The Real Truth On How To Become A Professional Screenwriter - Mark Sanderson [FULL INTERVIEW]

Mark Sanderson is a screenwriter, author, and sometimes actor. His films have been recognized at festivals and premiered on the Lifetime Network, LMN, SyFy, Fox, HereTV, HBO Canada, Christmas 24, NBC/Universal, The Movie Network, and have been distributed globally. His first book, "A Screenwriter's Journey to Success" is available on Amazon.
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#writing #screenwriting #screenplay

[@dustyhills8911]

I don't think it's true that a person has to figure out "early on" that they're a writer. I mean, I definitely created and wrote stuff as a child, but it took me well into my 30s to discover screenwriting. Now, I am committed to learning the craft and giving it my best shot. I already have networking at the local indie level (PA credits), several completed shorts and a feature (that are complete trash and never going to be produced), and I'm willing to keep putting in the work on my own time (outside of family, day job), for fun, with the hopes of getting lucky someday. I see no reason why it can't happen later in life.

[@j.t.s8618]

I feel what he means by that is, the lucky few who discover early on would be the ones who would write for the long haul as compared to those who don't.

[@mickeyaugrec7560]

Dusty Hills, I agree. Personally I think it's sort of a solo journey at any age. You have more people around you when in your 20s and 30s who are doing creative things; and you have to spend a lot of time writing. Then you get older, and the people pursuing creative endeavours are fabulously successful or are fewer in number. And you still have to Spend A Lot Of Time Writing. Can happen whenever in life, for certain!

[@manifestmyreality2025]

Terrantino didn't get into it until his 40's or so I thought

[@daniel_najar]

"Failure is a test to see how much you want it"

[@filmcourage]

Like that quote. It's powerful.

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Yes, indeed! Thanks for watching and commenting, Daniel. Hope your writing is going well.

[@winterramos4527]

That isn't Daniel. It's Vin Diesel

[@justlope]

That part about grief really hit home with me. I was writing the night someone close to me died, and even though I couldn't have known at the time, it took me over one year to be able to write again without beating myself up over it. It's still a struggle at times.

[@someguyyoudontknow263]

almost happened to me recently. my perspective on life is different now. its do or die now as I see how fragile and unpredictable life really is.

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Yes, it can be such a struggle when "life" gets in the way, but somehow we forge ahead. Thanks for watching and commenting. Keep filling your blank pages!

[@Nigerian373]

This was so enjoyable to listen to that I’m going to watch all three hours again! Great interview and information!

[@filmcourage]

Glad you enjoyed it! Here is our first interview with Mark - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4u1Y2CDbLeVj7c and here is a class we put on together - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoWlZa2ahr5rgMk

[@Nigerian373]

@@filmcourage WOW thank you!!!

[@filmcourage]

@@Nigerian373 Cheers!

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Ah, thank you so much! I am glad to hear you found some nuggets of information that were useful on your journey. I hope your writing is going well and thank you for watching and joining the conversation.

[@Nigerian373]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Wow, thank you so much, Mr. Sanderson! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience!

[@unheilbargut]

Oh boy, you got me with this talk. Specifically with the „going to the movies“ part. I am severly disabled, have Multiple Sklerosis and when the Pandemic hit, I couldn‘t go outside anymore (as a therapy I got meds that reduced my immunsystem) and it took 14 month until I got vaxxed and finally was able to see people again. But being in total isolation for that long, my psyche got a little messed up and I developed a panic of leaving my home. It still stays with me and I still can‘t really go outside (or roll outside… in my wheelchair named Rüdiger) - I digress… you talking about the sounds and smells in a movie-theatre, the joy and also pain of watching a movie together with a lot of other people, really let my heart ache. I so want to experience that again, smell Popcorn and slurp my Coke.

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thank you for watching and commenting with sharing your story. I pray one day soon you will be able to get back into the cinema, smell that popcorn, and see a movie on the big screen the way it was meant to be.

[@richardadesmond]

Not only has he great things to say, he says it so well, clear and at a pace that keeps you listening. Thanks, Film Courage:)

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thank you, Richard for watching and commenting. I wish you great success filling your pages!

