Twitter is full of useless advice from phonies, so it's always amazing to see a true blue professional filmmaker take the time to layout the framework for they think it takes to reach that level for newcomers.
The truth is, it's getting harder and harder to break into Hollywood. There are SO MANY scripts out there that even the Black List isn't as sure a bet anymore. Managers and agents work to staff people and Hollywood is making less movies and hiring fewer writers.
TV jobs are also hard to find and the traditional assistant route is less of a surefire hit. Lucky for us, Christopher McQuarrie is here to serve up an all-encompassing Twitter thread that tells you the way he made his career spark.
I took the liberty of using screengrabs on all Mr. McQuarrie's tweets. I want to lay them out and discuss them after.
Making something has always been a good idea, but at times was not cost-effective.
Now, with smart phone cameras allowing folks to capture great images and video, you need to just setup and shooting. Shooting is important because it proves you can control a set, a story, and an audience. You might be a great writer, but chances are your script won't sell. Spec sales have hit all-time lows recently. The best thing a great script can do is get you hired to polish another project.
While that sounds like the dream, it can take a much longer time to truly "break in."
One thing I've struggled with is how to sustain after people have accepted you're a good writer. There are not that many jobs around. It's why teaching, blogging, and commercials have to be my income source while I write new projects.
But McQuarrie's words also put a boot in my ass. They made me realize that I probably need to make things, too.
What did you think of this thread? Any of these challenges stick out to you?
