I always do a year-end review just to check in with myself, keep myself writing, and inspire myself to keep going. We writers all need that from time-to-time, don't we?
Well, this year has been my most successful year thus far. But it doesn't mean I'm supporting myself with my screenwriting career just yet. I have a new writing partner and together we got a huge production company interested in our comedy that they've attached themselves to. They've sent it to a big director and we're waiting to hear if he's attaching himself. We also finished a WW2 drama that I'm co-producing with two really big producers. And I finished a third comedy feature that when it's ready, I'm getting to a really huge producer. Plus, I gained a manager for the first time because of my comedy that has interest.
But even though I have a lot to be thankful for, I'm still not where I want to be with my career. But I'm definitely on my way. And like I've done in previous year-end reviews, it's important for us writers to relish the positive. We writers tend to compare ourselves to others that are reaching more success, whether financially, screen credits, meetings, the list is endless! But we have to remember that every writer has their own path. What might be a success for one writer one year, could be the success another writer sees the next year. When one writer wins in a contest one year, another screenwriter can see success a couple years later in a different contest. So what I'm saying, is do not compare yourself to anyone but yourself!
Did you do better in a contest this year than last?
Did you write more scripts this year than last?
Did you have more meetings this year than last?
Or even did you just get your butt in front of the computer more this year than last?
Whatever looks like success for you, is what matters! Sometimes our success can look small when we compare ourselves to other writers. But if we compare each writing year from one to the next we can see how far we've come. And that's all that really matters.
So what did your success look like this year? Whatever it was, use it to have a successful 2020! You got this!
Showing posts with label manager. Show all posts
Showing posts with label manager. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
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!
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!
Thursday, April 6, 2017
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.
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.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
It's your option
So, an indie director wants to option one of my feature comedies. Yay! That's a good thing. But reading the option, holy moly, not such a good thing. I felt like understanding Calculus in college was easier to do. So this is a post on how I handled my option, in case you get to this point in your career someday too.
First thing I did after trying to read it a few times and still not understanding 99% of it was I reached out to a few friends to see how much their entertainment lawyer would charge to read it. Oh, yeah, it was a LOT! Why didn't I go into law again? So that seemed like a dead-end. The option was not worth me paying for a high-paid lawyer. But I also wasn't willing to sign something I did not understand. It's 8 pages of a document that doesn't make sense to me. No way could I sign that without someone's help.
So I started asking around to some other writer and producer friends. One writer friend I asked, he's had some pretty nicely paid options, well, he reads his options himself and doesn't even use a lawyer. Hmm...interesting. Okay. He sent me a couple of his options to see if that would help make reading mine easier to understand. It didn't. It just confused me more. I did learn that there are so many ways to write an option by reading his. So some of his points weren't in mine, and visa versa.
So then I reached out to even a few more producer friends, and got names from them. But they were pretty sure their friends would charge a lot too, but not as much as the ones they use. Great, that didn't help. Luckily for me, I had written a writer friend just to say hi and see how things were in her career and mentioned this option dilemma I had. Her husband is a manager and she suggested he could rep me on the deal. So that meant I wouldn't pay him out of the option, but pay him a percentage once the funding is raised. And that would be perfect!
So he and I spoke after he read the option, we went over it in explicit detail. He made all of it make sense! Imagine that! He told me what parts we needed, what we could leave out, what wasn't right for what my script was. He's going to mark it up so that it works for my needs and send to the director. Voila! I'm so relieved I finally found someone to help me with the option, and that I didn't have to pay out of pocket up front for.
If you're ever in a similar situation, please cover your butt and find a way to get a lawyer or a manager to help you through your option. You never want to sign on that dotted line till you know what you're signing.
First thing I did after trying to read it a few times and still not understanding 99% of it was I reached out to a few friends to see how much their entertainment lawyer would charge to read it. Oh, yeah, it was a LOT! Why didn't I go into law again? So that seemed like a dead-end. The option was not worth me paying for a high-paid lawyer. But I also wasn't willing to sign something I did not understand. It's 8 pages of a document that doesn't make sense to me. No way could I sign that without someone's help.
So I started asking around to some other writer and producer friends. One writer friend I asked, he's had some pretty nicely paid options, well, he reads his options himself and doesn't even use a lawyer. Hmm...interesting. Okay. He sent me a couple of his options to see if that would help make reading mine easier to understand. It didn't. It just confused me more. I did learn that there are so many ways to write an option by reading his. So some of his points weren't in mine, and visa versa.
So then I reached out to even a few more producer friends, and got names from them. But they were pretty sure their friends would charge a lot too, but not as much as the ones they use. Great, that didn't help. Luckily for me, I had written a writer friend just to say hi and see how things were in her career and mentioned this option dilemma I had. Her husband is a manager and she suggested he could rep me on the deal. So that meant I wouldn't pay him out of the option, but pay him a percentage once the funding is raised. And that would be perfect!
