Screenwriting : Aspiring Vs. Emerging by Antwon Taylor

Without getting deep into semantics - I'd say that's about right.

Thanks, Doug

Right on. Congrats Antwon.

Thanks, Debbie :)

Just curious - do you consider yourself "aspiring" or "emerging"?

Well, Katrina, after recently selling two scripts, I would like to NOW consider myself an emerging screenwriter

When I hear "emerging" I think of primordial ooze.

What word would you use then, William?

Funny, when I hear "emerging" I always picture Botticelli's "Birth of Venus." No? Okay, maybe that's just me. Lol!

Sorry, Antwon, I'm not one, nor do I care for status or titles... But I would think you are correct — an emerging artist/writer/director/filmmaker is someone starting their career in their given field but has yet to become established. :)

Yeah, I just consider myself a creator of stuff — I'm a self-taught "hack" too. Lol! I'd much rather spend my time thinking about the work than what to title myself. To each their own, I guess. :)

When you've been paid. :-)

Touche, David!

And apparently, with the exception of a couple of you, it appears that I am the only one who has ever noticed the words aspiring or emerging before the words screenwriter, singer, or artist. Oh well, whatever the case, good day to ya.

Im similar to Beth little to no formal training, mostly trail and error, massive libraries and conversations. Aspiring is there when you are noticed but haven't reached the paid level. Emerging is after that sell and asked for more.

Well, Beth and Quentil, I, like the both of you, am also self-taught. However, the question was out of curiosity about when one is considered this or that. And apparently I gave the wrong impression when I said I would like to think of myself as an emerging screenwriter. One may think of "primordial ooze" or a movie when they hear this word. But when I hear the word, I think of something rising up from the clutches of the struggle. But that's just me. To each his own, right? And contrary to popular belief, people in the industry are going to "label" you regardless of whether you want to believe it or not. Whether you're a "rookie," "novice" or "veteran." "Aspiring," "emerging" or "successful." But I will consider myself successful when I am able to make a living from writing. I just learned to accept it for what it is and keep pushing forward.

It just so happens, CJ, that mine was a case of having to choose between two companies. It was a hard decision and It really did not feel as good as I would have expected it to, but in the end, I'm sure I made a great choice. Furthermore, I don't look at myself or consider myself no more than what my maker intended me to be. In the end, all I really want to be considered as is a great screenwriter.

Antwon, I'm well-aware of all titles. I call myself an "aspiring screenwriter" when needed or expected or for practical reasons. I don't care for false pretenses. And I agree with CJ, there are other ways to "emerge" other than being paid—that's a rather superficial and even limited consideration, of course depending on the level/hype of the project you were paid for. It's actually more important, in terms of career, that you are now KNOWN or recognized when you previously were not. This aspiring/emerging thing seems to be an important issue for beginners. Antwon, I'm happy for you that you've had some recent success—that's great! But I would advise you to sit back and let others give you a title. If one of your projects gives you some attention, perhaps a press release from the producers/company or an article about the project is published and a journalist calls you an "emerging screenwriter"—that would be better. Don't go around proclaiming yourself to be an "emerging screenwriter"—that can seem pretentious, even if you are a very humble person. Those in the industry may have a completely different idea of what they consider "emerging" than you do. Plus, this moment of "emerging" may end. It may peter out and you may not become established—you never know. So when in doubt, just call yourself a "screenwriter." "Emerging" really is a title or adjective or classification usually given by those on the business side or in the press or perhaps by the company you have recently partnered with. If one of your projects is released and makes it to the screen, perhaps it then becomes your "debut." :)

Well said, Beth, and I also agree. Fortunately, both projects will be released and hitting screens in 2016. Whatever the case; aspiring, emerging, or not, I wish everyone of you much success and prosperity on your journeys.

This has been a great New Years Day read, .....a good witty and meaty thread. @Antwon. I just loved your expression "Rising Up From The Crutches of the Struggle." It's a great gut feeling, when one day the usual negative daily thoughts experienced whilst sat at keyboard, are suddenly swept away by the creative work reaching fruition. @CJ Totally agree that success cannot be solely defined by money. There was no Paypal, Credit Cards, Equity, BFI, IBM points recognition, or even a postal service one could rely on, in Shakespeare's day. Our bums are still on his seats! To All. Happy New Year.

My two cents. I'd say an emerging screenwriter is someone creating a buzz around them self and their work. Money and fame doesn't have to equal success. Impressing others with your craft is a better judge of success than ones bank account.

