Screenwriting : Are All of the Horror Stories About the Movie Biz True? by Michael Cantrell

Is anything in life worth attaining easy? No.

Do you love writing and film? I certainly hope so.

Are there more self-published novels on Amazon than good screenplays that are floating around? Probably.

It's a tough world, bro - I learned that when my first binky broke. If you love writing and have/develop/attain what it takes, then you have a chance. That's a lot more encouraging than trying to fix an unfixable binky, and thinking you have a chance. I didn't, but I do have one in screenwriting.

Best of luck to you, bro, and everyone else who struggles with these dilemmas.

It's pretty close to being true, I lived it w/ this project:

https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/helmer-high-on-drug-pic-...

But, like Bill said ya gotta plow forward....

And I say this quite a bit.....according to UIS, the authoritative source and keeper of data on such things...over 10,000 films were made globally in 2016. 10,000. And I bet that number is more like 13,000 - 14,000. There has never been a better time in the history of the world to be a screenwriter.

Bill Costantini Wow. That's a lot more than I figured. Yeah, sounds like the best time to give screenwriting a go is right now. I enjoy both mediums, but I just love screenwriting more. Movies are such a powerful medium. They both are, but movies tend to hit me harder emotionally.

Thanks for your answers!

But, having worked in the Studio system Michael's initial point is still legit. The screenwriter is still puzzlingly low on the totem pole. It's much better to be a writer/director.

And btw, of all those films made how many of those writers were compensated? At all... even a smidgen.......

When Louis B Mayer was asked who's most important in whole filmmaking process, he answered: "The writer, but we have to do everything in our power to make sure he never understands that!" Lol

I have only the highest compliments for the UCLA-X Screenwriting faculty. Amazing human beings, and also am thankful for my literary manager who looks out for me.

Yeah. I’d say all those horrors are 98% true for 90% of working writers. The odds of succeeding in this field is extremely rare. But not discouraging to the people who are compelled to write for this medium. Maybe for five minutes. But after that, it’s just more motivation to keep honing the craft and putting in the work to get your material out there for the right people to see it at the right time. I think novel writing is great. It’s how I started. But screenwriting is so completely different so if writing for the screen is someone’s true love, just writing novels and (self-publishing them) will be extremely unfulfilling.

Michael You learned all about this from reading online - well then of course it's all true; they can't put anything online that isn't true. We all know that. Bill C's estimate of the number of films made doesn't surprise me at all (hell, I made three of 'em myself)

.

1. It's almost impossible to break into the business. That's pretty much true UNLESS you turn out some good (an' I mean damn good) stories/scripts. You have to get so good at it that Hollywood will wither on the vine if you don't come to their rescue.

2. Screenwriters get no respect... So? You want respect or a fat check and a piece of the pie. You start turnin' out some supremely good stuff, an you'll get money, fame, glory and all the respect you could ever want.

3. Others will rewrite your work... Again, so? Sure they will, but as long as the check don't bounce - why do you care?

These are not horror stories; they're just facts of grown up life. Earning a living as a screenwriter is extremely complicated and demanding. It's like any profession - nuclear physicist, brain surgeon... It takes a lot of effort, training, dedication and grit. The question; do you got what it takes? The answer is that there are very few of who do. Remember too that there's greater demand for nuclear physicists than for screenwriters,

But you can do it if you REALLY want to.

Doug Nelson I like the cut of your gib, sir.

Agree with Bill Costantini and Doug Nelson. Nothing worth doing is easy. And Joseph F. Alexandre - going by that link you provided, I'm guessing you got burned on Smokin' Aces? Seems Joe Carnahan got the only credit. Bummer, man. I'm sure there's a story behind that one.