[@richardadesmond]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Thank you, Mark. I hope you have continued success with your writing, man. Thanks for your time and sharing your experience and knowledge. It's great to hear :)

[@mychalsimmons4177]

I STILL LOVE THIS CHANNEL

[@bradebronson8835]

Top notch advice from the writing grinder. Always love Marks stuff. Great interview!

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Brade! Always a pleasure to see you on here! Thanks my friend for watching and commenting. Hope the writing journey is going well!

[@fwcleo]

grinding writer, grinder writer,...? couldn't resist 🤪

[@elm889]

I always wanted to be a writer from the age of 9 and yet I have spent decades just thinking and procrastinating about it, anyone else like this? I am now 34 and at least I started on a screenplay lol

[@filmcourage]

Great to hear you starting now!

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

It's never too late to start! You also have life experience that can bring authenticity to your work. Thanks for watching and commenting and best wishes with the screenplay. Know it's one of many on your journey to success.

[@dm_ex_machina3395]

I've written every day for 17 years now. Short stories, vignettes, adventures for tabletop games, and lots and lots of poetry. I've never attempted to be published mostly because I never felt like I had a story worth sharing. I simply wrote things I found interesting, hoping that by the time I have something to say I'll have honed the skills necessary to say it right. But recently having watched these videos I'm seriously wondering if I shouldn't just give it a shot. Tell some stories I've told for fun but share them with others on a larger scale. I mean it's not like failure is gonna make me stop writing. And most of these interviews just talk about the divide mostly being between those who practice their craft regularly and those that don't. I assumed that everyone who was attempting to be a professional writer was actually writing every day. But based off these interviews I've been given the very strong impression that many writers don't actually...well, write. I spent the last week, since I found this channel, writing a script. I finished a 60 page pilot script and now I'm working on the rest of it. I outlined it as a 6 episode mini series. It's been a lot of fun. I suppose we'll see how it goes, but I'm going to give it a shot and try and shop it around when I'm done. (This isn't my first time writing a script, just the first time I've done it with the intention of trying to sell it)

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Huge congrats! You have been doing it on YOUR terms -- not Hollywood's. You sound like you are coming at this with a superb attitude and you respect the craft enough to know it takes time to become an excellent writer. You are correct... many writers love to play the role of a writer, but they fall short in doing the work necessary to move forward. Congrats on being inspired and creating that pilot. GO for it! You have zero to lose and everything to gain. Thank you for sharing your story!

[@johnmorrisey9366]

Really enjoyed this interview, Mark is a very humble talented writer would love to work with him one day.

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thank you, John for the kind comments. And thank you for watching and commenting. I hope your writing journey is going well.

[@Dhakku]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Was it better than TDK? Just give my comment a like if it was 🙂🤫.

[@WadeWojcik]

Great. interview! Thank you so much for bringing these amazing pieces of wisdom and advice:)

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thank you, Wade for watching and commenting.

[@thereseember2800]

He’s so humble. God bless him.

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thanks for watching and commenting! If we're not already humble, the film business will humble us quite fast.

[@gamedude108]

Well I’m doing it. I don’t know how it’s gonna go but screw it

[@someguyyoudontknow263]

yea just do it like Elon Musk would do it. focus on input and not outcome. basically same as super successful business entrepreneurs. I find life is mostly about effort and not talent. effort will still beat out anything else.

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Yes, you must DO IT! Doing it is all we can do and continue to learn and get better. "Act without expectation." - Lao Tzu. It's hard for sure, but we must do it for the sake of doing it and the love of the craft. Not some expectations of million dollar sales.

