I am working on a book/screenplay that I absolutely must get out there for humanity. I honestly can say that I have never been more passionate about anything in my life, and I am 59.
Age doesn't really matter, it depends on your writing output. Get your work out to the world by any means necessary. Write, write and write. (Updated) Don't get it right, get it on paper, and revise it later.
@@Ricksworld1962 , I want you to be the best Writer you can be. Here are four highly recommended books to start you on your journey. 1) Characters make your Story by Maren Elwood, 2) Story Plotting simplified by Eric Heath, 3) Inside Story (The power of the transformational Arc) by Dara Marks and 4) On Film-making by Alexander Mackkendrink. I wish you the best of luck. Opportunity comes when preparation meets luck.🤔
Weird stuff going on is right. My first paid screenwriting gig came from a chance meeting between my brother and an old friend in Thailand. This guy used work with us in English education in Korea, quit the life, moved to Thailand, dabbled in some business , then hooked up with a childhood friend who was now a director. They made a few movies, not too successful, but had an in with a big studio. So my brother and his family went to Thailand for vacation and just by chance met this guy on a beach who was now a producer. My brother told me that this guy was now in the business and I said hey I write screenplays, so why not. I sent him some of my work, we got in touch, talked about ideas, wrote a horror script that didn't go any where, wrote an action script and also did not go anywhere. Then they got a deal with the studio to distribute 3 movies. Now they needed scripts and writers. Lo and behold they hired me! Wrote the first one, they liked it, they had a time crunch, so they offered me the second one as well, and both of them got shot, made, and distributed around the world. And that's my weird movie making connection story.
@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Thank YOU for sharing all this knowledge! I work in the movie poster industry and all your tips apply as well. Thank you, Sir!
I highly recommend "How to Write and Sell Film Stories" by Frances Marion. It was Published in 1936 by one of the greatest and prolific Writer in the history of Hollywood, Frances Marion. She transitioned smoothly from the Silence era to the Sound era. A lot great advice.
@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat They are! I never noticed you replied to this comment until now, watching this interview again haha. Thanks for taking the time to respond, I appreciate it!
I am reminded about Dwayne Johnson once said: "Stay humble. Stay hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room." These interviews with different perspectives give a lot for a spec writer to consider...and work toward. Thanks again!
1st let me say, extremely Dope interview! ...When he mentioned creating a plan, that resonated most with me. How time flies when you don't have a schedule or goals, so true...Ok, so you gotta script. Now what?? ..I'm working on that part❤
Of all of it, I think the "Produce as much as possible..." Territory was most resonant to me. I rather prefer the ideal of "failing properly" and "failing faster" to get over that faults part so you go back to forensically study it... see where it fails, why it fails... what works and doesn't... Even if you need advice on it from someone smarter than me... whatever. Study that, so you fail a little bit better every time. It's how I've taught myself just about everything I know how to do. I wanted to sketch, so rather than bother with a whole collection of art books (my dad bought me one about cartoons... anime... something... I ended up with two or three others)... I hunted down every photograph I could get my grubby mitts on. I f***ed up so many times before I could draw a consistently "Rose" it's not even funny. Flowers in black and white are HARD... BUT I just kept failing at drawing a rose until it came together... Now, it takes me about fifteen minutes to scratch out a believable rose, cut wooden tiles for the petal-shapes, and about an hour to layout, stain, color, inlay it on a box. Taught myself how to weld... Got some advice on the sticks for the job when I got to the hardware store. Found an old welder "that had sat for twenty odd years" and got it working... probably lucky I didn't die. (lolz) THEN I went to gobbing hot metal into things and when the "project" cooled I'd whack hell out of it with a big hammer. If it bent, I welded it right. If it snapped off or shattered, I had to start all over. It's frustrating occasionally... BUT that's what God invented "swear words" for... and big-ass hammers and hot forges. Nobody interferes with a man swearing to the rhythm of a big hammer on red-hot steel. They just suddenly don't seem to mind all the noise anymore, and quietly walk away. Good... AND I learned how to smith and temper steel to boot! ;o)
It´s nice to see a video that is real but not discouraging. So many odds are against people that want to write and I have to admit, that the diversity of advise got me dizzy; thousands of books and courses... I don´t want to be a screenwriter but since five years one stupid story keeps agonizing me - so I write it... just for me and my very own inner peace.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Leni. I always try to give a dose of realism from the trenches but with optimism. Yes, the best stories are the ones you are compelled to write and I believe that passion ends up on the page. Keep writing.