Michael, the only thing I've ever had produced was a short story. It was chosen by a small theatre troupe in a contest. The main character was a parapelegic dancer (yes, in a wheel chair) and the other character was on stilts. It was all such a beautiful shock I never could have even dreamed up. So, I honestly can't wait to see what producers, directors, actors, other artists will make of my babies. Once you release them, they take on a dynamic life of their own, right? And with all these networks (Hulu, Amazon, Netflix, Disney etc etc) all making money hand over fist and comissioning work left right and centre, it looks like an excellent time to get discovered. More than anything else though, at some point you just write because you have to, and all other factors be damned (or, hopefully, blessed).

Phil Parker, if you read it more closely you'll see I had nothing to do w/ Smokin' Aces... other than hang on the set a few days...

"Joe Carnahan will co-write and direct a feature about the life of Will Wright, a high school prodigy who at 17 was the catalyst for a $70 million narcotics empire.

FilmEngine is financing and will produce the film.

Carnahan, who is shooting “Smokin’ Aces” for Universal and Working Title, will team with Joseph F. Alexandre to script the story of Wright, who grew up in Blaine, Wash., and seemed the ideal overachieving teenager: The handsome National Merit Scholar was drafted by the Seattle Mariners. Meanwhile, Wright was caught by feds in a sting operation and revealed to be the mastermind of an international drug ring and money-laundering operation. He served eight years and was released two years ago at age 26. "

"I think it's a human nature thing that writers have this long history of being the perceived or actual part of the line that gets treated that way." actually Bill, I don't have time to go into all the detail but it wasn't just human nature as the Louis B Mayer quote alludes to, rather it was by design. Being a WGAw member and going thru a lengthy arbitration case to get paid, I read up a lot at the 3rd & Fairfax headquarters (waiting for the various lengthy meetings w/ WGA lawyers) I got very acquainted w/ the Guild's history. Producers did stuff like give story by or writing credit to their girlfriend's or secretary so they didn't have to pay. Hence, need for a WGA.

Anyhow, everything gets real, real quick when folks start handing out big dollars, low to mid to high 6 figures. It's all puppy dogs and rainbows and 'love your work babe' at first but after that commencement check comes and the 1st draft isn't what they expect, things get venomous real quick:) lol Getting caught up in the ego maniacal power struggles, but hey that's what the $'s for!!!

I think the thing most serious minded and professional writers object to is the lack of respect for the craft! look no further than this site or craigslist. Filmmakers are willing to pay DP's & Editors something but are always looking to get a good script for nothing. "We'll make your film and give you a few crumbs if it sells..." LoL! I think what most filmmakers don't realize is it's the script & performances that kill your film more than any thing else. It's not at all arduous in this day and age to make a technically accomplished film.

Joseph F. Alexandre - ok, if you say so, but the language in that Variety article ("Joe Carnahan will co-write..." and "...will team with Joseph F. Alexandre to script the story") leads one to believe that you were going to co-write it. Not "hang on the set for a few days". But, whatever. It's neither here nor there. Your observations in the above post are insightful.

I don't think it's that confusing Phil, read closely!! it's not what I say, it's what Michael Fleming wrote, a celebrated entertainment writer who currently writes for Deadline.

The Will Wright project is the film I was writing on, NOT SMOKIN' ACES!!!!!!!! THE WILL WRIGHT PROJECT.

"Joe Carnahan will CO-WRITE and DIRECT a FEATURE about the life of WILL WRIGHT, a high school prodigy who at 17 was the catalyst for a $70 million narcotics empire.

Carnahan, who is shooting “Smokin’ Aces” for Universal and Working Title, will team with Joseph F. Alexandre TO SCRIPT THE STORY of Wright, who grew up in Blaine, Wash., and seemed the ideal overachieving teenager: The handsome National Merit Scholar was drafted by the Seattle Mariners."

I don't mean to be a dick but is it really that confusing???

He was shooting Smokin' Aces while HE WAS WORKING W/ ME ON WRITING THE WILL WRIGHT PROJECT!!! lol This isn't a tough one to grasp imho....

I see. I guess being a dick about it helped me understand. And here I was just trying to empathize with you. #timewasted

Some basic economics;

Seriously, look at the odds.

