and you would never know she was a hot Swedish blonde from her writing...

It’s just good writing.

It seems to me, that writing is somewhat blind. I either like it or I don’t.

Shawn.....><

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."

Quoted from The Working Screenwriter 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.

I never disagreed with the interview...

I simply questioned his credentials as a "successful" writer.  ;D

Shawn.....><

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.")  

Can a Gay Latino Find Success as a Screenwriter?

Yes.

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.

Personally, I'll hope for the straight white males...over 45, and never produced prior.  Also, over 6' 2" and weighing in at over 225...on a good day!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from Dreamscale Personally, I'll hope for the straight white males...over 45, and never produced prior.  Also, over 6' 2" and weighing in at over 225...on a good day! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Jeff, My brother...

You are one funny mother fu%ker!!!!  :D

Shawn.....><