Dreams on Spec

Older Comments on Dreams on Spec

• Posted 03/13/11 by Rika
  I was really hoping for a more in-depth discussion from the screenwriters about their creative process. So, about ten minutes in, I had to stop watching.
• Posted 07/25/10 by rahul
  i cant decide whether its depressing or motivating
• Posted 07/10/10 by Live1Dream
  I am not a screenwriter--but as a social scientist who is "forced" to write as a part of the professional process--I understand the immense commitment that it takes to clearly transmit ones thoughts and emotions through words. Each of the writers profiled was truly likable, talented and engaging, and this doc had me rooting for their success! The passion that each committed to their work made me want to see the result of their efforts on the big screen, and I trust that one day each will be blessed to realize his/her dream. I hope that Deborah, Joe and David continue to persevere until they can finally LIVE their "impossible dreams".
• Posted 02/12/10 by George
  After watching this film, reading the comments and doing some research I've come to realize something I've known almost all along anyways. Having a good script doesn't matter f*ck all. Many producers it seems don't get the #### thing anyways. I mean, really what's the whole point of making movies? To make money. How do you make money? Get as many people to see your film as possible? How? Cater to the lowest common denominator. It's nausiating but it's true. Not necessarily to the lowest, but kinda low. No one gives a #### about how clever or artsy or whatever the film is. All you have to do is look at the movies that have made the most money throughout history. Be like them. Be fun, exciting, different. Be relaxed and loose... it's insane to spend 3 years on a script. I'd never do that. Just think about this. Apparently Tarantino wrote reserviour dogs in a couple of weeks. 2 f*cken weeks! I mean, what the hell is that?? Do you know what I'm talking about? If being yourself through writing isn't wielding success then I believe it's just that you're ideas aren't necessarily very bankable. Yes, there are other factors but at least if you have the $$$ part sort of sorted out you're way farther ahead then anyone. Be like $$$. Think $$$. How can I make as much money as possible for myself and the #######s that want to give it to me so I can make that money in the first place. Emotion. Overcoming conflict. Write from the heart. What do you want to do? Do you just want to make the audience smirk "oh, that was clever", "oh haw haw, that was pretty good" or do you want your audience to run out of the theatre in droves, miss half the movie because they wet themselves and couldn't stand the embarassment of having pissed themselves laughing. I want to see the entire god #### theatre drenched in other people's urine. I want others waiting in line to run home because they weren't able to stand the smell of the pissed soaked theatre. I want people shooting each other in the face, desperately scurrying for tickets to see the show. I want the theatre doors and the ticket machines to break down after a press conference announcing the film. I want to make Titanic and Avatar look like they #### themselves in a pair of diapers compared to my film. Them maybe, just maybe if you want these things to happen bad enough you'll make some money.
• Posted 01/22/10 by Dan
  @Adrian You are absolutely right. Scott Glosserman, what a two-timing, leeching cocksucker. First, he supplicates and cajoles a producer for financing, and does the same thing for the writer as if he's his bestest best friend. But he abruptly ends the phone conversation after David calls him out of the blue after a photoshoot. Then he tells the writer that he is not allowed on the set, your contribution is done, you've been paid, now shut the #### up. And he takes co-writing credit when all he essentially did was trim it down, change the name of the locations, give a shout out to Toyota Prius, and add an unnecessary debate about pro-life/pro-choice. The writer was used. They had the writer look at the locations the week before production because they need rewrites. I have to hand it to David, though, because he was such a good sport about all that, he didn't blow up, throw temper tantrums, or scream at the director and call him names... as I'm sure other writers would've done it, and justifiably so.
• Posted 01/04/10 by Bae
  Now, to be honest, this was a very depressing look at the art of screenwriting (or lack thereof). Though the passion may be there for all of these Spec writers, all you can absorb out of this is the mundane attempt to "make" it, and for whatever reason they felt they wanted or should. I not once heard anyone of them mention the "Love" or even "Like" for cinema. Deborah seemed to be confused on what it is she actually wants to do in life, insulting screenwriters in the process by saying that she didn't even want to read a screenplay when it was her job to do so at the studio she was employed by. Joe was looking for validation within the mentors and table reads, rather than doing what he desired, and Dave was just anxious....nd though he may have been taken advantage of, the end result was a more established agent with a network of colleagues for Dave to build a great team. Writing is first and foremost Passion colliding with Creativity. You should always follow yourself and never another person. It's YOUR story....only YOU can tell it on paper, maybe even on digital film as well...Do as SHORT, do it yourself, take stock in yourself fellow writers...
• Posted 10/10/09 by Burns
  The writer Joe Aaron...his wife and daughter were in another documentary about autistic children. I'm surprised that no one else has noticed this. Can't remember the name, but I saw it not a year ago and you never forget someone like that.
• Posted 09/19/09 by Adrian
  Dave! Scott took you to the bank. He used you. It' unfortunate that you couldn't see that coming. Scott is a user, he's what this town is full of; they are crafty, greedy, self serving, talent-free leaches. They're also disguised as attractive, well-meaning nice guys. Adrian
• Posted 01/18/09 by Lee
  Why is this US only? Just like Andrew Morgan I want to be able to enjoy this film too and others like it. You're fine pimping your products - that we can't even buy outside the US - to us, so why not the films that we actually want to watch? At least block the adverts too....
• Posted 11/30/08 by Barbara Wright
  As a frustrated screenwriter for many years, Nora Ephron sums it up well in this documentary - when it comes to screenwriting - it's a man's world. I so identified with all of the writers in this documentary. They all were honest with their un-ending passion for writing. I don't know how good their projects were, but I admire all of their tenacity. This was a very well done and fast moving documentary. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
• Posted 11/21/08 by Juan Salvati
  Dear Colleagues, I wanted to congratulate EVERYONE involved in this amazing film. As a professional thespian myself I have found some very touching moments in this compelling story consistent with what all of us have been through in order to 'keep the ball in the air' hence our dearest dreams alive. Once more, thanks Mr. Snyder and his crew of good dreamers for showing us the other side of 'the business'. Salud! JUAN SALVATI, Actor
• Posted 09/25/08 by Andrew Morgan
  When will snagfilms go global! I'm in Australia and can't watch anything. It's so frustrating because there is so much great content here! The same goes with many other sites like Pandora and Hula, I thought globalization was alive and well!
• Posted 07/25/08 by Linda Nelson
  If you've ever written a screenplay or wanted to, you have to see this film!