* About 50,000 scripts are copyrighted each year.

*. Let's say that many and more are copyrighted with the U.S. Gov't.

*. So, 100K scripts per year, and about 3000 are actually made into movies each year.

That'a a 3% chance.

About 700 actually make money. So, 700/100K = a .007 chance of making money.

So, what business is willing to invest in those kinds of odds?

...Not too many - considering supermarkets (a VERY low profit business) is at 1 or 2%. - So, the lowest margin "large billion-dollar business sector" is about 3X more profitable....And ask how easy it is to get a product to be sold in a supermarket, and what kind of margins they expect from you.

So, there is too much of a "reality distortion field" caused by deperate economics for a truly realistic "shot" at the greenlight. Not that it can't happen, but... things are currently changing.

There are more avenues for production, development, distribution and production these days than ever before. But they are not the "standard" routes.

Buy a 4K60P camera. Get a crew together. Make a crane and dolly. Get people that believe in the script together.

You can realistically make a film with a computer, good camera, camera, a bunch of youtube videos, a steadicam, a book or two, some REALLY motivated people, some PVC pipe, aluminum stripping, a ton of duct tape, some ebay lights and a super script for, about $10K or maybe less. It can look really good, too. “Paranormal Activity” had a budget of $15,000 and had Revenue of... $193.3 million!

That's one way out of dozens.

Thanks for the empathy Phil. If you aspire to be a screenwriter don't you think it'd behoove you to understand a basic Press Release? I mean if it's such a waste of your time to even bother to read something then why bother posting?

And good to know it's a waste of Your time:) If anybody wonders why professionals don't bother hanging around this site much..... This is now my 2nd wonderful experience;) The first was a guy who kept telling me short films can't make money after I showed 3 shorts I did made money. And now it's good to know I couldn't even understand my own Press Release:) wow Stage 33 I mean 32... er whatev

Kevin Carothers I don't really have any desire to direct a film. I'm a writer through and through. I don't really want to be too hands on. I want to write and then see someone else interpret that work and bring it to life. If that's not really an option unless I make the whole movie myself, I guess I better stick to novels lol.

Joseph F. Alexandre I think that's enough from you, sir. You are definitely a rude person and I don't appreciate how you're behaving here. There's enough negativity in the world without you adding more to it.

I think you'll realize there's a big difference between negativity and clarity.

And speaking of rude, maybe you might wanna look in the mirror! You ask a question or pose a hypothesis and I confirm there's truth to it. To demonstrate some veracity I post a link to an Ent site w a pres release. Someone kind of mangles the text, I calmly correct, then they snarkily correct me again when they're clearly wrong and this time I have to resort to firmer measures to clarify.

And you have the temerity to chastise me for being rude? Is it an April Fools joke? In case ya missed it there are not a lot folks here on this thread or screenwring lounge w my pedigree but worry not sir. I'll gladly crawl back in my cave loaded up w paid writing work and leave you good folks to speculate on the professional Industry of screenwriting. I assure you my friend, I'm not being rude..........

It's difficult to break into the business but some people do so it's not impossible. .

I don't believe that screenwriters don't get no respect but personally I am looking for respect.

Screenplays get rewritten all the time but that doesn't mean the final product is unrecognizable. Plus it doesn't mean the script will turn out worse. In lot of cases it might turn out better.

Personally I would rather write novels but I have zero talent for it which is the reason I took up screenwriting.

Dan MaxXx What I want to do is write. Whether that's movies, novels, comic books, that's all I want to do. I don't really care if I'm famous or super wealthy. If I could get to a point where telling stories brings in some sort of income, I'd consider myself a success.

But regardless, I'm going to write. I can't help it. I love stories. I love watching them, reading them, telling them. So that much to me is clear.

I don't really want a job other than that in the biz. I'll keep working at it and trying to get my projects in front of people. I'll turn my scripts into novels and publish them myself. All of that jazz. As long as I'm getting the stories out of my brain, I'll be happy lol.

