I’d rather work at making my dreams a reality, than never to attempt them and always wonder if I could have made it. When given the insurmountable odds, it could potentially be impossible-but not for us dreamers. They told me it would not be easy and they were correct. Somehow, I manage to hang on and take a few steps forward for every step back.
It hasn’t been easy and there were many times when fear and despair nearly extinguished the bright light I always see ahead of me. Funny how time and the pursuit has a way of tempering dreams and shaping a more realistic goal. Out of the gate from film school graduation, I was going to set the world on fire and sell scripts for a million dollars each. You have to decide what your idea of “making it” is and trust me, it changes over the years.
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Everyone has their own journey and not everyone will achieve the level of success they anticipated-but that’s okay. Not everyone can achieve A-list status no matter how good they write or how badly they want it. I’m not talking about an A-list superstar ( as if many screenwriters ever to get to be superstars compared to actors). The life of a screenwriter is not glamorous, but you’d be lucky to become a “working screenwriter” - someone who makes their living by writing. Sure, Hollywood is the boulevard of successes, but also of countless broken dreams. If you’re in it because you think it’s a quick way for fame and to make big money, think again-you will be humbled by the business. You have to possess the tenacity to weather the ups and downs of the film business, to constantly become a better screenwriter, to learn and grow with your craft, master executing notes, being the ultimate team player and collaborator, and writing material that reveals honestly and authenticity. It’s not enough to just put the words on paper and call yourself a “screenwriter.” That’s like saying you jumped out of a plane once and now you’re a skydiver. The craft and the film business will humble you. If you’re in this for the fame and fortune, or you think it’s easy because you’ve read a few screenwriting books and read some scripts, you are very mistaken.
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You really have to dig deep and ask yourself if you are willing to slog through the trenches for years, possibly writing material that will never sell only to maybe strike gold and sell something or be hired to write a script for a producer. This is not an easy journey to reach any level of success for a sustained period. What makes us take the leap of faith? Our passion and dreams burn as red-hot fuel for our courage to step forward and soar. Every time out, we stand on the side of the cliff and stare into the dark, unknown void below. That is what makes it exciting and terrifying at the same time. All of this comes with the territory and there are no guarantees. If you haven’t learned it yet, you will realize it’s not for the thin-skinned or for those who can’t handle failure and rejection. It’s your dream so take responsibility for it. One can’t do it alone, but you are alone when you face that blank page and realize that no one forced you to choose this endeavor. We make our own breaks and set up opportunities with every new screenplay that we create. I had to learn, climb and claw for everything that I’ve achieved with the invaluable support team of my family and dear friends.
#FAMOUS SCREENWRITER FOR FREE#
Nothing has come for free or handed to me on my journey. Now, twenty-eight screenplays later and thirteen paid screenwriting assignments, my seventh produced film just completed production and comes out this year.
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As I soldiered on, I could see legitimate progress as each new screenplay moved me farther down the field of play. I had much to learn and the humbling experience was enough for me to realize that screenwriting is an ongoing journey of learning and writing, failing, and getting rejected. It was fun and I thought it was the greatest piece of writing ever created-until I received feedback and that knocked me back into reality. I remember completing my first screenplay. It’s a long haul journey, so prepare for the ride of a lifetime.