James Sommers

Screenwriter. WGA. Martial artist. Tennis player (can hold my own!) Owner of an amazing rescue dog! Cowriter of "Diamond in the Rough"

[David Coggeshall @DavidCoggeshall]

I wrote this screenplay on spec twelve years ago. Never give up on projects you believe in! https://t.co/EZ4KeceNdB

[James Sommers @ogwaves]

@stoolpresidente This won't age well.

[James Sommers @ogwaves]

@mtgreenee You DID vote for this! You mocked us and said we had TDS when we tried to warn you and MAGA. Now you need to own this. Buy a mirror. Look in it and ask how you're part of the hell we're in.

[Don Winslow @donwinslow]

It's not just comedies that this has happened to.
It's art. All art.

[James Sommers @ogwaves]

@stoolpresidente No class Dave.

[James Sommers @ogwaves]

@johnzaozirny My mom said I'm the best writer ever! :)

[James Sommers @ogwaves]

@Scaramucci I don't agree. She'll never have this selfawareness.

[Jerry Thornton @jerrythornton]

Les Grossman negotiating with Hans Gruber is better than any movie nominated for Best Picture
🎥@bostonradio

[James Sommers @ogwaves]

@donwinslow I'm a huge fan! Ordering the book today and sorry you had to cancel your event! This country is unrecognizable! People willing to commit violence for man who wouldn't take the time to spit on then.

[Daniel Kunka @unikunka]

Starting a new spec today. #writeyourspec

Was a good break. This business is tough. But I’m excited about the new year.

Remember — what you control are the pages. So go fucking make ‘em.

[Tom Vaughan @storyandplot]

When getting screenwriting notes, "Never do the three D's. Defend. Deny or Debate. Just don't do them." - Craig Mazin.

This was from his "Thriving Through Development" workshop at the WGA many years ago.

Some of the best advice I ever received. Wish I got it 20 years earlier!

[Don Winslow @donwinslow]

I struggled for a long time.

I became an 'overnight' success in my 50s.

Whatever you do, don't ever give up on your dream.

It's YOURS and it does not belong to anyone else.

[John Zaozirny @johnzaozirny]

This is a phenomenal and inspiring interview that really gives scope and scale to the decades of work @zachlipovsky & @adamstein put in to becoming the hottest filmmakers in town now. I remember seeing them both in ON THE LOT -- so impressive to see where they are now. Kudos!

[James Sommers @ogwaves]

@unikunka I'd love to read this one!

[Tom Vaughan @storyandplot]

I've been with most major agencies and five managers over 28 years.

CAA | UTA | ICM | Paradigm | Gersh x2 | Anonymous Content | Brillstein | Circle

I've been around! Unfortunately.

I can assure you that having no rep for your screenwriting is better than having the 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 rep.

It's counterintuitive because sometimes it feels like legitimacy is tied to representation. But it's not.

Not only is the wrong rep ineffective, frustrating, and demoralizing, but you're also unavailable if the right rep does come along.

And the right rep CAN make a difference. The right rep at the right time CAN be night and day in your career.

But it's not a guarantee, and it's always best to rely on yourself.

You don't have to partner with the first person who expresses interest.

Follow your gut if it doesn't feel right. I didn't always, and I wasted some good years because of it.

In that situation, your gut is almost certainly right.

(Note: I wasted far more years being self-destructive than from a rep that was a bad fit, but that is a different topic entirely.)

[Don Winslow @donwinslow]

NEVER GIVE UP

I turn 72 NEXT WEEK and I have two books and a major movie coming out in a four week period in Jan and Feb.

So stick to your dreams.
Never let anyone take away your dream.
IT'S YOURS.

[James Sommers @ogwaves]

@patriot_savvy No one cares about you. You're not important and frankly kinda sad. But keep searching for relevance.

[kevin sheridan @SheridanKevin]

A movie I wrote - that’s personal in more ways I care to mention - starts filming today. It’s only possible because others risked their reputation on my behalf. And they did it for years. Thank you @johnzaozirny and the Bellevue team. Thank you Max West and Phil D’Amecourt at WME

[kira 👾 @kirawontmiss]

need someone to tell me how he did this

[James Sommers @ogwaves]

@donwinslow Just bought it!