Hollywood or bust!
My path to the Hollywood magic store was more straightforward than that of the Muppets. I studied film in college, came out to LA, and worked in music videos and as a producer’s assistant. I returned to grad film school to spend some time hiding in academia to crank out spec scripts.
Though I’m not in their league, it's amazing how many scribbling superstars didn't start in Tinseltown but in totally different worlds – from law and philosophy to scuba diving.
Before "The West Wing" and "The Social Network" wowed us, Aaron Sorkin was all about law at Syracuse. Those legal eagle skills? Perfect for cooking up his snappy, dynamic dialogues and ratatat jibber-jabber on the move. The military experiences of his sister brought verisimilitude to “A Few Good Men.”
Before scripting “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and "The Empire Strikes Back," Lawrence Kasdan worked as a teacher and copywriter for advertising. Dealing with unruly students gave him the skills to manage a movie set while high-maintenance clients at the ad agency prepped him to serve the likes of Spielberg and Lucas.
David Mamet’s work as a cabbie and factory worker introduced him to many of the eccentric characters and behaviors he shares on the page. His brainy background in philosophical study adds a unique smartitude to his iconic characters.
Ethan Coen’s philosophical ponderings at Princeton loaded him with existential vibes, fueling the dark humor and existential vibes of the flicks he makes with his brother, Joel.
Though “canceled” not that long ago, Joss Whedon, the guy behind "The Avengers" and "Buffy," influenced a generation of scribblers. He grew up in a verbal household with Mom and Pop storytellers. His Hwood career began tweaking sitcom scripts on “Roseanne,” honing his knack for mixing drama, wit, and the fantastical.
Luc Besson, arguably one of France’s most important modern directors, was a diving instructor. After almost losing his life in an accident, he turned his attention to the cinema. His experiences under the sea inspired his vision of ocean depths and the far reaches of space.
Quentin Tarantino’s encyclopedic film knowledge started when he was a wee lad, but his years as a video store clerk were the grad school for his eclectic, influential style. His pursuit of an acting career offered insight into what’s needed on the page to bring characters to life.
Nora Ephron's keen eye for observation was honed during her years as a journalist. Her ear for dialog and detail translated to scribbling gold in heartwarming scripts like "When Harry Met Sally."
These scribbling superstars testify to how different life experiences can supercharge cinematic creativity. Their pre-Hollywood adventures enhanced their unique perspectives, authentic insights, and mastery of language. Whether in courtroom dramas, rom-coms, or existential genre flicks, they all bring personal POVs to their engaging tales.
My collegiate study of espionage and geopolitics gave me “expert” insight when I scribbled on spy shows like “Alias,” "Agent-X,” "Citadel,” and even “DaVinci’s Demons.”
Maybe there’s only one Tarantino, Mamet, or Ephron, but the rest of us can take some lessons from their approach.
Your Backstory is Gold: Embrace your unique experiences. They’re your secret sauce.
Learn from Everywhere: Got a non-film background in something? Study an arcane subject in college? Part of a popular or fringe subculture of fandom? Awesome! Use those insights to set your writing apart.
Mix, Mingle, Learn: Every person you meet and colloquial chat adds a new color to your storytelling palette.
Stay Hungry for Knowledge: Bruce Lee said, “Be like water.” Better advice for scribblers is “Be like a sponge.” Soak up your interests and experiences and squeeze them onto the page.
Keep the Passion Burning: The path to scribbling success is not always a straight shot. Find ways to keep your drive alive, remain persistent, and never stop honing your craft.
There's no one way to screenwriting stardom. Your journey's twists, turns, and lessons are your edge, a distinctive magic to spellbind your audience. “Write what you know” is a familiar go-to. But also be sure to “Write who you are.” Nobody else can.
