Should A Writer Go To School For Screenwriting? by Eric Edson
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
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#college #writing #screenwriting - Фільми й анімація
I went to university for screenwriting and learnt a lot, but I've also read a lot of books which allowed me to learn a lot more. University is good for surrounding yourself with a similar crowd. After all, your vibe attracts your tribe.
What college did u go to?
@@Baitur_Tavaldiev University of Salford, UK
ooh could you recommend me some good screenwriting books for an aspiring writer?
What are some of the books you read?
Save the cat is like studying microbiology for screen making. But I suggest you don’t get stuck in the trap of the book’s teaching.
To everyone saying that networking is way more useful than going to film school: you do realise that when you go to film school, you're surrounded by people doing the same stuff?
As someone that can't go to college, all I have to say is that the lack of guidance is despairing.
But that is why I love Tarantino and analyze his scripts 'till the last sentence.
Also is why Film Courage is personally precious for me. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to receive knowledge straight from the masters
I took his classes a few times at CSUN, and he has so much knowledge. One of the best professors and his book is incredibly helpful still in my writing.
I don’t know if you’ll respond but what is his book called?
@@tocoolforurmom5473replying so I get the notification if he replies*
college isn't needed for screen writing. most important things are networking, and finding mentors in the industry
Any tips on networking when your located in a very rural area?
Cross Caldwell use social media and linkedin to contact executive in the industry. But the best way is to move to Los Angeles and make friends/connections. it's about who you know not how talented you are
espn0o Thank you man
Are these contests and inktip worth using?
Cross Caldwell use either, they both don't work. contact indie producers and production companies that specialize in Pacific Fields. horror, comedies and excetera. humanize yourself by sending videos of yourself through email, telling them about you. this will make you stand out
There is a difference between knowing/understanding the craft and actually mastering the craft. At the end of the day all that matters is if you can hustle or not.
True that. I know plenty of folks who can competently craft a script on a basic narrative structure level, but who are completely incapable at imbuing their work with any richer themes or deeper meaning. Weird thing is, those folks tend to always have done some sort of formal academic training on the subject before. So I think the problem we have in screenwriting classes now, is that we focus too much on form, and not enough on content. The latter is something you can really only grasp once you have a strong understanding of the human condition through having lived and observed life.
@@Whoa802 Comments like yours need to be emphasized more.
Content will always matter more than Form; Form is merely a collection of established conventions which Content is presented through, and which should be chosen according to what would best emphasize the Content being conveyed through it.
And your final sentence is spot-on, and cannot be emphasized enough. Reading all the literature and watching all the cinema in the world will only give you secondhand experience of someone else's firsthand experiences, and firsthand experience of reading and watching media - but only by observing your own firsthand experiences deeply can you have any chance of translating them into a moving work of art, with human experience being the raw material behind all artistic output, irregardless of the medium.
I’m going, I’m also older than most of them. The young ones struggle so hard, and some of them seem downright scared. I waited and waited for years and years, to decide. It chose me. I do think you are chosen for positions in the arts. I never wanted to be a writer, I just found out I was good at it. Wait until the universe points you in the right direction. It hurts to wait, but the payoff is great when it happens!
im struggling with the same thing myself, how did you finally find out your good at it?
I went into college for marketing, switched to journalism, and ended up in screenwriting. My degree will be in screenwriting and production. College is largely a waste of time/money, but it's too late for me (and many others) to bail now. It's about connections, new people, experiences, and self-improvement.
April Babies How was you're experience? I'm still debating whether I should go to school for this or not, but I don't want to waste money or time.
It is, I wanted to learn how to write professionally and all I am doing is classes that have nothing to do with writing. I am teaching myself and have learned a lot more. I wanted to drop out of college but my family did not sgree with me, even though I had plans if I did. Now they are making me go, and I hate it.
Sideline Scores but wouldn’t that degree help you get connections and rep 🤔
Andrew Spice I want to go to college for screen writing, but if you’re saying don’t, because it’s a waste, then how will I be a screenwriter
@@bendover2790 if you want to go then you should
I do wanna comment on this though: doing screenwriting school vs. not...
ANS: Do whatever is within your means.
Professor Edson was my favorite Film school professor! Hes brilliant! His theory on story has not only helped me as a writer but also as a development assistant. I think if you want to be a writer, you should definitely learn the craft by taking some courses however, most people I went to film school with do not work in the industry and most professional writers (and most industry people) Ive met did not go to film school... but I do not regret it. Networking + Craft is the key to winning in this business! If you're currently undergrad and in film school, my best advice is to double major in CTVA and something more "stable". OR major in English/Communication and take a lot of writing classes!
whichever path gets you there
yes! i believe some are born with this gift and some are not. The ones that are not, yes, they must go to school. The ones that are, they dont need to go to school, but if they decided to go, it would only improve on their, (already born with), skills.
William Bennett dude, you need more than an MFA, you need life experience,
Exactly. For some, a lifetime of watching movies and analyzing the world is enough to give them an edge in screenwriting over their peers. For others, even after having gotten a diploma or bachelor's, they can still only do the very basics as a screenwriter. If anything, I feel like academic training in screenwriting tends to stifle creativity and originality a lot. Many folks who learned how to write via having done an academic course, tend to be overly concerned with form and structure rather than substance. Usually, what we get there are professional screenwriters, but not great storytellers. The latter needs to be molded by much more than an institution.
