I love websites such as thescriptlab.com where you can find almost anything you may have questions about regarding screenwriting and sometimes even get a bit of inspiration for your work.
I tend to find, however, that the more I look at these kinds of websites the less writing I actually do. I get so caught up in 'learning about my craft' that I forget to actually practice it. It's also a great way to procrastinate when you are trying to avoid the actual work involved in 'writing'.
It's not the websites' fault, of course! It's definitely mine. I especially love it when I collect website upon website in my favorites folder that I believe will help me write better, when in actual fact they end up piled up in the 'go back to it later' folder. I admit it - I rarely go back...
While I really do intend to read and learn more about my craft and use these websites as tools for improving on the skills I have already acquired, I can't stress enough to new screenwriters that the best way to learn about screenwriting is to write and to let others (who naturally have a respect for the craft) read your work. Find someone you trust and allow them to comment on your script. It's amazing what you can learn! Even if it is just to correct your grammar and spelling mistakes!
Just because you're facing a blank screen alone, doesn't mean you should think of screenwriting as a solo-mission in which you have to reach the award level having done everything all by yourself. Just as filmmaking is a collaborative medium, so is screenwriting. Without others to point out when you are telling instead of showing, or writing dialogue that only robots would say (great if you're writing the next big robot blockbuster) how will you ever improve? Sure you can visit a screenwriting blog or website that gives you tit-bits on how to improve the dialogue or write correct format, but you still need that human being who is willing and interested and believes in you enough to sit down and keep turning the 90-120 pages of your script.
While reading about screenwriting may get the juices flowing or allow you to discover things you never knew about the screenwriting process, you do need to find yourself a writing/ reading buddy - someone who is kind, but honest and who can really help you take your script to the next level. Otherwise you may spend a lot of time and money writing what you think is the 'next big thing', but which ultimately becomes the 'next big rejection'.
One warning about those writing/ reading buddies to end - if your writing/ reading buddy tells you that your writing sucks, find another writing/ reading buddy. Ultimately that kind of reaction tells you that they suck! Everything has potential!
And don't give up. Keep Writing! :D
Subscribe!
Showing posts with label doing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doing. Show all posts
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sunday, October 17, 2010
A Practicing Buddhist and Filmmaker?
I believe there is a real dichotomy for filmmakers who are practicing Buddhism. How can we be in the moment, stay present and not get caught up in ‘where I want to be in 5 years’ or ‘they’re winning all those festival awards while my film sits on a shelf gathering dust’? How can we combine and marry the ability to be okay with wherever we are at the present moment and also simultaneously achieve success the way a filmmaker needs to, by creating and making and submitting and selling?
The answer is that right now I don’t know. Maybe some people out there have all the answers, but at this stage in my Buddhist practice it is important for me to be honest and tell you that I have no clue.
I struggle with this crisis everyday, especially when following my friends, colleagues and complete filmmaking strangers on social networking sites. While these online communicative tools allow me the chance to learn and explore more of the film world than I ever realized was out there, there is always that nagging voice at the back of my mind comparing me to those out there doing as I sit here being.
Fair enough, sometimes my being is an excuse for not doing due to fear of success or fear of failure. Never quite doing what it takes to achieve my goals and dreams does make it easier to justify any mental suffering I bring upon myself.
However, there is always that one day when I do decide to mail in my film to a festival, or open up Final Cut Express to finish a music performance I’ve been trying to edit for weeks, and that is what will separate me from the people who never realize their dreams. The key is to get back on the horse when you fall off. So much of filmmaking relies on tenacity. The successful people are successful because they never give up.
Our contemporary culture also doesn’t allow much room for failure. It’s the ultimate f-word in the filmmaking world. No one wants to know you unless you’re succeeding. However, to achieve great success there must also be an equal if not greater amount of failure in some part of life. That is the balance of the universe. It may not be apparent that the successful people in the film world have failed at some point (unless you can find comprehensive box office revenues online for prolific directors), but then who in our contemporary culture reveals their failures over celebrating their successes? Only the most humble of people, and that is rare to find.
I believe one answer to it all is to be joyful for the successes of those around you, because those successes prove that one day they could be your successes. Also, if you can celebrate others successes, hopefully it will leave less energy for comparison and self-flagellation!
Another way I look at it is that I see my insecurity about my level of success in the film-world as simply the universe’s way of reminding me not to give up. It’s that little voice inside of me that reminds me about the feature script I started but haven’t taken off the boil yet. It’s not that I haven’t succeeded, but that I haven’t given myself the opportunity to succeed because I haven’t given myself the opportunity to fail either.
I also haven’t always been willing to admit what my strengths are, and that as much as I’d like to ace every position in the credits of my film, I understand that I probably wouldn’t succeed doing that anyway. Collaboration is what keeps me alive and present and makes a success out of me.
One thing that also matters is that you do what you can. If that means you won’t be successful till you’re 65, then that’s what it means. Besides, it could be possible that we need to re-invent our idea of success. Does it mean that you win an Oscar? Or make millions selling your film? Or does it simply mean that you had a wonderful experience working with talented individuals who taught you more than all the money in the world could?
