It's a disturbing and absurd case Samuels is attempting to make. He obviously has no sense of respect for film or movies in general, or other human beings, or the world for that matter.

If anything, we're the ones that owe somebody something. Take 2-3 hours out of your day to read my script? It better be entertaining. Because I owe that to you. I owe you real characters, real emotion. And if I fail, it's my fault.

At my very first screenwriting class, the first sentence out of my instructors mouth was, "Everyone in Hollywood wants to make money. YOUR script will sell if it is good enough for all those involved to make a buck off of it. If there is a HOT script floating around, word will spread fast and it WILL SELL"

Following Mr. Samuels logic, I should sue every modelling agency. Why, I was born with two arms and legs, a body and big blue eyes, but hell, I just can't seem to get a job on that big ol' cat walk. Who can I sue? The fact that I look more like Phyllis Diller and not at all like Claudia Schiffer be dammed! Somebody owes me a living!

Sorry Justy, you just hung yourself. Why don't you write a movie about a smug, egotistical whiner who would rather hide behind a phoney veil of contrived persecution, then actually produce interesting, saleable work?

Of course the lawsuit is absurd, but can we please not waste too much time patting ourselves on the back for figuring that out?

The real question is whether it's harder for people of color (minority is fast becoming an inaccurate term) to make the connections that lead to quality material getting noticed, and whether it's as hard as it used to be.

I don't know the answer to that. I have my suspicions, but I would prefer to listen to others' experiences (not so much Mr. Samuels). "If it's good, it will sell" is comforting, but we all know there's a social side to this trade, and that some people start with advantages.

@Josh K-sky THANK YOU! I couldn't have articulated this better myself. I suspect that Samuels' case has ignited so much anger/frustration/annoyance because, though he went about it in a manner that's COMPLETELY self destructive and unproductive, he might have tapped into a relative truth: that Hollywood/Indie Filmmaking is monumentally difficult to break into (duh) but it might also be exponentially difficult for those of us who are not in the "good old boys'club".

Let's be honest. Would you guys keep rehashing this story if Samuels' was a self entitled white man?! I think in that hypothetical instance he would just be some pathetic white guy to laugh at rather than critique and hold under this judgmental microscope of race card playing.

And to compare/constrast Samuels' whining to Brit Marling's so called tenacity serves what purpose? A pretty white girl kept writing and acting and lo and behold someone bit. Am I supposed to be inspired by Brit's chutzpah? If ANOTHER EARTH was an all black or all asian cast would anyone care? I say all this to say don't fool yourselves into thinking all one needs in this industry is talent + persistence + sweat equity because the playing field is not yet leveled. Does this stop me? NO. Am i going to file a lawsuit? NO. Am i trying to garner validation from a predominantly white predominantly male industry? NO. Blacks are quickly carving out their own niches. We no longer have to wait for anyone's permission other than our own. Samuels is delusional, sure, but his biggest crime is in waiting for validation from a select few.

@Nikyatu -

"Would you guys keep rehashing this story if Samuels' was a self entitled white man?!"

Yes. This discussion has nothing to do with race, so why do you bring it up?

Actually, I think you have answered that question already with comments like: "I think in that hypothetical instance he would just be some pathetic white guy to laugh at rather than critique and hold under this judgmental microscope of race card playing."

Did anyone here use the the words "pathetic black guy" to describe Mr. Samuels?

And this comment: "A pretty white girl kept writing and acting and lo and behold someone bit."

I know plenty of pretty white girls and only a few of them are successful or famous.

Good points above, but for everyone regardless of race, gender or other unhelpful labels, the key takeaway really is, "who is the better power of example: Samuels or Marling?"

Also, Samuels doesn't seem to be effecting any meaningful change in talent agency recruitment practices, or indeed in his now destroyed screenwriting career. He seems to be in it only for himself, which undermines his argument.

As my picture and name shows quite clearly, I am not white. I never ever felt that was going to stop me as a writer.

I doubt the person that sees my name and immediately trashes it is going to last long enough in the industry to spot talent. I just have to make sure my story engages the reader from Fade In to Fade Out.

If anything (if I really wanted to think like that), if you're going to judge me poorly because of my name then I'm more likely to impress you because of your lowered expectations.

