Amen!

The landscape is changing yet again with online being the new shift in technology. I was at meeting last night at the WGA for the Education Committee and saw the divisions among the old-guard and the online-types. We as writers have so much power, especially if we start acting like producers and entrepreneurs. I fear that if we keep the old mindsets we'll keep scrambling for the same scraps.

Generally, I consider myself a filmmaker, and pursue every opportunity to produce my writing on my own. But recently, I've been writing for other people more often and have run into the phrase "You're just the writer" a number of times. Words cannot describe how much it stings to hear, and how infuriating it is to be denied the acknowledgement of completely creating a universe... I suppose I'll just have to take solace in the fact that I am the master of these worlds on the page.

I learned 5 years after film school; and settling -- out of court -- 2 plagirism/copyright infringement lawsuits -- which I won -- that no one in Hollywood, outside of a select few, are those I can trust. I mention that in conversations with producers, agents, directors and actors...the eyes start to roll. I mention that in conversations with screenwriters-filmmakers from the 30s, 40s, ( yes, there still are some around) 50s ,60s and 70s, and they themselves nod in agreement and tell me their very, very same war stories. In this digital age and its future? Here's what I've learned and believe in what's ahed; writers -- the truest creators of content -- need to either start directing and producing themselves, or find like minded producer-directors and actors-actresses who believe in the power of the writer first and foremost. We also need to understand and actually see the end result of the product-project first and foremost, especially if you have a small, low or no budget, and create your product-project around the access to equipment and location and talents you have before you create the story and story world. And not the other way around. By understanding and having the nuts and bolts -- logistics -- figured out ahead of time...you work your way backwards and get the final goal achieved and distributed to your audience which is global. Start forgetting about ONLY domestic theatrical. Go global with just as much passion and fury and belief and cut out ALL the MIDDLE people between you and the audience. Not only will you be creatively and financially successful...but you'll get rid of the majority of the thieves in the process. Regardless of your contribution to movie making and its history...Mr. Thalberg...you went about it the wrong way.

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