Screenwriters are a frustrated lot precisely because the film that results from their writing is usually turned into the director's or the producer's idea of a good film. Often, the director or producer isn't qualified or talented enough to be acting as an original creator, a visionary, the way a writer must. Most of what Steve and I have done has been on assignment from a studio. If we get excited about it, we may go ahead and do it. Steve and I also pitch ideas to studios or producers but we'd rather write something than put on a show and that's what a lot of pitches become.
Screenwriters often have a turbulent relationship with agents and managers.
Our manager, formerly our agent, Nancy Roberts has the skills of a good movie producer. Along with Ron Underwood, we formed Stampede Entertainment so that we could have more power than single writers for hire. We wanted to produce films not only from our own writing but from the work of other good screenwriters. There's also strength in unity. In this business, you've got to stick together with your friends.