#15 - Ryan Dixon - Indie writing vs. Studio writing

Aiming to be a consistent and dependable writer will serve you just as well if not better than aiming to write for big studios. Ryan Dixon, writer, producer and the founder of Tartan Valley Ventures, a Los Angeles-based creative development consulting firm, compares and contrasts writing for studio projects/big names and the independent feature. He has written projects for Disney, Amazon, Universal, and for stars including Dwayne Johnson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Josh Gad.He also gives some fantastic tangible first-steps for aspiring writers just starting out. Key Points:1:54 - How he got started5:38 - Writing for studios7:30 - Writing creatively vs. writing what the market will sell7:52 - The writers that get the jobs9:06 - What to expect when writing for a studio11:47 - The sweet spot between writing for studio films and exercising creativity (development consulting)14:07 - How the Writers Guild works with independent writers14:54 - Getting a writing job (TV vs Features, Agents, etc)17:06 - Craft writing vs. Inspiration writing22:00 - Creativity vs. business26:07 - Covid/Streaming changes on the horizon and what to write for it30:21 - The role of social media in being a writer and getting hired31:41 - Listener QuestionsOpinions on Packaging DealsBest way to get your script on a major producing platformFinding the correct agent/managerTimeline to expect when breaking in as a writer40:05 - Best compliment: "It's a movie" - and the elements that need to be in there43:19 - What are different companies looking for in a script?45:15 - The questions I wish I would've known to askGet the latest the There To Here: Film & Media Podcast sent to you Find more podcasts from CoLab INC Film & Media Follow us on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter YouTubeConnect with the Practical FilmmakerFollow The Practical Filmmaker on InstagramWatch more episodes on YouTubeFind more filmmaking resources