So, I sat in on a panel with the WGF last night and it was all working writers. They said it was extremely difficult to break in, but they each did it. What they did say is NETWORK!! It really is about who you know and then, don't be a jerk. If you're that writer that's always an ass to people you won't get work. These writers all had one thing in common. They did fellowship programs. Like Fox, CBS, ABC/Disney, and NBCUniversal. One had even applied to the Nicholl Fellowship. But each writer took the time to network.

They demonstrated the difficulty in the amount of times they applied to each program before getting accepted, but they finally got in.

The other thing I know about #3 on your list... companies buy your script and it's no longer yours. Galaxy Quest is the prime example of that. The writer has said that (and I've seen a copy of the script) was not the name of the script when he sold it. Dreamworks had someone revise the script. The original was good but the finished product was better. The original screenwriter agreed. Are all revision instances such? Nope.

Keep writing! If you want to make a movie out of one of your scripts... find an indie crew that's willing to do the work with you! Moral of the story, keep trying if you love writing that much. A successful writer is a writer that pushed beyond failure and rejection to keep doing what they love!

Nikki: and before they networked...and before they got into those prestigious programs....they demonstrated the ability of being competent enough to actually get those valuable positions.

Networking is the easiest part, at least to me - but it really is more about "what you know" before the "who you know" becomes a factor.

Joseph A. You're welcome to share in my cave. I understand that life among the perpetually insulted clan is trying.

Doug Nelson people don't have to put up with other people being assholes. That's not being "perpetually insulted." it's not wasting your time on people who aren't worthy of it.

Nikki Ackerman and Bill Costantini - so true. What you know, who you know and how you treat people That pretty much sums it up. Michael Cantrell - thanks for your support, mate. Don't worry about that guy, but understand that there's always people like him around in this industry. You have to have thick skin in this game for many reasons. If he thinks he's more of a professional than the rest of us, good luck to him. I make my full-time living from screenwriting, treat people with respect (when they deserve it) and try to raise others up when I can. If you truly, with all your heart, love screenwriting and are willing to work obsessively at it to get better, good things will come. It may not be in the exact form you expected, but talent and a lot of hard work will pay off. Keep fighting the good fight. Peace.

I wish there was a way to block users - but this isn't facebook or twitter..

I'll be honest -- There are some people that have pissed me off.

BUT... I'm sure I've pissed off people here too - or at least there are some that wish to just not see stuff that I write.

To those, I apologize. I'm doing my best. As I'm sure all of us are.

The general guideline from the FAQ:

If you believe you are the victim of an unfriendly Stage 32 user or you find content you believe to be inappropriate, please report it by clicking on the "Report Abuse" link at the bottom right of your profile page. All reports are taken seriously and we have zero tolerance for abusive members.

...I'm not calling anyone out - and I hope no one ever has occasion to call me out.

Pamela Bolinder So true!

I know some of the greatest people that just come off as - RUDE in email or written form. IDK what it is - but I personally find it very uncomfortable to talk to them about.

I think a lot of time people might think they are being "funny".

Which brings me to the quote by Gabrielle Zevin;

EVERYONE thinks that they have good taste

...And they most assuredly do not.

I try to talk in written form keeping that mind-set.

And, when encountering off-center emails or posts... I try to keep that in mind.

LOL- Now THAT's funny! (:

I would find it very difficult to ever be upset with you, Pamela.

Sometimes people talk out of their ass and shit comes out.

LOL - Sometimes shit just comes out of everywhere (:

Pamela Bolinder - Your job as a script doctor, or screenwriter, for that matter is to make your client happy. :) A script doctor rewrites scripts up to a certain point. Past that point and your credit on the project will/should change, but that depends on the contract. I've only done one rewrite, though. The rest have been concept-to-screenplay jobs. DM me if you'd like to chat further about it. Happy to help.

Back on-topic, I found this article interesting:

https://creativescreenwriting.com/producer-jesse-murphy-gets-frank-aspir...

