Ageism in Hollywood and how to break into being a writer over 40.
Unfortunately, ageism in Hollywood is absolutely true. Numerous lawsuits and damages over the years are testament to the fact that the industry views mature writers somewhat differently than writers in their 20s and 30s.
For some reason, the general theory is that if a writer hasn’t produced any quality work by the time they’re 45, they’re unlikely to… once.
Yes, this idea sounds silly, but it’s all part of the struggle many aspiring writers face when trying to break in, so it’s worth addressing.
But here’s the good news: Hollywood’s ageism is often not the deciding factor in whether a writer over 40 breaks in…
The determining factor is more likely to be The author himself.
Click to tweet this post.
In this article we will show you the top five actions You can take action now to fight ageism in Hollywood. So let’s continue.
1. Focus on your strengths as an “older” writer.
If you’ve been writing for years, ask yourself if you’re better off now than you were ten years ago. Chances are, you’re a better writer now than you were before and therefore more capable of breaking in.
A 25-year-old can write marriage story or irish? It’s possible, but very unlikely. Write down what you bring to the table Being a more mature writer: your experience, life skills, writing skills, personal confidence, and more.
Yes, a 20-something writer might be better suited to write a situation comedy starring a bunch of millennials or a high school coming-of-age movie. But so what? You’re probably better equipped to write almost anything else.
What is your life story? what makes you unique Among the thousands of writers trying to break in? Write it down and turn the negative – your lack of youth – into the positive – your experience.
2. Ask yourself if your age is an excuse.
Have you ever written a script and been worried that if you sent it out, you’d be told, “Sorry, it’s a great script, but you’re too old”?
Just like the protagonists in 90% of movies, Your worst enemy may be yourself. Make sure you don’t use the phrase “Hollywood is ageist” as an excuse for inappropriate attempts.
Don’t let the fear of rejection hold you back. If you’re over 40 and think you’re too old to be a writer, this may well turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Take the exact same steps to break in now as you did in your 20s (within reason, of course). Stick to a strict writing schedule, move to Los Angeles if possible, network, etc.
If you have the drive, the means, and the ability to write, then put in the work and eliminate an even bigger obstacle than ageism in Hollywood itself: fear.
3. Write a feature film script instead of a TV series script.
Yes, ageism in Hollywood exists in movies and television. But the TV market may be in worse shape than the feature film market. However, there are some practical reasons you should know.
TV writers room job long periods of antisocial behavior. If you have a husband/wife and children, you may find it difficult to convince senior executives that you can commit the time and handle the pressure.
The show has a faster turnaround Unlike film, the same goes for TV creative executives themselves. As a result, the television industry tends to look for younger writers who, in theory, can keep up with the pace and demands of the job.
Now, we’re not saying that if your goal is to break into the TV market, you should give up. Older writers do it all the time. But they all have one thing in common: Crazy work ethic Match or exceed their younger peers.
4. Stay “young at heart.”
If you’re still clinging to the idea that you can write a script from home and send it out and not actually have to interact with anyone face-to-face, you can put it out of your mind now.
While it’s true that executives or producers often can’t tell a screenwriter’s age just by reading a script, the issue of ageism in Hollywood arises once they meet the writer in person.
So if you’re an “older writer” and you complain about climbing a few flights of stairs when you go to a conference, you’re more likely to be considered an “older writer.” If you keep bringing the conversation back to the 1980s and struggle to leave your seat at the end of the meeting, you’re more likely to be considered an “older writer.”
In other words, you want work on your image And make sure you come across as “young at heart” as much as possible. No matter the appearance or appearance. Many older aspiring writers like to adopt a “take me or leave me” attitude, but there are dangers in doing so.
5. Get inspired by other “late” creatives.
We tend to think that everything that is viable and lasting is (and has been) created by young people. After all, Orson Welles was only 26 when he directed, wrote and starred in the film. Citizen Kane. Brian Wilson was 24 years old at the time of the recording pet sounds. Steve Jobs was only 22 years old when he achieved wealth and fame at Apple.
But in fact, these are Exceptions to the rules. Most people who are “successful” in their chosen pursuits (with the exception of sports or other physically demanding activities) generally do so at a more leisurely pace.
Here are just a few of the many writers, actors, and creatives who do so, and hearing their stories may help ease your anxieties about ageism in Hollywood:
• David Seidler At the age of 51, he produced his first screenplay; at the age of 73, he became famous with his screenplay. king’s speech.
• Anne Proulx of Brokeback Mountain Her fame reached 57 years before she published her first novel.
• David Webb Peoples For years he toiled as a film editor while writing scripts, and at age 42, he was hired as a co-writer on Blade Runner.
•Ron Bass At 43, he worked as a lawyer for 17 years before making his first film adaptation of his novel.
• Raymond Chandler He was 51 years old before the publication of his first novel, The Big Sleep.
To learn more about other successful people who went on to build great careers, check out this book late bloomer Author: Brendan Gill.
Click to tweet this post.
Ageism in Hollywood: Conclusion.
Yes, screenwriting can be a little more difficult when you’re over 40. below There are also 40. At the end of the day, what matters most is your talent, determination, and marketing strategy.
What’s the point of being a 25-year-old screenwriter if your work sucks or you can’t work with me? If you’re over 40 but are talented, hard-working, and easy to get along with, your age doesn’t matter as much as you think.
###
Are you worried that ageism in Hollywood will hinder your chances of becoming a writer? Have you had any direct experience with ageism in Hollywood? What do you think of our response strategy? We’d love to hear your comments in the section below!
Like this article? Read more about how to break into Hollywood…
How to become a screenwriter: A professional guide to launching your career
5 Proven Screenwriting Career Paths That Will Inspire You Today
How to pitch a movie idea and sell your script with style
[Photo credits: Unsplash, Wikimedia]
