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Last month I took part as a speaker in a SineBuano Seminar on Independent filmmaking held in the Masscom Studio, University of San Jose Recoletos. My topic was on screenwriting. I titled my talk, “Writing for Work, Writing a Producible Screenplay.”

I was telling the Masscom students, particularly those who are interested to have screenwriting as a career, that writing itself is a solitary chore and it can be a bore at times. If one is going to invest precious time and effort in conceptualizing, researching, writing and re-writing a screenplay, one better make damn sure it’s a “producible” kind; the kind that draws in producers and directors with interest in making it a film.

A “producible” screenplay, by my reckoning, is a screenplay that has (1) a story concept or plot that appeals to a general audience and (2) limited production requirements.

So my talk during the seminar were on tips how to develop story ideas for film so that these could be appealing and what to consider to limit the production requirements of one’s story idea so that producers will love the screenplay because it’s viable, doable.

However, my blog today isn’t to elaborate on “Writing for Work, Writing a Producible Screenplay”. Just yesterday, Joe Alipon- a USJ-R Masscom student who was instrumental in setting up the SineBuano seminar in the USJ-R campus, asked me what practical advice I can give young, aspiring screenwriters after I gave him a primer on Screenwriting which was based on my recent seminar talk.

Now I’m not eager to hand out advice but since it was asked, it took a while for me to ponder through the vats and bits of information I have in my head. There are so many specifics and details I can share on how to improve one’s chances of success as a screenwriter, not only in the Philippines but in any movie industry worldwide but I settled on these four, for now.

Don’t maintain a Creator-Ego

I’d like to advise aspiring screenwriters not to get too attached or too protective of their screenplays. A movie is a product of collaboration and cooperation, so learn to be “a contributing member  of the team.”

Not that I’m saying that you should ‘whore’ yourself as a writer and concede to every change demanded by the director and producers (though, if you do want to get paid and remain part of the loop of the production process, that’s definitely one way to go), just have enough dignity and assertiveness as a writer to defend the integrity of your work however still remain open-minded enough to consider any recommended change as part of the constructive development of your script and be quick with your wits to suggest compromises that would appeal to everyone.

Be a Story-teller, Serving the People

Never forget, it’s “show business”. You cater to the needs of an audience to be entertained, to be excited. A movie is a form of amusement, an escape hatch. One’s fledgeling career as a screenwriter would be best served if one serves what the people want.

Take a look at Jane Austen, Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Anderson– veritable authors whose works are presently enjoyed and studied as classics.  Their products stood the test of time through generations simply because they ‘serve’ their readers. So make sure you do something of the same thing with your screenplay.

Specifically, write horror/thriller films as a start– you might want to dabble in romantic comedy or dramas. Why horror/thriller?  Alfred Hitchcock(The Birds, Psycho), Roman Polanski (Rosemary’s Baby)  Steven Spielberg(Duel, Jaws), Clint Eastwood (Play Misty for Me), Peter Jackson (Heavenly Creatures, Braindead) build up their sterling careers on horror/thriller. Now I know they’re directors but they wouldn’t have those films-in-parenthesis without a working screenwriter to write them.

Strive for Excellence, Always

My friend, my brother-of-the-heart Paolo Dy once told me to keep writing good work, because good work will always get  noticed and always get valued.

Never really settle for ‘passable’, make quality writing as your habit. You’re building a career, a reputation and maintaining it is just as important. So challenge yourself to be an screenwriter of excellent skill. To be a master, one must remain a consistent and diligent student.

Don’t Wait, Work!

While you’re writing your screenplay or waiting for word after submitting for evaluation, do work. Write another screenplay, get a second job for support, read a lot of books and magazines, keep up to the date with the latest entertainment news (local and international), know the trends of the blockbuster movies today, watch plenty of classic and contemporary films, watch foreign films,  join a film critic or filmmaking group, make a short film, travel, do a documentary, teach your craft to others, learn a new hobby, fall in love, live a life, just never ever wait.