Is it all just smoke and mirrors?
I've been doing this for 9 years. I've written over a dozen features and half a dozen pilots, plus a bunch of shorts. I'm in multiple writing/networking groups, been to a couple film festivals to meet people, read the trades/craft books/articles and watch videos/podcasts.
I've had a couple features in development with producers, but it never worked out (and I never got paid... it was always 'later'). I've filmed some shorts, and adapted some scripts to books. Done a bit of the contest/fellowship route (mostly QF/SF), and extensive targeted querying (with a lot of requests.. but not a lot of follow up). I've used good, vetted script consultants on my best work. I've had personal referrals from friends in the industry. I've done everything you should.
I've made a lot of friends along the way in all walks. Most of them are repped, but not getting anything. Some of them have been successful, but even then they just sell a lot of scripts that never actually get produced. Everyone just seems to talk... and talk... and never do anything.
I love writing. I'm always going to do it. But all of this hot air and ass scratching seems to be a waste of precious energy. Do I just need more time? Is the industry in shambles right now? I would film the lowest budget ones myself, but as a parent I absolutely don't have money for anything other than the shorts I've been making.
Aside from this being a very, very hard business to crack at the worst time ever, what am I missing?