If I'm not mistaken, JK Rowling was actually on welfare. A few writers actually seem to have been on welfare at some point (the comic writer Alan Moore comes to mind). So I guess the pro-tip is, don't quit your day job, unless you're eligible for benefits! xD
You do realize that benefits hardly help people survive eh? Yes they can help with basic things but its still a struggle. It's not a lavish lifestyle where they mooch off the government like some people seem to think. Most people on it need it to get by and even then it's not enough.
I agree with everything Travis said except doing adaptions, at least to a point. I agree you should never try to write a Spider Man script then try to get it produced, but I see no reason why writers shouldn't write them, either for a fun side project or a practice script. In my opinion no type of writing is a waste of time, it all helps us further our craft and get better.
Sure. You can get practice... just don't try getting it out into the world. The point was I see SOOOOOOOOOO many writers in the screenwriting forums who want to write major IP-based scripts they don't own the rights to - comics, video games, reboots and sequels of past films, etc - and then get belligerent when anyone tells them they shouldn't do that because it'll never sell or even get read AND could even get them sued. I'm a firm believer that you should write original work. OR, if you feel you NEED to adapt something? Look to the public domain, folklore, and urban legends. Stuff nobody owns (anymore) to come after you if you try to "make it" with that piece.
@@SivartAlappes I guess I'm a tad biased since I have written stuff like that in the past haha, though I never tried to do anything with those scripts beyond using them to practice and have fun playing around in worlds I loved. I do understand what you are saying though, ultimately, if one wishes to pursue screenwriting as a career as opposed to a hobby, one needs to write original work and keep improving at developing their own characters, worlds etc.
@@SivartAlappes I really enjoyed your interview but I partially disagree with your opinion on never writing screenplays for established IPs. There are have been some fan-made games that either got picked up by a publisher or the individual developer was hired by the publisher to work on an official project as well as a few successful fan-made films. For example, there is a fan-made short-film based on the Uncharted video games series, starring Nathan Fillion as well as the fan-made short-film, Batman: Dying is Easy. Both of these films have millions of views on TH-cam. And to be quite honest, act as a living portfolio for all those involved.
The moment it goes out, it stops being a script and starts being a business proposal. If people find holes in your business proposal, your business is more likely to succeed. That's a good thing, right?
Time management and prioritizing. I have a full time job - 40 hours a week with about 40 min round trip commute. PLUS I sleep 8 hours a night (I know many writers who sleep much less). I make time to write - write in the mornings before work, write on my lunch breaks, occasionally write at night between when I get home from work and go to bed (although usually only do that if I'm tight on a deadline). That's all time management. Prioritizing? Write instead of watching that movie/show/videogame. Write instead of going out to dinner with friends. Write on your days off! Anyone who says they don't have ANY time to write is lying. You surely can find 10-15 minutes to work on even a scene... even if that means going to bed late or waking up early or putting off something else you want to do.
@@SivartAlappes I had difficulty doing that, writing during breaks or with only a short period of time. I need a bit more time to concentrate recap and make my writing flow (and the other creative works I do). 20 minutes is not enough for me. But 2 hours is good enough. Currently I have at least 4 hours a day and that is quite good. But I think organizing ourselves to have around 2 hours dedicated to writing is enough to have something good at the end of one year. ☺️
My conclusion is that in the end you need some availability, sure, but more important than that is motivation. And I think the best way to keep motivated is to do it as Andrew here said. Write whenever you can, whatever you can. Without fear.
I quit it 6 months ago and i have 0 regrets. Only thing i will say is that i have meeting with a producer on monday. But i feel like i had enormous luck. 😂 I will ask to direct it too. Its my first script this close to be sold. He read it and he liked it a lot. Few other people read it too and same reaction. If i cant direct it, i will start to search for money myself because only with my script i can start living my dream to be writter/director because i have no writing or directing school. Nobody will hire me to direct anything. 😂 I will sell it only if i direct it. If i dont do that way and only sell it i know i will regret my entire life.
