Like pretty much every consultant, every now and then I’m asked:
“Is this worth it?”.
On the surface, the question means:
“Do you think this script will sell?”
It’s a simple question, which I can honestly answer in most cases. But I don’t, because what really matters is the question’s subtext, which goes something like this:
Is it worth spending another year of my spare time
on a screenplay that may never see the light of day?
Indeed, if the movie never gets made – the likelihood of which never seems to decrease as our industry gets older and more cynical – you may have spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in consultants’ fees. Is it really worth it?
My honest opinion?
Hell yes!
Irrespective of what happens in a year or two, three, you’ve already won.
A movie on the screen would be a bonus.
Let’s look at all the amazing stuff you’ve achieved and learned while toiling and tinkering on that screenplay.
- You have been actually writing rather than dreaming of it.
- You have given your spare time a higher purpose.
- You have learned to organise your thoughts and think clearly.
- You have learned to express your thoughts in writing.
- You have learned how to express those thoughts concisely.
- You have learned to see what really matters to you.
- You have learned a hell of a lot about the world outside your head.
- You have learned a hell of a lot about the world inside your head.
- You have learned about the nature of the film industry.
- You have learned what screenwriting really is about.
EACH of these points will give you further value, will teach you more about life and about yourself as you mature as a writer.
All of this wisdom you will keep, whether your work will lead to a movie or not.
What if all you want is to see your work on the big screen?
In that case, it’s even simpler. If you started writing less than five years ago, stop wondering and keep writing, simply because the more you write, the more you learn, the better you get.
Those who made it seem to agree: Screenwriting success takes on average 5 years and/or 10 scripts. Shortcuts are not available.
Back to the opening question. Is it really worth it?
When writers ask me, I’m honoured and humbled because it shows that they trust me.
On the other hand I’m also annoyed and frustrated because I can never give the right answer.
It’s a question only you can answer.
And although deep inside, you may have doubts, every day writers keep being surprised about what the world has on offer.
So, what do you think – is it worth it?