Some salient points:

· Options as a thing in screenplay marketing seem to be disappearing;

· Great material and an outstanding logline are necessary to get started;

· The shorter the logline, the better;

· It is more about who can fulfill an existing project concept, with bonus points these days for signing a "diverse" writer;

· Cold emails boasting of placing in a contest or dropping names are not well-received;

The fourth point above somewhat echoes what Hitchcock said back in 1965: "the writer prepares the screenplay under the supervision of a producer, who represents the budgetary and box-office concerns of the front office... [ideally], the screenplay is prepared by the writer in collaboration with the director."

Laura Scheiner The only thing I have a distaste for is the idea of making an indie movie myself. I have no interest in directing. At all. Directing, to me, looks like a nightmare. I, personally, have no issues with someone rewriting my script and adding to it or making it better. I don't mind dealing with people and going out there day after day until I make headway in the business.

I just like to know what I'm getting myself into, which is why I asked if this was true. I'm still going to write novels as well. That's in my blood too. Stories in every form interest me. I'd love to do comics at some point too. I've written them before and had one almost fully produced but couldn't afford the artist any more after some job woes.

But yeah, I have no desire to be part of any other process. Writer/director won't likely ever be on my credits list lol. Just not for me. Acting might be fun to try a little bit of sometime, but still, writing is where my passion lies.

Phil Parker No problem man. I totally feel what you're saying. I plan on giving it my all. It may work out, it may not. I might be writing novels and comics the rest of my life. Hey, I'm okay with that. But I want to know I actually gave it my all and left all out on the field metaphorically speaking.

Michael, I think Dan MaxXx wasn't necessarily telling you to direct, but rather to be proactive. Even if all you want to do is write, by getting on a crew - either paid or volunteer - you meet producers and directors and filmmakers of all sorts. The more you work with them, hang with them, build these relationships up, the friendlier you get. THEN, not after a day or a month, but six months or a year, you pitch them something. Or they introduce you to an Indie Filmmaker looking for a script, or who might like your script. As he said, find your own tribe. My quam with most indie screenwriters, actors and even filmmakers, is that they are not proactive enough. Now, as a professional screenwriter and director and a producer of 14 pictures, I will be happy to address your points one by one: 1. Nothing in this lifetime is impossible if you put your heart and your mind to it. And, while I would not ever force faith on anyone, I once heard someone say, to be successful in this business, you have to believe in something greater than yourself. I follow that belief and I call that something greater, GOD. I also believe that nothing is impossible with GOD. But, that's me. I also believe you make your own luck in this world and that hard work, belief and the luck you make, will help you manifest what you truly desire. Summon it. If this all sounds like hogwash to you, Show Biz might seem like a daunting industry to break into. Hard industry? Yes, but as someone pointed out above, what in life is worthwhile that's easy? 2. This is a generalization. It can certainly hold true at times, but not 100 percent of the time. Was Ryan Coogler shown no respect when he wrote his first movie - an Indie, Fruitvale Station? Now, I get it, he was also the director. Was Leigh Whannell given no credit when he wrote his very first film for director James Wan? Since then, Whannell, who was NOT a known writer when he penned Saw, has written 10 other movies, including several for/with Wan. My buddy Shawn wrote a feature that he was the only writer credited on - a written by credit - that played in 2000 or so theaters and starred a three-time Oscar-Nominee. Was not an Uber-positive experience for him, as he says they changed every word, though, again, other writer was credited. However, he took the money and wrote and directed a short that went on to win the Oscar for Best Live-Action Short. So, there was a Silver Lining! ;) Does Aaron Sorkin get enough credit for the movies he's written and didn't direct? Yes, I get it - he's an Oscar-Winner and one of the BIGGEST writers in Hollywood, but my point is, you are generalizing. How about Christopher McQuarrie, whose second movie - after writing a small indie - won him a Best Screenplay Oscar? Again, there are success stories for all the horror stories, which leads me to my next point ... 3. Directors and Producers WILL reinterpret your work sometimes, sometimes until it is unrecognizable. BUT, this all depends on who you are dealing with, how good the script is - is it your passion project or just something you wrote for money? Perhaps you are a talented, but raw screenwriter and the script is an idea that needs a lot of work or to be fleshed out. Perhaps you are dealing with some bad people? Perhaps you all come to the conclusion that this idea can be better. Again, it's hard to generalize in this business. If you LOVE, LOVE, LOVE movies, then NOTHING should discourage you from being a screenwriter! However, if you feel every movie out there is garbage and Hollywood churns nothing but garbage out, then perhaps this industry is not for you. If you don't enjoy movies and would just as well write comics or novels, there you go. BUT, if you endlessly quote movies, and get that happy feeling sitting in a darkened theater with a bucket or popcorn, a hot dog or some nachos, then DON'T let the horror stories stop you! For every 100 bad stories, there is a Golden Story of Success! Odds, may seem a bit steep, but YOU CAN DO IT! But, again, BE MORE PROACTIVE! And, DON'T pay attention to the horror stories. Concentrate on the POSITIVITY, while doing your best to remain in an Attitude of Gratitude. Hope this HELPS! As you can see, I took the time to write a detailed and thorough response, so KEEP WRITING! ;) GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! <3

