Screenwriting : Hitting a Wall by Lori Jones

I am sorry to hear that. In my line of work, we face a lot of walls but have to hang in there. Best advice that I can give based on my experience, which in not in this field though, is not to give up... cliche, I know. What I have to do is keep my ideas and cool and wait a bit. I revisit to look for other ways, revise to meet the day's needs and present things again in a better way, then I rinse and repeat until I find success. In my field, eventually, I win. It's nearly a given. I can't see it varying too much, here, though. Just like life, you keep trying and working all knowledge you have gained and the angles you can see.

After reading your loglines, although not specific to the industry either, what would your characters do if faced with the same?

Best of luck!

As a novice screenwriter, I can only share your anxiety on the matter.

It seems that Hollywood is only interested in a product that SELLS... and not a cohesive story. Sure, we have grown in an age where television supplants the cinema as the go-to source of great storytelling. It seems that most producers out there are only interested in clichés, tropes and, forgive me for being blunt, garbage, recycled plots and concepts that go nowhere. This is why I don't really go to the movies anymore. If a trailer catches my attention and if I find that the story is great and cohesive enough, I'll check it out.

I agree. Recycled and safe. That is why I watch more foriegn films and streaming series. Interesting stories that have an emotional impact.

What France has produced in terms of quality is underrated, even though not all French films are a hit.

"Unforgiven" and "Robocop" took some 20 years to get picked up...and this was in a time when everybody in Hollywood was buying specs...but let's make things simple...say you're producer and have ahold of some 10-15 mill...would you by MY script (even outta charity) or you go on and make YOUR dream projects? Many writers ain't amateurish bout their writing, as stellar specs keep on comin...they're amateurish about the approach to the bizz...so the question is; are you gonna stand awaiting in front of the wall, or you gonna find a door with a sign "looking for a writer to hire" and come in?

The streaming series Stranger Things took over 10 years. My question isn't so much about the timing aspects or about producers and directors with their dream projects. It isn't about Mangers and agents that are inudated with spec scripts every day either, because that hasn't stopped me from knocking on doors. Perhaps what I am looking for are success stories - no matter how small - of writers who have made gains in the business. Personal 'Rocky' stories of endurance against all odds that all the writers at Stage 32 can read about. :)

Hi, Lori Jones. Here are some success stories:

I recently signed a shopping agreement with a producer who I met on Stage 32.

Screenwriters Sign Option Agreement With Executive After Connecting On Stage 32 (www.stage32.com/blog/screenwriters-sign-option-agreement-with-executive-...)

Stage 32 success stories (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/success-stories)

My biggest tip is always: Build relationships/network with industry professionals in the Lounges on here.

This is a great webinar on pitching (www.stage32.com/webinars/Pitching-Tips-from-the-Pros-Your-Blueprint-to-a...). You might pick up some tips that'll help you pitch your series.

Congratulations, Maurice! Already watched the pitch webinar. Thank you for posting.

You're welcome, Lori Jones. Thank you. Hope you break through the wall and find the right producer or production company.

Hi Lori - sounds like you have a great story to tell. Until you have other meaningful champions you are the story’s champion. I’ve had projects take years to navigate forward, often alone in the process until things finally clicked together. Keep the faith and keep working at it and it will happen.

Lori. Since you said, “ I am looking for are success stories - no matter how small” and I have a very small success story for you. I managed to get a WGA Agent to rep me via a cold call. Eventually that led to me signing an Employment Agreement as a Staff Writer. After that I became a Script Consultant for two different Production Companies doing a lot of rewrites and stuff. I optioned a couple of screenplays and co-wrote a few on assignments. I have done a few paying gigs recently and sold a pilot that is currently being filmed. I know this isn’t exactly earth shattering stuff but you said “no matter how small.”

@Dan Guardino That's great.

Thanks, Sam. What you wrote really resonated with me. Congratuations, Dan. A mix of optimism and endurance are definitely the key.

Congratulations, Dan!!! Those aren't small victories.

Sometimes it takes some time to find the right home for your project.

So true! I used to work in advertising so I know getting the product in front of the right people takes research and persistance.

Hollywood has built a wall to try and keep people out they don’t feel belong which is everyone but them. There are two ways to break through the wall. Most screenwriters look for a tiny little crack in the wall meaning they send out query letters and enter contests, etc. Those are probably worth trying but would be considered longshots. The other way is to attach a director to some of your screenplays and use their credits and contacts to get more people to consider your screenplay for production. I got two different production companies to option two of my screenplays and got an assignment as a result of attaching two different directors that had a lot of credits.