It's casting time!

So my all women's writers group is putting on an all-female writers showcase. There's nothing better than seeing real actors read the words you've put on the page. So last Sunday, in the pouring rain, we writers ventured out to a casting studio in Hollywood to await the actors that would audition to be in our showcase.

It was an all-day event with actors coming and going. The room was small and hot. I even had to leave at one point because couldn't take the sweltering room. But I have to give these actors kudos because as you can see from the picture below, there were a lot of us! So any actor that came into the room was surely surprised to see so many women staring back. Luckily we're friendly and I don't think we scared anyone! At least not too much! haha There were some no-shows. Because well, it's LA and most people don't leave their homes in drizzle let alone a real rainy day. But in the end, we got all our pieces cast.

Next, rehearsals and then the actual showcase that we have invited industry directors, producers, managers and agents. It's really exciting that we're making this happen. And I must give out kudos and thanks to Lily Mercer, the head of the Bechdel Babes writing group because she's done this before and has spearheaded the whole thing. Looking forward to the real event next!

What kind of writers to ask for help from

So at some point in your career you might have friends that have agents or managers or know producers. And perhaps you're thinking, well, I need one or both or all of those, so surely I should ask my friend to refer me! But hold on there buckaroo! Just when you think it's time to ask a friend to help you out, there are a few things to consider.

First, did your friend JUST get this agent/manager/producer? If so, then put on those brakes. If they're at that point, then they're trying to establish a relationship themselves. And for you to ask them to help you is a bit like asking a pregnant mom what it's like to have a baby. It's too soon to ask! So let that relationship they have with their agent, etc percolate.

Then, if a friend has had this agent/manger/producer for quite some time, still ask yourself what kind of relationship they have with that person. When I first became a writer, I knew a really big producer. A writer I had in a writing group asked if I could get a script to them. I hadn't even gotten a script to this person! I was still working on the relationship we had and if even I felt comfortable asking this producer to read something of mine. So I surely couldn't ask him for a friend! That's just odd and it put me in a weird position with the writer. Don't do that to friends! If you're a good writer, I promise your friend will help you out. I surely would have helped this friend out if I had built up the relationship. But instead she was mad I didn't help her and we lost touch.

If you're certain your friend is in a good place with said agent, etc, and I'm sure they see you making your own efforts to make things happen in your writing career, your friend will offer to help. If you really don't see them offering, then yes, go ahead and ask. But even then, they could say no. Some people just aren't willing to take risks on other writers. And if that's the case, there will be other opportunities.

There was even a time when I had a friend who had several really big contacts. It was years before she offered to get one of my scripts to her big producer contact. When she finally did, it turned out the producer had a script like mine, so passed. I was hoping my friend would ask to get another script to her producer friend because this was a really big opportunity for me. She didn't ask though. It really bummed me out. But I put it behind me and knew if it was the right time or situation she would. Well guess what? Now years later I'm working on something with this friend that we're getting to her producer friend! If I had gotten mad that my friend didn't help me out, I surely would have lost that friendship.

So plant the seeds with your writing, work hard, and in time, those friends will help you. But sometimes it just takes patience. And lots of hard work.

He said, she said

So I've got a few projects in the works. They're all pretty exciting. One, if it works out, will be getting to one of my favorite comedian actor's production company. That same project will also be getting to one of the biggest agencies in Hollywood. "IF" it works out. See, the other two people involved in creating the story with me, there have been issues with making an agreement. I don't have an agent, so that's really the problem. If I had an agent, none of this would be a problem. That agent would say, here's your contract. End of story. So meanwhile you have me, the only writer, and two people who aren't in the business who are working on the story with me.

So what you find out when there's the possibility of a movie getting made, money happening, things get interesting fast. Nothing bad. No one meant any harm. But trying to get three people to agree on who should get what credit and what % if and when it sells/made. Is not that easy. Tensions get high. People's feelings get hurt. Oh the drama!

For me, I just keep trying to get everyone to talk. Keep trying to make everyone happy and make sure everyone felt like they were getting what they wanted. I was even willing to give people more than maybe they deserved, if it meant the script would get made and to the right people. For me, as a writer, getting it to these big Hollywood people was the brass ring I wanted to grab. A lot of our conversations happened through texts and emails, and I can say, that I learned that was a mistake. So yesterday, I got on the phone with one of the people, and amazingly, that seemed to be the trick. It didn't happen immediately. At one point, maybe many times even, I felt the project was going to be dead in the water. But by the end of the conversation, we actually found a way to make everyone happy. For the first time in weeks, it seemed things were moving and back on the table.

Then he spoke to the other person today. Yes, talked to her on the phone today. And he texted me after. And now, guess what, I think we agreed on a deal we can all be happy with! It's amazing what a phone call can do. Sometimes, picking up the phone is just what needs to happen. Graham Bell knew what he was doing, I guess!

