Hollywood screenwriters like Aaron Sorkin are essential but undervalued

By Ron Cerabona
July 12 2020 - 12:00am
Renowned screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Picture: Supplied
Renowned screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Picture: Supplied

Despite their fundamental importance in the filmmaking process, screenwriters are often taken for granted at best, mocked and ignored and exploited at worst (sample Hollywood joke: Did you hear about the Polish starlet? She screwed the writer). Some protect their work by becoming producers and/or directors, while others keep on working, mostly in obscurity. Here are a few prominent and talented names, past and present, some of whom have became well known in their own right.