@@misterthedarkknight Thanks. Well, i dont have rent, i have my own house but still have bills and need to eat. 😂 I worked as a welder and i saved money for this because i knew i will quit it. And i still can do some small jobs for extra money. Bit as i said i have 0 regreats because i know i will made it. Its sounds idk like im God of writing or something, but of course im not. But i know that i have faith, i have strong will, i have strong feeling in my stomach and head (it may be silly but its true) and i have very good script. So im not afraid because this is my time. And if i can have one message for you and everybody, that will be "Dont be afraid to go after your dreams. It may look scary when you think of it, but its not. They are your dreams and they will let you catch them, but they will not come to you. So just start to go in their direction and they will stop running from you and will wait you to come and catch them." May be silly but i believe in it from my experience. As soonest i started actively to go after them i meet some great people and they helping me to catch my dream.
Stallone was the same way with "Rocky" he was offered big $$$ to sell it, let a name be the star but he refused, he wrote it for himself...Good for you!
@@jcreed09 Yes i always have that story in my mind. And Cameron's story too when he refused to sell terminator unless he direct it. There are many stories that kind and i habe them always in my mind. Everything is possible just dont give up.
I think a better advice is 'don't write a superhero script, if you have a cool super hero concept make a book or a comic based off it' . That allows you to immediately earn money off it trough crowdfunding, payment subscribers, or self publishing, and then you don't even have to bother with trying to shill it to movie makers cuz you've already made the story.
I keep getting told that publishing a book has more to do with who you know, and who you network with, than being an incredible writer. Publishing houses have piles upon piles of excellent books that might never see the light of day. Plus, if you are eligible for welfare, just go for it and do not listen to anyone! You could be the next big thing and if your government can support that, you should certainly go for it!
@@endrinarr5819 Good point, but that requires serious marketing skills and knowing the fact that reaching national audiences will be just impossible. Traditional publishing opens ways to many other things as well, not just the coolest career ever.
Pauline Kael: “Hollywood’s the only place where you can die of encouragement”.
That's a good one! Thank you. :)
“If you’re quitting it to start pitching stuff... That’s insane!”
If I'm not mistaken, JK Rowling was actually on welfare. A few writers actually seem to have been on welfare at some point (the comic writer Alan Moore comes to mind). So I guess the pro-tip is, don't quit your day job, unless you're eligible for benefits! xD
On welfare when writing Harry Potter, was a teacher when it was picked up and published.
You do realize that benefits hardly help people survive eh? Yes they can help with basic things but its still a struggle. It's not a lavish lifestyle where they mooch off the government like some people seem to think. Most people on it need it to get by and even then it's not enough.
@@matthewgordonpettipas6773 Not sure why you took that so personally (or inferred things I didn't come remotely close to saying) but, it was a joke.
I agree with everything Travis said except doing adaptions, at least to a point. I agree you should never try to write a Spider Man script then try to get it produced, but I see no reason why writers shouldn't write them, either for a fun side project or a practice script.
In my opinion no type of writing is a waste of time, it all helps us further our craft and get better.
Sure. You can get practice... just don't try getting it out into the world. The point was I see SOOOOOOOOOO many writers in the screenwriting forums who want to write major IP-based scripts they don't own the rights to - comics, video games, reboots and sequels of past films, etc - and then get belligerent when anyone tells them they shouldn't do that because it'll never sell or even get read AND could even get them sued.
I'm a firm believer that you should write original work. OR, if you feel you NEED to adapt something? Look to the public domain, folklore, and urban legends. Stuff nobody owns (anymore) to come after you if you try to "make it" with that piece.
@@SivartAlappes I guess I'm a tad biased since I have written stuff like that in the past haha, though I never tried to do anything with those scripts beyond using them to practice and have fun playing around in worlds I loved.
I do understand what you are saying though, ultimately, if one wishes to pursue screenwriting as a career as opposed to a hobby, one needs to write original work and keep improving at developing their own characters, worlds etc.
@@SivartAlappes I really enjoyed your interview but I partially disagree with your opinion on never writing screenplays for established IPs. There are have been some fan-made games that either got picked up by a publisher or the individual developer was hired by the publisher to work on an official project as well as a few successful fan-made films.
For example, there is a fan-made short-film based on the Uncharted video games series, starring Nathan Fillion as well as the fan-made short-film, Batman: Dying is Easy. Both of these films have millions of views on TH-cam. And to be quite honest, act as a living portfolio for all those involved.
Thanks for the tip. I'll keep my 9 to 5.😂
Very helpful video - thanks!
Good, practical advice.
Too late, my good sir. I already have.
💪
The interviewer is the best part of Film Courage. Wonderful job. Love this interviewee too! Very helpful.