@ Teddy Pasternak

This post has EVERYTHING to do with race. Maybe I'm from some alternate universe where reading comprehension is a hindrance but as I recall, Samuels' initial complaint has to do with the fact that he believes he's being rejected primarily due to (wait for it) his race.

I'm not sure I can even effectively respond to your post because you seem to have misconstrued nearly everything i wrote (sigh).

I never accused anyone of calling Samuels a "pathetic black guy" or anything remotely close to that. My primary contention (I'm going to try to say this as lucidly as possible) is that many readers' expressed their annoyance with the fact that he even dared to bring up race as an obstacle. I notice that a lot (not all) of white heterosexual males are adamant in their belief that we live in a completely equitable society: regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation etc. ("Hey we got a black president!")

Samuels' lawsuit is ridiculous: i don't disagree with that. But what I think he presents us is an opportunity to have an open discourse on whether or not race/gender/etc can in fact be stumbling blocks to breaking into "mainstream" hollywood (whatever that means).

IN regards to Brit Marling. I wish you wouldn't insult my intelligence by interpreting that i meant "every pretty white girl" has open access to the film industry. OBVIOUSLY, you need some semblance of talent and tenacity in addition to those traits: but let's be honest: to be a "pretty" white girl in addition to the other given variables certainly helps her case and contributes to the ever present archaic image of the "all american beauty" that Americans so desperately want to cling on to (see nearly every female protagonist in movies and/or tv for support of this argument...oh, and the fashion industry)

Considering that your previous far fetched metaphor for Samuels' case is the following:

"I've had the exact same experience with the NBA! I've been trying for years to get drafted but no deal. It must be because I'm non-black and don't know anyone in sports. It can't have anything to do with the fact that I'm way too short and have no talent whatsoever as a basketball player. I'm suing! " - TEDDY PASTERSNAK

I won't be surprised if you completely misconstrue everything I just wasted my time typing...

I dunno, if he wins, I'm definitely suing for height discrimination.

Because I am 6 foot 4.

@Nikyatu: "Would you guys keep rehashing this story if Samuels' was a self entitled white man?!"

Absolutely I would.

As I state in my OP on Friday: "Is there racism in Hollywood? Sexism? Probably and you can throw in ageism as well. But they pale in comparison to another form of discrimination: lack-of-talentism. As in the people whose job it is to determine what gets bought or not definitely discriminate against crappy scripts and ineffective writers."

I'm all for a discussion on racism, sexism, ageism in Hollywood. In fact, I've consistently promoted people of color and women in posts including here, here, here. And I can't find the posts I did where some article featured screenwriters and they were all white males, so I did a post that spotlighted African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, men and women screenwriters.

And I guess because I'm a white guy I may be - fairly or not - accused of having a blind spot re Mr. Samuels' perspective.

But I don't have any patience with any attitude where someone would sue agencies for whatever reason.

Put your talent on the page! Write a great script! Whatever racist or sexist tendencies Hollywood may have are far outweighed by their desire to make money. Period! If they think what you write can make money, they won't care who or what you are.

In the case of a great script, the only color Hollywood sees is green.

The 8 million comes from 8 scripts X 1mil ea.

Poked around, is he any good. At Amazon Studio, his synopses are far-reaching , felt like too much going on (vs one strong spine) (also a lot of fantasy, not an easy genre to break in with).

My background in design and art. At art school, I saw folks who were gods with materials and craft, but creating new ideas, not a strength, and wrapping around that can be heartbreaking. In design, I can take in a design and know a million things about design and designer instantly, background, strengths, everything. Good ones stand out, and quickly engender trust and respect. I have not a single doubt same applies to readers and scripts.

Folks can be talented in so many different ways, and no matter how much you long to be good at one thing, and screenwriting requires a bunch of things, your skills may be elsewhere.

My hope is that his intent is not what it appears to be ($1mil for each unproduced script we've written, wouldn't that be lovely in an alternate universe), but that he wants to go out (applying to law school now) with a bang, affect what positive change he can, shine a bright light on institutional problems, that kind of thing.

I agree 100% @Scott. And let me clarify that my annoyance was primarily with those who alluded to claims of racism being outdated, unfounded, etc. I in no way support Samuels' claims but I am familiar with the place he's coming from...

