And it won’t stop…

READER
What won’t stop?

GINA MARIE
My determination to succeed.

READER
What does that mean?

GINA MARIE
That means I don’t stop until I succeed.

READER
How many scripts have you written?

GINA MARIE
Two… well, three if you count my short.

READER
It doesn’t sound like you’ve done much
filmmaking, so what makes you think you’ll
succeed?

GINA MARIE
If I wrote 10 scripts or more and produced
all of them would that qualify me?

READER
Uh… yeah!


And so goes script dialogue.

But does the number of scripts a person writes determine his/her success, or the numbers of films they produce – and maybe write, direct, and star/cameo in determine their success? If so, then what does that say about first time screenwriters with box office success and filmmakers with libraries of films still “in the can” or their film has only screened at minor festivals?

READER
The award determines a filmmaker’s success.

GINA MARIE
I don’t believe it does – at best it gives him/her
something to brag about… for a season.

READER
Then what determines a successful filmmaker?

The prize I’m after is greater than a figurine. However, I believe a filmmaker’s success depends on the intent for their material – the proof is in the output or yield. Successful product is the result of skilled craftsmen – let’s get a definition with that:

crafts•man  –noun, plural -men.
1. a person who practices or is highly skilled in a craft; artisan.
2. an artist.

Ah ha! This changes the perspective a bit because someone who practices a craft or is highly skilled in it is defined as a craftsman. This implies you have to have a foundation of the craft to practice it – do lawyers and doctors practice without first obtaining advanced degrees to practice their profession? Well, they do but they shouldn’t; neither should anyone practice filmmaking without a foundation of the craft – a display of skills always looks easier than the effort to become skilled.

READER
So are you saying you went to film school
to learn screenwriting?

GINA MARIE
Did you hear me say that? And if I was, you didn’t
give me a chance to.

READER
So what are you saying?

GINA MARIE
I’m saying screenwriting is a disciplined craft.

Filmmaking is a disciplined art form, and the script is a blueprint for a filmed production. Since I haven’t studied film formerly, I might be categorized as an autodidact. However, I rely on the advice and direction of professional filmmakers – folks that make films for a living, but the supreme teacher is my Father.

READER
So what are you working on?

GINA MARIE
My vision, which is bigger than a movie.

But more specifically, I’m preparing one of my scripts for professional analysis by Michael Elliot Media. Since filmmaking is not my expertise, I personally believe in learning from seasoned professionals. Now, if you want to learn about managing highly complex telecommunications projects, I could teach you something. Nevertheless, having my scripts analyzed by a working professional will be a learning experience that could potential lead to filmmaker success. Besides, I won’t stop until I succeed as a filmmaker because nothing is impossible for me.

Happy writing,
/GM

Writing is rewriting until it's written!