September 2009 Issue
The differences between independent filmmaking and the Hollywood system are boundless. Independent artists must literally create something from nothing while blockbusters enjoy massive, and often squandered, budgets. The screenplay, however, is the one aspect of filmmaking that levels the playing field. It's the great equalizer!
Whether you're a Clerks-era Kevin Smith rocking a Smith Corona word processor or Joe Eszterhas dictating your movie into an iPhone, the screenplay is the one thing that costs no more than ink and paper. Rich or poor, anyone can write one. And what separates those who dream from those who complete is the work ethic. You hear many great ideas from aspiring filmmakers, but an idea is no more a screenplay than the stain on the roof of your car is a fetus. Fear of failure, a hectic home life, and flat-out laziness are pitiful excuses that often prevent great ideas from coming to life.
Written by Abby Koehler | 
