Billy Ray’s advice to screenwriters? Work for everything

Photo Courtesy of Marisa Fujimoto

Over the last week, students in Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts spent two days doing screenplay workshops and attending the master class of Billy Ray, the screenwriter of the global blockbuster “The Hunger Games.”. 

We all know the industry can be unpredictable and often unforgiving, but according to Billy Ray, one thing always stays in your control: how hard you’re willing to work. After visiting, he left behind his strongest takeaways for students hoping to carve out a career in storytelling.

Outwork everyone

Ray works 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. until he is the last person clocked in. He doesn't believe that talent is enough, and was even open to the fact that there are many more gifted people than him in the industry; the only reason that they aren't still standing is because “they will not outwork me,” he said. Ray shared how success is built on the commitment to the work schedule, cutting out all distractions, and putting everything you have to give on the page. 

Writing is problem-solving, not art

The privilege of having legends in the industry come to share their knowledge with us at Dodge is that we often get insight into the mentors who have given them personal advice. Echoing three-time Oscar winner Paddy Chayefsky, Ray warned against waiting for inspiration.

“Don’t think of it as art. Think of it as work,” Ray said. He encouraged students to look at their scripts more objectively, as it was a machine that needed fixing.

“Writers are mechanics”, he continued. “Our jobs are to find the issue and fix it till it starts to run again.”

Balance confidence with humility

Like most established people in the industry, Billy Ray has been faced with individuals who drown out their talent with ego. A really simple but important teaching he shared was a metaphor using the hot air balloon from “The Wizard of Oz.” 

“Confidence lifts your career, humility keeps it grounded. Ego will send you drifting away, while self-doubt will sink you. One must find the balance of being confident enough to ask for help and being humble enough to accept it.” 

Authenticity is irreplaceable

“There are screenplays only you can write, simply by virtue of being you,” Ray said. 

Hollywood changes all the time, but the voice you have is the one thing that you can offer that no one else can. Authenticity cannot be outsourced, not to another writer, nor to artificial intelligence (AI). Ray urged everyone who wants to find success in the industry to lean on their uniqueness, as it's the surest path to longevity 

Gratitude over complaints

Ray compared complaining about the difficulty of having a job as a storyteller to “giving God the finger.” He made everyone in the room recognize what a privilege it is to be paid to tell stories, and every day should be treated as a chance to honor that gift. His perspective: if you want to survive the heartbreak of the business, anchor yourself in gratitude.

“Be yourself, be authentic. Work harder than everybody else,” said Ray. “If you do that, I will see you at the fucking Oscars, and I look forward to it.”