How do i become a famous screenwriter?

Question by Lyle Hill: How do i become a famous screenwriter?
I enjoy writing, am good at writing, want to get a degree in English, would love to become a writer, how do I do this?

Best answer:

Answer by Paper Tiger Web
It helps to understand the structure of screenplays, before writing them. Robert McKee’s ‘Story’ is useful – but he’s never written anything himself, of great consequence – so I wouldn’t hang on his every word. Christian Vogler’s ‘Hero’s Journey’ is also very useful – but approaches the subject from a mythological character frame of reference.

Definitely read those two books, they will help.

Also – make a list of all your favourite books and movies. Try to get all of them. These are your ‘influences’ and you should only write about things that matter and interest you. You can’t write what you think people want to hear – it just doesn’t work.

What you’re aiming at is to write about stuff that interests you, that the public likes too. So if you loved ‘The Godfather’ which the public did too, there’s some ‘saleability’ attached to the screenplay. Beware of being derivative however.

Kevin Spacey’s site – Triggerstreet.com is a good place to start writing screenplays – to get some feedback. It probably won’t lead to Hollywood success, but you will get critiqued, improve and develop a tougher skin.

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