I have an English literature degree but films have been my main passion for about 12 years now and I've pretty much self taught what I know. However, circumstances have aligned me with a dramaturg and former acting teacher and working with him the last 9 months has been invaluable. To think you don't need taught or have a mentor is arrogance. I know because that's how I felt. I knew a lot of things in regards to storytelling and filmmaking but I was and still am a long way from being the finished product. I'm now thinking about doing a Masters in screenwriting next year.
It is not necessarily arrogance. Stanley Kubrick never attended film school, for example. There have also been many other geniuses who never had formal training in their fields of mastery.
I have a degree in English literature too and is now considering going to Film school after I submit my thesis.
Skills for the craft are a thing, and one can get them from film school. But to be an artist, one needs to dive in other fields, such as philosophy, science... To expand your perspective on the world. A genuine, relentless curiosity is the only needed talent
I believe and this is just from experience, school is a luxury for someone who has the finances. It will help you with connections and as he stated will give you an edge as far as professor or even certain "jobs" centered around where you wanna go. The delimna is that doesn't guarantee you will every make it as a screenwriter or filmmaker. Maybe a few years ago before the internet where things weren't at your finger tips. But now a days knowledge and understanding is more accessible and you have just as much of a chance not spending hundreds of thousands of dollars not going to school making it in the business. Paperwork just awes people. That doesn't mean it's going to win you an award. Keep writing, shooting, acting and learning. That's free and brings more fulfillment. Anyone can point you in the direction a block of wood can do the same. It's up to you.
I am in a quandary. Can't afford school or courses, and struggling to get motivation to do self-directed study, particularly as I have to works. Looks like the better option is to shelve dreams and just pay the bills.
If you have professors that have great connections and credits in the industry, then go for it. If not, network, and learn the craft as you continue to network.
I want to get into screen writing and have a passion for telling stories, I know I’m not wasting money on a massive film degree, I’m kinda lost at the moment having graduated school and in my town there is no film schools anywhere near me and it’s all far away, I barely have any money, but I’m gonna keep pushing forward and no matter how long it takes I will keep creating stories I’m gonna get into screenwriting I just have to take it one step at a time for now but I’m not giving up on my dreams
Good going. Never give up. Stay true to your dreams/goals. Chip away at it - however it happens. You will end up exactly where you see yourself. I’m rooting for you 👍
No. You have to feel inner storm and make into shape.
I don't believe you have to spend thousands to get a formal education for screenplay writing. I don't think I'm a master and I don't think my first script will be sold but it is not impossible to learn on your own. Of course, networking is important and it will be hard to do it, but it is not impossible.
Then again, this is from someone duel majoring in both biology and creative writing.
I never went to school for filmmaking or screenwriting. I've been studying these subjects on my own for years. I have read numerous books on these subjects and I still continue to read them. I've read The Screenwriter's Bible (5th, 6th, and 7th editions) three times. I've also watched numerous videos on these subjects too. I'm considering going to school to finish my bachelor's degree in film, but at 47 I ask myself so I really need to.
I haven't done school or a class of any kind. But I will say . I've read many books and the book that taught me alot was written by the one who wrote basic instinct. Inspired me to write but now days something's in there isn't current writing techniques for today's writing . So alot of my short film scripts aren't written the way new writers write.. so I'd say A master class or a school for screenwriting would be very helpful to stay current on what not to write .. but many have landed jobs without but I guess to each their own .. good luck
In terms of the education one can learn that in books and by writing but getting a qualification to be able to teach is a valid argument. Personally I'm a lifelong learner of screenwriting and these videos are mighty useful. I do want to hear what he going to say though...
I am still studying screenwriting while I wrote my scripts.
Miles Trombley I agree. I've been writing for 15 years screenwriting that is and wrote many scripts. But I still find myself delving back into a book, reading blogs and even revisiting online courses.
@@quentilpompey6827Pompey which books and blogs do you suggest?
@@quentilpompey6827 really? 15 years?
@@Baitur_Tavaldiev Yes. But it's safe to say only the last 6 or 7 years I've been doing them the right way. Lol
@@sooner2w I will get David trotters the screenwriters Bible. And immerse your self @filmcourage. @bulletproofscreenplay. Anything @adamskelter has to say. Especially the art of story. Subscribe to @scriptnotes. @John August and @Craig Mazin. They post a new episode every tuesday.
From my experience talking to screenwriters especially the higher ups in the WGA most of them have MFAs but there isn’t a monolith screenwriter or a set path or a formula a screenwriter can take to make a career out of screenwriting.
Buy Final Draft from the Final Draft store, watch hundreds if not thousands of movies both good and bad. Even black and white films. Read Save The Cat series and the Joseph Campbell novels. You are pretty much good to go.
TIP. you can buy final draft cheap off ebay! You can update it and everything
I want to study screen writing and film making
So can I study both simultaneously?
