To write a movie script can be likened to writing a business sales & marketing plan. Only when a film script is ready for production is ready to recoup its investment. Many script writing examples, writing topics and writing ideas only make it to the marketplace after they have been torture tested by a writer's discussion group. Often a writing guru leads, whereas in the corporate world a business guru leads. Great writing skills increase sales. A discussion group serves multiple purposes but generally exist to ensure the writing ideas and writing skills are professional enough to generate a profitable return on investment in the corporate world. After I graduated from University with a Master of Arts degree in how to screenplay writing and how to write a movie script I led several writing guru and business guru discussion groups. I found there was a great synergy between the development of how to write a movie script and how to write a sales and marketing plan for a business seeking exponential business growth. I believe the devil is always in the detail and opening up a free-fall brainstorming session at the beginning of the discussion group often delivered exciting results. It is probably appropriate to differentiate between the three titles of writing guru, business guru and guru film. A writing guru may not just be a film script writer. He or she may cross over into producing writing ideas for a business sales and marketing action plan. Being trained to identify great writing ideas and possessing professional writing skills to produce dynamic writing topics and key word/phrase writing examples is an added value bonus for any business. Simply being able to understand that when a writer submits copy with the following phrase 'write writing' it contains incorrect grammar is a useful skill. Unlike a film writing guru a business guru assists the sales and marketing director to formulate a sales and marketing plan. Key emphasis should always be on gaining a profitable return on investment spend. A guru film script writer tends to focus on producing the writing skills required by a script writer to produce a film script title, log line, treatment and finished film script. Occasionally if the film studio or investors require a full marketing plan then the guru film may collaborate with a business guru. In this case a discussion group always proves invaluable. Understanding The First Concept -Everything begins with a dream. -If you can dream it, you can write it. Understanding The Second Concept -Out of the box thinking -Look for problems & provide solutions Hot Seat Critique-Evaluation -As a writer, it doesn't matter if the solution is the WRONG solution, because sometimes the wrong solution generates a 'Thought Process' that leads to the right solution. The 50-50-90 Rule Never Forget The Writers Percentage Rule -The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong. Don't Procrastinate ... But remember, if you keep doing what you are doing...You'll keep getting what you're getting. Be Persistent -Writers are like mushrooms, they're often kept in the dark & fed c**p. -Writing is one of the loneliest crafts on earth. -Thankfully it's also one of the most rewarding. -One of the best moves I've ever made in writing was to form a writers group. -Your first paid assignment is likely to come from one of the people on your writers training programmes. Motivation -You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -The only reason thousands of new writers never make it, is because they don't take full control of their destiny. -Before you write your first words, visualise your piece of work on TV, Film or Stage. Professional Versus Novice Writer -The only real difference between any of today's professional writers and you, is that they have been persistent enough to find a route to market. -It's a long, long journey and many lack the persistence to go the distance. Writers Qualifications -I'm a firm believer in academic qualifications for writers. Industry professionals & people of commercial influence take you more serious as a writer if you have recognised qualifications and discussion group experience. -I can't remember anyone I've pitched to before, who hasn't asked about my writing qualifications and prior experience. -The very best decision you can make, is to enrol on a professional writers training programme. Writing Instructors -I've worked in 42 different countries, & attended many world class writing skills training programmes. -Believe me, there are any number of guru film idiots proclaiming themselves as the writing guru and business guru of screenplay writing who take money from gullible students wanting to write a movie script. My Greatest Assets As A Writer -My contact network of fellow industry professionals. -Members of my writing group, including script appraisers & editors. -My agents. One in London & one in New York. -A writers agent will always want to understand your writing topics before they can promote your writing ideas and writing examples. Check everything in minute detail and never let a grammatical error like write writing slip through the net. Writers Ego -If you want your writers ego stroked, then show your writing examples and writing ideas and script to your mom, dad, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or friends & associates. -This is the worst thing you can ever do with your work because they are not professional writers and they'll just want to please you. Invariably they will fail to understand your writing topics and be unable to offer an honest unbiased opinion on your writing skills -Sadly almost every new writer makes this mistake. -If you write a movie script and want a professional script evaluation then have a professional critique. Question -Complete the following phrase out loud... -Practice makes......Perfect. Right? -WRONG! When you write a movie script, only perfect practice makes perfect. Amateur Versus Professional Writer -Can you answer what the real difference is between amateur writers & professional writers? -Amateurs practice until they get it right. -Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong. -It all boils down to persistence. The Most Difficult Part -Anyone can write, most just choose not to. -There are a thousand hurdles to achieving success as a writer. -The most difficult one is finding an Agent. -Some people believe writing to every agent listed in the Writers & Artists annual handbook will get them agency represented. -For most it's a soul destroying & fruitless exercise as most will not even respond to you. Latest Project -Commissioned to write a new film screenplay. -By an unusual source. -How it came about. June 2006 TV. -Self belief & lot's of self confidence. -Research writing topics and writing ideas do your homework. -The magical 'PITCH' to a writing guru a business guru and potential investors. -New writers discussion group. -Opportunity for writing skills work experience for 2-3 new writers. You'll probably never get this guru film opportunity again. -It requires writing examples and commitment. Finding An Manager/Agent -A UK company are looking to add a few dynamic writers to their Portfolio of clients. -Contact me if you are interested, but only if you are any good. -Who determines how good you are? At this stage of your career 'you do.' -Once you've approached us, we will let you know if they are interested. And Finally Always Remember, You Can't Please Everyone As This Example Demonstrates An old man, a boy and a donkey were going to town and it was decided that the boy should ride. As they went along they passed some people who thought that it was a shame for the boy to ride and the old man to walk. The old man and boy decided that maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions. Later, they passed more people who thought that it was a real shame for that man to make such a small boy walk. The two decided that maybe they both should walk. Soon they passed some more people who thought that it was stupid to walk when they had a donkey to ride. The man and the boy decided maybe the critics were right, so they decided that they both should ride. They soon passed other people who thought that it was a shame to put such a load on a poor little animal. The old man and the boy decided that maybe the critics were right so they decided to carry the donkey. As they crossed a bridge they lost their grip on the animal and he fell into the river and drowned. The moral of the story.......... If you try to please everyone, you'll eventually lose your ass!
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