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I know there has been a lot of content generated surrounding breaking into the business, how to gain attention/notoriety (Black List, Screenplay Competitions, etc), how to get agents, etc...I guess my question is a bit of a variation on that theme: I'm wondering, as someone who is currently working on generating a large slush fund in order to quit their job and move to L.A. in the next few months, what is a good number of scripts to have in my "portfolio"? I know traditional wisdom says "Write a great script and you will be found" and "Write every day to get better" but I guess if there exists an agreed upon cache of developed pieces that a new-to-town aspiring writer should arm himself with, how many should be in that cache? And should they be a mix of feature and TV to show versatility? Or just whichever format you are passionate about? (Personally this writer would love to do either/or). Thanks in advance for your insights!

While we mourn Robin Williams' untimely passing earlier this week, among the more frequently mentioned of his credits was The Birdcage. Released way back in 1996, The Birdcage ranks as the highest-ever grossing LGBT-themed movie at $124M domestic and was released by MGM. Paramount had a couple of gay-themed releases in the years closely following, but since then no major studio has dipped their toes into those waters, despite the dramatic swing in societal and cultural acceptance of LGBT people over the same period. Certainly, part of this can be attributed to the swing to franchise-driven, tent-pole releases at the majors and the death of the mid-budget drama and comedy productions generally, but are there other factors at work? Are studios afraid of the subject matter? Are specs with major gay characters or themes complete non-starters? Is there any hope for change or will gay cinema be relegated to low-budget, independent film permanently?

How do you deal with stories that are partly based on real life people that are famous or infamous? Can you quote them verbatim for stuff they actually said? or should you make up dialogue for them? Can you make up stuff, change up timelines, make composite characters to tighten up the start and drama...and streamline it? Real life often does not fit the Hollywood 2 hour 3 act formula....so some finessing needs to be done.

What does it mean to be a team player? Do reps (agents & managers) hate it when writers have directing and producing ambitions? What's the fastest way to speed up the learning curve on writing at the next level?

Some good questions here, folks. I'll be happy to take them on starting next week as I do have some thoughts on each of your queries. Meanwhile if anyone else has a question or subject they'd like discussed, post it here.

It's hard for me to think of a question that isn't already answered in your amazing archive. Scott, you're a goddamn national treasure.

Oh, so I had this idea. Maybe a series about, "Actors Who Made the Script Better/Worse." Or directors or something like that. But you already have Script to Screen. It's the germ of an idea.

Hi Scott I was interested in how long you (or others) think an outline (or treatment) should be before starting a first draft? Thanks

Rewriting is part of the business. I would like to get more info on that. How can you make sure that you are being credited for your work if someone else rewrites it? I've read stories of writers who didn't get credited. When is that the case? What does that mean financially for them?

In one of your posts you advice to have at least three scripts in your portfolio. Who and how do you decide which one are good examples? Are there any measurements or standards one can use?

The road from unpaid screenwriter to paid screenwriter is long, winding and unpredictable. It's not certain that you'll ever be one. How can one keep herself motivated?

You write out a lot of interviews. Is it possible to put up podcasts of the interview. I think it will save you a lot of work too. I'd like to listen to them during lost moments like doing my dishes or commuting.

Shari, it would actually probably be more work because of the editing involved. So no plans to do podcasts any time soon.