This sentiment comes from my buddy, Joe White, and he is 100% correct.
It took Joe’s email to rouse me out of my post-travel haze and into realizing that all the rumors have become fact.
The 2007-2008 WGA strike is over and thanks to the hard work of all involved, major concesssions have been fought for and won. Instead of dwelling on the pros and cons of the outcome, I choose to simply be relieved that we are in business again. As you know, I am a “Thank God It’s Monday” kinda guy. So this week’s news means one thing for sure:
We can get on with writing and selling our scripts!
“Yay!” indeed.
I know a lot of you are like me and have been waiting patiently to get back to work. And this time-out has given us all a chance to reflect on the changing nature of our business.
But what the strike proved to me, and what this last 100 days has really been about, is revealing something we already kind of knew: It is the entrepreneurs who will succeed.
What’s that, you say?
Yes. It’s true.
To me, the biggest thing the strike will be remembered for is how many writers discovered they can keep their own copyright to produce and launch their own Internet content. Because that’s what many of them did during the strike. Whether it was a short film, limited series, or a “Why We Write” manifesto, many writers found they can control their work better if they do it themselves. And it isn’t as hard to do as they thought.
And the strike revealed that while the current networks and studios are very definitely still our prime target, we must be on our toes and always seek new ways to get our stuff sold and made. The world is changing rapidly and we must change with it.
And be delighted! And inspired! And excited by all that that entails!
I say it all the time, I’ll say it again: There are more opportunities for writers now than there have ever been in history!
This now also includes more business opportunities for smart writers who have enough confidence in their material to know the value of what they have.
You, the writer reading this blog, are the one who must control your own destiny. You cannot rely on anyone else to do it for you. The trick is to know the value of what you offer and to be supported by others who know the same. And how do we do that? By being confident in the basics!
Extraordinary idea. Extraordinary story. Extraordinary execution.
To say “It starts on the page” is not enough. We must know in our hearts the amazing value of what we do and cling to it despite every naysayer and obstacle-thrower who stands between us and the recognition we deserve.
And we must seek out others like ourselves — positive, talented, eager to learn and eager to succeed — to support us.
It starts with you. The heroes, as I say in class, are those who “dig deep” and have faith. And faith is nothing but belief in outcomes we have seen proven time and again.
I believe in you, your talent, your desire to improve, to seek solutions, and to win! And I believe in the amazing possibilities of our world where thoughts truly become things.
Given all that we have before us, all the chances for success and opportunities for growth, is there any other reaction for us to have but to smile?
So let’s get back to our business, the business of creativity. And let’s never forget the power of our special gift.
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Hey Blake and fellow Cats! I Have to say, I too am relieved the strike is over. I’m not relieved that I didn’t get further on my script than I did. That coupled with the fact that, dude to such a crazy “Joe job” schedule, I’ve spent most of my time either working or recovering from work by napping in front of my Mac Mini and my script opened up in Final Draft on the screen. It just mocks me so much – all 25 pages of it. I had so many barriers to break through trying to get my heroine into the 2nd act. As you’ve said, Blake, the character must be willing to enter the adventure (reluctantly or not) on their own free will and not be forced. I couldn’t find a reason for my self absorbed heroine to save the world from aliens (the E.T. kind, not the South of the Border ones). But after a suggestion from one of the kind people on the forum, my heroine’s best girl friend became a crush and after his abduction, she knew she had to save him, regardless of if she saved the world in the process.
I’ve said all this to now say this. I’m disappointed I didn’t get further than page 28 than I did before the strike ended. I was hoping to be near the end of Act II but to no avail. I shamefully admit I haven’t read the Cat books cover to over. :( Who has time to read?! I’ve mostly skimmed the book after page 96. But I’ve learned enough from reading to this point that I’ve crafted a better script than I had before. I’ve even had a reader look over it and I’ve gotten nothing but praise (and the usual grammar corrections and such). Another gent told me I had an excellent premise and an interesting storyline.
If nothing else, STC! has given me a jump start to a better chance at proper structuring and inspired me to never give up, even if this whole crazy journey seems grim and tough. Thanks for reading this and Blake, thanks for always putting up with me lengthy e-mails. I will finish thing and I WILL get it sold, so help me God! As an acquaintance has said to me recently, “Anything is possible.”
I’m with you Blake: FAITH – TO SMILE – SPECIAL GIFT. Without those, where would we be?
And to you RUSSELL BOLDING – You will get it sold! Never say die! Never fear!
peace,
thank you Lord, no more reality TV!!!
As usual, your inspiration and positive attitude keeps all of us focused on the Big Picture!
Oh, Russell! You MUST go back and read the whole book. And then re-read it.
:)
Seriously, it’s worth doing more than just skimming it. There are little gems throughout that you’ll miss if you just skim.
Blake – Entreprenuerial, you say? Funny you say that now! I’ve been mulling over that the last couple of days! Heh.
I know I shouldn’t make excuses but I forgot to add… I live in a house full of girls… Oooo, there’s a title for a movie. Anyhoo, no one in my house can fend for themselves – from a girl cat named Catzilla to the wife and her mom, it’s always a madhouse when they’re around so my concentration level is always shot. I will try to sit down soon and give the reading thing a whirl again. :)
BTW, I’m calling that title… :) Down down down! Go go go! Mine mine mine! :) (For those fond of Looney Tunes and Daffy Duck, that one was for you)
Blake – OK, so I did the whole STC thing this past week. I got the board, the colored pens (even colored post-it notes worked great) and I have my entire story mapped out. I’m pumped! It works! Thanks.
Thanks for reminding us about the power of faith. When you’re on the outside looking in, that’s all you have. Faith is actually the substance of things hoped for.