I would like to spend a little time talking about how a writer can stock pile an arsenal to give themselves an advantage over most writers. Now, keep in mind, there's a lot of "ammo" a writer needs to make it in this industry. A strong ability to create great and memorable characters, a mastery of structure and a sharp use of dialogue. But what is often overlooked is one of the best weapons a writer can employ: multiple scripts in a variety of genres.

In my travels around the web and in talking with writers at festivals or conferences, I've noticed an interesting mindset that separates a new writer from a writer who has been around the block a bit. New writers tend to focus so heavily on their first script and how to get that script to the point that they can use it as leverage to break in, that they miss an important aspect of the business: their arsenal of work. Now, I understand that learning how to break in is a process, just as learning to write is a process. So let me share some wisdom I've gained, from personal experience as well as speaking with folks who have been through this.

The first bit of advice I give novice writers is to write. Write as much as you can. When you finish your first script give it to friends and family who you know will give you good critiques and won't spare your ego. You want advice that will give you the hard and fast reality of your script so when you sit down to rewrite, you will be really improving it. But in the mean time, get to work on your next script. Don't even think about your first script. But more importantly, make your second script as different from the first as you can.

Now, I know that some of you out there are thinking "Hey, I love Westerns and I think I'm good at them." Fine. Write as many as you want. Just don't expect to bust right into town if all you have is a six-shooter full of gunslinger stories.

I also understand that some of you may not ever care to write something like, let's say, an action flick. Fine. I'm not suggesting to write genres you don't like. I'm simply suggesting to find as many genres that you do like and write a story in each genre.

If you can write a variety of scripts in a variety of genres you will be in a good position. The reason for this is that since you have no writing credits people are not going to be looking at your script to buy it. Most writers make their break by showing people how well they can write (a Spec script is kind of like an unproduced writer's resume), then getting assigned to write somebody else's idea. The first question somebody is going to ask after reading your first script is "What else do you have for me to look at?" If you don't have anything . . . SLAM! The door closes, make sure you don't stub your toe pulling your foot out of the way.

"What do you mean?! I read all the time about somebody selling a script that was their own." True. It may even have been their first script. But I'll bet that if you asked, in at least 99 of 100 cases, that writer had actually written five or more scripts in addition to the one that finally sold. And it may have sold because they happened to write a script that demonstrated their writing talent and the producer said "This is good, but do you have anything that's like..." And of course, this writer, having covered all his or her bases, did have a script that was of the kind the producer just happened to be asking for.

The first script I optioned happened that way. A friend of mine had a contact at a company's development department. She offered to call and ask if this gal would be willing to read one of my scripts. After reading the script I sent over, this gal told me that script wasn't the kind of thing the company she worked for would produce. But she asked if I had any other kinds of scripts. Luckily I did. A Science Fiction script that had some strong characters and action elements. "Send it over," she said. Next thing I know, the company is asking to option the script hoping to get it into production.

Unfortunately, it hasn't been produced yet, but at the very least I was able to get an option, which to some degree has helped me to open a few doors elsewhere. But, if I wasn't able to pull out something completely different from the first script that girl in development read, I wouldn't have gone any further with them.

And in this business it's all about the baby steps we take. One little step towards meeting somebody that agrees to read what you've written. One little baby step to getting them to read something else. Until you've taken enough baby steps that somebody wants to give you money for what you've written, or has a script they need work on and suddenly "You da man!" Or woman, if that's the case.

Now, don't think by any means that I have at least one script in every possible genre. Not even close. But I'm working on it. I've got an action script, thriller, western, teen horror (and really, is any horror film not geared towards teens?), a drama, even a pirate movie if somebody were to ask (though I refer to it as and action/adventure script). But I'm working on another drama and a romantic comedy currently. A friend and I have plans for a comedy. Sooner or later I will have enough different kinds of scripts that as long as somebody will want to read what I've written, they will have plenty to keep them busy.

In addition to having a varied body of work to show, you will demonstrate that you are a multidimensional writer. This way you avoid people thinking that you can only write an action movie or you are a master of comedy, but don't think of hiring that yahoo to write that moving period piece I've got waiting for a good writer.

Don't let the door shut on you once you finally get it to crack open. Wedge the door wide with your mountain of scripts. Get your story mind to think beyond your first or second effort. Build an arsenal to win this war! It's you against the industry: prepare to win the siege.

Jason M. Eng is an Advertising Coordinator for Screenplay Systems, Inc. and a regular contributor to the Scoop, the monthly newsletter of Screenplay.com. He has written over fifteen scripts, two of them having been optioned. He is currently developing a film for independent production.

(Back to Articles)