So he and I spoke after he read the option, we went over it in explicit detail. He made all of it make sense! Imagine that! He told me what parts we needed, what we could leave out, what wasn't right for what my script was. He's going to mark it up so that it works for my needs and send to the director. Voila! I'm so relieved I finally found someone to help me with the option, and that I didn't have to pay out of pocket up front for.
If you're ever in a similar situation, please cover your butt and find a way to get a lawyer or a manager to help you through your option. You never want to sign on that dotted line till you know what you're signing.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
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!
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!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
It's all celery's fault
So this morning I was making my usual veggie and fruit smoothie. Yes, I live in LA it's what we do. So as I'm chopping up this and that, I go to take out my organic celery from the package and it won't come out. So instead of figuring out why, I decide to keep pulling the exact same way. Which as you know, means it won't come out again! So I finally take a moment to go, well, I'm doing the same thing over and over, so I'm going to get the same results, over and over, let's change it up and see what happens. Lo and behold, I try something new and it comes out easily. I stopped fighting it.
So it got me to thinking, how much of our writing is like the stuck celery? How many times have you tried to write something a certain way with no results? For instance, if I'm stuck on a scene, if I don't force it and go to sleep with that concern on my mind, I always wake up with the perfect solution. Have you tried this? It always works for me. My guess is that somewhere in the recesses of our mind lies the answer. But we can't uncover them by telling our brain to figure it out on the spot! No person can perform well like this, why would our brain?
And what about when it comes to trying a certain genre or a certain medium. I'm mostly a comedy writer. But recently I've had horror writing opportunities. Instead of telling myself or these producers, yeah, I don't do that, I went okay, why not? And partnered up with other writers whose genre it was. This also happened with animation opportunities. A producer at some networking event, not a screenwriting networking event, approached me and asked, do you write animation? I hadn't but, why not? So I said yes. We haven't worked together yet. But that got me to come up with ideas, which got me to meet with an animation artist on a project, which got me one of my managers who specializes in animation! If I had stayed only in comedy, I would have missed out all of those opportunites!
So sometimes I think we have to shake things up. We have to zig, when we've been zagging. We just never know what great opportunity lies in another area that we haven't even tried. And we have to stop trying so hard. The more we just let go, just let things happen without a fight, the more it will just happen.
So it got me to thinking, how much of our writing is like the stuck celery? How many times have you tried to write something a certain way with no results? For instance, if I'm stuck on a scene, if I don't force it and go to sleep with that concern on my mind, I always wake up with the perfect solution. Have you tried this? It always works for me. My guess is that somewhere in the recesses of our mind lies the answer. But we can't uncover them by telling our brain to figure it out on the spot! No person can perform well like this, why would our brain?
And what about when it comes to trying a certain genre or a certain medium. I'm mostly a comedy writer. But recently I've had horror writing opportunities. Instead of telling myself or these producers, yeah, I don't do that, I went okay, why not? And partnered up with other writers whose genre it was. This also happened with animation opportunities. A producer at some networking event, not a screenwriting networking event, approached me and asked, do you write animation? I hadn't but, why not? So I said yes. We haven't worked together yet. But that got me to come up with ideas, which got me to meet with an animation artist on a project, which got me one of my managers who specializes in animation! If I had stayed only in comedy, I would have missed out all of those opportunites!
So sometimes I think we have to shake things up. We have to zig, when we've been zagging. We just never know what great opportunity lies in another area that we haven't even tried. And we have to stop trying so hard. The more we just let go, just let things happen without a fight, the more it will just happen.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Finally a manager
So I'm finally dealing with managers. And not one, but two! I guess when you hit the jackpot...! And the funny way the first one happened, was this weird round about way. Turns out he's the husband of a writer I met recently. But that's not how it happened, no. I was actually working on some children animation shows and the animation guy's manager is the one I'm working with now. But that's not really how it happened either! Turns out the manager is also best friends with one of my really good friend's hubby's who's a TV writer. It all came together in such a funny way too. But guess it goes to show, it's who you know. Because maybe if I didn't have all those connections, it wouldn't have happened. And if all those things didn't line up the way they did, it might not have happened. I think what it really shows, is you just can't rush anything. Things in life, especially this career, need time for it all to line up. Haven't you noticed that? How one success leads to another which leads to another. I know that's how it's been for me. And if I didn't have all those connections that lined up, maybe I wouldn't have ever worked with him.
Then there's the other manager, and that's exciting too. They do different lines of work, so I can possibly actually have both. The 2nd one we're still in talks. But it's all exciting and things are really happening in my screenwriting career. If they weren't, maybe I actually would have posted on here sooner. Sorry I haven't written more. Not the best daily blogger I guess! But a busy screenwriter, yep!
