It’s Teamwork

Some time ago, a producer seemed genuinely surprised that I have my own mind. I was equally surprised—why hire me if you don’t want me to use it?

If all I’m expected to do is write exactly what I’m told, then why have I been watching countless movies and TV shows from around the world, studying screenwriting books meticulously, and racking my brain over the mechanics of storytelling?

It would be a huge mistake to assume writers are just people who transcribe your vision onto the page. If you want solid work storywise, you’d better be ready to listen to their concerns and collaborate with them. I think there’s something seriously wrong with this system, and it needs to change.

In the midst of this chaos, I also know there are creative people out there who would appreciate what I bring to the table. It’s just a matter of finding them. In the meantime, I’ll keep writing and continue enhancing my skills.

I don’t usually rant about these things because I believe it’s best to keep the drama on the page. But today, I realized this is also part of the journey, and someone may need to hear it. So here we are. I hope we all find our tribe sooner or later.

Illustration: Lynn Guinta