Marvin V. Acuna

“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” –Jerry Seinfeld

In my experience the most successful screenwriters are also the most effective communicators. They have the uncanny ability to connect with people and powerfully present their ideas. They are eloquent and masterful at diluting a two hour screenplay into a compelling short pitch. They command the attention of a room full of executives and producers with ease and, more importantly, evoke confidence.

LISTEN: Some screenwriters are born with the “gift of gab.” They are natural storytellers, but the truth is… most are simply not. Believe me, I’ve attended enough screenwriter seminars, pitch fests, and conferences to make that claim with utter certainty. Most aspiring screenwriters are nervous, ineffective communicators who often get lost in their own story as they present it.

Fortunately for YOU, public speaking is a learnable skill.

There are numerous programs, classes, and organizations that afford you the privilege to hone this necessary skill. I will focus your attention to a specific organization here.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a distinguished member of the organization that is referenced below. Therefore, I STRONGLY encourage you to examine, explore, and investigate all opportunities available for yourself.

From a humble beginning in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters International (www.toastmasters.org) has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. The nonprofit organization now has nearly 250,000 members in more than 12,500 clubs in 106 countries, offering a proven — and enjoyable — way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills.

Most Toastmasters meetings are comprised of approximately 20 people who meet weekly for an hour or two. Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian.

There is no instructor; instead, each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved.

Here’s the site once more: (www.toastmasters.org)

As further evidence that this is an invaluable skill to nurture and a powerful organization to consider, the WGA and SAG offices in Los Angeles have their own chapters.

Regardless of whether you choose to become a Toastmaster or not, identify an entity that will shape this potent skill. It’s an aspect of your screenwriting business that you simply cannot disregard.

You need every advantage in the extremely competitive business of screenwriting.

I leave you to consider the following:

Warren Buffet, ranked by Forbes as the second richest man in the United States in 2009, addressing Columbia MBA students said the following on the subject of public speaking, “If you can communicate well, you have an enormous advantage. Force yourself into situations where you have to develop those abilities.”