I love both
Anybody have any luck with out a formal education in writing getting a script out? I'm pre law (paralegal) and I have been writing since high school and I finally have something that I like and wanna get out there with it any tips or advice. I'm also in rural Mississippi so it's relatively hard to find anyone who has knowledge of the industry.
I love this guy
Really loving these ASMR videos.
Another great interview. Thank you
I'm learning craft now
Truby is proving incredible in providing these fundamental "tools"
I haven’t gone to film school when I started out and I’ve gotten into a couple of festivals but I’m going to be honest, most jobs in the industry will want to hire someone who has a degree. Every job I tried to apply for asks for a bachelors degree. Also, I don’t know all that is to know about screenwriting, producing or editing. So, I’m guess I’m going to school. 🤷🏽♀️
Naw that’s bs, I don’t got a degree in writing and I’m about to write my first mini
Pilot.
I have his book. I really don't know what to think of it after reading Save the Cat and My Story Can Beat Up Your Story. His book is pretty daunting .
i struggle with this because many great filmmakers I look up to all went to college...
candace cannon I recently just dropped out of college to fully pursue screenwriting and filmmaking. A lot of filmmakers that I look up too (especially that are BLACK) DID go to college, but that's not why got them to where they are today. In this industry we have to create our own jobs and stop waiting for acceptance. That's why many black filmmakers and screenwriters don't own their own projects. They have the degree, qualifications and still don't own anything on the production side besides OWN and Tyler Perry's network :/ maybe our generation is going to change the paradigm. A film degree isnt as valuable as they tell us it is.
Kiyah Speller ownership of work is the the true key to success, you should view my short film , first one by the way
Josh Hayslett what's the name of it
Kiyah Speller i agree but what about plan b....
candace cannon I get the logic behind having a "Plan B" but honestly nothing is safe or guaranteed. Might as well put my soul and every ounce of creativity I have into my content. This is my absolute passion. Something I think about every minute upon everyday and I can't imagine doing anything else in my life. Failure isn't an option when all you have is your passion. You just have to be smart about it and learn how to make a living off of your art no matter what it takes!! I'm trying not to always follow the status-quo like I've done almost my entire life because it never serves the people that do! (My parents and grandparents for ex.) Sometimes you have to follow the road less traveled by and see where you end up! Just keep pushing for what you want and strive to be the best creator as you can be! No matter what anyone tells you! Best of luck to you :)
I don't know. I got accepted to two graduate schools but couldn't because I couldn't find the money and the other was in Orlando shortly after getting accepted to go to Orlando the hurricane hit and I had to reschedule.My road has been uphill because I just invested in books and watch all the videos on here like FilmCourage...(outside of books Ive gotten most of my answers about writing here) and many other professor who teach writing. I've learned just as much from studying on my own...then I learned that most of the people I know who have theri MFA some haven't progressed in writing yet either....I don't know/I honestly think FilmCourage came along after not being able to go to graduate school...I really just treat writing like a sport and just stay positive. I've played basketball my entire life so I just the same principles and training styles and apply to writing...
Ex.Learn to dribble with left hand/Learn the first ten pages of a film
Ex.Learn how to shoot learn what happens at every minute of the film(12min/24min/34min/44min)
Listening to Eric speak, it heavily reminds me of Gman's voice from Half-Life.
if I could afford to go to college for screenwriting, I would
Christopher Nolan could benefit from taking some sort of formal screenwriting curriculum.
DOMINOSMOFO the sarcasm is strong with you
We live in a paper society. You need the diploma to show people, production companies, producers etc. But you can learn from a lot other things as long as you have the passion to learn the craft. The degree is just for formality.
You can learn plot, characters, dialogue, film language etc from reading books, studying and watching other films. There are software for script writing. It's not really a rocket science. But you can't learn a passion or imagination. I think those ones are the things that fall from the sky. :)
Why would producers want to see your degree when you wrote a great script that has huge potential?
this guy is good
I wanted to go to the New York Film academy for screenwriting, sigh but my family wasn't sure it was a safe investment for my future. Specifically the part of my life between when I graduate and when get a job in the field.
Opinions?
Follow your HEART. Remember the 'rocking chair of Regret'....
Ameri Wryter Follow your heart nigga dont worry about your parents do what YOU wanna do
Go to a better school
If you are not sure what you want forget about it.
I went to the New York film academy and I can honestly say that it wasn’t worth it.
If you go to a school, you'll conform to some amount of discipline acquiring knowledge which will never happen otherwise in most cases.
what are some schools that offer screenwriting? a bachelors not masters
what about KOONS?
This very interesting
He compared Picasso to O’Keefe 😬 that just felt wrong to hear lol
Otherwise great
Facts 💯
Where did aspiring screenwriters go before there were colleges for them?
Cliffhanger?
Of sorts... yes. Here is the continuation - ua-cam.com/video/mMGFCmMfFDw/v-deo.html
The Erie Canal was built by not one person possessing an engineering degree they invented waterproof cement. But school is full of classism, sexism, went to NYU the female professor looked at me like a piece of shit, thought art was a place for humble and opened minded people wow school was an eye opener.