Why Are Screenwriters Not Revered?

Why are screenwriters not revered?

It’s something I honestly don’t understand.

If you walk up to any average person and ask them to name their favorite movie, they will respond immediately. Ask them who their favorite actor is – no hesitation in answering. Who is their favorite director? Again, no problem.

But ask that same person who their favorite screenwriter is, and all you will receive in response is a blank stare.

You say, “Robert Towne? Joseph L. Mankiewicz? David Webb Peoples? David Koepp?”

You notice their skulls are beginning to expand at the temples, a pained look on their face, like their head is about to explode.

Why is that?

I’ve seen actors, actresses, and directors appear on talk shows to promote their latest films. But I can’t remember ever seeing a screenwriter on Letterman or Leno or Oprah (unless he is also a director.)

In the theater a playwright’s words are considered sacred. We would no sooner change the words of Shakespeare, than we would change the notes of a Mozart concerto. But in the world of filmmaking, the writer’s work is expected to be altered by any number of other writers, the producer, the actors, any technical advisors, craft service people - you get the idea.

Why is that?

Is it because screenwriters – by nature – tend not to be Type-A personalities? Do writers just let themselves get pushed around?

Because to my way of thinking (and I am biased) screenwriters are the architects of film. They are the ones who design the blueprints. Now yes, others will be responsible for the actual construction, but who do we praise when we look up at a magnificent building, the architect or the construction crew?

I realize it isn’t fair to compare actors and directors to teamsters, but damn it, enough all ready!

So what do you think? Is this a real problem, or am I exaggerating?

What can be done to improve things?

What are your thoughts?