Then there's the other manager, and that's exciting too. They do different lines of work, so I can possibly actually have both. The 2nd one we're still in talks. But it's all exciting and things are really happening in my screenwriting career. If they weren't, maybe I actually would have posted on here sooner. Sorry I haven't written more. Not the best daily blogger I guess! But a busy screenwriter, yep!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Where's the marching band?
So I had a meeting with the big producer I've been working with since last year. We were finally going to meet on the outline for the story we're developing together. So I expected at least two or three rounds of notes on the outline before I got to write the script. Well, guess what? He tells me he has almost no notes and that he'll email me what he has. But that basically I should start writing the script! Woo hoo! The words I've longed to hear since last year! He tells me to start sending him pages, 20 at a time. I'm just ecstatic! He also tells me he's going to set me up with a manager, and starts naming all these A-list managers. Woo hoo again! I couldn't believe it! Pinch me please!
So then I leave his office so excited and I'm texting my husband, "Good news!" And I'm walking to my car. And then I drive home to pick up my son from school. And then we do homework. And well, that's it! I had to live my life just the way I did before I got the good news! And I was like, wait, isn't something amazing supposed to happen after I get such amazing news?! Isn't there some awesome marching band like out of Dr. Seuss's book where the boy looks out the window and some fantastical band just marches past him. I wanted that! I wanted horns, and confetti, and something amazing! But that didn't happen. It was good news, and life went on.
And now, I'm writing the script, but just like every other day. I guess it just means all those normal days when I was writing scripts just for me, they were preparing me for the day when I'd be writing it for someone this big in Hollywood. So even though there's nothing as earth shattering as I was hoping it could be, it means I'm prepared for it. And truthfully, that's exciting enough.
So then I leave his office so excited and I'm texting my husband, "Good news!" And I'm walking to my car. And then I drive home to pick up my son from school. And then we do homework. And well, that's it! I had to live my life just the way I did before I got the good news! And I was like, wait, isn't something amazing supposed to happen after I get such amazing news?! Isn't there some awesome marching band like out of Dr. Seuss's book where the boy looks out the window and some fantastical band just marches past him. I wanted that! I wanted horns, and confetti, and something amazing! But that didn't happen. It was good news, and life went on.
And now, I'm writing the script, but just like every other day. I guess it just means all those normal days when I was writing scripts just for me, they were preparing me for the day when I'd be writing it for someone this big in Hollywood. So even though there's nothing as earth shattering as I was hoping it could be, it means I'm prepared for it. And truthfully, that's exciting enough.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
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!
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!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
What's your plan to succeed?
What are you doing to move your writing career forward? Are you writing a new script? Are you working on an outline? Are you entering contests? Contacting managers? It doesn't matter what you're doing, but be doing something!
Jack Canfield in his Success Principles book talks about we should do 5 things every day that help us achieve our goal. Now, if I'm seeking a manager, contacting 5 managers every day, sure, could make it happen. But a lot of times managers don't want to hear from writers that have yet to succeed. So screenwriting doesn't always fit with that mold. But, there are ways around that. Perhaps it's taking another class to get your screenplays even stronger, so that you can enter contests, so that you can get the attention of those managers. Or maybe it's finding a new writing group, one that can really challenge you and make you a better writer. The key is to evaluate what your situation is, and ask yourself if it's propelling you towards the success you want.
Or maybe it's making a list of people you are friends with, or friends of friends with, who know people who know managers. A talented writing friend of mine queried a lot of managers and no one was interested. But then he found out a friend of his knew this manager, and that was how he got in. So even just moving forward on your goal can set the universe into action and make things happen in a way you didn't predict. So don't worry about wasting your time. You're never wasting your time if you're trying to achieve a goal and you're taking steps towards it.
Just have a plan, be clear about what you want, write it down, and go after it, every day. Eventually you will succeed.
Jack Canfield in his Success Principles book talks about we should do 5 things every day that help us achieve our goal. Now, if I'm seeking a manager, contacting 5 managers every day, sure, could make it happen. But a lot of times managers don't want to hear from writers that have yet to succeed. So screenwriting doesn't always fit with that mold. But, there are ways around that. Perhaps it's taking another class to get your screenplays even stronger, so that you can enter contests, so that you can get the attention of those managers. Or maybe it's finding a new writing group, one that can really challenge you and make you a better writer. The key is to evaluate what your situation is, and ask yourself if it's propelling you towards the success you want.
Or maybe it's making a list of people you are friends with, or friends of friends with, who know people who know managers. A talented writing friend of mine queried a lot of managers and no one was interested. But then he found out a friend of his knew this manager, and that was how he got in. So even just moving forward on your goal can set the universe into action and make things happen in a way you didn't predict. So don't worry about wasting your time. You're never wasting your time if you're trying to achieve a goal and you're taking steps towards it.
Just have a plan, be clear about what you want, write it down, and go after it, every day. Eventually you will succeed.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
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.
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.
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