May be a stretch, but I think it somewhat depends on the personality type of the individual reading the script. Those who say 99% are garbage, it wouldn't surprise me if they were pessimist or downright bitter souls. This isn't always the case, obviously. I've read some pretty bad scripts so I know for certain there are "garbage" scripts and I'm sure I've written some before. But trolls do exist and unfortunately since negativity sells, trolls seem to be in high demand for whatever God awful reason.
@@ErnestThoughtsPodcast "Those who say 99% are garbage, it wouldn't surprise me if they were pessimist or downright bitter souls." Not true in my case. I'm an optimist. But I'm also a realist and a perfectionist. I tend to set bars high.
Most things are "ok". Not bad, not terrible, maybe even serviceable. But if you are making a film for the same budget no matter what, you're obviously going yo be searching for the top of the top.
Maybe one person in 10,000 could write a passable screenplay. To get to the point that you could write a screenplay that would get traction in Hollywood, maybe one person in 70,000. At this level, it’s arguably true that the pool of people capable of being that 1 in 70,000 are not going to write garbage. Yet you also have to factor for higher-ups that steer a good script into the realm of garbage because they want it that way. Anyone who has written freelance knows how that works.
When I was a freelancer, I read a lot of scripts. Part of my job was to provide feedback to my producers on a wide range of things, such as character, plot, craft, cinematic elements, etc. Based on that I would recommend passing or considering the project, writer or both. Mr. Zinnes is spot on. Of the scripts I read, maybe five, or so, I was really excited about and recommend for consideration. And of those, I think that 3 actually made it past production (One theatrical, and two television movies). Perhaps twice that were just bad, lack of craft, poor plotting and characters, etc. The others fell somewhere in between. There were a lot more cases of considering the writer than the script. The writer may have shown promise, but something in the script didn't quite make the cut, and didn't showcase their talent effectively. We'll not talk about some of the movies that resulted from the scripts, but it's incredibly enlightening to read the author's screenplay, and then see the final product. Just my thought.
I think there's probably 4 reasons most scripts get rejected; they're dull, unwanted, unfinished or lacking craft. Most writers submitting scripts likely overestimate how good their idea is or characters are, are submitting something that is too similar to an existing movie, or an established trend that is already waning, haven't developed or revised enough, or just need more experience writing. A studio could take the time/money to "fix" those issues, but why bother when there are already scripts to choose from that don't have those flaws?
I've read a lot of scripts. Many of what I've seen are garbage. A lot of avoidable errors, lack of plot, poor structure,poor dialogue etc. There are many scripts that come through that come off like they were written in grade school. People have this idea that good writing gets overlooked. It does. But there are A LOT of poorly constructed screenplays out there. The same is true with plays and TV scripts that are unsolicited.
He is spot on. I 've read a few hundred scripts working for an Asian producer and you just know within a few pages if it has something or not. If my eyes start glazing over after 5 pages then I know it is no good. But if I can get to page 40 without pause then it has a bit of magic. And the genre can also hurt a scripts chances. I've read more horror and action scripts than any others and they all seem like something that a certain audience would like but are not something I would watch. And zombies, so many zombies, all kinds of zombie movies the last 5 years. And martial arts. And martial arts and zombies. And zombies that do martial arts. And zombies fighting each other...i am sick of zombies. One thing they all try to be is like some famous movie and many have no voice of their own. So I never recommend them.
Or course recognizing good writing is innate. Recognizing good anything is innate. If I can recognize that a good cheeseburger is good, does that make me an expert chef? Recognizing that something is good doesn't mean you can make something good. That generally takes training, practice, passion, professionalism, talent, perseverance, etc.
Some people love Rocky Road ice cream... others insist on Mint Chip... others Peanut Butter Cup... and having said that... you may want to avoid the video we are publishing tomorrow.
What's your reaction?
Andrew Zinnes insight is 100% true.
Yes this was fantastic! Very insightful examples of what really works for film
May be a stretch, but I think it somewhat depends on the personality type of the individual reading the script. Those who say 99% are garbage, it wouldn't surprise me if they were pessimist or downright bitter souls. This isn't always the case, obviously. I've read some pretty bad scripts so I know for certain there are "garbage" scripts and I'm sure I've written some before. But trolls do exist and unfortunately since negativity sells, trolls seem to be in high demand for whatever God awful reason.
