I have been having some trouble as of late. I read a book not to long ago called “Save the Cat”. A book on screen writing (no doubt), which gave specific examples and even a structured beat sheet as to how to write a screenplay. There it was in black and white, what page to put what scene on, what genres are out there and their meanings, it was a nice thing to read, made things clear.

Then along comes a video with Robert Mckee, (The script writing “guru”) telling me that having things listed out on pages (what save the cat does for you) is a bad idea. Not only is it a bad idea, it can, and this is his exact words: “ruin a young screen writers career”.

This is everywhere in the world of screen writing, and I am starting to think writing in general. You’ll have one person say, THIS! THIS is the way you need to do it! While another person will go on about something else entirely. It’s led me to believe that NO ONE knows what he or she is doing in this field. I don’t think anyone really knows how to write a screenplay, I think there are just those that get lucky, or know the right people.

It is something I will have to put up with I suppose, but it is still very frustrating.