Presented by Mike Jones

Big dreams, wild risks, and seven-figure sales are all part of the typical screenwriter mythos. Yet most of these writers have had different careers, where a few highs barely make up for the many lows. Working screenwriters must look at the long arc of a career for which no models exist. How does a life in the screen trade fit into an everyday life? How do writers maintain their spark as they cope with constant rejection, wide financial fluctuations, and family stress? How does failure affect style? And how does a writer change? Mike Jones has never made seven figures. Yet for 15 years he has maintained a screenwriter’s turbulent life while writing for independent producers, major studios, and now Pixar. In this talk, Jones will outline how he built a steady career through checkered success, and became a better storyteller through failure.