Rod Serling achieved the success that countless writers dream of when he became a film screenwriter. Serling wrote films like Saddle in the Wind (1958), Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962), and The Man (1972).

But although Serling was a well-sought-after screenwriter, it didn't seem to satisfy his creative desires in the same way that working as a television writer did.

The Twilight Zone creator went into more detail during an interview with The Modesto Bee. There, he argued that when working as a screenwriter, the negatives far outweighed the positives.

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"I've been unsuccessful as a screenwriter and desperate to get out of it even though it's very lucrative," said Serling. "I have the questionable distinction of having every one of my films lose money, and they still want me. The people in the film business never change. The place changes, but the same tasteless people operate it."

In television, Serling was allowed more creative control. Working in film, Serling was merely a screenwriter, and his words were at the mercy of any director, producer, or higher-up who crossed his path. In The Twilight Zone, Serling was the god of his own universe. Not only was he the creator and writer, but he also dipped his toes into other various industry roles, allowing him a very large reach over his content.

"Any writer would like to walk with a script until it's produced," said Serling. "Which is why I've become a quote executive producer unquote. I'm doing the casting and figuring out the budget, and I'm the off-camera narrator and I host the show."