Marvin V. Acuna

John August on Screenwriting: Rancho Mirage Library, 04/14/09

from Synthian Sharp on Vimeo.

John August is one of the most successful screenwriter’s working today. Beyond writing two of my all time favorite films Go and Big Fish (I watched Big Fish at the Sherman Oaks Galleria opening weekend. It reminded me why I chose to pursue a career in film), he wrote the blockbuster franchise Charlie’s Angels.

This is a lengthy interview, but well worth every minute of your time. There are valuable insights and lessons you can glean from his experience in the Hollywood system. He addresses: How screenwriting credits are established? How to choose the “Gorilla’s” you want to work with? Should you attend film school or not? The best advice he ever received? Screenwriter versus novelist? The difference between an amateur and a professional? I strongly encourage you to check out the ENTIRE video so you may absorb these nuggets of wisdom.

An invaluable and important insight I felt compelled to highlight here for you, specifically, because it is in alignment with all that we have discussed on this blog, the video tips, Q&A’s, etc. is this:

The responsibility of a screenwriter has evolved from merely providing a script that serves as the blue print for a movie to delivering a script that serves as the marketing document for a movie… as a screenwriter your role has morphed into salesman.

Wild Things: Diamonds in the Rough video

Enjoy the video. Apply the knowledge!

May Your Life Be Extraordinary,

Marvin V. Acuna

Father of the Bride psp

This Video Series is your chance to ask any questions you feel may be holding you back from the screenwriting success you deserve!

So ask away!

Who knows, next week I may answer your question!

And if you have any comments about THIS tip – good OR bad – please leave it below.

May Your Life Be Extraordinary,

Marvin V. Acuna

P.S. – Do me a favor and go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE1USyrdvrw

Watch this tip there, Rate it, and Comment there as well!

Thanks!

- M

When I first arrived in LA I knew I had to meet people, I needed to make friends. This was crucial. No friends or relatives in the business of show, so I had to make them.

I made it my mission to attend as many functions/events as possible. I recall occasions that involved three to five functions in an evening – the invitations didn’t always come. Some were fee based, others were not. I had to find creative ways to get invited and pay for the fees. I’d pop in, shake some hands, and kiss some babies (wink) then move on to the next soirée. I met a lot of interesting people each with their own dream. Some have become dear friends and others business partners.

Fifteen years later, I now have a vast rolodex of established professionals I can call upon.

I had a few basic principles as I entered each function/event. Here they are:

1. Stand out. Be remarked about. Have an identity. I’ve been called a lot of things in my life, believe me. Boring is not one of them.

2. Have Fun! This is not war, it’s a party. I’m not on a mission to do business, I’m on a mission to meet people and make friends.

3. Be resourceful and helpful to others. Connect people. Recently, I was at a cocktail party and met a pharmaceutical rep in search of a new gig. It so happens that I know a key executive at major pharmaceutical company and offered to introduce his resume.

4. Don’t sell. This is not the place to sell any of your goods. It’s simply an opportunity to make friends, ideally great friends. As these new friends get to know you they may not need or want what you have, but they may know someone who does. Their friends may become your business contacts. Some of my best business relationships are the result of an introduction and recommendation. I sold a show to FOX many moons ago because a friend I met (an accountant) introduced me to his cousin, a big deal Producer.

Here is what’s truly amazing though. 15 years later I can accomplish the same goals of making new friends by utilizing social media. I have met some of my dearest friends online. Three years ago I met a friend who inspired me to run a marathon. He lives in Seattle. Last year, even though my schedule prohibited my attendance, I set aside two tickets for him to attend the screening of my film at the Seattle Film Festival.

Clueless rip

Point is that you do not need to live in Los Angeles as a screenwriter to attend parties and make friends that are in the entertainment business. You can do it using Social Media. Keep in mind that when you meet someone at a party they may have in excess of 50 contacts that they can reach out to. In Social Media, there are some folks that have thousands upon thousands of contacts they can connect you to. Some of those contacts may very well be the tastemakers you seek.

Social media has simply made networking virtual. But, same principles apply. The beauty of the internet is you can be remarkable, resourceful, and fun by using the power of the internet. There is so much material out there. YOU can be the one that captures it and introduces it to the community. You can be sassy, you can be your alter ego. You can be comfortable because your at home, a coffee shop, at work, wherever.

So I make all these friends online Marvin, now what? How do I get my scripts in the hands of the tastemakers? Drum roll please…

Blog!

Think of your blog as your home. This should represent you. This is your voice. Here you tell the world all about you and how fabulous you truly are! Here you can post your goals, action plans, passions, etc..

Invite people you meet on Social Media sites over for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails virtual style to your home. Offer people content, not just your screenplays, content. There is so much cool and interesting stuff online you can provide to people for free. Or maybe you have a skill set that you have mastered. Make a video and teach people how to do it and post it or maybe you write a how to E-book.

Maybe, just maybe you make a video pitching your screenplay and you post that. Maybe it’s a video journal of your screenplay’s journey of the path it takes to the big screen. Maybe you post clips of a table reading. Maybe… it’s endless what you can do. Pulse (aka Octane) divx

Point is, here you can be the host of your private party.

As people begin to visit your private home more often, friendships develop. Friends help other friends. They support each other. They encourage each other. They introduce each other to the people they know, and they introduce you to the people they know, and they… you get it.

It’s a small, small world. Social media makes it even smaller.

Thanks for the continued feedback!

The more you comment, the more I can ensure these tips are laser focused on what YOU need. So let me know what questions you would like answered in this Video Series by leaving a comment!

And if you have any comments about THIS tip – good OR bad – please leave it below.

May Your Life Be Extraordinary,

Marvin V. Acuna

P.S. – Do me a favor and go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVlVkZb2Y8k

Watch this tip there, Rate it, and Comment there as well!

Thanks!

- M

This Video Series is your chance to ask any questions you feel may be holding you back from the screenwriting success you deserve!

So ask away!

Who knows, next week I may answer your question!

And if you have any comments about THIS tip – good OR bad – please leave it below.

May Your Life Be Extraordinary,

Marvin V. Acuna

P.S. – Do me a favor and go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D91jglS9FQ4

Watch this tip there, Rate it, and Comment there as well!

Thanks!

- M