[@gamedude108]

@@someguyyoudontknow263 well I’m about in my late teens so like college is one thing but I’m looking outside off it. I’m sometimes like fuuaaack man. It seems very scary but idk my brain and heart just started telling me like “dude do it”

[@gamedude108]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Well some people snapped at me because it’s a chance of me getting in it and that’s the scary part but idk. It’s funny because I don’t see what I’m doing as a career more like as if I don’t do it. I will live with regret if I don’t do it, even though it’s a career of choice but yea

[@someguyyoudontknow263]

@@gamedude108 here is my honest advice. if you are goin to do this, do it like Elon Musk would. dont procrastinate. If you aren't writing, you better be reading books on the topic you are writing about and taking notes. I wrote my first feature when I was 17-18 and I didn't really know what I was doing but I did it daily right after school. I sent it to 2 independent producers and they told me its worthy of shooting, which I thought was a joke. at your age you dont yet have a style and probably dont know what really triggers your imagination and heart but I suggest you make up for life experience by reading biographies and box on the topic you are excited about. Most of the quality comes form revisions but if you write a script without planning the story out, youll screw it up so bad that it will be a nightmare revising it. So pick a topic you are super excited about, read books on it. read biographies to find fantastic character traits you connect with and take notes, quotes. listen to your heart and dont try to replicate stuff you saw in movies or assume how people would react emotionally. also read philosophy and use what you connect with. youll change as you grow but bit by bit youll develop an instinct for all this. write daily with realistic goals. dont procrastinate jsut because its hard. youll be 35 before you know it without a script and frustrated with life. aggressive forward movement no matter what is the only way. also get out here and talk to people. have experiences good and bad. let people break your heart. Remember, every story in some form is a love story. that is the only value we all understand in some way. humans do not share the same values they only share love especially at a time of collective tragedy. remember dont try to write what you know because right now you dont know anything. read biographies and books on curious topics. take notes and quotes. read philosophy. attack this like a business. jsut like you shouldnt wait around overthinking having your first experience with kissing or women, you shouldn't sit around overthinking and overanalyzing a story and writing career. the more you overthink life without taking actions, the more lost insecure and frustrated youll become. also get away from internet and the screens. youll jsut lose yourself and lose your precious time. finally, produce a couple great pieces of work which are well revised. Then get out there to meet pro writers. sell your personality, show your work and mention that you'd love ot be a writers assistant. someone will see some light in a 22 year old with such vision and will give you a hand. being around pros will put your mindset on a whole disciplined level. This actually happened to me. I expressed curiosity towards someone at an airport about an unrelated topic and that person happened to have written a couple episodes of a show. a few years later, this person was a regular writer on a big show you probably have seen. thats all ill say. that person liked our conversation and gave me his number. later when I mentioned the assistant idea, that person was very open to help but also told me that if I send them a spec script that sucks, they wont read another one so take that into consideration.

[@sunbrown8536]

excellent interview.

[@squeaky_buddha]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@FilmQi]

Great interview!

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thank you! And thank you for watching and commenting.

[@davidantoine9134]

great interview

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thanks, David for watching and commenting.

[@penhdog2207]

Woah! First 1 minute 25 seconds of this I'm already pumped with inspiration.

[@filmcourage]

Back to writing Joe!

[@penhdog2207]

@@filmcourage Thank you! Ha ha!

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thanks, Joe! We have to inspire each other and I appreciate you watching and commenting! Let's get to those pages!

[@penhdog2207]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Thanks Mark. I did hit it last night (Saturday night session; lonely man writing zone!)(Btw I bought your book on kindle and am enjoying it) I appreciate you taking the time to read and reply.

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

@@penhdog2207 Ah thanks so much for purchasing the book and I'm so glad you are enjoying it. If you could drop a short review on Amazon it would help! Thank you again for contributing to the conversation.

[@Dhakku]

Mark seems like a very humble guy!

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@enterthebruce91]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Hello Mark. Great interview, your insights into the industry are great! I've learned so much from you and others on this channel. I've written a three part mini series as well as a feature film some years ago (I'm 32 now). I did submit my series pilot as well as my feature film to one company immediately upon completion and got rejected so haven't reached out to anybody else since eventhough it's been years because of a fear of being rejected over and over again and becoming disheartened to the point where I'd want to give up completely. I don't have an agent or anything like that, it's all unsolicited scripts because I'm a nobody in the industry but I have an idea of what makes a good story, characters and dialogue. If my projects are never picked up by any network (and to be honest I doubt they ever will be); then at the very least I can say that I've written a mini series and feature film that was completely of my own making and I enjoyed the process and actually completed it. I plan on writing some short stories and a novel in the future. All the best from the UK, Sean.

