Can screenwriting be learned?

Collapse

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Can screenwriting be learned?

    Just out of curiosity, how many people on here believe screenwriting or writing fiction in general can be learned? How many believe that certain people are born with the innate ability to tell great stories?

    Personally, I believe great storytellers are born but can be taught the technical aspects of screenwriting.

  • #2
    Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

    Two elements:
    Techniques can be learned... and must be learned.
    Talent? Can not be learned.

    You need both of those, plus two things that are even more important:
    1) Determination.
    2) Hard work.

    You can have all of the talent and know all of the techniques... but if you don't work hard and *keep* working hard, you will fail.

    Most people are slackers. That's why they fail - they don't work hard enough and they give up too soon.

    - Bill
    Free Script Tips:
    http://www.scriptsecrets.net

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

      Originally posted by AnnCramer
      No one is born with the ability to do anything. Everything is taught and learned.
      Your question helps me understand why I've been drawn to screenwriting... screenwriters seem to have that intense natural curiosity and desire to explain life's phenomena that's so essential to scientific inquiry.

      I agree, for the most part, with your view in the context of what evolutionary psychology is now calling "memes" - social skills, ethics, technology, etc that are passed from one generation to the next. And like genes, which can be varied, i.e. brown eye vs blue, sickle cell vs normal, "inherited" memes can be varied in their outcome, i.e. acceptable or sociopathic learned behavior.

      But virtually all sociobiogists recognize that some behaviors are innate. For example, a newborn infant will automatically perform a sucking resonse when its cheek is gently rubbed, presumably to find its mother's nipple. There is also a growing body of evidence that we're born with the ability to discern "beauty" from "unattractiveness" - using criteria largely based on facial symmetry. Where do young musical (or writing) prodigies fit into this?

      The nature v nurture argument is timeless and, as several threads in this forum have aptly shown, provides for very passionate discussion.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

        I believe in pre-disposition.

        Some folks may be born to win awards and elevate their craft to art.

        But through effort and hard work we call can learn how be to effective screenwriters.

        Google Anders Ericsson "deliberate practice"

        also check out this article

        http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2..._fact_gladwell

        I also believe that what most people consider sufficient effort and hard work isn't nearly what it takes.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

          I agree with AnnCramer (so far). You're not born with a talent to write, but how you live your life as a child influences what talents you develop.

          If the brain is a neural map, then doing things related to writing and storytelling (like doing a lot of reading, writing, and storytelling (among friends)) builds up those areas of the brain that deal with that form of creativity.

          Neural snyapses in those regions of the brain work faster and in different ways because they've been developed more than in other people, who perhaps had different interests as a child that dealt with other areas of the brain.

          Interestingly enough, I don't think that theory's transferrable to music. I think people are born with the talent to sing (something about their voicebox or tone or how it matures through puberty) and it sets them apart.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

            For the record, I agree with everyone 50%.

            Half of it is your ability and the other half is your environment.
            The best way out is always through. - Robert Frost

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

              I think there are probably minimum levels of raw intelligence and raw talent required. Unfortunately, some people just won't meet those levels. However, the amount is pretty low and probably overrated. Most people don't put in the hours to justify saying they 'failed' when they quit and move on to something else.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

                Originally posted by AnnCramer
                Okay -- Well that is your opinion which you are entitled to. I am not trying to get people to agree with me. My opinion is that no one is a Natural at anything they do. It takes learning, practice, and training. Their ability with perseverance is what excels or holds back a specific individual. IMO.
                I think there's two pieces to this puzzle -- some are inherently good and some can become good with practice and discipline.

                I'm paraphrasing a quote from Larry Bird because I can't find it online but I think he started basketball late (compared to most professional athletes) where he said some friends were shooting around and he joined in and then "I noticed whenever I shot the ball it went it in."

