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Writer's pictureLee Hamilton

10 Reasons To Finish That Feature Now!


Screenwriting is difficult! Whether you’re working your way through your latest spec script or are just starting your first, there’s undoubtedly going to be moments when you start to wonder just why you’re doing it.


The craft can take a long time to master and it’s a really hard industry to break into, and that’s before you factor in the impact of the last two years.

But – don’t despair. Hollywood is hungrier than ever for new stories. So, here are 10 good reasons to keep you motivated as you follow your dream, and remind you why writing for the movies is an awesome career choice. With hard work, it can absolutely be yours!

Money!

For a small number of people, this is the first reason why they want to become a screenwriter, but although it’s listed as number one here, it shouldn’t be. This can’t be stressed enough: screenwriting isn’t a fast way to make millions of dollars! Learning and mastering the craft is one thing, building a network of industry professionals is another, then on top of that, the process of filmmaking itself can take years, meaning that writing a spec script isn’t the get-rich-quick scheme that many mistake it for.

“WE DON’T MAKE MOVIES TO MAKE MONEY, WE MAKE MONEY TO MAKE MORE MOVIES.” Walt Disney

But! Once you’ve started on your screenwriting career, and built up a good reputation for yourself, then let’s face it, yes, screenwriting can indeed be a lucrative career. According to the WGA, the average yearly earnings for working American screenwriters is $106,340 which does well to reflect the amount of time, effort, and skill involved in the profession.


You get to work with amazing people.

Screenwriting can sometimes feel like the loneliest job in the world, but in reality, a writer is a (very important) cog in a much larger machine. Making a film is a group effort, and you get to be part of that.

“FILMMAKING IS THE ULTIMATE TEAM SPORT.” Michael Keaton

Many writers start off doing alternative work in the industry, not necessarily in a writing role, and it’s through these connections that they eventually get their big break as well as gaining invaluable knowledge from their peers.


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