Archive for the ‘Power Principles’ tag
SCREENWRITER QUESTIONS (PART 1)
As I considered what to share with you this week it occurred to me that there were an overwhelming number of questions that remained in the queue from my most recent teleseminar. For obvious reasons I will be unable to address every question still sitting in the queue, but I was compelled to offer my thoughts to the following which were chosen completely at random. Here we go:
What are recommended ways to establish relationships with the players in LA if you don’t live there?
Personally, I’m a huge believer that the internet is an incredible tool to bridge relationships with people from all industries, in particular entertainment. Thomas Friedman wrote a book entitled “The World Is Flat.” I believe the entertainment industry is flat. There are no boundaries. Christopher Brogan offers his insights on building relationships online in his book “Trust Agents.” I also discuss this subject in more depth in the Art of Connecting from the Secret Weapon Audio Series. The file is located in the member’s area; I encourage you to listen again.
Is attending events like The Great American Pitch Fest and Screenwriting Conference in Los Angeles this June a good idea?
Any opportunity to be in close proximity to industry professionals is a great one, but you must prepare. A few years back a 20/20-like news program followed a few filmmakers as they headed to industry events and captured the difference it made for those who arrived prepared versus the ones who just arrived. I discuss specific strategies in a number of the Power Principles on how to maximize the investment you make to attend industry events. Review them before you attend.
Do you think that a staged reading with professional actors (performing an original screenplay) is a good investment of time, energy and resources?
Opportunities that afford you the privilege to see and hear your work come to life is invaluable to your development as a screenwriter and the material. In fact, Christopher Vogler shared a process he does with Will Smith with me during our live interview back in 2009 which I found to be fascinating and immersive. The replay is in the archives if you missed the live event.
I am not the chatty Kathy type. I write. I am comfortable in my own head making things up. I am not comfortable with people. Is it even possible to get someone to represent me?
Charlie Kaufman comes to mind. However, I would highly encourage you to develop that aspect of yourself. Toastmasters International is a great organization that is available as a resource. Jewerl Ross of Silent R Management addressed this head on during our live event. Frankly, he had some very strong feelings on this subject and offered some great advice.
Is there an age limit for writers?
I bet that Doug Taylor and Antoinette Terry Bryant would both say, “Never.” I sat down with them in Sundance as part of the Sundance Experience: A Screenwriters Perspective Program to discuss their picture “Splice,” arguably one of the hottest films at Sundance. I look forward to sharing that video presentation with you — stay tuned. But, for the “must have more insights now” personality… you can always listen to the late Blake Snyder’s thoughts on the matter which he addresses in our last live event together. You can easily find the transcript and the replay.
How can I get an agent if no one knows me?
I wrote a piece entitled, “Write a Movie Script that’s Good… Write a Query Letter that’s Better!” (http://tinyurl.com/yf5w9u6) which I feel offers insight into one method. Additionally, Allan Loeb, arguably the hottest screenwriter in Hollywood today, whose credits include the upcoming “Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps” starring Michael Douglas and Shia LeBouf, “The Baster” starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman, “The Escape from NY” remake, and “Your Cheating Heart” starring Vince Vaughn and Adam Sandler, discusses on the replay how he did it and the “Hail Mary” script that changed his life forever.