@Nikyatu - Today's post "A Tale of Two Attitudes" had nothing to do with race.

I didn't accuse you of accusing anyone of calling Samuels a "pathetic black guy". I was commenting on your choice of words. Surely, there were other ways of getting your point across instead of saying "pathetic white guy." Those words reek of racism.

I don't think my NBA metaphor on June 25th was particularly far fetched considering the context.

And please don't insult my intelligence by assuming I will misconstrue everything you just typed.

@Teddy Pasternak <<<

"The phrase "pathetic white guy" reeks of racism"

You clearly don't understand the definition of "racism". Thank god for the world wide web. I suggest you google the term. If it was as benign as this then we'd all have nothing to complain about wouldn't we?

@ Nikyatu: There are issues of race, gender, age in Hollywood, no doubt about it. But the beauty of screenwriting, perhaps more than any other type of employment in the industry, is that you can be any race, any gender, any age, any sexual orientation, and get work. It all comes down to what's on the page. Well, that and your personality, ability to work a room, etc. But pure talent and their perception you are a good writer wins out 9 times out of 10.

@Scott and thank god the blank page is the human equalizer. A great writer is a great writer. Thanks for posts like these anyway. I visit this blog every single day without fail. x

@Nikyatu: That's a great way to express. "The blank page is the great equalizer." It's what we put onto it that distinguishes us. Great line, thanks!

I have admired Brit Marling ever since I've been aware of her work. She exemplifies the kind of filmmaker I aspire to be, and whom I encourage my clients and blog readers to be: the kind who refuses to whine about being "outside" the Industry and gives 200% to opportunities right around her. I'd say there's absolutely no question why she has achieved what she has. While others were sitting around whining, or rushing frantically to peddle their scripts to agents, or attending every seminar out there... she was writing and filmmaking and networking and discovering who she was as an artist. There's so much "busy work" we tell ourselves we need to do to succeed. But at the end of the day, the winners do their craft with absolute passion and dedication, wherever they find themselves, with an attitude that defies desperation. Go Brit! May your tribe increase.

Scott: "It all comes down to what's on the page. Well, that and your personality, ability to work a room, etc."

"Personality" and "ability to work a room" are neither race- nor gender-neutral. Assuming two scripts of equal quality, people have advantages connecting with people who superficially resemble them. If the suits are white men -- and they mostly are, though less so than they have been -- a white man's ability to work a room will be increased, and his personality will fit in better.

Not in every case, and lord knows there are plenty of white men who can screw up a meeting. (I'm one of them.)

No writer here needs to be defensive about this. Of course we're all focusing on the work. But we should be open minded to hearing why some people might feel excluded or frustrated.

On the individual level, people who are in positions of power -- agents, producers, etc -- should always be checking themselves to make sure they aren't less comfortable with a writer's ability to work a room simply because that writer doesn't look like them. On the structural level, it's important for studios to invest in diversity programs to open up new avenues to finding new work.

The best advice for any one writer is always "focus on the work." No one writer should pursue racial grievance as a path to success--and certainly not through the courts! But when we think about the industry as a whole, we should take these questions seriously. I think you do, Scott -- no part of this is calling you out.

@Josh K-sky

@Nikyatu

Maybe I should sue the production VP of Columbia/Sony Pictures Devon Franklin.

Movies he has worked on include The Pursuit of Happyness, Hancock, and The Karate Kid remake...

Oh wait...

Who was the lead in all three of those...

Will Smith!

Why didn't Devon nudge for another person of color for those roles -- purple, green, orange and every other freaking color.

I guess he hates white people.

In the video interview... look it up on GITS because it's here Devon says...

"And I promise you — people think this is crazy — we need good scripts in Hollywood. So, if you write a good script, even if you’re in Nebraska, Ohio — you could be in the most remote part of the world — if you write a good script, I promise you somehow we’ll find it.”

But so far all I see is Will Smith... oh yeah... and "Jumping the Broom."

I don't care!

Devon... from the video is a sincere, talented guy with an eye for talent and last but not least... which should actually be mentioned first...

A man of faith.

But to follow your logic...

Let's sue!

You should because...