I was in high school leaning against my kitchen counter. As most high schoolers do, I was contemplating what I wanted to do as my career. But, it was different this time. I had watched the movie "Clerks" (fucking hilarious if you haven't seen it) the night before. It didn't have this big production, just some funny people in a convenient store. It gave me a feeling that I could do something like that. I've always had this weird passion for movie, but I never really imagined I could make something so extravagant. Seeing "Clerks" made me believe all you really need is a good script, a decent camera, and some cool people. So, I leaned against the counter that night, having been thinking about it all day, and finally came to the conclusion that there's really nothing else that would make me happier. I turned to my mom, who was in the dining room messing around on the computer, and said, "You know what, mom. I've decided. I'm going to be a filmmaker." Without much a moment to think about it, my mom, face deep in the computer, responds, "that's fucking stupid." 10 years and a couple dozen skits later, I was finally able to let go of those words. Now, I'm about to film my first movie while she continues to drink herself away. I don't know if you'd count that as a win, but I will.
You can be successful if you surround yourself with the right people. Your close friend may not be the right person for your journey. I’m lucky that my friend's talented people. Sometimes in life, we need to make tough decisions to have which people we surround ourselves with.
Glad Film Courage is finally talking to people like Mark - who actually DO IT for a living - as opposed to most of their subjects who are on the perimeter and pretending to be more than they are.
The part where he talks about how no one ever mentions just how long it can take. I've been lucky in that I'm at a point where I can get producers interested in my scripts, get positive feedback from readers, and get interest from agents at least enough to get a meeting with them but it's that last "yes" that I keep getting stalled with, whether it's the yes after a pitch or a yes for representation. Now I've gotten yeses for writer programs and scholarships, but nothing that'll finally take me over the line to finally having a professional credit. It's also nice to hear that this romanticized idea of "this is the only way to do it" is bull. It reminds me of this analogy I heard once used to describe breaking in. It's like a king who has a rule that whoever breaks into his castle can stay for the rest of their life as a member of the royal court but they must tell the king how they got in so they can block that way. So what happens is you have people banging on a closed off passage or using an old password all thinking "this has to work! I saw someone get in this way".
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
I am working on a book/screenplay that I absolutely must get out there for humanity. I honestly can say that I have never been more passionate about anything in my life, and I am 59.
Age doesn't really matter, it depends on your writing output. Get your work out to the world by any means necessary. Write, write and write. (Updated) Don't get it right, get it on paper, and revise it later.
Demetrius Dion
Thank you for your encouragement 😊
@@Ricksworld1962 , I want you to be the best Writer you can be. Here are four highly recommended books to start you on your journey. 1) Characters make your Story by Maren Elwood, 2) Story Plotting simplified by Eric Heath, 3) Inside Story (The power of the transformational Arc) by Dara Marks and 4) On Film-making by Alexander Mackkendrink. I wish you the best of luck. Opportunity comes when preparation meets luck.🤔
Demetrius Dion
I have all 4 books on order now. Also currently have the screenwriters bible by David Trottier and Screenplay by Syd Field
Travis Bickle It’s a Wonderful message for all 😊
Mark's great. I hired him to critique my outline and I ended up incorporating around 90% of his suggestions.
Tr0ut! Thanks as always! Hope the writing is going well!
Weird stuff going on is right. My first paid screenwriting gig came from a chance meeting between my brother and an old friend in Thailand. This guy used work with us in English education in Korea, quit the life, moved to Thailand, dabbled in some business , then hooked up with a childhood friend who was now a director. They made a few movies, not too successful, but had an in with a big studio. So my brother and his family went to Thailand for vacation and just by chance met this guy on a beach who was now a producer. My brother told me that this guy was now in the business and I said hey I write screenplays, so why not. I sent him some of my work, we got in touch, talked about ideas, wrote a horror script that didn't go any where, wrote an action script and also did not go anywhere. Then they got a deal with the studio to distribute 3 movies. Now they needed scripts and writers. Lo and behold they hired me! Wrote the first one, they liked it, they had a time crunch, so they offered me the second one as well, and both of them got shot, made, and distributed around the world. And that's my weird movie making connection story.
