In some ways, I guess you could say, the cliche fantasy came true. There I was, lifting steel plates from boxes and stacking them into line assembly bins while choking on welding fumes on the factory floor when I checked my phone in the hope much more time had passed than it felt when I saw a notification from my producing partner in LA; the last film we had released, the first I’d been both a writer and producer on, had shot up to #7 on Amazon Prime in the US. Five hours later, when I was able to clock out and get to my car, I found out that was the previous day’s position and we were now at #6. Indeed, the charts showed Double Threat was mixing it up with the likes of The Northman, Ambulance, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The next day we moved up to #5 and, as of writing, our little micro-budget indie feature, which launched to little reception in June, is sitting at #4 - surreal.
Obviously, I do want to make a song and dance about this and bask in limelight for a little but ultimately I want to turn this into a learning experience for my fellow screenwriters because a lot of what I’ve been saying for a long time has been falling on deaf ears or even silenced with the amateur screenwriting scene.
But first, let’s get down to brass tacks (or maybe brass brads) and address the elephant in the room. Double Threat is far from a cinematic masterpiece and I appreciate how that may make me look as a writer and filmmaker. We made this movie fast. We went from an initial meeting where a few of us wanted to do something to wrapping principal just three months later. That’s a union level movie where we had to secure our own funding and shoot under tight Covid regulations with a skeleton crew. The intent was to create a cultish, female-led dirt movie that gave a nod to the grindhouse era of films while still being family friendly enough to maximise distribution opportunities globally. It’s cheap, trashy, and polarising as the reviews clearly show. If you’re smart, you’ll put your subjective opinion aside here and look of the lessons that apply universally. That’s something I can’t promote enough. I don’t particularly enjoy the Twilight movies but I’ve studied their success, respect the audience, appreciate the economics, and will happily defend their place in modern culture.
As mentioned, I wrote the script in less than a week, handing in one act at a time to the team at the end of each day and getting notes (mainly typos) back in the morning. I write in five acts and have a well refined process which allows me to develop and draft rapidly while still maintaining structure and theme. In this case, the story is a comedy that satirises how most female action heroes are written by having the main character suffer from a multiple personality disorder that means they can be the girl next door one moment and then a femme fatale the next. The theme itself centres around personal baggage and how we deal with it, each of the main characters showing a different needs; letting go, taking on more responsibility, and being able to live and let live. I can break down every beat in this script and show how it helps move the story forward.
This is the thing. Even if you want to write light material, you still need to have your craft skills highly developed. This is even more critical within indie film because you have a lot less to play with and far more constraints. Also, when I say developing craft skills, that does not mean understanding formatting or simply reading lots of other screenplays. I mean consuming everything you can on classic storytelling, filmmaking, the business of film, the history of the industry, the mechanics of pop culture, the process of creating art, and anything else you think may help you. I see aspiring screenwriters embarrassing themselves everyday because they blatantly talk about the world of film based on little more than speculation, fantasy, and hearsay from peers.
While the films I co-produce are very much what I’d call “cheeseburger movies”, I can and do write some very serious (and somewhat pretentious) content that tends to live in my spec script portfolio. That’s where my heart lies artistically but I know commercially I cannot do anything with them yet. It’s important to acknowledge the distinction in our own work and fulfil both our creative needs along with the commercial landscape. I can’t recommend finding and refining your artistic voice enough. Once you have the confidence to write unapologetically in your unique tone and style, it won’t matter what you are working on because you will spin it into what you want to see and what makes you happy.
This takes me on to something else that’s critical; entertainment is medicine to the audience. That’s our role within society and the more fulfilled we are writing the more fulfilled our audience will be watching. Please note “our audience” as in the people who get what we’re doing and appreciate it. You have to believe those people exist. I see far too much preoccupation with trying to please everyone or, worse still, trying to please judges. This is like turning up on your first day of school thinking you can be best friends with everyone one or need to be accepted by the mean girls to every have any value. No. Be your true self and find your tribe otherwise you may fall into the trap of becoming mediocre or trying to be something you are not.
I’m getting toward the end of year ten of screenwriting now. It took until year seven before I made my first film and, like I’m sure is the case for many of you, I got beaten up and told I didn’t have what it takes constantly before that. A lot of it sent me backwards and I had to hit rock bottom before I learned that most of my validation needed to come from within. The ranking systems, the competitions, the lectures from bloggers, the fear mongering from consultants, the unsolicited advice from peers, it all mostly did me more harm than good.
Educate yourself, nurture yourself, and share your true self. It might not feel like it a lot of the time but there are people out there looking for what you have to offer. I just may take a while to battle through the bullshit and get through to them.
Screenwriting : Huh! A movie I wrote in less than a week is currently one of the top five most popular on Amazon Prime by CJ Walley
Huh! A movie I wrote in less than a week is currently one of the top five most popular on Amazon Prime
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2 people like this
Congrats CJ Walley. You are definitely one of the hardest workers in the industry. I also enjoy a lot of your insights. Keep doing what you do.
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Go "cheeseburger"!
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Congrats CJ Walley. Getting anything made, cheeseburger or otherwise, is an accomplishment, so well done!
