Big Players and a Good Meal

One of my readings these days is "How Hollywood Works" by Janet Wasko.
I did some Google research to get more info about her. You never know.
This woman is a Professor Knight Chair in Communication Research at the University of Oregon and looks like she knows what she's talking about.
There's a lot of interesting info in the book, mainly because is not glamour-celebrity focused but an analysis from the Economics-Industrial point of view.
What got most of my interest was the details about the power of the distribution companies.
I think that almost everybody interested in the film making process, and yes, it is an industry, knew, heard or had a somewhat idea about the distribution companies and their power.
However, the book gives you facts, numbers, the "beef of the burger", and they're huge.
A few major "Players" get most of the money, the rest, go get the crumbs on their table.
I'm not going to transcript parts of the book (go to a bookstore or library and get it, do your homework) but if you want to give an interesting glance to how Hollywood works, the book is good.
Only six -turning to five- companies share the pie of the films distribution and their power goes beyond the distribution. It goes even directly over what we, humble story tellers do, screenplays.
They can rip them, mash them, throw them... and love them too, if they make money of course.
Fair? Don't think so.
Oligopoly? Yes.
Ethic? That word hardly goes well when the other big word, Money, is attached.
It's a fact. Take it.
And where's the screenwriter in Hollywood's food chain?
In a low place, very low indeed.
So, I was thinking "Hum, screenwriting is not where the big money is. Maybe it would be better if I get an online MBA at the Phoenix University, buy a couple of nice suits and start to make my way to where the best part of the buffet is served."
Of course, that was a 15 seconds thought (a lifetime for a screenwriter, paraphrasing Data in StarTrek.)
My fact is that I don't write for the money.
Of course, money is welcome, and more the better.
I do it because I have to. It is what I love. It gives me pleasure and makes my life better, it makes ME better.
So... I'm in the lower part of Hollywood's food chain, or I'm aiming to be part of that?
So be it.
But be aware big Hollywood players!
If I go to your diner notice that I'm a gourmet! That means that I demand quality stuff but also gives good tips for the service.
I'm going to give you real delicatessens for your pockets = my tips for your services.
So I'm going to ask you for a nice stuffed plate in exchange = the quality stuff you have to give me -dollars, euros, gold is welcome-.
In the meantime, let's keep writing and finish that caserole.
Call me a naive with his feet on the ground.
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Screenwriting is a non-linear craft

Been away many days from this place.
I know, I know, there's nothing to feel guilty about.
Where I was? Doing my usual day-job stuff, but this time a bit overloaded.
But anyway, there's always some time to write, or at least, keep in mind what you're writing right now.
I was stuck in one scene, hell, it was the connector between a critical point and the resolution.
Suddenly, taking a shower, with some old Jean Michelle Jarre music in the background... the idea came.
It was an imagine at first, then it took shape as an scene. It was not the scene that I was looking for but one for 10 scenes after. However, thinking in the future let me knew the past. I got it!
Screenwriting is a non-linear craft.
Just let the ideas come (write them! I had to run to my notepad leaving a trail of water and soap, for my beloved wife complain of course), think in the final draft afterwards.
You never know.
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Finalist!

It was a long day of work, more than 12 hours non-stop.
I came back to home at 3am and opened my email. Between relative’s messages, spam and others, there was an email, from Erik Bauer.
When open, there was “Congratulations to the Finalists of Creative Screenwriting magazine’s AAA contest, click here.”
Click it; between the 10 on the list… there was my name.
What a sweet end for a long day of work.
I’m happy.
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