Kid In The Front Row has a posted a great interview with screenwriter Scott Rosenberg (Beautiful Girls, Con Air, Things To Do in Denver When You’re Dead, Gone in Sixty Seconds).

Here’s an excerpt:

There’s a big myth for writers trying to get into the industry; who feel that to work on anything with a big producer or studio, means no creative control and constantly having to incorporate other people’s ideas – has this been your experience?

The script is always going to be co-opted. Because with a budget that big, it’s the only thing they can constantly tinker with; it allows everyone to sleep at night, knowing that, somewhere, someone is working on the script. I think you have to do your best work, and hope much of it flies. But you also have to be realistic: “SPIDER-MAN” or “GONE IN 60 SECONDS” or “THE GENERAL’S DAUGHTER” -these are not the sad, sweet personal stories about my ancestors coming over from the Old Country. So I can be mercenary. I have to care. I have to make it deeply meaningful for me, so I can do good work. But I also have to divest myself emotionally. Because chances are good you will be re-written. My motto has always been: “Don’t Fuck With My Small Movies. Do What You Need With The Big…”

I highly recommend reading the full interview.

Photo: Jodi Hilton (Boston Globe)