Sam Borowski I can't tell you how much I appreciate your post man. Seriously. That's super encouraging. I love all writing and want to do some of everything, but I've been in love with movies since I was knee high to a grasshopper. When I got my first job outside of high school, instead of going out with friends on the weekend, I'd rent $30 worth of movies -- i lived at home to help take care of my mom and dad who weren't doing well financially -- and just watch movie after movie after movie.

As a little kid, my aunt would rent 10-12 movies when I'd come visit for a couple of weeks during the summer. We'd sit and talk about them for hours. I can't imagine a cooler job than telling stories in film.

If you live in L.A. you are probably around a decent enough crew and you don't even know it.

Ie;

My Cust. service rep at my day job is a gaffer in his spare time.

Mt Technical Account Rep's daughter is an actress.

The guy who sold me my camera at Best Buy is a film school grad director.

A guy that works in graphic arts does storyboards on the side.

My contractor is an actor, etc. etc...

You don't have to self-direct - but you might have to self-produce.

You just might have more resources than you think.

BUT... I doubt my historical drama with 1000 horses and 5000 Revolutionary War soldiers can be shot on a $10K budget -- Even if I find a wizard SFX specialist.

No, it's not Sony, Warner Bros, etc... but the doors are basically welded shut on those venues for spec scripts, unless you spend all your time playing a game that is purposefully rigged against the writer both legally and structurally. Like Dan says... Probably less than 50 people out of thousands of members here are WGA, CSA or otherwise guild members;

Maybe it's better for TV writers- I actually was a bit-actor on a spec script shoot in the 90's for a pilot and it was optioned; I thought it was a miracle...It never was produced but I was like... really? It's that easy? (it was a horribly written POS).

But, once you shoot your movie, all the other games are rigged against you too.

But, at least it can be shown and you have a real resume.

snap snap snap snap

Hope not.. :( I hope they are not 100% real and there is a chance. Be more positive..

As years go by, I realize I wrote some screenplays I liked and if something happens with them, it's OK, but either way, I wrote some stories, and the joy of writing them is still here and cannot be diminished by the idea that they won't sell/get made. Though the dream also stays.. :)

There is definitely a lot of nonsense out there... Everything from screenplay length to "you must have twenty screenplays written before you send one to a producer/director" and that you should spend a fortune on competitions to get recognised even though few competition winners end up seeing their scripts made into films. Someone suggested you daren't even get your script made into a film until you've spent 10,000 hours screenwriting. It's ALL tosh and there simply is no basis for these kind of "guidelines". The fact is, irrespective of how much time or how many screenplays you may have or have not written, is that if your script is good and it gets into the hands of the right person, then you'll have success as a result. The great thing about writing a novel as opposed to writing a screenplay is that you can self-publish and get your product out there... if it finds its way into the hands of the right person, it could well get optioned anyway.