[@ComicPower]

I love these videos. When I sell my first screenplay I will be sure to give a shout out to Film courage.

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thank you for watching and commenting. I wish you the best on your screenwriting journey!

[@matthewgordonpettipas6773]

Always enjoy listening to Mark talk about screenwriting. He's so open and generous with his knowledge of the Craft. One of my favorite interviewees on the channel. His book has helped me a lot in all areas but especially in the marketing side of things (agents, taking meetings etc), as, I'll be honest, I was unsure exactly how to go about it all. But his book explained it well and I'm happy I bought it. It's well written and exchanging, definitely should be on every screenwriter's bookshelf in my opinion. .

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thanks for the kind comments and watching, Matthew. I hope your writing journey is going well.

[@matthewgordonpettipas6773]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Thank you! It is going well in terms of my productivity and the quality of my work improving. I have yet to sell anything but I have faith I will eventually as long as I keep writing and doing my best to get better at the craft and networking (which is one of my weaknesses that I'm pushing myself to be better at). Like you said its a long haul and I'm willing to take the time needed to get where I want to be.

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

@@matthewgordonpettipas6773 Good to hear!

[@crencottrell7849]

Keep a day job while you pursue screenwriting

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Wise sage advice!

[@gijane2cantwaittoseeyou203]

You're going to suck at both

[@alexander-ru4gd]

one thing he is hitting on here is the difference between planners and pantsers, where some people plan their story out meticulously and others fly by the seat of their pants for the first draft and revise from there. And really neither is wrong, but if you are a pantser than you need to write very fast to get the vomit draft out in a matter of days or a week or so. So that if you're given 8-10 weeks to write something (which was a ballpark for feature length writing assignments according to scriptnotes) you have a lot of time for rewriting.

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

As I mention, if you are hired by a producer to write a screenplay in 8-10 weeks, you will not be allowed to be a "panster." You will need an outline approved by the producer, investors, executives, and others. Thanks for joining the conversation and watching. Hope your writing is going well!

[@alexander-ru4gd]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat thank you for your insight

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

@@alexander-ru4gd Thank you for watching and joining the conversation.

[@starbright6579]

I would like to be on film courage someday being interviewed talking about my Screenplays, TV pilots, novels, how I will work on becoming a Film director, and how I acted in a movie for a guy who I know to explore the life of the film industry. It took me 2 days to learn my lines of the script and had to rehearse 10 times before I got it right. The guy who was making his movie kept telling me one day you're a good natural born actress and I the next day you're horrible. LOL. Acting wasn't my thing but Writing and film directing is.

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

If you want it you will find a way to stay in the game. It's a numbers game -- 20 auditions might get you one job. The same goes for screenplays. It was my 5th spec script that finally sold but never sold another and did writing assignments since then (23 of them). So you never know. Keep your love for your craft and your mind in the right place about "fame" or "making it." Those are fleeting things anyway. We are always looking for our next job and that's okay. Find your passion and work at it every day in some way -- and network and be a good contact. Check out my book on Amazon "A Screenwriter's Journey to Success" to help navigate Hollywood trenches with my tips, tricks, and tactics. Thanks for commenting and watching.

[@starbright6579]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Thank you. I will check out your book Screenwriters journey I am trying to become a Screenwriter someday. God will make a way for anyone dreams to come true. Stay blessed.

[@convolution223]

I've gotten a few phone calls with executives but never invited into a physical meeting. I don't have a manager or agent but are the phone calls a joke? How do I transition from phone to in-person?

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Well today with the Covid issues - you'd transition to Zoom most likely. But did the calls end up being anything? Nobody wastes their time with actions that don't benefit them. So maybe the calls were just touching base to connect. Receiving a call back is never a bad thing, trust me. Most of the time nobody will call back.

[@thefriendlyaspie7984]

this helps me to make animation and comics :) or other things :)

[@ElCineHefe]

I'd like to ask Mark if descriptions of locations and other production assets are appropriate in a screenplay when the writer has no idea what the budget is going to be? I write screenplays, stripped down of anything that costs more than a simple rental, leaving any upgrades in production assets up to the producers and their art directors. Is that bad?

