Attn. JMS: Writer Ageism/60 Minutes
David Stager
elsewhere? 60 Minutes did an interesting piece on older writers having
trouble working? What's your take on this issue? I think a good writer
regardless of age with a good story can sell it. As far as getting a
regular job writing series TV, I wonder.
Jms at B5
>elsewhere? 60 Minutes did an interesting piece on older writers having
>trouble working? What's your take on this issue? I think a good writer
>regardless of age with a good story can sell it.
I haven't personally experienced it, but only because I'm still in my middle
40s (44). However I know a number of people who *have* been affected by it,
and it's a genuine problem. The irony is that many of the shows that say "we
want mid-twenties writers only" are being run by guys in their fifties...so if
they can create it and write for it, why can't somebody else in that age range?
jms
(jms...@aol.com)
B5 Official Fan Club at:
http://www.thestation.com
Raymon...@hotmail.com
jms...@aol.com (Jms at B5) wrote:
> The irony is that many of the shows that say "we want mid-twenties writers
> only" are being run by guys in their fifties...so if they can create it and
> write for it, why can't somebody else in that age range?
Perhaps they feel they have the older person's perspective covered in that
respect, and specifically want a younger persons perspective? Accurate or
not, there is a widely held belief that "young" writers speak to the "youth
of today" by virtue of age and common experience.
Regards,
Raymond.
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Writer R5
year old girl to get work. It worked for her and she was doing real well until
she got caught. While I don't endorse her actins, I can't help but feel sorry
for her. She was talented when they thought she was 19, now at 32 they have
"retired" her. At my own age 30 and writing freelance for a few magazines
while trying to develop and sell my scripts/fiction, etc. I feel like, "Damn!
Am I too old for this!" I think the Hollywood system sucks. But I'm at mercy
to it too
.
Mark A. Rivera
Bob Joesting
This sounds more like the story she wants us to believe than
what did happen. As I heard it it is more like: She got some
small parts as an actor. This didn't seem to be developing
into a real career. She got an agent to represent her as a
writer. That didn't work. I think the agent dropped her.
She came up with the story of her being a hot teenage writer.
An agent fell for it. So did the one producer. She was hired
without the usual evidence that she could write, meet deadlines,
and such. She was able to create enough hype that she got a
developemnt deal with Disney. She got fired because she
couldn't do the job. She then leaked the whole thing in the
hopes that getting attention again might give her yet another
chance. When she was dropped from the job they still thought
she was a teenager. I don't feel sorry for her. She still has
the Disney deal, which they probably want out of. She has shown
that she isn't a good writer. It seems the only real skill she
has is grabbing attention with lies. Maybe she should work for
Ken Starr.
The Hollywood system does suck. Yet it is still quite open
to anyone who can write well and fast. Most people of any age
can't do well on the writing staff on a teevee show. I have
trouble understanding why many people would want to do what it
takes for that. Most people who hire for most teevee shows won't
give us old folks a fair chance. They either don't think we can
stand the 70 to 100 hour work weeks (I couldn't now) or that we
can't write things that relate to the young kids. If you write
well and fast, there is almost as much opportunity for us old
folk in doing assignments and rewrite, mostly in film. The trick
is that to get that work you have to be in the right place at the
right time and able to sell yourself among lots of competition.
Bob Joesting <valen (at) psicorps (dot) com>
Writer R5
better outlook. I agree with you.