Professionalism

[mschatelaine]

Last night I had an argument with someone about the rant I posted a couple of weeks back, about writing screenplays that don't piss people off. His attitude was, that the point of writing a screenplay was to get the thing on the screen, and if you have to 'make it up', then that's what you do, right or wrong. He was adamant that this was 'professionalism'.

My attitude was and is that professionalism means doing the best job you know how.

I have done jobs where people's lives and livelihoods have depended on my holding to that attitude. I'm in such a job now. I'll stand by my definition, thank you.

Comments

[del-c.livejournal.com]

I think the word your man was looking for was "careerism", which should not be confused with professionalism.

A careerist won't let the quality needs of his work stand in the way of producing a steady supply of product, and acquiring a steady supply of new commissions. A professional will, if necessary.