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

You may know what your budget is when you are writing your spec - you know if it's a $100 million budget film or a $300,000 budget, right? Yes, if you want more opportunities for your lower budget scripts to be produced, keep them lower budget. Write your story, but keep a budget range in mind.

[@ElCineHefe]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Thanks! I will give that a try and see how far I can take it.

[@creativecatalyst777]

Great writers are more tortured than comedians. Few admit this cost, but it's true!

[@mychalsimmons4177]

I WISH dpike Lee interview was lomger or Antwon Fuqua and Malcolm D Lee❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@unitedgist7636]

All about screenwriting, how many scenes makes a feature film?

[@someguyyoudontknow263]

40-50

[@Thenoobestgirl]

23:42 because it's a skylight?

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

My point was things don't end up being where they should be if you don't have a solid outline of what you are trying to attempt in your pages. If it was meant to be a skylight, it would be -- and not a proper window that belongs on the side of the home. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@brownjovi]

2:56:24

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Rejection, failure, and criticism. The big three we all deal with as long as we're writing.

[@Doggieworld3Show]

If it’s hard, challenge yourself

[@Beep1122POP]

I'm an introvert and worry that it will hinder my writing.

[@jpkaneshida1977]

I'm always amazed that writers focus on technique at the expense of the self. Iow, you can have all of the technique in the world, but if you, AS A PERSON, are superficial and shallow, guess what happens...? To illustrate via invocation of another art, take music; Jimi had horrible technique. But he as a person had honed his "inner voice" to the point where Stevie Ray Vaughan, decades later, said, after a journalist had compared him to Jimi, "Well hold on now, there's only ONE Jimi Hendrix."

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Thanks for bringing this subject up. I say you must live outside your comfort zone and experience life in all ways. You must have fantastic adventures and keep learning and growing as a person. The two go hand in hand in my opinion - technique and building your inner self so you do have a VOICE and unique point of view. Too many beginning writers don't care about technique and may not have much life experience either and only write what they have seen on Tv or in the movies. Thanks for commenting and watching.

[@mickeyaugrec7560]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Agreed, thanks for saying that. Talking to most writers and producers you'd get the impression that all time not spent writing is reading (for novelists) and / or watching Netflix/Hulu (screenwriters and producers, agents etc.). Life experience is more than clocking into a cubicle or grabbing a lunch rush shift. 'Fantastic adventures' - 'learning and growing as a person' - GREAT PLAN! Okay, that's enough KZbin....

[@nicklang6798]

Couple of people ended up shouting and fighting so we missed some of the end of a movie. Oh, and people putting their feet on the seats

[@thefriendlyaspie7984]

do things you are afraid of.. talking to girls is the most scary things for me :)

[@goldenboyproductions7229]

Whatever happen to this guy? Don’t see him much anymore

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

Goldenboy! Good to see you. "This guy" is busy and well! Thanks for watching and commenting. Hope your journey is going well.

[@goldenboyproductions7229]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat Lol. Thanks for responding! I miss your interviews with Film Courage. You should squeeze in some more whenever you can because you're totally inspiring. I think it's your voice. There's a sense of soothing truth when you speak. Anyway, I'm taking Corey Mandells Class right not on Professional Screenwriting and it's been great. Tough but great. I also submitted a script into the Page Awards for the first time and placed as a quarter-finalist. I mean, it's not like my phone was ringing off the hook but I didn't enter for that. I just entered to see if I could place. I guess not bad for a blue collar school bus driver. LOL. thanks again for responding and my best to you and stay healthy!

[@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat]

@@goldenboyproductions7229 Ah, thanks so much. And congrats on the placement of your script. I also have a KZbin channel myself with screenwriting videos and of course my consultation services at my website. Keep up the good work!

[@goldenboyproductions7229]

@@MarkSandersonakaScriptcat I'll keep that in mind and check out your site. thanks.

[@WiLyO8]

'

[@fluffypenguin6695]

heart this comment

[@davidberg3154]

That’s the only angle he can come from😂😂

[@jaymolette3149]

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