• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Marilyn Horowitz

Marilyn Horowitz

Screenwriting Classes, Coaching, and Resources

212-600-1115
  • Home
  • About
  • Writing Services
  • Guidance
    • Writing Evaluation
    • Writing Guidance
    • Comprehensive Packages
    • Ongoing Coaching
  • Classes & Seminars
    • New York University Classes
    • Seminars
    • Free Video Tutorials
    • Movie Breakdowns
    • Online Stores
  • Books & Media
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Word of the Day
    • What is the Word of the Day?
    • Word of the Day Cheat Sheet
    • Free Word of the Day Webinar

Dodge This!

April 18, 2008 by Marilyn Horowitz

One of the saddest experiences that I have as a script consultant is when one of my students finishes a screenplay, enters it in a contest and places 2nd, gets invited to attend for free, and doesn’t go.

Or when a student of mine who finished a script, which was being considered by William Morris, had an affair with his fitness teacher, ruined his marriage, and went into a terrible depression.

Why does this happen?

I have seen over and over that people are almost as afraid of success as they are of failure.

My solution is to follow the sage advice given by Rip Torn in Dodgeball, who tells Justin Long – a total schlub – to “get angry.” It is impossible to think rationally when you’re terrified and although “get angry” does not seem to be a logical idea, anger is actually a step-up from paralyzed.

My suggestion when you feel fear coming on is to do what I do, and find some stupid little thing (or person) and have a shit-fit. If you’re in New York, yelling at cab drivers probably won’t be satisfying, because they won’t understand you. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a foreign assistant (Canadian!) who does speak English, you can let loose.

The tagline for Dodgeball was “Grab life by the ball” for a reason. As a famous person once said, ‘Anger gets shit done.’

Primary Sidebar

Sign Up

for our Screenwriting Newsletter and Receive Our FREE Gift How To Write a Treatment.

Testimonials

Thank you. If it hadn’t been for you Marilyn, I don’t think I would have made the Woodstock film which… Read more “Nancy C.”

I’m very grateful to be able to learn from Marilyn, Her focus on the psychological and spiritual foundations necessary to… Read more ““…grateful to learn from Marilyn””

Marilyn’s techniques helped me stop overthinking and start writing! She gave me exercises to take the pressure off beginning a… Read more “The Word of the Day”

You are always a light. Thank you.

Desiree

“Working with Marilyn Horowitz has challenged every aspect of my creative process from conception to preparation, and most importantly, execution.… Read more “– Larry Lowry”

- Larry Lowry
Writer/Producer, Nickelodeon
View All Testimonials

Television Writing Evaluation & Guidance

Screenwriting Evaluation & Guidance

Classes & Seminars

Footer

Connect

Contact

CLASSES

Contact the office at 212-600-1115

MEDIA & SPEAKING INQUIRIES

Contact Marilyn Horowitz at 212-600-1115

PUBLISHING & FILM INQUIRIES

Contact Koehler Books at 757-289-6006

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Home
  • About
  • Writing Services
  • Guidance
    • Writing Evaluation
    • Writing Guidance
    • Comprehensive Packages
    • Ongoing Coaching
  • Classes & Seminars
    • New York University Classes
    • Seminars
    • Free Video Tutorials
    • Movie Breakdowns
    • Online Stores
  • Books & Media
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Word of the Day
    • What is the Word of the Day?
    • Word of the Day Cheat Sheet
    • Free Word of the Day Webinar
Copyright © 2023 · Marilyn Horowitz. All rights reserved.