My two cents: when people approach you and your projects with $$$ -- before you ask. My mantra is: I'm in the CREATIVE business, not the BEGGING business. Value yourself.

Emerging is something you are referred to by others once you are... as in press writeups or introductions at film festivals or writing symposiums. Aspiring is a reality and an honest self description for those who aspire. No one would ever refer to themselves as 'emerging" and not see some smirks. Once one has emerged or is emerging into cineaste's collective consciousness, they are doing the thing. One either does or does not.

I'm seriously confused by people who are hung up on labels.

On and on it goes, am I the only one who sees this? I assumed that a screenwriting forum would concentrate its discussions to real screenwriting issues – things like character development, dialog technique, story evolution… But it appears that I would be what I like to think of as wrong! Aspiring, emerging, evolving, beginning, newbie… Do you realy care? What does it really matter?

All these comments give good points. Personally, I think these words are just there to describe. You could either chose the words to describe yourself or let others chose it for you.

I think it was Rene Desk Cart that said "I write, most of the time; therefore, I must be a writer. "

Ok, so apparently I didn't make my point clear for those of you who are still hung on the whole "labels" thing. It's really not that serious, people. And @Debbie. Here's to a new year of more "meaty" posts. Lol. I really didn't think that such a simple question would turn to such a complexed conversation. @ William, why so confused? Whether you like it or not, being called a "bad" "good" or "great" writer is also being "labeled." Whether we want to be or not. By the way, MY idea of MY success is to be able to write for my living. What better way to live than to actually get paid doing what you love? Is there something wrong with that now days? I missed the memo? I'm tired of this thread already. Maybe I should choose my questions wisely next time, huh? Ok, lesson learned. Thanks everyone, it's been . . . interesting? Happy New Years to you all

If you have finish a screenplay, you are a screenwriter; If you still working on your draft and haven't finish you can call yourself aspiring. The reality is that you will be whatever you lable yourself.

I'm aspiring to emerge. And feeling positive about it.

Labels: What I call myself doesn't matter (okay, it may actually have some negative consequences if I misrepresent myself). What others call me only matters if those others have to power to hire me or not hire me. It's all about the practical aspects (things that matter) and not the feelings or opinion things. If The Hollywood Reporter lists me as one of the Top 10 Emerging Writers Of 2016, that can help me land a gig. If I call myself "emerging" or not doesn't matter - it's not based on any form of reality. When I was a forklift jockey and writing 3 scripts a year, calling myself an "emerging writer" would have been silly... I drove a forklift for a living! Here's what matters: Your screenplays. Are producers requesting your screenplays? Are they meeting with you after reading your screenplays? The purpose of a screenplay is to become a movie (or get you a writing gig). Things that are tangible. So it's always best to focus on your screenplays and the writing part. The business part is also important. Let's talk writing...

I'm trying not to be rude... But who cares? I'm outta here!

Doug: I don't think you're rude. I see you more as a lovable curmudgeon. And what's trivial to one person may, be all important to another. Tolerance in 2016!

Antwon, again, it's just a description, an adjective... A more colorful way to say "those launching their careers." This ad could have easily said "showcase and celebrate the achievements of filmmakers from all levels from around the world." :)

Just proving a point, Beth. Nothing more, because my initial question was 'what are you considered'? Not what people consider themselves. Again, my last post was only an example . . . nothing more. :)

Antwon, That depends on how many you have to sell I guess... not sure it be emerging once you sold a script I would think but I could be wrong.

Further to Beth's and Antwon's points, in some non-US countries, there are grant funding programs available to filmmakers. These programs are divided into "emerging" and "established" categories (or they might use other terminology along those lines) so that those countries can strategically support both filmmakers who are already getting movies made and the new crop who are on the rise but haven't yet made a feature film. Or maybe they got a feature film made, but it was very "indie" or maybe it received a very small release. (TV can also be broken down in a similar way.) In these non-US countries, the funding bodies define "emerging" and "established" (or whatever other categories they use) so that applicants can read the rules and know which pool of funds they should be applying for.

I agree with your comments, but I want to add that in some non-US countries, there is a good reason to define and divide. It's "fairer" for a young filmmaker who is applying for a grant to not have to compete against the establishment, right? By creating categories, filmmakers of different experience levels can better access funding set out specifically to help them. Think of it like the NBA and the NBA Development League, or Major and Minor League Baseball.

Touche, Regina!

How cool would it be if the US NEA offered grants for "emerging" US filmmakers? You'd want to define "emerging" so that those young voices would be protected from having to compete against the Establishment who might otherwise try to access those same finite funds, right?

