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By Charles Deemer |
Every screenwriter who enters cyberspace goes through a number of phases: the first combines wonder and stress, as the newbie surfer struggles to become comfortable with and come to grips with the overwhelming array of information that is the World Wide Web, which is the area that increasingly represents the very heart of Internet activity.
Next, as the writer becomes comfortable with navigation, there's an exploration into personal participation, as the writer begins to exchange regular email with other writers, joins in on newsgroup discussions, and perhaps even writes a webmaster or two about a particular site.
Finally, many (but not all) screenwriters decide to participate more actively by creating a web page of one's own.
[note: Bill registered as a guest at the MOO, and the host program let him be the guest of the Bard]
CharlesD says, "Bill, the thrust of this column will be how being on the net can help screenwriters. So I'm using you as a success story." Shakespeare's_Guest says, "Okay" CharlesD says, "For starters, when is the FIRST time you ever got online - to a bbs, or whatever." Shakespeare's_Guest says, "AOL, just over one year ago." CharlesD says, "Describe your first experience with that - were you lost, impressed, what?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "Not so much lost, but when I found the screenwriters area, I felt excited. That I'd found a community of writers who would always be there. Before that, I felt isolated." CharlesD says, "Were you immediately welcome into this community?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "Yes, I started almost immediately posting some of my thoughts on story structure, and very quickly I became someone known in the community." CharlesD says, "Was there any kind of pre-existing hierarchy of influence or power there that resisted a newbie jumping in like that?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "Not so much a hierarchy that prevents people from joining in, so inexperienced writers jump right in and often come across as inexperienced, or misguided. Just like in life, there are successful writers, and people who would like to be. Who's who quickly becomes apparent." CharlesD says, "At this point had you been on the Web yet?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "No, I saw AOL as a bike with training wheels." CharlesD says, "How did you get courage to take off the wheels?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "Listening to you, your encouragement, and what was happening for you as a result of being on the web. At the time, I didn't quite know what it all meant, the web, etc." CharlesD says, "Did you not also make important connections right on AOL? Talk a little about that." Shakespeare's_Guest says, "I met a dramaturg in New York, and very quickly I met a man who'd founded and run a film college. He offered to edit my essays in return for seeing rough drafts of my work, and hearing my thoughts on story structure. There was no other way I could have EVER made that connection." CharlesD says, "Why get on the Web if all this is happening at AOL?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "AOL is like an enclosed lake. The web is the ocean. There just comes a time when being on the lake isn't enough." CharlesD says, "When then did you first get on the Web and what was that like?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "The day before Thanksgiving [1995]. It was very draining, getting my web page constructed with approx. 15 essays and approx. eight other pages. I got feedback immediately, because I was announced on your site." CharlesD says, "But BEFORE you put yourself on the web, when did you first get on and surf?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "In October, when I hooked up with Teleport. That was unpleasant. New computer, new to Windows, Teleport support hard to reach. I kept wanting to call. I learned it's better to e-mail. So I began surfing very slowly. GOD it's easy to see several hours go by." CharlesD says, "When you FINALLY got on the web - were you impressed, disappointed?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "I was impressed. It seemed our world had changed in a fundamental way. It seems so vast and never-ending in terms of information. Always something around the corner, some new and interesting link." CharlesD says, "How did you learn HTML?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "LeMay's book, practice. In hindsight, basic HTML is easy. It's just getting to the point that it's hindsight." CharlesD says, "Okay, so your site goes up. People respond. Then what happened?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "I met a producer in New York and critiqued a script that's to be shot this summer, 4-f. We've also talked about my going out there this summer and long term being the story consultant for his production company, Point and Click. They have an office in the Trebeca building that DeNiro owns." CharlesD says, "Quite a leap from feeling isolated, hey?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "Yes, a quantum leap. He's offered to take my essays in edited form to some publishing contacts. We've talked about making a CD rom. I feel part of the world, now." CharlesD says, "How did you get connected to the Hollywood Network?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "William Snowden, my contact in New York, wanted me to go to Hollywood On-line. I thought he meant Hollywood Network. At the network, I saw a request that screenwriters with helpful information on the web should contact the Network about having their material mirrored." CharlesD says, "Bill, there are still a lot of screenwriters and wannabes out there who haven't taken the leap into cyberspace yet. What would you say to them?" Shakespeare's_Guest says, "That it's a whole new way to connect with the creative community that produces movies. If you're not in LA or New York, and you're not online, you're missing tremendous opportunities." CharlesD says, "Yes, it is a very new world - especially for us non-LA/NY folk. Bill, I want to thank you for spending time with me." Shakespeare's_Guest says, "Thanks for inviting me to your virtual office."
Are you a screenwriter with a cyberspace "success story"? I'd like to hear it. Email me at cdeemer@teleport.com