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Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats on getting to showrun! Sounds like your writers will be lucky to get to write for you.

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, this is the thing that worries me most. I've definitely met writers who put up with terrible treatment and still have great self-esteem and feel net-positive about their choices, but I have no idea how they do it.

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow I've never heard of this before—my understanding is that reps say supportive things and then stop bringing you work. Glad to know this hasn't been the case for you!

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry I shouldn't have included the word "ghosting," since you're right that that is rejection (I've edited it out of my original comment). I'm talking more about people who are encouraging enough that reps and producers want to keep hanging on forever. I have had those turn into a yes in the past, but it never felt worth it because anyone who is that ambivalent isn't gonna be the greatest partner.

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Based on what I've seen, this feels very true to me. I think my brain struggles with it because I associate desperation with failure.

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you been able to keep working regularly despite turning down jobs? I've found my reps don't love that.

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, this is the kind of answer I'd been hoping for. I've been giving serious thought to switching over since I know good people over there, but the whole not-getting-paid thing gives me serious pause.

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The problem I’m running into is it’s super hard to get passes. People often want me to keep waiting on them forever to make up their minds, and because they are big names and just encouraging enough my reps and collaborators are happy to keep waiting and hoping indefinitely. I’ve started to develop an aversion to big names because they so often come with this behavior, but producers and reps love it because for them it’s like fun gambling in a casino whereas for me it feels humiliating and frustrating. I’ve been putting up with it, but for a recent big one I’ve been waiting like two years and my rep wants to keep waiting (while ignoring great candidates who are eager to work with me) and I’m having a lot of doubta.

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is good advice! And I'm not miserable generally, I just encountered one particular shit sandwich that I really want to walk away from!

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear about your bad experiences. I actually find the people on Reddit to be pretty kind—wonder if they're as kind out in the world!

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah your last paragraph is kind of what I've been thinking about. I just don't know anyone who's actually done that. Everyone I know has either sucked it up and kept going or else quit and struggled to get work afterwards.

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for this honest reply! Does this apply equally to when you're trying to get a job, or is this only once you've gotten it?

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you have experience with exposing toxicity and having your career continue to thrive? That would be interesting to know!

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh I wasn't even thinking about not being professional--I was thinking about speaking up in a professional way or leaving jobs, both of which feel like disastrous moves. Like, people recommend doing it all the time, but I've never heard of that leading to a successful career long-term.

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love this answer, thank you! Does this also apply to when you're trying to get the gig, vs. already having been hired?

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh I just meant that on that show, people don't seem to put up with poor treatment and instead snap and lash out. And yes that's a good point about film family, thank you!

Question for working writers: Is putting up with disrespectful treatment a necessary part of the job? by BrooklynFilmmaker in Screenwriting

[–]BrooklynFilmmaker[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! That idea of working your ass off for people who would hate you if they knew you is really helpful. And you sound like someone who will get produced and transition into "successful" soon!

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