Here's a US example. The Nicholl fellowship. They use the word "amateur" and their definition is based on how much money a writer has made by writing. http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/about I quote: "Each year, the Academy Nicholl screenwriting competition awards up to five $35,000 fellowships to amateur screenwriters. " "QUALIFICATIONS Screenwriters who have not earned more than $25,000 writing fictional work for film or television." These eligibility definitions serve to PROTECT young writers from having to compete against more "established" writers who might otherwise want that $30k.

It would be so awesome, indeed.

Very insightful, Regina. Thanks. :)

Like anything in life, it depends on the situation. There is no one catch-all answer for when it's to your advantage to say you're an amateur, aspiring, emerging, established, etc. Depends on the exact situation. That's what makes the S32 Lounge is so challenging. You never know the context, where this guy is coming from when he's asking this question, and you don't know how to answer. So yeah, let's say you're a Nicholl semifinalist, and maybe you're going to win a $30,000 fellowship. You wanna be sure you qualify as "amateur" by their definition. In that sitch, it's to your advantage to be an amateur. But let's say you're meeting a manager; in that situation, you're better off making a case for yourself as clearly emerging talent, who's about to break down the dang door, right?

You're on fire, Regina! :)

Hi Victor, great points and a great place to take the discourse. For what it's worth, some funding bodies who give out grants then hire a producer/consultant (like me) to mentor funded filmmakers. I do what I can to guide the development process and increase the chances that the grant will be well spent. There's no way to guarantee "success," but we consultants bring experience to the process, and we do what we can to help develop young talent.

@Regina, I have a question. You may not have an idea yourself, but I've been wanting to know if a director or an actor wins an award in a film (short or feature) that you've written, would that look any better for the screenwriter? Or would it even make a difference?

I think it depends on how prestigious the award is. And by "would it even make a difference," what does that mean? If the short film you wrote won Best Short Film at Sundance, and if you're competing against a guy who won Best Short Film at Joe Blow Fest, then yes, you've found an advantage. If your short won Best Short Film at Sundance, but you're up for a huge studio job, and you're competing against a writer who's been nominated for a WGA Award and may receive an Oscar nomination that year, then you probably won't come out on top. It all depends.

I understand. But what I meant was would it even matter as far as the writer getting more praise if an Actor or the Director was to win an award?

It depends on what you mean by "writer get more praise." And it depends on how prestigious the award is. But yeah - if a director wins Best Short Film at Sundance, then that's a film you need to watch to be in the know. A large number of people will watch the film, and at the very least, that's wider industry exposure for all parties, including the writer. Because the film won at Sundance, the audience will be teed up with goodwill to like everything about the film. After all, it was just deemed the very best short film of the most prestigious indie fest. In terms of your word "praise," will Entertainment Weekly write a feature story on the writer? Will the writer be invited onto Jimmy Fallon? Will he trend on Twitter? Probably not. But what if that short film was about say, Tamir Rice, Syrian refugees, Cecil the Lion, Anthony Weiner, etc.? In that case, maybe the writer would be invited on CNN because he's found something important to say about our culture. It just depends.

Or it's also possible that people watch the film and say, "Wow, the story was really weak, but that actor really saved it." It's impossible to give a real answer in a completely nonspecific and hypothetical situation.

I gotcha. Thanks

Can you be more specific, Antwon? Have you written a short film that won a Best Director Award? Are you wondering how to leverage that to your advantage?

Well, now that you ask, Regina. No, not yet. But the director that purchased two of my shorts has won a couple of awards already, and in one of my films for the two protagonists, he's using an award-winning up and coming actor and an award-nominated actress. So I was just curious to know what would be the possible outcome in my case if one of them happens to win an award for one of my films.

I hope that made a little more sense. And yes, It wouldn't hurt to know how I could use it to my advantage . . . If it were to happen, that is.

The short answer is that when you reach out to people, you can say, "The short film I wrote was well-reviewed and won a Best Director Award in competition at the Hamptons International Film Festival." That type of thing will motivate people to give it a watch, and it will get you eyeballs, and then you pray that they like what they see.

Thank you both, Regina and Victor. Much success to the both of you in the new year. :)

Well, since 2011 I've been referred for a writing job, which lead to my pay check getting cashed (Work for hire- the film never fully made funding and never was produced but there's a script! ) and I've got one in post production, a third in preproduction and right now I'm waiting on time to be set for a Skype meeting to discuss my next one. (all are feature length) so I like to think I'm emerging and/or up-and-coming!

Touche, Lisa! And congratulations!