Screenwriting is the foundation of all feature filmmaking. Without the script what is there? Directors, producers, and all other members of the filmmaking process can launch themselves right into work when the script is in hand.
An email conversation I had with screenwriter Brian Strasmann showed me the unique position screenwriters have. They are the only people who get to see the making of the movie from the very beginning. Their role is very intricate and precise when crafting scenes and characters, yet they must also be broad and have social skills when dealing with producers, directors and studios.
When writing the script itself, Brian said crafting the second act is the most difficult part. He said things can often fall apart in a writer’s story when writing the second act because the characters are supposed to progress and gradually change. But this isn’t the only difficulty when writing the screenplay.
“Another difficulty is trying to second guess the market. It is sometimes hard to stick to a vision when we see the market changing over the course of a summer” (Strasmann).
Brian said he’s been on both ends of the spectrum when seeing his screenplay progress through pre-production and production. He said producers, directors and executives are always trying to improve a script, but there are times when that process is hard to pin down.
“The unfortunate truth is that no one really knows why some great scripts make poor movies and why some mediocre scripts make great movies” (Strasmann).
Brian has had the opportunity to write production polishes for studios rather than writing the original screenplay as well. He said this involves daily contact with directors, producers and executives to make sure the script is adjusted slightly to meet certain needs as production goes forth.
“I have always recognized that creating a motion picture is a collaborative force and that has allowed me to create good friendships with the creative people involved” (Strasmann).
The collaboration part of filmmaking might end up being frustrating for a screenwriter. It’s the balance between money and art. Screenwriters are often caught between a rock and a hard place when developing the screenplay.
“Screenwriters have described the double-edged sword of having a project in development. On the one hand, writers want to be paid to write; on the other hand, what one ends up writing during the development process may have little relationship to the script one wanted to write. In general, if the screenwriter sold an original idea or piece of material, it is now the property of the buyer for the term specified and the writer has neither legal rights to prevent it from being changed nor control over how it will be marketed, unless that has been specifically negotiated into the contract. A writer is paid for a specific number of ‘drafts’ of the screenplay. If the buyer is dissatisfied, that person or company will hire another writer to work with the material. The goal of the new writer is not only to be paid for the work, but also to be credited for that work onscreen, which requires changes to at least 50% of the existing material for at least partial credit. Receiving credit is important to raise one’s status and pay as a writer and is sometimes considered a primary motivator once the process has begun” (Ferguson, 2009).
When I took Screenwriting from Strasmann at Dixie State College two years ago he said there are so many different ways to try and squeeze your way into screenwriting as a career. He took the route of moving to Los Angeles and building up contacts. He would go around and meet others who were trying to crack into the business as well. He attended parties, was part of a rock band, and other things until he finally was able to get somebody to look at his work. He said that’s what worked for him, but that isn’t the only way to break in.
“Many people are under the incorrect belief that one must attend film school or have a degree in creative writing to be a successful screenwriter. While in fact, most screenwriters initially started out in other disciplines whether it be an advertising executive like Lawrence Kasdan or a history teacher like Steve Faber. There are numerous creative writing courses that you can take that will help you develop your craft, but the fastest way to becoming a good writer is by writing. In writing screenplays, the simple act of writing a script from beginning to end is like taking a class” (about.com).
Screenwriting is the very essence of pre-production because without the script there is no movie. The screenwriter kicks off the creative process with the screenplay, setting the stage for the other members of the crew to explore their creative options.
References
Ferguson, B. (2009). Creativity and integrity: Marketing the “in development” screenplay. Psychology & Marketing, 26(5), 421-444.
Strasmann, B. (2012, February 15). Interview by Richard Briggs [Web Based Recording].
about.com. (n.d.). Screenwriter - screenwriting as a career. Retrieved from http://filmtvcareers.about.com/od/basics/p/CP_Screenwriter.htm