Kevin Carothers Very true! I haven't produced my own TV pilot because it's a military drama and estimated budget is $3 million an episode, give or take a few thousand. Now, I have a great one act play that I turned into a short script and it is totally doable as a self-produced short film.

Phil Parker I, too, do script revision for a local actor and his writing partner. It's interesting. He said his scripts that he sends me are broken down Dodges and I turn them into shiny new Cadillacs. (I do believe he was a bit drunk when he said that, but I'll take it!)

Pamela Bolinder Thanks! I learn new things about writing and the industry all the time. It's great to share and connect with other writers.

Sam Borowski Thank you for that!

Michael - I don't really want to direct either, but I find that it is helpful to learn about it. When I was doing my undergrad work, I was a dual major with Theatre as my second. I wanted to the costume design class and writing for stage but I had to be a major in order to do that. Included in that course work was directing and acting. I made it, barely through Acting I and never did another theatre class. I dropped the major. I wish I hadn't because, now, I have to find a directing class and pay for it without the pell grant that was paying my tuition. Only because I want to know how a director thinks. Would it improve my writing? I don't know. Could it hurt my writing? Doubtful. Continued writing will improve your writing! That being said, do what you feel is best for you! Only you know.

A lot of great answers and advice dispensed here! Thanks everyone!

Michael. People think you sell a screenplay and break in and usually it is the other way around.

Nikki, Find an experienced producer to help you and transform that short script into a short film! ;)

CJ Walley Thanks for giving some counterbalance to the negativity. I look forward to reading your post when you get around to it!

Just curious CJ, have you ever worked at Studio level? Have you sold a script qualifying you for the WGA? Worked for a prolific, high profile Producer, Director, or Actor?

How would one know whether or not these horror stories are true if one isn't on the inside? There's reality, then there's negativity. these are 2 separate things.

Yes indeed that makes sense. No apology necessary...

I guess the initial thesis of the post has been lost in all the hoopla, but I took it more as a referral to these aspects of the initial post:

"Here's some examples of what I've read.

1.) It's almost impossible to get into the business.

2.) Screenwriters get no respect or credit for how a movie turns out.

3.) Directors and producers reinterpreting your work until the final product is unrecognizable."

2 and 3 are things I've seen up close. I mean look at something like 12 Years A Slave, word was that John Ridley & Steve McQueen hated each other and McQueen wanted credit for the script... The guy couldn't even clap when Ridley won for best script and btw because Ridley was FiCore and the film was not a WGA signatory the two couldn't go thru the credit arbitration process. (Which in fairness is somewhat maddening, so much so that George Clooney quite the WGA 'cause he didn't like the credit arbitration on Leathernecks...)

read John Gregory Dunne's book Monster in a Box. They write the Jessica Savitch story about an up and coming anchor w/ a booze and drug problem who dies in a car accident. The Disney exec says to Dunne and his wife/co-writer Joan Didion, "I love the script, great stuff... we just need her not to die..." lol Dunne says the only reason he stayed on was because the WGA insurance was great and he needed bypass surgery.

A Fox TV writer I know had money owed to him forever and was getting behind on his mortgage. he was on the lot to pitch a new pilot and went by biz affairs to get his check... he waited, and waited, and waited... he finally said 'I'm behind on my mortgage and I'm not leaving 'til I get it.' security came, his agent was screaming at him to not fuck up their deal, etc. Sure enough after several hours of haggling they came out w/ a check! That's the reason on every announcement on Variety, THR, etc. You read about the Agent, manager... and The Lawyer:) Everyone in the biz I know at one time or another has had to sue to bet paid... or get paid right. just ask Frank Darabont and AMC & The Walking Dead. 'Hey thanks Frank for creating this monster hit, now get lost and fuck off and we''ll screw you out of millions...' til we settle out of court.