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Hat's off! Very inspiring!
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What can I say? Other than, hat's off to you and your team! And thanks for a realistic breakdown of the balancing act you must engage in between art and business. It's still called show biz for a reason, and I am glad to be reminded of that (a dose of reality) in your post.
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Congrats on the incredible success of having a movie in the top five on Amazon! Thanks for sharing the lesson that commercial success can be achieved without having to compromise the integrity of your writing style. It’s encouraging to know that it’s possible to find the screenwriting Goldilocks’ zone where you can strike the right balance between your needs as an artist and the constraints imposed by the commercial landscape.
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That's awwsome, CJ! I saw it listed on Amazon Prime (on the main page no less!), and watched it again. It's a fun, fun movie and I hope it gets to #1!
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CJ, congratulations on "Double Threat's" success...and more of the VERY BEST to you!
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What can I say? Well said and so true!
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Great piece - congrats on the success!
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CJ:
Well done!
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"I see aspiring screenwriters embarrassing themselves everyday because they blatantly talk about the world of film based on little more than speculation, fantasy, and hearsay from peers."
Words of wisdom! Great post CJ Walley
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It does have a very nice tone. Search the title on YouTube again, CJ. :-/
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That's exciting! I will watch it tonight.
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So much great advice in this post, CJ Walley! Congratulations on "Double Threat" being in the top five most popular on Amazon Prime!
I highly recommend CJ's book "Turn & Burn: The Scriptwriter's Guide to Writing Better Screenplays Faster." https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Burn-Scriptwriters-Writing-Screenplays/dp/19...
And, CJ Walley, I plan to watch your "cheeseburger movie" while eating a cheeseburger. :)
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"It’s cheap, trashy, and polarising as the reviews clearly show." And... it's been made, which is more than most of us can say about our work. Congrats, you deserve to bask in the limelight! Wishing you continued success!
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Very cool, congrats!
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I've just joined Stage32 and this is one of the first posts I've read; fantastic insight, thank you so much for sharing. And, of course, huge congratulations on the success of Double Threat (even just the success of getting it made in the first place!). I look forward to following your posts and work - thank you for the inspiration!
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Welcome back, Romeo.
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Congrats CJ. I know how hard it can be even to just get something written after a long day on the warehouse floor. Getting work produced is amazing. I’ve seen you on here for a few years taking up for the little guy, sometimes even at your own detriment, so it’s nice to see you have some success. Wishing you more in the future.
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That sounds really great! Congratulations! I also signed up just now.
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CJ Walley CJ, I love this. Congratulations on your success. Amazing. Thank you for your wise words:
“Once you have the confidence to write unapologetically in your unique tone and style, it won’t matter what you are working on because you will spin it into what you want to see and what makes you happy.”
There are so many things that I want to ask you, but here’s one. Can you tell us a little more about finding your voice, please?
And then there’s this little word of encouragement:
“Educate yourself, nurture yourself, and share your true self. It might not feel like it a lot of the time but there are people out there looking for what you have to offer. I just may take a while to battle through the bullshit and get through to them.”
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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@CJ Cool insider points & entertaining read, thanks for share. Finding out the story I can’t wait to see the film.
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Thank so much for all the kind words everyone.
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@Geoff Hall, finding your voice is all about freeing the artist within yourself to express themselves in a way that's vibrant and unrestricted. It's far too easy to compromise in a bid to be liked by peers, score well with judges, and appear more commercial but it's like going into the world of dating while not being your true self - it's going to get under your skin in time.
Something I suggest a lot of artists do is go back to their earliest work and revisit the artist they were then when they had no fear and nothing other but pure enthusiasm running their their veins.
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CJ Walley I don't think anyone on here would begrudge you your success (& even if they did, sod them) so do make a big song and dance (video) about it and slap on the suntan lotion. Your posts are grounded without being preachy and always interesting to read.
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You're welcome, CJ Walley. Have a great week, my friend.
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CJ Walley thanks. I was thinking more of how you found your voice.
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CJ, I finally got to watch it and agree with all of your comments; I didn't want to say anything - you said it all. Bask in the limelight all you want, it's well disserved.
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Congratulations on your success with „Double Threat“ and all your other produced features! It‘s great to hear as well as highly inspirational that all your hard work is paying off!
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I watched it this weekend. I really enjoyed it. Congratulations to you.
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@Geoff Hall, for me it was actually quitting that really helped me find my voice. I got to the point where I really just didn't care anymore and went back to watching all my favourite old movies. Since nothing really mattered any more, something clicked inside me and I knew the kind of stuff I wanted to write. After that, I started writing very pulpy, very dialogue heavy single location thrillers and they really felt like nobody else could write them.
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CJ Walley it's interesting that quitting gave you the perspective that you needed and not just pressing on like a hamster in a wheel.
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Congratulations! I'm going to watch it now.
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CJ. Walley. That is great news. Congrats!!!
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Loved your book CJ! I'm using it to sharpen my latest screenplay. God bless.
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Congratulations!!
