How Screenwriters Got Their Start
Ever wondered how the minds behind your favorite films got their start? The path to Hollywood’s writer’s room is often as compelling as the scripts they pen. Screenwriting is the backbone of the film industry, turning mere ideas into cinematic masterpieces. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on the unique journeys of seven iconic screenwriters who defied the odds and broke into the industry in their own remarkable ways.
Key Takeaways
- Quentin Tarantino: From Video Store Clerk to Oscar Winner – Tarantino’s early days were spent in a video rental store, where he honed his film knowledge and wrote his early screenplays.
- Aline Brosh McKenna: Magazine Writer to Rom-Com Queen – McKenna transitioned from a career in magazine writing to screenwriting, gaining fame with her adaptation of “The Devil Wears Prada.”
- David O. Russell: From PBS Intern to Oscar Nominee – Russell started as an intern at PBS and later received multiple Oscar nominations for films like “American Hustle” and “Silver Linings Playbook.”
- Diablo Cody: Stripping Her Way to an Oscar – Cody’s blog about her life as a stripper caught the eye of a literary agent, leading to her Oscar-winning script for “Juno.”
- James Cameron: Truck Driver Turned Blockbuster Creator – Cameron went from being a truck driver to creating some of the highest-grossing films in history, including “Titanic” and “Avatar.”
- Aaron Sorkin: House Sitting to Hollywood – Sorkin was house-sitting when he found a typewriter and wrote “A Few Good Men,” which later became a blockbuster film.
Quentin Tarantino: From Video Store Clerk to Oscar Winner
Quentin Tarantino – the man behind cult classics like “Pulp Fiction” and “Kill Bill,” didn’t start out in the glitz and glamor of Hollywood.
He was a clerk at Video Archives, a now-defunct video rental store in Manhattan Beach, California.
But don’t be fooled; this wasn’t a fallback job. Tarantino was a film aficionado, and the store became his personal film school.
He spent countless hours discussing movies with customers and co-workers, honing his understanding of what makes a film truly great.
Then came “Pulp Fiction”.
The screenplay was not just a hit; it was a phenomenon. It won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1994 and catapulted Tarantino into the limelight. The rest, as they say, is history. (1)
Aline Brosh McKenna: Magazine Writer to Rom-Com Queen
Aline Brosh McKenna, best known for penning the screenplay for “The Devil Wears Prada,” had a different entry into screenwriting.
She started as a magazine writer.
Despite her talent, McKenna felt the urge to pivot her career. What did she do? She enrolled in a six-week screenwriting course at New York University.
That course was a game-changer.
It led her to write the script for “Three to Tango,” a romantic comedy that caught the attention of Hollywood producers.
From there, she went on to write for blockbuster rom-coms, including the adaptation of “The Devil Wears Prada,” which earned her a BAFTA nomination.
David O. Russell: From PBS Intern to Oscar Nominee
David O. Russell, the creative force behind films like “American Hustle” and “Silver Linings Playbook,” had an eclectic career before he found his calling in screenwriting.
He started as an intern at PBS, where he was exposed to the world of documentaries and educational programming.
But Russell wanted more; he wanted to tell stories that could captivate audiences.
His first script, “Spanking the Monkey,” was accepted into the Sundance Film Festival, and it won the Audience Award.
This was the break Russell needed. He went on to receive multiple Oscar nominations, proving that sometimes the most unconventional paths lead to the most extraordinary destinations.
So, what’s the common thread here?
There isn’t one. Each of these screenwriters carved their own path, fueled by a unique blend of passion, circumstance, and sheer will. Stay tuned as we delve into more fascinating journeys that led to screenwriting stardom.
Diablo Cody: Stripping Her Way to an Oscar
Diablo Cody, the scribe behind the critically acclaimed film “Juno,” had a life that could easily be a movie plot itself.
She was working a dead-end job as a copy typist when she decided to make a radical change. Cody took up stripping and even worked at a peep show.
But what sets her apart? She blogged about her experiences, capturing the raw, unfiltered life of a stripper.
Her blog caught the eye of a literary agent, who saw the potential for a memoir.
This led to her first book, “Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper.”
But Cody didn’t stop there. She wrote the screenplay for “Juno,” a story about a quirky teenager dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. The film was a box office hit and earned Cody an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Talk about a plot twist!
James Cameron: Truck Driver Turned Blockbuster Creator
James Cameron, the man behind epic films like “Titanic” and “Avatar,” had a far-from-glamorous start.
He studied physics and English at Fullerton College but dropped out, taking up a job as a truck driver.
However, a screening of “Star Wars” in 1977 ignited a fire in him. Cameron quit his job and dived into the world of special effects, teaching himself the craft.
His first significant break came with “The Terminator” in 1984.
The film was a commercial success and marked the beginning of Cameron’s illustrious career. He went on to create some of the highest-grossing films in history, proving that you don’t need a formal education to make it big in Hollywood. All you need is passion and the will to chase your dreams.
Aaron Sorkin: House Sitting to Hollywood
Aaron Sorkin, the genius behind “The West Wing” and “The Social Network,” had humble beginnings.
He was a struggling actor, taking up odd jobs to make ends meet. One such job was house-sitting, where he stumbled upon an IBM Selectric typewriter.
Inspired, Sorkin began to write, and the result was “A Few Good Men,” originally a play that later became a blockbuster film starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.
Sorkin’s sharp dialogue and intricate storytelling have made him one of the most sought-after screenwriters in Hollywood. He has received multiple awards, including an Oscar for “The Social Network.”
His journey shows that sometimes opportunity doesn’t knock; you stumble upon it while you’re busy doing something else.
Conclusion
The road to screenwriting success is as varied as the scripts that grace our screens. From video store clerks and magazine writers to truck drivers and house sitters, the paths are diverse but equally inspiring.
Each of these screenwriters had one thing in common: an unyielding passion for storytelling. So, what’s stopping you from writing your own script? After all, the next great screenplay could very well be yours.
References:
- IMDB, Quentin Tarantino, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000233/