So I also have a movie getting made this month, and just today more drama with one of the writers. I don't think it was anything he said intentionally that caused problems with the producer. I tried to gently let the producer know this. But she's not hearing it. Oh, again, the drama! I talked to the writer later and let him know I'll see what I can do to iron things out. I'm not sure I can. I'm not sure how or why I seem to be ending up the mediator in all these situations? All I can say, and if this helps you, is through all this, just remain calm. Try to see it from the other person's side. Be the one that's the calm in all of the mayhem. But boy, all of this is exhausting me. I may be calm on the outside. But I sure look forward to having an agent do all this for me someday!

Looking back. Looking ahead.

Every year I do a "where has my career flourished" kind of list and what I can be thankful for. It reminds me that even if my career isn't where I want it to be, it's definitely on its way. So here we go! The reason I do this is because every year, I focus on the positives and I can see the strides I have taken. I ask that you do the same. Because although you might not have an Academy Award yet, or a huge sale, you might have successes that you don't even realize. And those successes you should use to propel you further ahead. Each success, no matter how large or how small, will get you to the successes you want someday. If we ignore these successes, then we give up. And that's just not something I want any writer to do. Ever! So here is my 2014:

1. Still working with really high profile producer. This year he could win a few Oscars himself.
2. Working with a new producer that also has a few actors and movies being nominated for some big awards. Met him from working with #1 producer. Just goes to show why each success can open doors to others.
3. Going to contact another producer that I was working with from #1 producer. He left that company and went to a new company that is also getting Oscar buzz. Again, one door open leads to another open door.
4. Still have a script in development. Not sure what's happening with it. But, it did get me an imdb!
5. Have several big management companies reading my scripts, that have been involved in Black List scripts. So that's kind of exciting to be working with those level managers.
6. Going to get my script to a huge A-list comedy actor because turns out a good friend of mine knows their producer. Who knew!
7. Recently contacted by production company that wants to read several of my scripts. They are looking to produce films in 2015. Hello!
8. Contacted by another director/writer who also has money to produce in 2015. Hello again!
9. One of my scripts is with a huge casting agent that's looking to get an A-list actress interested in my latest feature. Got that same script to so many big industry people, the most I ever have in my career thus far. That was exciting!
10. Finished three feature scripts this last year.
11. Finished the outline to my latest spec TV script.
12. Just finished before New Years Eve, the outline to my next feature script. What timing! So excited about that!

There's probably even more successes I'm not even thinking about because these ones are so big the smaller ones start to not seem as big. But if you were to even look in my previous years, you'd see that every year the successes lead to new successes in the coming years. So sure, I don't have a script in the theaters just yet. But things are happening. It's a momentum that I can feel. It's exciting. People that can get my scripts made are talking to me and wanting to work with me. I am loving it! I can feel 2015 will be a great year. So take a look at your successes. Write them down. Be thankful for them. You have had them whether you know it or not. Don't dismiss them! You're on your way I promise you. Just. Keep. At. It! Happy and successful 2015!

You need more than one script!

I don't know how many times I need to tell new writers this. But for some reason new writers think that they're going to get rich and famous off of one script. Even the writers that you hear come out of nowhere, I guarantee you they've been writing for years and years and have a bible of work ready to sell. But new writers think, ah, I have this one amazing idea, let me write this one only and get famous!

Yeah, doesn't work that way. Even in one of my early screenwriting classes, one of my writer friends actually came first in a really decent screenwriting contest. Production companies and agents contacted her and guess what? They all asked, "What else do you have?" She didn't! She admitted to me that those contacts went away. She blew that opportunity. Don't do that!

Not long ago a newbie writer contacted me about his one script that was ready and he was going to get it out and he was waiting to hear from producers. I told him, "Great! While you're waiting, get started on the next project." He ignored me and recently wrote me how a management company passed on his script, so he's fixing it and making it stronger. Great, always a good thing to do. But again, I told him, "Work on something new. People want to see other projects!" I think he ignored me again. But people, it's not about having one perfect script. It's about growing as a writer, having as many great projects as you can because you never know who will want to read everything you have.

I read recently that when Judd Apatow was discovered everything he had was bought up, all the scripts he'd been writing for years and years. Heck, who wouldn't want that? Would't you rather have a lot of great things bought up than one script that people pass on because that's all you have? I know I would.

And the more projects you have the more doors you can open. Even now I have a script at Nickelodeon, another with a latino executive producer, a feature comedy somewhere huge, another with a Hallmark producer, a spec with an HBO show, getting ready to pitch a reality show, and on and on. My gosh,  I have so many different types of projects. I'm not saying you have to get into every type of genre or medium like me. I just do that because I can't stop creating. But every door could lead to another door and another opportunity. You just never know where opportunity is going to knock next. And if you've only got one script to knock with, guess what, you just might miss out.

