At the 2007 Florida Film Festival, a screenwriter’s forum attracted about 150 people eager to learn from the professionals about the art and business of screenwriting. Moderated by Barry Sandler, the screenwriter for Making Love and Crimes of Passion and an Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida’s Film Program, the forum was held at Enzian Theater, producer of the festival.
Screenwriters Talk About Motivation
Participating in the forum were Mike Werb, writer of Firehouse Dog, Face/Off, The Mask, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Bob DeRosa, writer of the recently completed The Air I Breathe starring Forrest Whitaker and Sarah Michelle Gellar, Don Mancini, creator of the successful character of Chucky and writer of all the films in the Child's Play series, and actress, writer, and director Guinevere Turner, who partnered with Mary Harron to pen the screenplays for The Notorious Bettie Page and American Psycho.
The screenwriters talked about writing motivation, and generally agreed that earning money was the primary incentive to write. Writing part-time doesn’t inspire them as much as making a full-time commitment with a deadline looming over their head. They agreed that specifically setting aside time to write (whether they felt like it or not) made them feel more like writers – despite their other creative tasks – and encouraged them to produce more material. Some worked around the clock while on a specific assignment; others had rigid hourly writing schedules based on their busy outside lives, and Turner said she keeps a flexible schedule determined by her moods.
Screenwriters' Best Advice:
Barry Sandler: “Perseverance is essential. When you finish one script, just get on with the next script. Be constantly writing...Go to as many parties as you can. Meet people, make relationships that will help you later on.”
Mike Werb: “Write about things that matter to you. There’s no point in writing unless you’re passionate about it...It’s real important not to fall in love with your first draft. Feedback is so important. Be sure to get feedback from people you trust.”
Bob DeRosa: “Having a voice as a writer is the way to connect with anybody. Crafting the actual story is a mystery.”
Don Mancini: “Keep generating products until the lightening strikes. Follow your individual passions... Horror is a great way to break into the business because the studios see it as a separate part of the film industry, and there’s more freedom to do what you want.”
Guinevere Turner: “I work best under pressure, so I usually wait until the deadline is a week away.”
For more information about the film industry, read Finding Cast and Crew for Indies and How to Find a Distributor.
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