I'm a world champion, two-time defending actually (until this summer). However, that's another story. But speaking of the Truth, I was elated to watch Boston beat the f*ck out of LA. Believe it or not I have a stupidly indirect connection to a few ballers, including Ray "He Got Game" Allen. So last night, while watching Mr. Shuttlesworth and his teammates in the ecstatic throes of victory, I couldn't help but think two things:
1/ Why didn't the press make more of the fact that his early playoff shooting slump was probably caused by the distraction of the trial of hired killer who had caused his step parents to be placed in witness protection for two years?
2/ When I would be hoisting my own gosh durn trophy?
"I'M CERTIFIED! I'M CERTIFIED"
That was the mantra of Kevin Garnett in what had to be the most surreal, intense, WTF post game interviews ever. I think poor Michelle Tafoya needed to see a therapist after that (KG is obviously well beyond professional help). However, despite near incoherence, what was abundantly clear was that, like Ray, the Big Ticket had been validated by finally claiming a championship (ticket...validation...ha).
Sports metaphors are tricky because they are so convenient. Lessons about practice, team work, perseverance, defeat and triumph are as close as the next game. But the expectations they set can be deceiving. Most careers, screenwriting included, don't have a single acheivement through which success is ultimately defined.
I know, I know. You're thinking Oscar. But I disagree. Case in point being Diablo (grrr) Cody. On a more practical level, there are too few bald goldies handed out and too many scripts written for this to be an apt analogy. On the flipside, there's too much flaming crap to consider every writer with an agent or even a produced screenplay to have made it.
Anyhow, back to that all-to-easy metaphor.
Silent P and I have had agents, written on assignment and had work produced (for TV...in Canada). At best, this is akin to playing in the NBA. Actually, make that the D-League. I'd think getting decent representation would be like getting drafted and having a feature produced, ending up on a solid team. Playoffs, titles and MVP awards are harder to align, but I could if I forced it.
But I won't. Because it's probably folly to focus on the goal rather than how to get there. Plus, I'd rather be a class act like Mr. Allen and retain my composure on my way to the top despite a firestorm of emotion inside than let those flames consume me in a fit of "that's just wrong" madness like KG.
"What are you going to say now? What can you say now?"
Actually, the number of basketball players who don't make it is astounding, but I agree with your point. It's hard to subjectively measure talent in the screenwriting world. As a result, it also makes it difficult to measure how good you may or may not be, especially when you can't easily be validated by stats or the number of your draft pick.
Drug problem or not (ha), I'm sure Hollywood will come to its senses since I dig your writing.
My guess is that there are many more excellent, incredibly talented, deserve-to-be-awardwinning screenwriters out there who haven't "made it" than basketball players. While talent can be subjective, I'd go as far to say that it's easier to gauge in the sports world than in the writing world.
I went from being at the Emmys to working at a gym. Someone asked me if I had a drug problem, I had to explain that no, that's just how Hollywood sometimes works!
Welcome to the interweb zone's dopest gangsta screenwriting site (whateva that means) - set in Brooklyn, starring me, Silent P and yo mamma. Dig it. <3g
"List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now, shaping your summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they're listening to."
Drug problem or not (ha), I'm sure Hollywood will come to its senses since I dig your writing.