Congrats! You never know where your networking will lead. Keep up the good work!
Awesome!
I love pragmatic tips like this: Produce as much as you can (improve yourself) and put the word out... rinse and repeat.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Ricardo. Best wishes on your journey.
@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Thank YOU for sharing all this knowledge! I work in the movie poster industry and all your tips apply as well. Thank you, Sir!
'realise it's impossible... and do it anyway.'
The only reason it's never been done before is because I haven't done it yet. ;o)
I highly recommend "How to Write and Sell Film Stories" by Frances Marion. It was Published in 1936 by one of the greatest and prolific Writer in the history of Hollywood, Frances Marion. She transitioned smoothly from the Silence era to the Sound era. A lot great advice.
A year from now you'll wish you started today.
Great advice! Thanks for watching and commenting.
Really like this comment dude. As simple as it is it’s something that’s going to stay with me. Thanks.
@@The_Bearded_Spook I say it to myself every day. Even if it just means five minutes on the guitar.
Indeed OP. 2016 called and wondered why I stopped...
Mark is my favorite person you interview. He is so knowledgeable and friendly. I love listening to his advice and I can say it has helped me a lot.
Thank you, Matthew! Hope your projects are going well.
@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat They are! I never noticed you replied to this comment until now, watching this interview again haha.
Thanks for taking the time to respond, I appreciate it!
@@matthewgordonpettipas6773 Thanks for watching it again! Hope your writing is going well. Happy New Year!
I am reminded about Dwayne Johnson once said: "Stay humble. Stay hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room." These interviews with different perspectives give a lot for a spec writer to consider...and work toward. Thanks again!
Thanks for watching and for your comments. Yes, those are excellent disciplines on this long haul journey.
@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Thank you, Mark! I look forward to learning more. 🙏😁🤙
So true what he's talking about... The inner conflict, the long term struggle and experience does put us to perspective. Great interview.
Thank you, Joao! And thanks for watching.
@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat we're the ones who are grateful for all what you have shared with us. Wish you all the best Mark!
1st let me say, extremely Dope interview! ...When he mentioned creating a plan, that resonated most with me. How time flies when you don't have a schedule or goals, so true...Ok, so you gotta script. Now what?? ..I'm working on that part❤
Thank you, Scarlett! And thanks for watching. Best wishes with your screenwriting journey.
@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat You're welcome, and thank you!!!❤🙏
Appreciate your candor, Mark.
Indeed
Thank you, Kim! And thanks for watching.
All of it, I know that I might not make it, but I love to write. This is what I love to do, and I love it.
Amen.
The only ones who don't make it, are the ones who quit.
This is great, thanks.
Love how Mark speaks. True and real. Thanks.
Thanks so much and thank you for watching.
Of all of it, I think the "Produce as much as possible..." Territory was most resonant to me.
I rather prefer the ideal of "failing properly" and "failing faster" to get over that faults part so you go back to forensically study it... see where it fails, why it fails... what works and doesn't... Even if you need advice on it from someone smarter than me... whatever. Study that, so you fail a little bit better every time.
It's how I've taught myself just about everything I know how to do. I wanted to sketch, so rather than bother with a whole collection of art books (my dad bought me one about cartoons... anime... something... I ended up with two or three others)... I hunted down every photograph I could get my grubby mitts on. I f***ed up so many times before I could draw a consistently "Rose" it's not even funny. Flowers in black and white are HARD... BUT I just kept failing at drawing a rose until it came together... Now, it takes me about fifteen minutes to scratch out a believable rose, cut wooden tiles for the petal-shapes, and about an hour to layout, stain, color, inlay it on a box.
Taught myself how to weld... Got some advice on the sticks for the job when I got to the hardware store. Found an old welder "that had sat for twenty odd years" and got it working... probably lucky I didn't die. (lolz) THEN I went to gobbing hot metal into things and when the "project" cooled I'd whack hell out of it with a big hammer. If it bent, I welded it right. If it snapped off or shattered, I had to start all over.
