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The Write Stuff: Q & A

by Patrick Walsh Oct 10th 2007 // 7:02PM

Filed under: Scripts, Home Entertainment, The Write Stuff

I've accumulated a huge backlog of questions in the few weeks I've been doing The Write Stuff. Today, I open up the old mailbag and start dishing out some answers.

Jen asks:

Looking forward to reading the column! Here are a couple of topics about which I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts:

-screenwriting/film school and how useful and necessary it is
-writing for TV versus the big screen, and the pros and cons

To answer your first question, the value of film school sort of depends on the individual. I majored in Film Production and took some screenwriting classes. The screenwriting classes were incredibly useful, and are a great way to find out if writing is something you really want to do and can do well. If I had gotten crappy grades on my scripts, I'd probably be doing something else right now. As for my Film Production major, I haven't used the knowledge I gained there much, but should I ever want to make the leap to directing, you better believe those skills will come in handy. I can tell you that for a screenwriter, a Film Studies major would probably be more useful than Production. Watching the great films and discussing what makes them great is only going to make you a stronger writer. Of course, a Netflix membership is a lot cheaper...

And though I've had some experience in both television and in writing features, I'd direct you to my interview with Adam F. Goldberg. He's had major success in both fields, and gave a wonderful answer to your question.

Jeremiah asks several questions. I'll go through them one at a time:

I have a producer interested in a script I pitched him. I've got a script, but I have no idea what to expect. I'm ready for him to hate the execution. But what if he loves it?

First, if you've got a producer interested in your script, congratulations! You're ahead of the game just knowing a producer, and you must be doing something right if he digs your idea.


Am I about to make it big? Or am I going to get screwed like all those horror stories my friends like to tell about their time in the big leagues?

Who knows? That's the beautiful (and horrible) thing about writing as a career -- lightning can strike at any time. Always hope for the best and plan for the worst. From my personal experience, never get excited until a check is in your hand. Actually, make that in the bank! My writing partner and I developed a project with a major studio for six months and then the individual we were working with left the company. It stings, but you'll never make it if you can't let pretty major disappointments roll off your back. Are you going to get screwed? Probably! Hopefully not right now, but it will happen.

What kind of compensation should I ask for if he likes it and wants to make it?

With few exceptions, that sort of thing should be handled by an agent. And as with any business venture, if the guy seems shady, enter at your own risk. If he has a business card, an office, some money, is well-dressed, etc, then you're probably OK. If he's hitting the bathroom every five minutes and comes out sniffing, I'd reconsider. There are a lot of sharky, hustly, terrible people in the movie business, and a lot of people pretending to be something they're not. So...be careful is the moral there.

How do I join the WGA (Writer's Guild of America)?

That's one complicated ball of wax, and with the writers' strike looming, it's even more complicated. Head over to the WGA site to get most of your questions answered.

What the heck am I going to do with all these stuffed Patrick dolls in my closet?

Cherish them!

Ronan asks:

Some years ago, I wrote the beginning of a story called "Jesus kicks zombies", about a clone of Jesus created by a secret Vatican agency, who kicks asses of zombies created by a secret US government agency. Should I try to finish it?

I don't know if this is a serious question or not, but if so -- then I would say definitely finish it! The Jesus angle makes it unlikely to get produced, but it's certainly an original concept and it's the kind of sample that could get you noticed. A reader who has just suffered through 100 buddy cop comedies might perk up when she comes upon a script that has Jesus kicking zombie ass! The next thing you know, she's telling her boss "Oh my God, I read the craziest script today," and suddenly you're being discussed around the office. If you write with conviction and humor, and you write a good "Jesus fighting zombies" movie, there's no reason that couldn't open some doors for you. I'm dead serious.

And on "Jesus kicking zombie ass," I'll close the mailbag. That's probably the only time I'll ever write that sentence. I hope you found this helpful. I know several of you are waiting on responses to your questions, and they're coming. And please please please add some more to the pile, either here in the comments or at my personal site, which I will continue to shamelessly pimp until someone asks me not to.

Until next Wednesday...

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Tags: agent, film school, FilmSchool, screenplay, screenwriter, screenwriting, script, the write stuff, TheWriteStuff, wga, write stuff, writers guild of america, WritersGuildOfAmerica, WriteStuff, writing

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