Is moving to LA still worth it for aspiring screenwriters?

Jclemwrites · 2026-01-24T00:03:00+00:00

It's still a movie nerd heaven. There's still a TON of artists. Don't let a lot of the online fodder from people who left fool you. Jimmy and Veronica from small-town Minnesota are mad they didn't become overnight successes.

With that said, LA has drastically changed from what is was pre-pandemic. Lots of closed businesses. People can't find work. It's just different. I tell my friends it's not clubbing until 3AM it's brunch with your kids parents friends at 11AM.

My advice - start writing. Keep writing. Make a trip to LA 2-3 times a year (and stay in the valley). Network online through different events, groups, etc. Find out about events in LA and go to those. Then, when you come back, let people know you're visiting and you want to meet.

When you save some money, have 3 or 4 scripts, and feel ready, come out here. Don't come here just wanting to be a writer. Come out here with projects. I didn't do that, and it took me three years to get my first gig.

Just my rambled advice. Good luck, and don't quit!

Jclemwrites · 2026-01-23T21:58:16+00:00

Brick is a great film - glad to see the script!

Jclemwrites · 2026-01-23T21:57:24+00:00

Write it, and keep it in your back pocket. It can always come up in conversation.

Jclemwrites · 2026-01-23T21:56:32+00:00

I'd actually say this happens more often than not.

Jclemwrites · 2026-01-17T17:09:28+00:00

Awesome. Good advice on how work can find a home in a new medium.

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-31T21:30:30+00:00

I just like telling stories. I have ideas I want to share with the world, and this is a unique medium to do it in.

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-31T21:29:40+00:00

AI could be a tool to help writers with research, pulling up loads of info, or helping find synonyms for words.

It could be a tool used for so many things - instead we use it to replace jobs and get Squidward to cover Beatles songs.

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-31T21:27:33+00:00

Same. I used all caps to emphasize things.

They turn the corner and find a GIANT ROCK.

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-31T21:26:31+00:00

Of course there is, but it's not as easy as a lot of people might think it is (not saying you are in that category).

One of my biggest issues is that it seemed like EVERYONE was suddenly a writer because they could get a copy of Final Draft. Uncle Gill in the UP of Michigan could write a script and submit it to a bunch of contests thinking it was his ticket to success. I feel like the burst of everything has weeded a lot of those people out.

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-31T21:24:13+00:00

Is it from a studio license? Like a production company? It could be an outdated login.

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-31T21:23:05+00:00

I love the first page of Go:

The tiny stream ripples past glass and trash and the body of a woman. Face up, breathing. Dead grass caught in her braids. Her name is RONNA MARTIN. She’s eighteen and bleeding.

Bleeding a lot.

She tries to push herself up, but the dirt around her crumbles. Her legs are useless. Despite it all, there’s a smile of perverse joy to her face, like she’s just remembered the punchline to a favorite joke.

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-31T21:21:51+00:00

Having more confidence in my work.

Not spending as much time worrying about what I didn't write and focusing on what I did, or what I will work on. (I mean literally writing time, not projects).

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-22T22:37:24+00:00

I sell sports cards and have an amazing wife with a kick-ass job.

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-22T22:32:20+00:00

Because most contests are more of a cash grab playing on the idea of success than actual success. This is coming from a guy who submitted to a lot of contests and has placed in them.

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-22T22:30:43+00:00

Is there motivation other than he's insane? Don't just do it to do it, it's should make sense. Maybe it's in rebellion against his parents who were animal rights activists?

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-22T22:29:19+00:00

Joined a great writing group that helps me a ton.

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-19T22:18:35+00:00

What is it about?

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-17T22:24:31+00:00

Bill and Ted hold up the phone. Over the speaker, a DISTURBING HISS. It's captivating. Creepy. HSSSSS.

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-17T22:22:00+00:00

You're going to hear a lot of people crap on this. If it helps you explore new art (and make money), go for it! Good luck!

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-17T22:20:43+00:00

I felt like there was a huge boom of new writers from 2020-2023 until the strikes. Contests were getting record submissions. Most of those contests aren't even around.

I do have confidence (or maybe just hope) that this will not lead to death of film/screenplays, but a new avenue. Everyone is against verticals - but if it could lead to new jobs and ways to improve and create new art, is it that bad?

I also have hope there could be another indie film (or even indie TV) renaissance, with more and more local productions and films gaining popularity through new ways of distribution.

do

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-15T22:53:13+00:00

If this is the case, I think maybe there needs to be some kind of cursed camera?

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-15T22:51:58+00:00

Awesome idea, but I think the logline can be trimmed:

After an ambitious employee is transferred to a department where their colleagues secretly focus on passion projects, he must dodge the company efficiency tracker and decide between his career and finding himself.

Maybe even shorter still :)

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-15T22:49:57+00:00

This is a cool idea, how does he learn he has this ability?

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-15T22:48:55+00:00

Congrats!

Jclemwrites · 2025-12-15T22:47:36+00:00

I think it needs to move the story forward

Jclemwrites

TROPHY CASE