Debunking Hollywood Myths for Uncredited Screenwriters - Part 4

If you have plowed through the first three parts to this series and are back for the forth installment, then congratulations! You might just avoid many of the pitfalls suffered by hundreds of thousands of aspiring screenwriters around the world. So, are you ready to debunk a few more huge Hollywood myths? Great, let's continue with this common one...

Myth: “I have a BIG story, so I need a big star and a big producer.”

Research will shatter this myth, as well. Visit IMDb, then research the last twenty films of any particular star or production company. You’ll likely discover the credited screenwriter on every one of those films had a prove track record of previous credits, often major credits. So, it’s a safe bet that stars and major production companies will not deviate from the business practices they have used for twenty previous films. That means that new writers are totally wasting their time pitching screenplays to these companies. The great news is there are producers who will consider new writers, but those producers are not household names. Writers must pull their heads out of the clouds if they ever expect to spot real opportunities for that first screenplay sale.

The next myth is a classic.

Myth: “It only takes one to love my screenplay.”

Actually, it takes hundreds. If you haven’t watched all the end credits of a movie lately, then you really should. You’ll see hundreds of film professionals work on every studio production these days. All those folks believed in the movie. Before the movie was made, financiers believed in the movie enough to gamble over $100 million US dollars. People at the studio risked their jobs in championing the movie. Stars risked their reputations and future film quotes. Finally, if your agent LOVED your screenplay, that agent must still convince a superior at the agency to push it through the halls to construct a packaging deal. Others in the agency might not share your agent’s passion for the script, ending your celebration fast. If EVERYONE who reads your script loves it, then you actually have a reason to celebrate. But if only a few are excited, you better consider another draft. Remember, you ultimately need about 15 million moviegoers to love your story enough to dig into their pockets for a $10 bill. Otherwise, you will have many folks cursing your name.

Myth: “If I could just get my script through Hollywood’s gatekeepers…”

The very best way to guarantee your script will be read from cover-to-cover is by having people read it who know you. “Networking” is about much more than getting by gatekeepers. One must develop strong relationships to have a sustained Hollywood career. Think of it this way, is anyone logically going to make a $100 million movie with someone based on a resume or writing sample? No, people make movies with people they know and trust, based on time. If existing reputation is powerful enough, people will be open to taking limited chances. But all things being equal, people prefer to work with friends and colleagues who collaborated well together on past projects. Access is rarely the real problem in Hollywood. Having credibility is.