Devon must hate the "color" white.

Give me a damn break!

Maybe before you continue with your excuses and tyraids you should review one thing...

Your writing!

Justin Samuels made it a POINT to inform agencies that he was NOT white --

How else would they know?

If he pitched his "million dollar stories" over the phone, email or snail mail they would have never had a clue... and the stories didn't work apparently or deals would have been made.

My name is Courtney.

Maybe I'm male... maybe I'm not. Take a shot and if you're wrong... I may sue you.

And maybe I'm black... or white... or plaid...

And if you're wrong...

Maybe I might sue you for more.

Watch movies...

Read scripts...

And WRITE!

There's black ink on white pages and all is well until someone thinks too much and stirs up trouble.

If your story rocks... so will you!

So stop thinking... and start writing!

@Josh K-sky

I posted just after you so I agree...

PLEASE everyone...

Focus on the work.

@Josh: Thanks for your sage comments. A voice of reason amidst the storm.

We should do everything we can - and Hollywood, too - to fight a certain type of discrimination. But as I noted in my OP, there is another kind of discrimination, that is determining which script is good and which script is not good, we have to respect. If we think Hollywood puts out too many stinker or average movies nowadays, imagine what it would be like if the decision-makers did not show any informed assessment of the material they greenlit.

A script either works. Or it doesn't. It sings. Or it doesn't. It kicks ass. Or it doesn't.

"Focus on the work." Damn straight. And that means writing a great script... and immersing oneself in the world of cinema... and learning about the business...

Basically everything I try to promote / post on GITS.

So thanks again everyone for your comments.

Let's each of us re-double our efforts to claim what it takes to be great screenwriters.

Hollywood is an industry that has no front door, only a back door. You have to know somebody already in to get in. (That's certainly how I did it). Whenever that's the case, the industry is going to be extremely discriminatory to minorities, and extremely resistant to meritocracy in general.

This weekend featured the release of a poorly-reviewed new movie by a director who had directed nothing but flops, but he's the son of another director, so he keeps getting chances. There are dozens of such examples.

Does this mean that it's impossible for minorities to break in? No. Does this mean that, if you're an aspiring minority filmmaker, that your smart move is to demand that the system change and the front door open rather than try to find your own way into the back door? No.

But minorities will always be at an extreme disadvantage unless someone tries to drag our industry kicking and screaming into the 21st century. It will just require the right person at the right time.

The Samuels lawsuit is obviously baseless, and not going to help anyone, because he has no way to back up his claim that his screenplays are worth anything, much less a million a piece. What I thought when I read about his suit was this: "The only person who could bring such a suit would be someone who got rejected by the agencies, then made the movies himself or herself, and each one made millions."

Ironically, that means the best person to bring such a lawsuit would be someone like Brit Marling, if she was willing to sacrifice her newfound success for the cause of attacking the old boys' network. I doubt that she's going to want to do that, but somebody might someday.

@Matt: Nepotism has a long history in Hollywood, since its very inception. If I had to guess, I figure I've had business meetings with 100 people whose fathers or mothers were involved in the film and TV industry as studio execs, producers, actors, entertainment lawyers, and the like.

Of course, you can say the same thing about a lot of careers, politics and sports chief among them. But while Hollywood is often compared to Washington D.C. -- and they are very much alike -- a more apt comparison re the relationship of children to parents is sports. Yes, your last name can help you break into the entertainment business. But if you can't produce results in terms of successful movies, while you may be able to continue to dabble in the business, you will not be moved to the head of the class unless by dumb luck. Same with sports: You may have your father or mother's last name and combined gene pool, but if you can't cut it once the game starts, you won't get much in the way of PT (playing time).

@Courtney

I'm an avid fan of the concept "write good scripts" and as a matter of fact: i do write good scripts. (google me, two of my short films were acquired by HBO, I'm a recent MFA Graduate of NYU and I'm under 30...not bragging, just reassuring you that I'm not a whiny type)

And umm, did you, in your faulty logic, just tie in the prevalence of Will Smith to racism against whites? I thought Teddy was oblivious to the wide reaching ramifications of racism but you just won the prize! Do you not feel that you, as a white person (it's pretty obvious from your white privilege rant)that you don't have enough films to choose from with a predominantly white cast, so you use the weak straw man argument that "Hey Will Smith is all over the place and I'm not crying RACSIM AGAINST BLACKS" Give me a break @Courtney.