                Now he obviously had some innate ability to shoot the ball without any previous experience whatsoever.
                @PatriotFrames

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

                  i agree with an above poster that i think some people have a pre-disposition for certain things. it could be something in the genes or chromosomes or that right brain, left brain differential. this has been proven in test studies involving twins so it's not speculation on my part.

                  creative people tend to be right brained. left brained people are more analytical and scientific. however, i'm thinking screenwriters need to have whole brains b/c it's not just about the creative side of storytelling that we need. we must be able to put it down in blueprint form -- back to my we are architects comparison.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

                    Originally posted by AnnCramer
                    Anyone can learn to become a screenwriter, poet, columnist, fiction novelist, or anything else literary. No one is "Born" with that predetermined ability and no one has that natural ability.
                    I'll take some of that crack you are smoking.

                    Genetics and gestation determine brain function. Someone with a mediocre IQ (which is innate) will never have the ability to do what I do with words. Sure, they can learn how to write, learn words and sentence structure, but will not be able to craft that into something of quality.

                    Some people have the ability to absorb and learn multiple languages without effort (innate)

                    Tone-deaf (innate) people may be able to play music, but will never be able to compose music.

                    Not everything can be taught, most talents are never learned.
                    Words... they don't arrange themselves.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

                      The Larry Bird example, or the example of the Mom with the pro-level novel, aren't cut and dry cases of "nature" though. It could be argued that each of them had other factors and life experiences contributing to their skills.

                      The Mom had been writing since childhood, even if she never showed anyone. I'm sure she was a smart lady, she could probably recognize what sets good literature apart from everything else that gets written on a page. Whether consciously or not, she was probably trying to emulate the good stuff since childhood, and learning things along the way.

                      As for Larry Bird, perhaps the nature part of it was something other than "being able to shoot a basketball". Maybe he had a really good grasp of spatial relationships and muscle coordination, that would have also made him a really good race car driver or casino dealer. He chose basketball, and I'm sure he worked hard to develop his skills.

                      This nature vs nurture debate goes much deeper than what we've covered here, but I think the unanswerable answer has to be a blend of both in most situations. We have innate, general qualities when we are born, that are developed by our experiences into specific skills. My two brothers and I are all decent artists. Is that because my Dad is also a decent artist, and he passed it along to us? Or is it because my Dad is very visually oriented, and raised us on movies and art, encouraging us to express ourselves in this field? The answer must be some of both. We have an innate visual sense, that wouldn't have reached the same level had Dad not enrolled us in art lessons, raised us on the best movies, kept our imaginations active, etc.

                      As for writing? It's just words on a page. I remind myself of that all the time. Every writer faces the same blank page that I do. One doesn't have to be a born genius or a practiced veteran to put something good down, one only has to have the conviction to do it right.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

                        Originally posted by AnnCramer
                        No one is born with the ability to do anything. Everything is taught and learned.
                        Hi an. Your answer is disingenuous. We are born with the ability to move. See how easily that thought process is duplicated?

                        Yep. Most things are taught and learned, but it is the inherent superior abilities that one is blessed with that determines what level of sophistication one can eventual operate at.
                        Doth thou desirest a slapping? - William Shakespeare

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

                          Originally Posted by AnnCramer
                          Okay -- . Their ability with perseverance is what excels or holds back a specific individual. IMO.
                          Originally Posted by AnnCramer And please don't try to draw me out in a long debate on a message forum because I am not a debater. I wasn't born to be one.
                          methinks you're setting yourself up for failure with you lack of perseverance in the discussion. is that your true nature?

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

                            I agree with the OP. How else to explain the so-called Idiot Savant (terrible term). Or the child prodigy.

                            I am willing to bet that most people on this site simply love to write. Are happiest when they're writing. This has nothing to do with the agony of submitting specs, finding an agent, etc.

                            What I find even more interesting is why we need an audience. Once the story is done, what is it that compels us to find a group of people to hear it and to see it? Because just writing it is only half the process. We need others to--what?--validate? Appreciate?

                            Also, why people can't tickle themselves. But that's probably best left for another venue.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Can screenwriting be learned?

                              perhaps to validate, but i've always thought it was more a need to have others share in the experience. through a script, i can build a world i see in my mind, but it's a lonely world if only i can see it.
                              life happens
                              despite a few cracked pots-
                              and random sunlight

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X