Do you have to be over 18?

Question

To be a professional screenwriter.Cuz,I had this guy telling me to go to some film school and learn something and then come back.Where as my screenplay was reviewed and was deemed good.And this guy is telling me my level of english is unimpressive since I want to be screenplay writer.Should one have to be over 18 to be a professional writer?Or should he need to go to a film school to learn the basics of screenplay writing when you've got all you need on the web for free.I mean Tarantino didn't go to no film school and look at his writing.Better than most writers who've gone to film school.

What about Stanley Kubrick?He didn't go to any shitty film school either.And he's still a genius writer.

Answer 1

The Pros and Cons of Going to Film School

PRO

You study under teachers who have made it their life’s work to analyze and understand the aesthetics and language of film and its history. You may even have a teacher who has worked in the industry and can benefit from that mentor’s experience.

If you go to one of the Big 3 Film Schools (UCLA, USC, NYU), you stand a better chance on getting a head start on networking opportunities. Many of the decision makers in Hollywood are alumni of these schools and nepotism is alive and well there.

You are more likely to have access to higher end equipment through film school, the kind that the studios might use, than you might have by going it on your own. This might be a consideration if production interests you (If you just want to write, you only need a computer with a word processing program and a printer).

You gain exposure to art, literature and philosophies you might not have considered had you not gone on to higher education. The more you know about the world around you, the better your scripts and films will be.

CON

Time and money- as stated elsewhere, the thousands of dollars and years spent going to school could be spent learning the craft independently by doing it independently.

SO...

Really take the time to consider both options, and consider the opinions that you receive on your script with a grain of salt. The person who told you that your script was uninspired could be full of it, but then again so could the person who loved it. Try and get as many opinions as you can and get a consensus of what works and what doesn’t.

But before you do that, make sure you protect yourself and register your script with either the WGA or the Library of Congress.

Answer 2

You might be a genius script writer, who didn't need the training from film school. But, do you know how a film is made? Do you know where to send the scripts to? When the directors ask you to modify your script accrording to their story broad can you do it? Can you write on demand?

Do you know what Tarantino had to do to get his film made? How many years he spend working as assistants on film sets? How many connections he had to cultivate? How many scripts he wrote until one of them got to the hands of a producer?

How many producers will read a script from a underaged writer, with no credentials and crappy language skills....(hint: there won't be many) A decent credential, solid recommendations, first-hand experience and actual know-how, MAY get you a couple of opportnities, maybe even an interview or two...

So please QUIT dreaming...and get to WORK if you truely want to be a professional writer.

Answer 3

I don't think you necessarily have to go to film school - I'm getting into screenwriting now and I'm just going to a liberal arts college. But I don't think it'd hurt to get more experience to take a screenwriting class - I took a cinematic adaptation class last semester and we adapted stories into screenplays (that's how I got into it). Now I'm writing my honors thesis, which is a screenplay.

My advice to you is look out there and see what's available. Any classes you can take will help you. Get other people to read your screenwriting - as a writer, your work needs to be revised, and other people can help give ideas to tell you what works and what doesn't.

Good luck!

Answer 4

screw film school man, they try to teach you how to be creative, a freind adn i both want to be filmakers but hes taking the film school path, and i am starting filming on my movie in febuary, so if yu feel like droping 15 grand on being told how to write YOUR DAMN movie, then go, or take that 15 grand and make it yourself, with digital film (mini dv cameras are cheap, and you can edit the film on your pc, no more nned to mes with extremly costly film stock, however if you feel you need somthing to give you guide lines, pick up either of these books

30 dollar film school, covers both digital and film stock types,, and gives you ideas on how to fund, produce, and get othgers involved in your project.

or the idiots guide to independant film making, same topics, bu the aboce is more the robert rodriguez, gorrilla tactics of film making.

Answer 5

Hopefully your movie will have lots of special effects, because your script will likely be best suited for someone who cannot speak English.

Answer 6

well why not you try at other places since this guy is rejecting you.