Screenwriting : Advice for new writers - what NOT to do by Soph

Dont send unsolicited material. Maybe dont talk shit about movies made by peers & future partners. Everyone fails in this game.

Thanks Dan MaxXx

Fire back at bad notes ... something always like "thanks for taking the time" and moving on is the better way than fighting over notes from people.

Thanks Scott Sawitz

Treat any, and all, assistants with kindness. They have more power than you think (they can move your call up, they can read your script and recommend their boss to read it; but if you're rude, they'll let their boss know and that's that), and the assistants are looking to become creative execs or agents. So you'll have a relationship already. (PS: I was an assistant at one time, lessons from the front!).

I agree with all this feedback and I would add be open to learn and accept the fact that feedback varies. Some will love your work and others will not.

Never pay a producer to help you sell your script - EVER!!! THIS IS A SCAMMER. A real producer would never ask for upfront monies for your project Soph HAPPY WRITING NEW YEAR!

Thank you Mark Deuce Asmaa Jamil and Lindbergh E Hollingsworth

Don't be arrogant. But then again, you'd be surprised how many of industry established people are exactly that...

Turning this on its head, the worst thing you can be in this industry is fearful, and I see that more than anything. If you consume yourself with all the things people say you shouldn't do, you'll end up a worker bee (or even worse, a creep) that's trying to please everyone.

That leads me onto what I feel is the second worst thing, and that's living by the advice of people you've not done your due-diligence and/or you know aren't succeeding themselves. That sounds brutal of me to say, but resting your whole dream on the opinions of someone who hasn't been able to even get a short script optioned in ten years is madness, especially when there are plenty of people who've broken in and maintained long careers sharing what's worked for them.

Thirdly, don't treat everyone around you as nothing more than pair of shoulders to climb onto. Care about the dreams, aspirations, and feelings of others as much as you care about your own. When I recently learned one of my films was about to be released in my home country for the first time, I announced it on Facebook, and within five minutes, someone had commented on my profile pic asking me to read their material and give them their big break. I'd been waiting ten years for that moment and they tainted it. Don't be that person.

Soph You'll notice that a lot of the advice here barrels down to things that you don't have to have sold a script to know. Be humble. Be kind. Value everyone you come across whether they're an executive or not. When you lack wisdom, ask but continue to walk in wisdom and not take just anyone's advice. Even experienced people can lead you astray but in any situation, if you don't fear and walk in humble wisdom, you'll be just fine. Having said that, Dan's advice about not sending unsolicited materials is good advice. So is Mark's about not paying a producer. You've got this Soph. Don't worry. Just watch.

so many things

NEVER give anyone a first draft of your script (and don't write the draft number or date on a title page)

NEVER pay for notes from someone with no credtis

NEVER register your scrip with the WGA (it offers no protection at all)

for more of these, take one of my writing labs!

The WGA registration does offer protection, speaking from experience.

I agree. We seem to have gone from people saying WGA registration is essential to people saying it's useless. It's neither. It lies in-between both of those extremes and that use is contextual to the circumstances.

It is useless, and not in a nether-region. From the WGAW website: "Registering your work with the WGAW Registry does not take the place of registering with the Library of Congress, U.S. Copyright Office."

Save your $$$. Register your copyright online with the Library of Congress. It's quick, easy and the best peace of mind $45 to $65 can buy. Do so before publicly disseminating your works.

The WGA registration does offer protection because it proves when the script was written and can be used as admissible evidence in court. However, if you win you might not be entitled to attorney fees or compensatory damages. So, registering with the LoC is much better and lasts for 70 years after the author's death vs five years I believe with the WGA registration.

Dan Guardino E Langley CJ Walley Michael David @seankeller @leonardoramirez @mlavoie thank you so much

Don't avoid reading scripts, Soph.

Hi Soph - literary manager Jon Hersh hosts a Stage 32 webinar called "Common Mistakes Screenwriters Make & How to Avoid Them". I recommend checking out Jon's webinar - here's a link: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Common-Mistakes-Screenwriters-Make-and-...

Hi Soph, don't ever ignore notes from professionals, give all serious consideration. And don't ever forget to say thank you. Best of luck!

Every person’s path to success is different. There are no well worn patches. So do whatever you can to raise your own profile, skill, craft and expertise.

Quality is king. When you get someone’s attention you must make it worth their while. Son’t let their memory of you be “that person cannot write”.

Craig D Griffiths Kelly Namey Claude Gagne Sam Sokolow Maurice Vaughan thanks so much!!

Dont write time travel movies. 3rd rail of screenwriting.

You're welcome, Soph.

Here's a great blog for up-and-coming screenwriters, Soph: www.stage32.com/blog/the-questions-up-and-coming-screenwriters-need-to-a...