So finish that first script, start the second, and start getting ideas for 3, 4 and 5. You're a writer gosh darn it. Of course you have more ideas. And if you don't then start reading more newspapers or going to museums to find more. There's plenty of things to write about. Just figure them out. And then, write them.

Do you get a manager or an agent?

That's the age-old question for writers who are getting into TV and film. When is it time to get a manager or an agent? We feel the pressure that if we're a real writer, we must need one of those. People who we tell we're writers, always ask, do you have an agent? Well, it's not as important as you think, and not as simple to answer if you need one, just yet.

First, something I've said before, is that if you haven't been writing probably about 10 years, 5 years minimum, with a stack of about 10 scripts under your belt, you're probably not ready to get either. I hope this doesn't discourage anyone. It just means the chances of your material being ready for the industry, means it probably isn't. If you doubt me, then by all means submit to some contests and see how you do. Of course contests aren't the end-all-be-all answer. But it's at least a barometer. I mean I placed in Nicholl's with one of my earlier scripts that I wouldn't even say was good any more. Yet more recent scripts that are way better, haven't. So it's kind of a judgement call on if the contest can predict if you're ready. If you enter a few different kinds of contests you might get a better idea.

The good thing about entering contests too is you might make contacts that could just help you get an agent or manager any way. But, if that doesn't happen, then how do you decide? Well, I'll put it to you this way, if you haven't sold a script for six figures, you're not ready for an agent. It's that simple. They don't want you, unless you can make them a lot of money right away, because they have enough writers that can. And they have enough writers that aren't making them money and they don't need more that won't.

So that leaves managers. They are a bit easier to get, but they're still not as easy as you would think. So if you choose to query them, start with the small companies. Again, if the manager you want to go after reps Terry Rossio who wrote Pirates Of The Caribbean, then he doesn't want you because you were a semi-finalist in Po-dunk Hollywood Contest. They just don't. So start with the small companies, and perhaps, you just might get their attention. With the economy I think even the small ones might not, but you might as well try.

But the easiest way to get a manager? Keep writing and keep entering contests. If you start placing in the top really important contests, the managers and agents will find you. Nicholl's is one of the best ways to get a manager or agent, and so is Austin Film Festival. There are probably a few more that are worth entering, but there aren't too many. I did mention in an earlier blog that I found the script I'm producing through Burbank Film Festival. So there are always other things that can come of entering other ones. But you just don't want to spend all your money entering every contest because most of them won't do a thing for your career.

I learned a lot about finding a manager by listening to ScreenwritingU's free phone conference on the topic about finding agents and managers. It was really insightful and if he does it again, I highly recommend it. Of course their real goal is to get you to sign up for Hal Croasman's courses. But they seemed pretty valuable and perhaps worth taking. He keeps posting how many people have made sales and found managers due to taking his writing courses, so maybe it's worthwhile? I haven't taken any, so I'm not saying you have to. But I was intrigued. http://www.screenwritingu.com/

So what does a writer do who doesn't have an agent or a manager and how does he/she get noticed? Well for me, I just keep writing. Keep making contacts in this business. Keep making friends in this business. Friends will always get your further in my opinion, than just networking. Build your resume by working hard and making opportunities on your own. Before you know it, you'll be ready for that manager and agent. Good luck!

Defeat doesn't have to be stinky

How do you keep on going when you feel defeated as a writer? It could be maybe a rejection letter from a contest. Or a "no thank you" from an agent of manager. Or seeing other writer friends who you're just as successful as move further ahead of you. There are many things that can just take the wind out of your sails. And not that I have any magic answer, there are things you can do to keep you going and not being so sad.

First of all, don't see the world as black and white. This is only one moment, not the end of your writing career. There are going to be times when you want to give up. But then the next day, wake up and remember, hey, I love writing, this can't stop me! Creative types tend to see the world as black and white. So you have to remember, there's a whole lot of gray in there. And just because one thing didn't happen to propel you to stardom, that doesn't mean the next day or next month, your success can't be just around the corner.

Secondly (I think there's more than one idea right?), there are always more things to learn. Perhaps a friend did better in a contest because his script really was a tad better. But that doesn't make you a bad writer. Maybe that next screenwriting book, or screenwriting class, is just the thing you need to get to that same level or even surpass that friend. There's so much screenwriting knowledge out there, just keep on learning. You're never done learning in this business. So the more you know, the better you'll get. And if you're not getting the success you want, then keep on learning till you do.

Thirdly, remember things are so subjective. Just because one manager turns you down. You don't know that the next one won't say, "yes, this is what I've been waiting for"! It's only one person that says no. And that one person can't stop you. Just keep knocking on doors till the right one opens up.

Fourthly, maybe it's just not your time. But that doesn't mean it's not coming up, sooner than you think. If you're persistent, you'll get there. You know you will. You feel it in every part of your soul. So that's why you became a writer!

So be sad for the day. You get only one day! Because the next day, you're going to pick yourself up, wipe yourself off, and continue to make strides until you reach that writing success you're looking for.