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Congrats CJ Walley and enjoy the moment! Thank you too for this blog post and excellent advice. I like your no nonsense approach and I needed to read this on a day when I'm feeling the enormity of the adventure I've embarked on. I will add your book to my reading list!
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Well CJ - now that you've scaled a pretty lofty peak and earned a place at the head of the class, I have a question to ask. It's a rude question for sure and I sincerely apologize right up front for asking - if it's none of my damned business; just say so. But I think it's on the minds of many screenwriting forum dwellers herein. In round numbers only, what has been your financial benefit to date from this project?
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Well said CJ Walley and congratulations for getting it in the can yourself. Truly inspiring. Onward and upward.
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@Doug Nelson, financial benefit of this project has been zero dollars thus far. All four of us producing partners forwent any producer/director/writer/actor fees because the budget was just so tight with covid costs. I do however own an out-right percentage of the film. We won't know how this recent success will translate in terms of returns until we get first quarter numbers next April and then we're at the mercy of what Amazon tell us those numbers are.
As ever; lots of hard work, lots of patiently waiting, and lots of promises of jam tomorrow.
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CJ - Thanx for your response. It would be nice - and informative to the forum dwellers - if you would keep us informed of your financial rewards (if any) in April. Congratulations once again.
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Congratulations CJ Walley !!
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CJ. That is great news. Congrats!!!!.
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Congrats CJ! What a marvelous unexpected thing to happen. I really appreciate you sharing this moment and your thoughts are so well written. I hope the whole lounge reads this post and gets a good pick-me-up and wisdom.
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Some more amusing coverage.
"Sure, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is the big story here given its Season 1 finale and anticipation for Season 2, and it's going to be No. 1 on Amazon Prime Video's top 10 shows and movies list for a long time. But the most interesting story is the film Double Threat, a low-budget action flick that has come out of nowhere to join the top 10 since last week. It was a surprise to the screenwriter, too, who went on Reddit to convey his shock that a screenplay he wrote in less than a week somehow found success on Prime Video, and to explain how he writes "cheeseburger movies." It's an interesting read about the process and the different levels of commercial success. "
From here; https://www.tvguide.com/news/amazon-prime-video-top-10-shows-and-movies-...
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Congrats CJ! HOW AWESOME!!! :))
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Thanks for sharing and it gives me motivation to go on..
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I'm curious, CJ Walley. What do you mean by "cheeseburger movies"?
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I basically mean unsophisticated. A cheeseburger is a wonderful thing and sometimes nothing else will do in the right situation, but you're unlikely to find one on the menu at a Michelin star restaurant.
I mean, metaphors are always tricky because people often miss the core point but that's best analogy I can come up with.
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I saw DOUBLE THREAT the other night. What a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of other much more hyped/underwhelming fare. I think your writing and character interactions really stand out as unique in today's movie landscape, and how did you put together this cast? Danielle is a star in every scene, and the other key actors just nail it. I love their conviction and banter. To me they were unknowns, but they all elevated every scene they were in. To pull that off in the midst of COVID restrictions and hassles makes it even more impressive. And where did you find those random Medieval re-enactors, lol? I've written 2 episodes of a Medieval fantasy comedy limited series so far. Where can I get in line for you to produce? Thanks for taking us along for the ride all these years and showing us it can be done ... even at a "nationally ranked" level. P.S. I'd give this movie a "bacon cheeseburger with fronions" for sure!
1 person likes this
Oh ok, I see, CJ Walley. That metaphor works. Kind of like "popcorn movies"?
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its amazing what you can do in a short length of time. I saw somewhere that the guys who wrote SOME LIKE IT HOT did so in two weeks in a motel room (of course on a manual type writer) they then spent the allotted time golfing and lounging around and every week or so sent in another scene..
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Jack Chaucer, thanks for all the kind words. The movie was pretty much written for Danielle to show off her skills. She's a producing partner and didn't use a stunt double once. Kurt and Shane worked together a lot on the casting which was tough as some actors wanted to come out and play while others didn't. Dawn Olivieri signed on while her character was still male and I rewrote all her dialogue in a day after studying her showreel. We love Kevin Joy so much, he's in the new movie that comes out next year - along with Danielle of course.
The medieval larpers were made up of crew and friends. Karen Kay Ross from the Stage 32 team who worked as a 2nd Assistant Director on the project is actually among them as it's a hobby of hers.
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CJ - I'd be interested to hear the story of how you got Danielle signed on to the project.
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Talk about turn and burn! Once again, congrats on your successes CJ. BTW, I love me a good cheeseburger movie every now and again, like the action flick Nobody. I wonder, can that movie be characterized as a cheeseburger movie, or is more of a double cheeseburger movie? Anyway, I absolutely love Bob Odenkirk in that movie and Christopher Lloyd's performance as well.
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Richard Buzzell, we'd been talking with Danielle and her agent for a while as she always seemed to come up in casting. She'd already taken interest in another script we almost had funding for before Covid hit. Shane and I were having a conversation about how we really wanted to do something low budget and fun and we decided we should talk with Danielle. Low and behold, when we reached out, her agent and her had been having the exact same conversation about us. Destiny.