Thank you, Regina! We appreciate you watching our videos. :)
Takeing notes😌
How do you handle criticism to your writing?
The moment it goes out, it stops being a script and starts being a business proposal. If people find holes in your business proposal, your business is more likely to succeed. That's a good thing, right?
How do you put 100% into writing if you have to put 60% into your day job? And 20% to sleep? Real question here
In my case what I’ve done was to reduce my day job to 60%. It gave me an extra 40% of time to write and enough income to keep my basic needs.
In the words of Shia Lebeouf: "Do it!"
Time management and prioritizing.
I have a full time job - 40 hours a week with about 40 min round trip commute. PLUS I sleep 8 hours a night (I know many writers who sleep much less).
I make time to write - write in the mornings before work, write on my lunch breaks, occasionally write at night between when I get home from work and go to bed (although usually only do that if I'm tight on a deadline).
That's all time management.
Prioritizing? Write instead of watching that movie/show/videogame. Write instead of going out to dinner with friends. Write on your days off!
Anyone who says they don't have ANY time to write is lying. You surely can find 10-15 minutes to work on even a scene... even if that means going to bed late or waking up early or putting off something else you want to do.
@@SivartAlappes I had difficulty doing that, writing during breaks or with only a short period of time. I need a bit more time to concentrate recap and make my writing flow (and the other creative works I do).
20 minutes is not enough for me. But 2 hours is good enough. Currently I have at least 4 hours a day and that is quite good. But I think organizing ourselves to have around 2 hours dedicated to writing is enough to have something good at the end of one year. ☺️
My conclusion is that in the end you need some availability, sure, but more important than that is motivation. And I think the best way to keep motivated is to do it as Andrew here said.
Write whenever you can, whatever you can. Without fear.
thank u
Open Secret most professional Screenwriters, Producers, whatever are connected- they have an in.
I quit it 6 months ago and i have 0 regrets. Only thing i will say is that i have meeting with a producer on monday. But i feel like i had enormous luck. 😂 I will ask to direct it too. Its my first script this close to be sold. He read it and he liked it a lot. Few other people read it too and same reaction. If i cant direct it, i will start to search for money myself because only with my script i can start living my dream to be writter/director because i have no writing or directing school. Nobody will hire me to direct anything. 😂 I will sell it only if i direct it. If i dont do that way and only sell it i know i will regret my entire life.
Good luck, I want to do that too. How do you pay rent in the meantime ?
@@misterthedarkknight Thanks. Well, i dont have rent, i have my own house but still have bills and need to eat. 😂 I worked as a welder and i saved money for this because i knew i will quit it. And i still can do some small jobs for extra money. Bit as i said i have 0 regreats because i know i will made it. Its sounds idk like im God of writing or something, but of course im not. But i know that i have faith, i have strong will, i have strong feeling in my stomach and head (it may be silly but its true) and i have very good script. So im not afraid because this is my time. And if i can have one message for you and everybody, that will be "Dont be afraid to go after your dreams. It may look scary when you think of it, but its not. They are your dreams and they will let you catch them, but they will not come to you. So just start to go in their direction and they will stop running from you and will wait you to come and catch them."
May be silly but i believe in it from my experience. As soonest i started actively to go after them i meet some great people and they helping me to catch my dream.
Stallone was the same way with "Rocky" he was offered big $$$ to sell it, let a name be the star but he refused, he wrote it for himself...Good for you!
@@jcreed09 Yes i always have that story in my mind. And Cameron's story too when he refused to sell terminator unless he direct it. There are many stories that kind and i habe them always in my mind. Everything is possible just dont give up.
I think a better advice is 'don't write a superhero script, if you have a cool super hero concept make a book or a comic based off it' . That allows you to immediately earn money off it trough crowdfunding, payment subscribers, or self publishing, and then you don't even have to bother with trying to shill it to movie makers cuz you've already made the story.
I keep getting told that publishing a book has more to do with who you know, and who you network with, than being an incredible writer. Publishing houses have piles upon piles of excellent books that might never see the light of day. Plus, if you are eligible for welfare, just go for it and do not listen to anyone! You could be the next big thing and if your government can support that, you should certainly go for it!
When it comes to books you could always self-publish
@@endrinarr5819 Good point, but that requires serious marketing skills and knowing the fact that reaching national audiences will be just impossible. Traditional publishing opens ways to many other things as well, not just the coolest career ever.