Again, let me reiterate for those of you who get lost in my sometimes verbose responses: I IN NO WAY SUPPORT SAMUELS' APPROACH. I simply hoped that we could have intelligent insightful dialogue regarding prejudice in the industry: which, it seems, only a couple of people are capable of.

SHONDA RHIMES is one of my biggest inspirations and the most salient evidence that "no one discriminates against excellence" < hopefully ;)

Write, work hard, master the craft and all that jazz: yes of course. Additionally it doesn't hurt to be a well rounded individual aware of inequities; as a matter of fact this awareness would probably make you a better writer, less prone to cliches and less judgmental of your characters...

@Nikyatu - Please explain what it is in my comments that makes you think I'm "oblivious to the wide reaching ramifications of racism".

This post reminds me of an incident in high school:

I was involved with the theater department all 4 years. Even when not cast in productions I would help out with crew work. We formed a close-knit group of people -- some of whom were really good actors who would be cast in almost every production.

This did not sit well with one particular parent who complained to the school board that the same students were being cast in the plays every season and why couldn't they give other kids a chance to be up on stage.

Result of complaint? Our next production was cast with a bunch of kids who had never acted before and the play was a disaster.

I was pissed and complained to the school board that the same kids were being chosen for the FOOTBALL TEAM every year and why couldn't they give other kids a chance to be on the field.

The response was that there were physical requirements and one had to "try out" in order to make the team.

Of course, the real answer was that the fine arts department at our high school brought in far less money than the football team did.

@GooseRats: That's a helpful anecdote to steer the conversation back to a fundamental point: Decisions re script acquisition should be made based on the quality of the writing, the perceived commercial prospects of the screenplay, the ability of the writer to the story -- in other words talent. In theory that is what Samuels is saying with the implication that he believes he does have the requisite talent to be a screenwriter and that talent is represented in his scripts.

Apparently he has yet to find anyone in Hollywood with the power to buy a script or influence an acquisition to agree with him.

Thus far this year, 40 spec scripts have sold, many from 'first-timers.' And countless more specs have resulted in writers obtaining representation, going for and getting open writing assignments, and so on. So in fact, Hollywood is not a closed loop.

As Dan Halsted, my first agent and now a manager-producer says, "If you write a great script, we [Hollywood] will find you."

Write, work hard, master the craft and all that jazz: yes of course. Additionally it doesn't hurt to be a well rounded individual aware of inequities;

... as would being less angry and thinking everyone is out to get you because of your skin color.

as a matter of fact this awareness would probably make you a better writer, less prone to cliches and less judgmental of your characters...

Ironic, given that your race-based rants and denigrations of white people were the epitome of the "angry black woman" cliche.

Now, go on and accuse me of misconstruing what you said, as you sit there and can't see (or refuse to see) how your opening salvo was in itself offensive, off-topic and misconstrued what Teddy said.

@RonC

... as would being less angry and thinking everyone is out to get you because of your skin color.

I'm not angry at all: just a little annoyed at the persistence of people's blinders.

Ironic, given that your race-based rants and denigrations of white people were the epitome of the "angry black woman" cliche.

I'm not denigrating ALL white people by any means: just closed minded prejudiced individuals who refuse to acknowledge that their skin color can sometimes afford them certain amenities. If this sounds like you then bite...

I always have to LOL at the "angry black woman" cliche because it's so unfounded. Most of the time we're not angry: simply stating our opinions. Truth hurts. Thank you for confirming my argument by relying on a cliche to supplement your argument.

Gang up on the (gasp) black filmmaker who even deigns to talk about race. It's nothing new. I'm not angry at all (I'm elated with what I've accomplished thus far and wouldn't be where I am without the guidance of whites, blacks, asians, etc).

And as you so eloquently stated my opening salvo was not meant to be offensive (I'm sorry you interpreted it as such), was quite on topic and I DEFINITELY did not misconstrue what Teddy said. Then again my emboldened font will probably be interpreted as antagonistic and I'll be further perpetuating the "angry black woman" cliche.