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How do I break into freelance script doctoring? I'm not particularly interested (or talented, for that matter) in taking a story from gestation to completion in a screenplay, but I enjoy working within and refining an author's voice. I come by this by way of working in editing scientific grant proposals for my lab. Typically, funding agencies require proposals fit in a couple dozen pages (even for seven or eight figure grants), which must include everything from the gestalt of the project to detailed background and precedents for the scientific theories that belie the experiments to line-item budgeting. First drafts can run upwards of a hundred pages and have to be mercilessly hacked down to forty. Different parts of the proposals must be intelligible for vastly different audiences; some sections must be written for laypersons and some must communicate technical details to researchers at the top of the field. Needless to say, every word on every page must have utility in supporting the project narrative and the challenge to achieve this is exhilarating for me. I come into this with the understanding that doctoring could never make me rich or famous, but want to try it nonetheless. Where's a good place to cut my teeth in this without an industry resume and also help me determine if I'm actually capable of doing it?
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Jan 7, 2017 09:00
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| # ¿ May 1, 2024 17:18 |
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I definitely recognize that there are far more competent writers competing for those big studio jobs and that I'd have no chance in even getting past the circular-file part of the application without a writing resume. Ideally, I'd garner some sort of reputation from having worked with a large number of writers and that one or two with whom I have worked (or their friends/acquaintances) would break through into bigger-budget scenarios and bring me on as a consultant for a bigger or longer-term project. Realistically, I'd read and punch up scripts for amateur and just-above-amateur writers and pick up a couple bucks for it as circumstances permit. What I would most like advice on is: 1. Finding people to give me scripts to develop my skills and gauge my potential in doctoring 2. How to develop a reputation/portfolio in a niche notorious for its lack of credit and recognition 3. Getting people to pay me some meager but not laughable amount of money for this in the medium-to-long-term. I have a perception (and would like to be made aware if this view is uninformed or wrong) of the process and the industry as a whole that writing and editing are independent skills and that people who are tremendously skilled in original writing may not necessarily be as gifted in working in another author's voice and ideas and will inevitably insert their own voice and ideas into a script, to the detriment of the work as a whole. I'd want to function most as a facilitator and refiner, but I feel this role is incredibly difficult to demonstrate and sell.
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Jan 8, 2017 07:49
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Ruckmaker posted:You need to write original material and make a name for yourself that way in order to get work doing rewrites. The short reason why is there are plenty of accomplished, proven writers willing to do rewrite work and so they will be hired before you always. The way to get hired instead of them? Become one of them. Right, and I don't want to come off as condescending or willingly ignorant by asking if I could do your job with no writing experience. Looking into it more, do all script editors also need similar writing credentials? I am finding sources that say there's role overlap in editors being used by producers to meet studio demands/whims, like Joseph Kosinski taking two brilliantly inventive musicians and mashing their work into bland soundtrack paste. I'm interested in working in the pre-pitch period (yes, understanding this is exactly the opposite place of where the money and desire for paid outside influence is), refining or rearranging a writer's vision. Am I describing a real thing or a p bland fever dream?
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Jan 26, 2017 10:44
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