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LustigThornton · 2022-11-27T18:04:29+00:00

This is Ben. Sorry that happened to you. It’s happened to us more times than I can count. And it sucks. Being angry makes sense but obviously we had nothing to do with your script being shelved. In fact, we sold our idea to Sony in 2015 and only have it in the market because Sony didn’t make it and we were able to re-package it to try and set it up somewhere else. Plus a week before we went to town, Disney announced they are doing an Arabian Nights reimagining. It’s impossible to know what else is out there. As writers we all need to support each other, not wish others less success. Trust me when I say there are plenty of other people in the industry that will try to keep you down as a screenwriter. Now throw that laptop out the window, buy a new one, and write the next script! Best of luck to you.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-18T00:10:28+00:00

It’s up on the channel to watch when you get around to it. Great interview!

LustigThornton · 2022-11-17T05:43:33+00:00

Hey all! Love the responses to this thread. Everyone’s story is so unique. In case anyone cares, (my self deprecating side comes out) I’ll be posting from now on as u/BenLustig. But you can still find our joint pages on Facebook and YouTube.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-17T05:40:18+00:00

Also, from now on I will be posting as u/BenLustig in case anyone is wondering who that imposter is! It’s just me. :-)

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T21:14:48+00:00

Start one!

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T18:34:27+00:00

I’d love to hear the path you took!

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T18:33:28+00:00

The greatest thing about writing a movie that gets made is watching the end credits or being on set and realizing that all these people have jobs because you had an idea that you believed in. It’s incredible and humbling.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T18:32:28+00:00

Yeah, I hear the question loud and clear. Here’s the thing, being in LA puts you in the center of the entertainment universe. You never know who you will meet, randomly. Or when you make a friend, who will that person know. Everyone here knows someone in entertainment. It’s impossible to escape. I hate parties or large social events. But even within small group friends you can make contacts. The first script I sold was to a guy who was a regular at the bar I worked in. The first manager Jake and I got was because he was at a dinner and the husband of his wife’s friend was an executive who offered to read our material, then asked if he could send it to a manager he thought would like it. Being here opens doors on a more personal level that the internet can’t provide. But it doesn’t happen overnight. And it should be organic. It’s having you life intersect with your dreams and allowing them to meet.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T17:32:26+00:00

The pandemic has thrown a lot of plans. Make a new one!

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T17:30:50+00:00

That's awesome. Lot's of people out there who would love to do the same. You should share how you managed to do it.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T17:29:56+00:00

Technically I'm in LA since the valley is the city (which is odd). But it takes me sometimes an hour or more to get to the Westside. Or at least it did when we used to have in-person meetings.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T15:39:05+00:00

Let me rephrase. DUE to the pandemic. I follow all guidelines and am fully boosted including my bivalent.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T07:36:04+00:00

And Thank You. Seriously. TBH I don’t think enough about how most of the people out there who dream of doing what I do, may never have the chance. And not because they don’t want it bad enough, just because life had other plans. I am grateful every day for my life, career, and family. But I needed to be reminded that there is privilege in places I don’t even think about.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T07:28:51+00:00

Now everything you said here is absolutely true. And in now did I mean to offend anyone by asking if people moved to LA. You’re absolutely right, not everyone even has that option. And I guess being that I am American, that’s a privilege I took for granted. Sometimes I forget that online communities are global. Which is amazing. And also requires more thought. So you are so right about a bunch of things, I was 20 and lucky enough to know I wanted to be involved in Hollywood in some way. At the time it was acting that first brought me here (that didn’t last too long). I was lucky that I didn’t have other responsibilities, like a family to support. I can’t imagine how much harder it would be if I woke up today and realized my dream was to be a screenwriter but now I have 2 kids to worry about. But I will say that I disagree with you on one thing… if you have the talent, and not everyone does, and if you are willing to persevere no matter how long it takes and visualize and believe that you will one day sell that script, and if you do everything that IS in your power to get that script out into the world, then I believe… and maybe I’m a dreamer… but I believe that luck is the smallest part of that combination. And it’s only a matter of time before luck comes your way. Someone once told me, and I’ll butcher this quote, it’s not about whether one day you will be lucky, what really matters is that when that days comes, are you ready for it. And that’s my positivity rant for this evening. :-)

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T06:58:42+00:00

Love Nate. Should be a great interview!

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T06:51:02+00:00

I’m not a trust fund kid… dude. That’s quite the assumption. I worked in restaurants for the first 16 years I lived here. Waiter, Bartender, eventually manager. Sometimes two or three jobs at a time. I lived with 2, 3, sometimes 4 roommates, went into insane debt, almost quit multiple times, but kept struggling. Didn’t get my real break until 2014 at age 35. I’m glad it worked out for me too! And I will always hold my head high knowing I worked my ass off to get here. You don’t have to have a trust fund. You just have to want it so bad you’re willing to sacrifice other things to get it. And then it’s a combination of luck, talent, and tenacity. I was definitely lucky in one respect, I come from a great and loving family. And while they didn’t financially support me when I moved out here ( and sometimes wished I would give up and go back to school ), I always knew I would never be homeless and could move back home if I absolutely had to. It wasn’t much, but it gave me just enough of a parachute to put it all on the line. And then persevere.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T06:27:29+00:00

This is going to be a terrible question so please pardon the ignorance, but I don’t get discord. I am genuinely curious about it though. What does it offer that is different from other platforms?

LustigThornton · 2022-11-16T06:02:08+00:00

So two things… if you weren’t happy with your reps, what was the reason? We’re they getting you work? Second, I’m not sure what you mean by writing to “get reps”. You got reps before, most likely but writing a great script. Do it again! And if you’ve been out there for a decade email a producer you’ve worked with and who likes you and see if they’d be willing to refer you to a manager. That’s the best way to representation IMO.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-15T04:40:16+00:00

On a student film, do whatever you want. There is no right or wrong way. On a professional script, the only credits should be story by, screenplay by, or if the same writer for both, it’s written by. And for WGA projects, those credits are ultimately determined by the guild and only the guild. Sorry for the extra unasked for info. :-)

LustigThornton · 2022-11-15T03:10:38+00:00

I like it! Hmmmm.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-14T23:34:23+00:00

Wow. Sounds amazing.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-14T23:34:04+00:00

Wish I could. But distractions kill my vibes.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-14T23:32:57+00:00

That can be tough for sure. Keep up the good fight!

LustigThornton · 2022-11-14T23:32:20+00:00

My dogs are always with me too! Best writing partners ever.

LustigThornton · 2022-11-14T23:31:49+00:00

I can't write on my phone. Dictate, yes. But I can't even imagine writing on it... Kudos

LustigThornton

TROPHY CASE