@@ErnestThoughtsPodcast "Those who say 99% are garbage, it wouldn't surprise me if they were pessimist or downright bitter souls."
Not true in my case. I'm an optimist. But I'm also a realist and a perfectionist. I tend to set bars high.
his sister is awesome....and he needs a slap for forgetting Adam Herz's name 🙂
"And within a few lines she was laughing... and laughing and laughing." That script turned out to be Schindler's List.
that joke was funnier than the entire American Pie movie series.
Most things are "ok". Not bad, not terrible, maybe even serviceable. But if you are making a film for the same budget no matter what, you're obviously going yo be searching for the top of the top.
Maybe one person in 10,000 could write a passable screenplay. To get to the point that you could write a screenplay that would get traction in Hollywood, maybe one person in 70,000.
At this level, it’s arguably true that the pool of people capable of being that 1 in 70,000 are not going to write garbage. Yet you also have to factor for higher-ups that steer a good script into the realm of garbage because they want it that way. Anyone who has written freelance knows how that works.
When I was a freelancer, I read a lot of scripts. Part of my job was to provide feedback to my producers on a wide range of things, such as character, plot, craft, cinematic elements, etc. Based on that I would recommend passing or considering the project, writer or both. Mr. Zinnes is spot on. Of the scripts I read, maybe five, or so, I was really excited about and recommend for consideration. And of those, I think that 3 actually made it past production (One theatrical, and two television movies).
Perhaps twice that were just bad, lack of craft, poor plotting and characters, etc. The others fell somewhere in between. There were a lot more cases of considering the writer than the script. The writer may have shown promise, but something in the script didn't quite make the cut, and didn't showcase their talent effectively.
We'll not talk about some of the movies that resulted from the scripts, but it's incredibly enlightening to read the author's screenplay, and then see the final product.
Just my thought.
I think there's probably 4 reasons most scripts get rejected; they're dull, unwanted, unfinished or lacking craft. Most writers submitting scripts likely overestimate how good their idea is or characters are, are submitting something that is too similar to an existing movie, or an established trend that is already waning, haven't developed or revised enough, or just need more experience writing. A studio could take the time/money to "fix" those issues, but why bother when there are already scripts to choose from that don't have those flaws?
I've read a lot of scripts. Many of what I've seen are garbage. A lot of avoidable errors, lack of plot, poor structure,poor dialogue etc. There are many scripts that come through that come off like they were written in grade school. People have this idea that good writing gets overlooked. It does. But there are A LOT of poorly constructed screenplays out there. The same is true with plays and TV scripts that are unsolicited.
He is spot on. I 've read a few hundred scripts working for an Asian producer and you just know within a few pages if it has something or not. If my eyes start glazing over after 5 pages then I know it is no good. But if I can get to page 40 without pause then it has a bit of magic. And the genre can also hurt a scripts chances. I've read more horror and action scripts than any others and they all seem like something that a certain audience would like but are not something I would watch. And zombies, so many zombies, all kinds of zombie movies the last 5 years. And martial arts. And martial arts and zombies. And zombies that do martial arts. And zombies fighting each other...i am sick of zombies. One thing they all try to be is like some famous movie and many have no voice of their own. So I never recommend them.
Thank you for sharing your experience here!
I've been in screewriting groups for over 20 years. Unfortunately, if 99% are not garbage, the number is very close to that.
There are films that are okay to good that did not come from a great screenplay.
Or course recognizing good writing is innate. Recognizing good anything is innate. If I can recognize that a good cheeseburger is good, does that make me an expert chef? Recognizing that something is good doesn't mean you can make something good. That generally takes training, practice, passion, professionalism, talent, perseverance, etc.
I strongly disagree.
Have you read a lot of scripts?
@filmcourage no, but I've seen a lot of movies.....
@@filmcourage I have, and if 99% are not garbage, that 99% number is not far off.
You have one video saying 99% are garbage and now this video
Some people love Rocky Road ice cream... others insist on Mint Chip... others Peanut Butter Cup... and having said that... you may want to avoid the video we are publishing tomorrow.
Imagine letting guests voice their own opinion! It's almost like the world is full of contradiction, isn't it?
Thanks Ruy! We are still doing our best to share different perspectives!
It's not that bad
🫡 Film Courage
Cheers Wex!