It's frustrating occasionally... BUT that's what God invented "swear words" for... and big-ass hammers and hot forges. Nobody interferes with a man swearing to the rhythm of a big hammer on red-hot steel. They just suddenly don't seem to mind all the noise anymore, and quietly walk away. Good... AND I learned how to smith and temper steel to boot! ;o)
Love Mark's grind and his advice. His book was very useful as well. Highly recommend.
Thank you, Brade! And for purchasing the book. So good to hear it was of some help. Keep filling your blank pages! Best wishes on your journey.
@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Thank you too. and Happy Writing!
Great honest advice from Mark. Its so true what he says. So true. Great sense of humour as well.
Ah, thanks, Shark for watching and commenting.
It´s nice to see a video that is real but not discouraging. So many odds are against people that want to write and I have to admit, that the diversity of advise got me dizzy; thousands of books and courses... I don´t want to be a screenwriter but since five years one stupid story keeps agonizing me - so I write it... just for me and my very own inner peace.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Leni. I always try to give a dose of realism from the trenches but with optimism. Yes, the best stories are the ones you are compelled to write and I believe that passion ends up on the page. Keep writing.
This man always motivates me.
Ah, thanks, Ivan for watching and commenting!
I love this chanel! I love to hear the experience of others.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Mark, much thanks for the great advise.
Thank you, Jack! And thanks for watching.
@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Mark, do you coach, or give notes? You must be busy....so, just wondering.
Never mind. I found your site. best, jack
I was in high school leaning against my kitchen counter. As most high schoolers do, I was contemplating what I wanted to do as my career. But, it was different this time.
I had watched the movie "Clerks" (fucking hilarious if you haven't seen it) the night before. It didn't have this big production, just some funny people in a convenient store. It gave me a feeling that I could do something like that. I've always had this weird passion for movie, but I never really imagined I could make something so extravagant. Seeing "Clerks" made me believe all you really need is a good script, a decent camera, and some cool people.
So, I leaned against the counter that night, having been thinking about it all day, and finally came to the conclusion that there's really nothing else that would make me happier. I turned to my mom, who was in the dining room messing around on the computer, and said, "You know what, mom. I've decided. I'm going to be a filmmaker."
Without much a moment to think about it, my mom, face deep in the computer, responds, "that's fucking stupid."
10 years and a couple dozen skits later, I was finally able to let go of those words. Now, I'm about to film my first movie while she continues to drink herself away. I don't know if you'd count that as a win, but I will.
It's a win. Congratulations!
These Rock!
Mark Rocks!!
Thanks again, Word!
Loved this.
Thanks! And thank you for watching and commenting. Hope your journey is going well.
I love videos like this
Thank you, Linh!
You can be successful if you surround yourself with the right people. Your close friend may not be the right person for your journey. I’m lucky that my friend's talented people. Sometimes in life, we need to make tough decisions to have which people we surround ourselves with.
Yes, you want those people who uplift you and support your journey. Thanks for watching and the comments.
rain or shine baby, rain or shine!
Indeed!
eyes opening content. thanks.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Glad Film Courage is finally talking to people like Mark - who actually DO IT for a living - as opposed to most of their subjects who are on the perimeter and pretending to be more than they are.
Thank you for watching and commenting, Paul!
I already work in an industry where this is also the case so I can handle it.
Which part of this video resonates the most with you?
Looks like I may have to pay out if pocket , but there's one problem .
The part where he talks about how no one ever mentions just how long it can take. I've been lucky in that I'm at a point where I can get producers interested in my scripts, get positive feedback from readers, and get interest from agents at least enough to get a meeting with them but it's that last "yes" that I keep getting stalled with, whether it's the yes after a pitch or a yes for representation. Now I've gotten yeses for writer programs and scholarships, but nothing that'll finally take me over the line to finally having a professional credit. It's also nice to hear that this romanticized idea of "this is the only way to do it" is bull. It reminds me of this analogy I heard once used to describe breaking in. It's like a king who has a rule that whoever breaks into his castle can stay for the rest of their life as a member of the royal court but they must tell the king how they got in so they can block that way. So what happens is you have people banging on a closed off passage or using an old password all thinking "this has to work! I saw someone get in this way".
Mark, poor guy, you can hear it in his voice, and story, it’s real hard, even giving ones life life for 5 mins of success (fame)