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Dreams on Spec (2007)

June 17, 2024 / J. Paul Cooper / Leave a comment

I just finished watching the documentary, Dreams on Spec (2007.) Several years ago I donated my DVD to a local library, but it never appeared in their catalogue. Fortunately, I recently found it listed on the video streaming service Tubi. Dreams on Spec follows the lives of three aspiring screenwriters as they attempt to get their scripts produced, interspersed with commentary on the profession by screenwriters working in Hollywood.

You don’t have to write screenplays to relate to the experiences of the three screenwriters profiled in Dreams on Spec. All writers have been on the same emotional rollercoaster, from dreaming of success, to the reality of rejection.

Throughout the documentary two questions dominate: How far are you willing to go to succeed as a writer? and Is it worth it? Two writers put everything on the line, risking their family relationships and financial stability, but their scripts aren’t produced. The third writer keeps his day job, but his screenplay is produced.

As Dreams on Spec demonstrates, devoting your life to writing full-time doesn’t guarantee success as a writer, but writing part-time doesn’t necessarily prevent you from enjoying success as a writer either.

Considering how much time and effort these three writers invested in trying to find success in Hollywood, was it worth the sacrifices they made? I think the best answer is: If you love writing, keep at it, because you never know where it might lead, and regardless of the ultimate destination, you’ll appreciate what you learn on the journey.

Even If You Love Writing Screenplays….

August 30, 2020 / J. Paul Cooper / Leave a comment

If you enjoy writing, and you also enjoy watching movies, writing screenplays feels like a perfect fit. It allows you to be involved in the entertainment industry, even when circumstances make it difficult for you to work directly for a film company. There are, however, some good reasons you should keep working on other other projects as well.

One downside to writing screenplays is that it limits how many people will discover that you’re a writer. Let’s say that you write a great screenplay, and after an online search, you find ten production companies willing to consider screenplays submitted directly from writers. If those companies don’t buy or option your screenplays, it may be that only ten people know that you write. Unfortunately, if it’s rejected by script readers, the ten people who now know you’re a writer, may not be directors or producers.

You can also enter screenwriting contests, but make sure you take the time to find out who will see your screenplay. In some cases, your screenplay will only be read by directors, producers and agents If your screenplay is one of the finalists, out of hundreds of entries. You’ll have to decide whether it’s worth it to pay the entry fee, for the possibility that it will be seen by someone who can help your career.

The dilemma is that you could be a gifted writer, but very few people know that you write. One way to overcome that obstacle is to write short stories. You can submit short stories to magazines, print anthologies, and literary journals (print and online.) Being published raises your profile as a writer, and you can include in your Bio, that you write screenplays. If talent agents or directors read your short story, they’ll know that you’re a talented writer AND you write screenplays.

Another way to raise your profile as a screenwriter, is to write articles and essays about writing and film, with the goal of establishing yourself as an industry expert. As always, include the fact you write screenplays in the Author’s Bio. Since a script reader or director may read hundreds of screenplays with similar themes, wouldn’t it be useful if they recognized your name?

I recently tried to raise to raise my profile as a writer, by starting a Youtube channel. I hope you find the video I’ve posted, “What If You’re A Really Good Writer?” amusing, despite the fact it’s a cringe-worthy early attempt.

Keep writing, the world needs to hear your voice, your passion!

Reading Screenplays

March 29, 2020March 29, 2020 / J. Paul Cooper / Leave a comment

If you’ve been trying to write a novel, but seem to be to be suffering from writer’s block, perhaps it’s because your story would work better as a screenplay. How do you learn to write screenplays? You read screenplays. Here’s a primer on how to get started.

Two Excellent Sources: The Internet Movie Script Database http://www.imsdb.com offers a huge selection of screenplays to read. You can search alphabetically or by genre; some of the screenplays are shooting scripts (the final script used by the Actors and Director), while other screenplays are earlier drafts. You can also find screenplays on the BBC Writersroom website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom. You’ll find them listed in the Script Library.

Which screenplays would professional writers suggest you read? Members of the Writers Guild of America are the professionals that many Hollywood companies hire to write their screenplays, and they’ve voted on the best. Visit http://www.wga.org, go to Writer’s Room, and under the 101 Best Lists, click Screenplays.

To find out if a script is an original screenplay, or an adaptation, visit the Internet Movie Database http://www.imdb.com. Writers (both screenwriters and the authors of the source material) are listed below the Director. Keep in mind that the title of the movie may be different than the source material. Blade Runner (1982) was based on Philip K. Dick’s novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

If it’s not an original screenplay, it’s better if you read the source material, before reading the screenplay, so you can see how the writer adapted the source material. Since most extras included with DVD’s tend to focus on special effects, this will help you learn about the writing process. You can gain even more insight by searching for interviews with the screenwriters on http://www.youtube.com.

Movies create thousands of jobs, make actors household names, and earn studios huge profits, but it all begins with the story. It all begins with writers like you.

P.S. My short story, “Harold’s Muse,” was published in Issue #12 of Polar Borealis Magazine. http://www.polarborealis.ca.

A Primer For New Screenwriters

July 21, 2018 / J. Paul Cooper / Leave a comment

This is the outline I used for a presentation I gave at a writer’s organization in early July. I’ve added some notes. I hope that you find it useful.

Note: You can do an online search and find out which organizations represent screenwriters in your country
FILM INDUSTRY UNIONS
http://www.wga.org – Writers Guild of America (If you’re enjoying a Hollywood blockbuster, watch the credits and see if “WGA” appears at the very end.
http://www.wgc.ca – Writers Guild of Canada

WWW.IMDB.COM – Click on Writers
Who wrote the screenplay?
If it’s an adapted screenplay, who wrote the material the screenplay is based on?
What is the original story format? Novel, play, short story, non-fiction book, magazine article, memoire…..
Does the original material have the same title as the movie?

Note:
Always check for items at the library first, it will save you a significant amount of money.
Some library systems have an inter-library borrowing system that will allow you to borrow from several different libraries across your province or state
Reading scripts online isn’t free, you (or your parents) still have to pay the service provider
The Writers Store is a dangerous place for a writer with a credit card to visit
SOURCES FOR SCREENPLAYS
Your Local Library
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom – Script Library
http://www.imsdb.com (Internet Movie Script Database)
http://www.scripts.com
http://www.simplyscripts.com
Book Sales, Used Book Stores
http://www.writersstore.com (The Writers Store)
Amazon, Chapters/Indigo, Kobo, etc.

FILM INDUSTRY GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Work as a Background Performer/Extra or volunteer on a short film project
Volunteer as video camera operator for a local cable operator or a church. (I’m a volunteer camera operator at a church.)

Note: You may be able to borrow these books, or download them as eBooks or audiobooks from you local library
BOOKS
On The Set: The Hidden Rules of Movie Making Etiquette-Paul J. Salamoff-2012
What Happens Next: A History of American Screenwriting-Marc Norman-2007
Powerhouse: The Untold Story of Hollywood’s Creative Artists Agency-James A. Miller-2016
The Men Who Would Be King: An Almost Epic Tale of Moguls, Movies, and A Company Called DreamWorks-Nicole Laporte-2010
DVD’s
Tales From The Script-Directed by Peter Hanson-2009-105 minutes (The DVD is based on the book with the same title)
Dreams on Spec-Directed by Daniel Snyder-2007-88 minutes

Note: This last item isn’t about screenwriting, but about the writing process, as presented by Canada’s most successful science fiction writer: Robert J. Sawyer
YOUTUBE: Ontario Writers Conference / Approximately 25 mins.
P1 of 3, P2 of 3, P3 of 3 OWC 2010