I regularly scan the web for articles about screenwriting with varying degrees of success. This article (See link below) tosses out some points about what it takes to be a good writer. And that in spite of the brutal competition and plethora of spec scripts, that Hollywood as an entity "complains there are no fresh voices." When and if do you become a good writer? After writing 8 scripts like the guy mentioned in the article? After writing a million words? When did you think you became a good writer? And is Hollywood looking for fresh voices or is that something people would like to believe? I say a combination of great talent and tenacity gives you a slim chance. What say you? http://www.filmmakers.com/features/screenwriting/how2_write_script.htm
Screenwriting : Overwhelming odds versus fresh, talented voices; what do you believe? by Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique
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Jack Nicholson told me it only took him 15 years...
Jack did his first feature in 1956 and his turning point was Easy Rider. Jack was ahead of the curve. And Damn tenacious.
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Jim: A winning combo.
Took me about 15 years to begin the process of being a good writer, or should that be competent, it does take time and effort, but if your a writer - you have no choice - you have to do it, or die.
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It's obviously hard to break into an industry that is so inundated with so many established professional writers, and with so many unsold writers who are trying to join their ranks. Imagine being a producer who gets flooded with scripts and pitches on a non-stop basis. I was with a friend for a weekend once who is a sci-fi producer, and everywhere we went...she got pitched. In her house were hundreds of scripts. She kinda had a "no more!" mentality...and yet...another part of her was always looking for "something new." It must be maddening. And some of those sci-fi writers are really wacky. They make comedy writers look like accountants. So yes, I do believe that (x amount of) producers are looking for "fresh voices" because of that type of mentality that is hard-wired into them. They also know that there are a lot of creepy things in the basement...yet....they Still. Go. Down. There. You absolutely gotta love those producers. And the producers, managers and agents who take pitches here on Stage32 must be looking for new voices, too, or else they wouldn't be here, would they? And you also gotta love the companies and entities that have competitions for new writers, and who offer fellowships to new writers. Dozens of doors are always opening...for the millions of writers clamoring to get in.
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My boyfriend and I were discussing this over the weekend. I think there are a lot of talented writers out there, but they often give up after dealing with rejection and things not progressing the way they'd hoped. He and I agreed we are both lucky to have day jobs that afford us the luxury of a lot of time off and a good income. We could write screenplays as a "hobby" forever if we so chose (God I hope not, lol). I also have my freelance writing as an outlet, and he has prose (he's got a short story collection being published this fall.) I'm stubborn and tenacious as hell (I'm Irish!) so I figure I'll either die with hundreds of unproduced scripts, or get a break someday!
I am going to die with hundreds of unproduced scripts....or just die.