I know I have been successful with the films that I’ve made so far because I’ve learned. I’ve learned when I’ve been right and I’ve learned when I’ve been wrong. I’ve learned that what I really want to do is write. I’ve learned that I love working with amazingly talented openhearted actors who long to collaborate with a director.
Is this collaboration happening on every film set in the world? It’s doubtful. Does that mean that it will be easier for me to get a job directing because actors are dying to work with a collaborative director? It’s doubtful. I’m not necessarily meant to be part of the system that generates millions and wins Oscars right now. I’m still in the process of creating my art and fundamentally filmmaking is a business. Therefore, now might not be my time to have success in the industry. Is this the time for me to create and foster my art? Is this the time to explore and learn more about myself, and the human condition, playing by my own rules? Is this the time to share my writing with those who understand where I am at this point in my ‘career’? I would say yes. Yes, to them all.
Therefore again, we need to re-evaluate our understanding of success. Because right now, unless I never pick up a pen or my iBook again, I’m as successful as can be.
Thanks to a friend of mine for the inspiration for this blog post after a long time of having nothing to say. Your suffering helped in my process of creating and I hope I can return the favor! And of course also to the podcasts from Zencast.com who continue to help me deal with suffering on a daily basis. Namaste.
The answer is that right now I don’t know. Maybe some people out there have all the answers, but at this stage in my Buddhist practice it is important for me to be honest and tell you that I have no clue.
I struggle with this crisis everyday, especially when following my friends, colleagues and complete filmmaking strangers on social networking sites. While these online communicative tools allow me the chance to learn and explore more of the film world than I ever realized was out there, there is always that nagging voice at the back of my mind comparing me to those out there doing as I sit here being.
Fair enough, sometimes my being is an excuse for not doing due to fear of success or fear of failure. Never quite doing what it takes to achieve my goals and dreams does make it easier to justify any mental suffering I bring upon myself.
However, there is always that one day when I do decide to mail in my film to a festival, or open up Final Cut Express to finish a music performance I’ve been trying to edit for weeks, and that is what will separate me from the people who never realize their dreams. The key is to get back on the horse when you fall off. So much of filmmaking relies on tenacity. The successful people are successful because they never give up.
Our contemporary culture also doesn’t allow much room for failure. It’s the ultimate f-word in the filmmaking world. No one wants to know you unless you’re succeeding. However, to achieve great success there must also be an equal if not greater amount of failure in some part of life. That is the balance of the universe. It may not be apparent that the successful people in the film world have failed at some point (unless you can find comprehensive box office revenues online for prolific directors), but then who in our contemporary culture reveals their failures over celebrating their successes? Only the most humble of people, and that is rare to find.
I believe one answer to it all is to be joyful for the successes of those around you, because those successes prove that one day they could be your successes. Also, if you can celebrate others successes, hopefully it will leave less energy for comparison and self-flagellation!
Another way I look at it is that I see my insecurity about my level of success in the film-world as simply the universe’s way of reminding me not to give up. It’s that little voice inside of me that reminds me about the feature script I started but haven’t taken off the boil yet. It’s not that I haven’t succeeded, but that I haven’t given myself the opportunity to succeed because I haven’t given myself the opportunity to fail either.
I also haven’t always been willing to admit what my strengths are, and that as much as I’d like to ace every position in the credits of my film, I understand that I probably wouldn’t succeed doing that anyway. Collaboration is what keeps me alive and present and makes a success out of me.
One thing that also matters is that you do what you can. If that means you won’t be successful till you’re 65, then that’s what it means. Besides, it could be possible that we need to re-invent our idea of success. Does it mean that you win an Oscar? Or make millions selling your film? Or does it simply mean that you had a wonderful experience working with talented individuals who taught you more than all the money in the world could?
I know I have been successful with the films that I’ve made so far because I’ve learned. I’ve learned when I’ve been right and I’ve learned when I’ve been wrong. I’ve learned that what I really want to do is write. I’ve learned that I love working with amazingly talented openhearted actors who long to collaborate with a director.
Is this collaboration happening on every film set in the world? It’s doubtful. Does that mean that it will be easier for me to get a job directing because actors are dying to work with a collaborative director? It’s doubtful. I’m not necessarily meant to be part of the system that generates millions and wins Oscars right now. I’m still in the process of creating my art and fundamentally filmmaking is a business. Therefore, now might not be my time to have success in the industry. Is this the time for me to create and foster my art? Is this the time to explore and learn more about myself, and the human condition, playing by my own rules? Is this the time to share my writing with those who understand where I am at this point in my ‘career’? I would say yes. Yes, to them all.
Therefore again, we need to re-evaluate our understanding of success. Because right now, unless I never pick up a pen or my iBook again, I’m as successful as can be.
Thanks to a friend of mine for the inspiration for this blog post after a long time of having nothing to say. Your suffering helped in my process of creating and I hope I can return the favor! And of course also to the podcasts from Zencast.com who continue to help me deal with suffering on a daily basis. Namaste.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)