Excellent post. What bothers me most about the Samuels story is that he feels entitled to success, and pretty astounding success, too. Many "successful" screenwriters will never make $8 million in their whole careers, and almost none will make it by his age.

But even aside from his expectations, Hollywood needs most people to fail. It's something I realized as a script reader. Hollywood only works if a huge number of people, and a huge number of smart/talented/funny/beautiful people to try to be screenwriters, directors, and actors. Then it can pick a tiny fraction of them to make movies with. It's why movies are as good as they are. And don't laugh at that sentiment. Work as a script reader for one day and you'll realize how good we have it as moviegoers. Actors and writers who complain about the odds should find other fields of work. It's a part of the game--a necessary part of the game--and it always has been, even if a true meritocracy often fails to emerge.

In the meantime, let's not forget that you can work your way up by just making movies, learning, and hopefully showing something and making the right connections. Read this article by James Schamus (and if you don't know James Schamus, he's the head of Focus Features AND Ang Lee's writing partner and producer): http://bit.ly/naWDc2

Love the "Dispatches from the Front Lines" idea. It will be a great addition.

One of my first meetings, I was brought into the wrong producer's office for a project that wasn't mine.

Another meeting that was supposed to be my big break, winded up taking place on the first Friday of the 2008 Writer's Strike. I actually learned a lot about pitching from this, as my attitude completely changed knowing that they couldn't buy this script.

At another meeting, I brought my g/f at the time in who was also a writer. Then my script was eviscerated by the producer. Why even have the meeting, right?

One of my most recent meetings, I found out Masi Oka never wants to work with me. Ever. Apparently, I insulted him. Sad thing is -- I'm a huge fan. (Never told anybody about that one. And my manager would be pissed, if he knew I posted it on a public forum).

Oh wells.

This industry is hilarious in how arbitrary many decisions are made. Or are made over misunderstandings.

I've had plenty of good meetings too. They just aren't anywhere near as entertaining to write about.

I'm in!