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Next to not getting a deal, the worst thing that can happen to a screenwriter is to get a deal only to have it fall apart through no fault of your own.
The producer who "loved" your script suddenly doesn't. Or the director who's brought on board decides he wants a rewrite or worse, wants one of his buddies to do the rewrite. Or even worse, you have to work with the guy because the producer can't afford to bring on another writer, so it's you, but you have to listen to his notes--even though they're stupid and are changing the storyline.
I have my own experiences with this and I know a number of screenwriters who've endured it as well. At the end of the day, we've made some money, but our spirit is broken. You're so disgusted with the process that has pretty much ruined your script or changed it in such a way that you don't even want your name on it--but you have to keep your name on it because it'll be good for your career.
Why? A screenwriter with a credit--even if it's a turd--is higher on the Hollywood food chain than a screenwriter with lots of good scripts, but no credit. And by credit I mean a movie that's been made.
Whether it's development hell or just working with people who've never had a creative idea in their lives, but who control the power on your project, it's all part of being a screenwriter. No one is immune from it.
The important thing is to stay resilient and learn from it. If you're lucky, next time around you'll work with smarter people who have a greater respect for the written word.
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