Introduce Yourself : Get to Know me. I Dare You. by Philip David Lee

Philip David Lee

Get to Know me. I Dare You.

 Hello Stage 32 Hopefuls,

My name is Philip David Lee and I'm a director/screenwriter and unlike some people on this site or in the industry, no matter what you want to do in the entertainment industry, they will tell you that you don't know squat or will want your help but only for their projects. I'm no different. I think my projects are the cream of the crop. You need that kind of confidence to take all the jealous rejections you have to face because other screenwriters don't care about you. You're the competition. Producers don't care about you even if you bring them a cakewalk because their opinions are better than yours and it's not about quality or progressions of logic or even the very core of the entertainment industry; to be entertaining! it's all about control. They want control over your thoughts, your I.P., your will and pretty much your very soul so walk cautiously.

Now me, I don't want control over you. I don't need it because in my humble, confident (sometimes mistaken as arrogance) opinion, my work is better than yours. My strategies are better than yours and my philosophies are better than yours. So yes, I'm a moron, but I'm a confident moron that literally has nothing to show for his bravado because you're dealing with people in power that have bigger egos.

Now that I've completely turned you off from getting to know me, if you want my opinion on something, I'll be happy to give you feedback, advice, help you plan something else, whatever you need and it won't cost you a thing. I want nothing and you don't have to listen to anything I say or suggest, but should we find we like each other, we might make a good team or a short term co-worker relationship. You'll get nothing but the truth from me and all I want in return is the same.

It's nice to meet you.

Maurice Vaughan

Happy Holidays, Philip David Lee! I think we all should think our projects are the cream of the crop. Or at least think our projects can be the cream of the crop with work and feedback. We definitely need confidence in this industry. Whether it's confidence when writing scripts, pitching projects, filming movies, etc.

Philip David Lee

Maurice Vaughan Happy Holidays to you as well, Maurice. I totally agree with you and if I hear feedback that makes sense, I'd be a fool not to listen to it, but you have to be able to separate the technical advice from the personal advice. As for the rest, you have to always have a guarded optimism when talking and meeting new people in the industry. If one is too eager to take a leap of faith, they could wind up hurting themselves in the long run. While I sometimes glance over the seminars and lessons presented by Stage 32, I don't recall seeing any on looking for clues that you're being scammed. I apologize if I have missed them, but then, this topic can't be stressed enough whether one is entering a studio agreement or a distribution deal.

My introduction may read as harsh but it has some hard truths and unapologetic warnings to be watchful of. It's more important to me that you trust what I'm saying then for you to like me.

Sam Sokolow

Hey Philip David Lee - gerat to see you here on IYW. Your passion always shines through, brother. Wishing yougreat success in 2025 and a wonderful holiday season.

Maurice Vaughan

I get what you're saying, Philip David Lee. I made those mistakes back when I was a new screenwriter (not being able to separate technical advice from personal advice and being too eager to take a leap of faith, which led to me rewriting things in scripts when I didn't need to and me being scammed). If I would've known about these things (and other things about the industry) back then, I wouldn't have made the mistakes. That's one thing I like about Stage 32. Experienced members warn new writers, directors, etc. about what to watch out for.

Vital Butinar

Hi Philip David Lee nice too meet you. You sound crazy, in a good way and I love that! Cool post and I agree with you on a lot of the stuff. It's a weird industry and it's funny how in a lot of areas there are people who controls something yet have less knowledge than someone who knows a lot.

John Clive Carter

Hi Philip David Lee after thirty years in the advertising business I find the find the film industry incredibly refreshing. People are helpful. It’s not a zero sum game (we’re not all chasing the same big clients with identical offers). And it’s not a cult of personality, the work matters more than the relationships (although relationships are still vital). People are also willing to tell the truth, which can be in short supply in other industries.

I’m not saying it’s not tough. But because the bar is so high to get anything made, I’ve found that people tend to help each other rather than knock each other down.

Vital Butinar

John Clive Carter nicely put. You know I've found the same thing. Some of the relationships that you build are really great and I've met some really cool people with whom we help each other all the time and then also work together.

Jon Shallit

WOW! Honesty and no asking for money! i LOVE this guy!!!!!!!

Victor A. Pollak

Hello Philip David Lee. I sent you a network request. I'd like to speak with you.

T.L. Davis

I think the only difference between Phillip David Lee and myself is I've never written it out or voiced it, except his opinions about the industry as a whole. As a writer/creator I suppose if I didn't feel that way I would not be here or continue to push my projects, I'd just find some comfy job that I'd also do well and forget it. That I see a hole where my work should be drives me on. What I lack, what holds me back, is that I do respect the need for a good director and a practiced producer to bring the project home.

Philip David Lee

T.L. Davis You're a man that wears many hats, as I do, T.L. so I like that you know where I'm coming from. Sure our works could use some tightening up here and there, but some of the wholesale changes outsiders want to make are sometimes intolerable. I also understand that some screenwriters have not yet developed the producer skills or directing techniques we were either forced to learn or have a natural talent to create stunning work. They have to work through a studio system that cares more about their own egos than they do creating great entertainment. Basically, if I'm working within a team and a change makes sense or improves the content, I'll change it. Will I give the guy a writing credit for one line? No. However if the changes are too much without any real purpose, I'll walk away.

T.L. Davis

Philip David Lee I wrote a stage play and it was produced locally. They faithfully produced what I had written and I was impressed with their ability to get the laughs where prescribed, the feel of the script quite well. I went backstage after one of the performances and congratulated them on their production, their acting, etc., and they all looked at me as if I were an idiot. Finally, one of them said: "You wrote it. It got the second best review we've ever had!" I replied, "Yes, but you brought it to life and added aspects to the characters I hadn't imagined." Like you, where they can make it better, it's great, but long ago, I grew quite tired and hostile toward changes for the sake of changes without improvement. It is a collaborative effort, whereas my novels, that I always fall back on, are under my complete control.

Philip David Lee

T.L. Davis You have the added advantage of being a novelist and playwright. Two things I have never tried so I give you props for those two skills. One question though. Why is it Playwright and not playwrite? I'm a screenwriter and not a screenwrighter. What the hell is a wright anyway other than a family name that invented the airplane.. I'm happy that the cast and crew did such an amazing job on your words. It is rewarding when they love the material so much, they reach within themselves to let their full talents be on display.

T.L. Davis

Philip David Lee that cracked me up. Actually, it's playwright, because way back it's akin to a wheelwright, a wainwright or a shipwright, those who make and repair things. A few more centuries and it would have been playwrite, I think. That play taught me what collaboration could bring to the project, but like you, I see that so often now, the point is to change something and glorify their egos that without their input, it would not have been a success, even though that input was largely irrelevant or even damaging.

Michael David

Pass

Philip David Lee

Michael David I like your coaching philosophy.

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