-
Wondering which camera, gear, computer, or software to buy? Ask in our Gear Guide.
Do you have to have a degree to be a pro screenwriter???
- Thread starter MobsterLVL
- Start date
Diablo Cody ("Juno") was a stripper. Her pen-name is her former stipper-name.
Do you have to have a degree?
Yes.
A large degree of patience, determination, practice, obstinance, and talent.
A lesser degree of luck, collegiality, and stability.
It helps to have a good degree of command of the English language and writing.
Unless you are producing your own work, expect to overcome many obstacles.
For the 10,000 or so scripts written each year, only a couple hundred are produced,
and only few tens of those are commercially distributed.
The power of the Internet, is that more indie films are reaching viewers. The other
advantage is that technology has made animation and green screen effects in the
everyday range of local indie film makers.
While a film degree is necessary, it is always advisable to take classes. It is a
really good way of making connections to the industry. Plus you learn and hone
your skills.
yeah but i mean when/if me and DesperadoMan17 aka Jacob from Ohio will write some zombie movie do i need to have a degree in order to be qualified as a screenplay writer ...
No.
http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?p=182344#post182344
http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?p=179730#post179730
Qualified to whom?
IRS? Mom? The b!tch that left you for your best friend?
Investors, maybe.
Otherwise... If you got a story then you got a story. Ta-da! Screenwriter.
Got paid for it? Great!
Can make a living at it or just a one hit wonder? That's your litmus test for "qualifying" as "professional".
Last edited:
It seems to me that filmmaking is one of the few remaining professions where having a degree is unimportant as long as you have the talent.
I think this is one of its strengths. Instead of studying it, you can go out and do it.
I think this is one of its strengths. Instead of studying it, you can go out and do it.
I want you to take a step back for a moment. Look at the question
from the point of view of a producer. Take me for example...
On another thread I said I was looking for a zombie script that is
different from other zombie scripts. If you and DesperadoMan17
write an excellent script that I love and I know I can get financing
for do you think that I will stop and ask to see your degree in writing?
Seriously. This is a serious question for you to think about for a
moment.
Here’s the scenario: you write a script, I (a producer) love it
and want to buy it.
Do you think that me (or any producer) will not buy a script
without asking to see if you have a degree to be qualified to
write it?
What if you don’t have the degree? That piece of paper telling me
you are qualified to write a screenplay I want to buy? Do you
think that I cannot buy it?
Diablo Cody graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in media studies
ok but i know that i am going too far with it without showing any of my work yet but the question remains is how does the pay work for a screen play writers just curious is it one time thing or some percentage if so what is the percent ??? there has to be a catch here if there is no degree required cause give anyone some drug give him some pen and paper and he will write a fantastic story you know what i am saying lol it was a bad example...
Last edited:
First, I beg you, please use an occasional period or comma. I can
hardly read this.
A script is optioned - that means a producer will pay the writer
a small amount good for a short period of time. For example; the
producer will option a script for $5,000 against $50,000 for one
year. That means the producer pays the writer $5,000 and owns
the rights for one year. If the producer decides to make the movie
the producer will pay the writer the remaining $45,000. If the
producer decides not to make the movie the rights go back to the
writer.
When writing the contract the producer may offer a percentage, or
they may not. If the writer wants a percentage they must ask. Usually
the writer wants a big percentage and the producer wants to give a
small percentage. So you talk about it until an agreement is made.
There you go. You now know the basics and you don't need a degree.
You learned that in under a minute of reading. You can learn more
about the business by asking people or by reading any of the thousands
of articles, blogs, websites and books available. You don't need a degree
to read the info out there.
thank you so much for explaining this to me, i have asked this question to many people. Moreover tried researching, but no one really answered in they way you did.
Just one more thing, Mobster, because I think it's important that it doesn't go unnoticed. Directorik, as usual, gave you some spot on direction. Take pride in everything you write, including writing in forums like this. Proper punctuation, grammar - do everything to the best of your ability. Professional screenwriters are professional writers. You can do this.
Thanks, i noticed.. That's just me, not leaving punctuation is a very common error i used to make. I guess I have too much on my mind and can't wait till i write it all out, so i forget to do it or think i will return to it. Yes, English is my second language..
I would have never guessed that.
Even though you can't put in a few periods, commas, or an
uppercase letter now and then, I would never have thought
English was your second language. Bravo!
Thanks and thanks to all those ESL classes that were not available for me when i went to High school here. On the other hand, in college they forced me to take it. They do that before anyone goes for any major, you need to pass CUNY test. So when i finally did so and took English 1 and 2 was extremely easy. We barely did anything in class. A lot of my classmates were born here too and had some grammar issues. I guess professors knew that they gave us a tons of work in ESL so they went easy on us...