Breaking Into Hollywood Writing: Age Is Just a Number
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The Reality of Screenwriting at Any Age
A reader recently asked: Is it crazy for a forty-six-year-old to pursue a writing career in Hollywood? While it may seem daunting, the truth is that anyone hoping to break into the industry faces significant challenges.
A reader's question via Twitter from @russmaloney prompted this discussion. The short answer? It's just as difficult for a 20, 25, or even a 30-year-old. The likelihood of achieving financial success as a screenwriter or television writer is slim for almost everyone. Aspiring writers must be prepared for this reality. Even if you manage to enter the industry, establishing and maintaining a career is no easy feat.
Hollywood does exhibit age bias, particularly in television, though it's less pronounced in feature films. This is partly because many professionals in development are in their 20s and 30s. Additionally, the industry has long been fixated on youth, often targeting the 18-25 demographic. The prevailing belief is that younger writers are better equipped to understand and portray the experiences of their peers, while older writers are presumed to lack insight into contemporary youth culture.
This perspective is fundamentally flawed. It implies that men cannot authentically portray female characters, or that women can't write for men. The notion that young writers are incapable of representing older characters, or that white writers can't depict black characters, is equally absurd. If we accepted this logic, we'd never see imaginative portrayals of alien characters in science fiction films since none of us have lived as extraterrestrials!
Writers should be able to craft characters of any background, race, gender, or orientation. Our strength lies in our research, creativity, and empathy, allowing us to step into the shoes of diverse characters, regardless of their circumstances.
While this line of reasoning may not be widely embraced in Hollywood, one undeniable truth prevails: If you produce an outstanding script, all other factors fade into insignificance.
The Power of a Great Script
The perception of your script as a marketable product is what truly counts. Consider the example of Mickey Fisher, a dedicated follower of "Go Into The Story." After years of working on the periphery of the industry as a writer, filmmaker, and playwright, he penned an original TV pilot titled "Extant," which ultimately became a CBS series. Mickey recounted the moment of his script's sale during our July 2014 interview:
"The news arrived on my 40th birthday, a Wednesday. CBS decided to sell the show straight to series. It felt like everything exploded that day. I was inundated with hundreds of messages and phone calls from friends, family, and the entire team. It was an incredible experience."
Imagine that—on his 40th birthday! It could have just as easily been his 50th or 60th. The essential point is that Mickey created a script that captured the attention of Hollywood and secured a lucrative deal. This illustrates the true influence of the written word.
Other inspiring stories exist as well. For instance, Allan Durand penned a Nicholl-winning screenplay in his 60s, which led to a writing assignment. Similarly, Frank DeJohn and David Hedges won the Nicholl award for a screenplay that secured them a television movie writing opportunity. While I didn't inquire about their ages, our conversations indicated they were likely both over 40.
The bottom line is that any writer must recognize the daunting odds of financial success in screenwriting or television writing. To chase this dream, as Russ pointed out, a touch of madness is indeed necessary. However, the reality is that if you write a stellar script, Hollywood will take notice, irrespective of your age, gender, race, or location.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Readers are encouraged to share their insights in the comments regarding Russ's question. Additionally, if you know of other writers who successfully broke into the industry after turning 40, please share their names.
Update: Some insightful comments from readers, including John Arends and Debbie Moon—both of whom found writing success after 40—have emerged. You can read interviews with them to gain further insight into their journeys: John and Debbie.