Breaking In - It's not what you know, it's who you know
For our final instalment of The Screenwriting Chronicles, we'll be looking at a topic that is essential for anyone wanting to make their way into the film & TV industry: networking. Whatever aspect of the industry you're looking at, you've got to be able to go out and meet people, and make your name heard. And if we're thinking about writing in particular, there's an assumption that stereotypically introverted writers will struggle with this.
But what do actual writers and their ilk say about this? I've talked to a whole bunch of industry folks for tasty tidbits to add to The Screenwriting Chronicles over the past few months, and I went back to ask some of them about networking, and what their top tips are.
Danny Stack, who I spoke to about script competitions a couple of months ago, gave me his pointers: "Sometimes it can be difficult or daunting if you're at an event by yourself, but if it's a media-focused event, then everyone there is going to be media-related, so all you have to do is say 'Hi' to whoever's next to you and see where the conversation goes." Danny co-founded the Red Planet Prize along with Tony Jordan, who he didn't know before they got together for this venture - Danny attended a talk that Tony delivered, picked up his email address, and the rest (as they say) is history. So, some proof that putting yourself out there does work.
But the good news (particularly for the not-so-social butterflies among us) is that it's not all down to the clichés of "working the room, giving everyone your best elevator pitch, or getting out as many business cards as possible," as Jude Lister told me. What counts is making genuine connections with other people, because people have got to want to work with you, for your networking efforts to be worthwhile.
This sentiment of making a connection is also something I heard from Hannah Boulton, an agent with The Agency. For Hannah, these genuine personal connections are what counts, above and beyond a great story pitch. And often you can kickstart these connections by sending a personal email to the person you want to contact - blanket emails to everyone in the same office probably won't go down so well, as people do talk to each other. And if you don't get an immediate response? You can always follow up! People have busy schedules, and just because they don't reply once doesn't mean you'll never hear from them. If you're serious about making your contacts, you won't give up too easily. As Hannah Durham, script secretary, says:
"Be shameless! Send as many emails out as you can and just ask to go for a coffee."
And while this is good advice, there's another thing you've got to remember (yes, yet another thing to add to the list), and that is: don't be desperate. Emily Greenwood, writer and director, who I had a wonderful chat with about gender politics in the industry, explained to me the importance of being patient. Hounding someone at a festival panel isn't going to earn you any brownie points - you're far better off biding your time a little. Emily told me, "Don't rush it. It's not like they're waiting for an email from you, so it's best to wait until you've got something to say or show."
Clara Cornish, who talked to me about script reading, also reiterated this idea of selecting your networking opportunities wisely. There's a time and a place, and a right type of person to network, so don't beat yourself up for not networking at every possible opportunity. Clara actually reiterated a lot of the things I've already covered here: using events to meet people, following things up (without being a pain), and picking and choosing your opportunities. Be selective with your networking. Her big piece of advice? "Don't be a network whore." Oh yeah, you heard.
Between them, this gang have pulled together some key aspects of networking for you to take away into the world. And if there's anything I've not covered, I'm sure you'll find it in the latest BBC Writersroom blog. So now you can go out and be networking champions.
But now, my possums, we have reached the end of our screenwriting chronicling journey, and I'll be signing off. Got forth aspiring writers, and write the stories that only you can tell. Gain experience wherever you can, learn from every opportunity you get, and networking will get you everywhere. Be wonderful to each other, and remember: be selective, follow up, and don't be a whore.
But what do actual writers and their ilk say about this? I've talked to a whole bunch of industry folks for tasty tidbits to add to The Screenwriting Chronicles over the past few months, and I went back to ask some of them about networking, and what their top tips are.
Danny Stack, who I spoke to about script competitions a couple of months ago, gave me his pointers: "Sometimes it can be difficult or daunting if you're at an event by yourself, but if it's a media-focused event, then everyone there is going to be media-related, so all you have to do is say 'Hi' to whoever's next to you and see where the conversation goes." Danny co-founded the Red Planet Prize along with Tony Jordan, who he didn't know before they got together for this venture - Danny attended a talk that Tony delivered, picked up his email address, and the rest (as they say) is history. So, some proof that putting yourself out there does work.
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| Networking events are a good place to start |
But the good news (particularly for the not-so-social butterflies among us) is that it's not all down to the clichés of "working the room, giving everyone your best elevator pitch, or getting out as many business cards as possible," as Jude Lister told me. What counts is making genuine connections with other people, because people have got to want to work with you, for your networking efforts to be worthwhile.
This sentiment of making a connection is also something I heard from Hannah Boulton, an agent with The Agency. For Hannah, these genuine personal connections are what counts, above and beyond a great story pitch. And often you can kickstart these connections by sending a personal email to the person you want to contact - blanket emails to everyone in the same office probably won't go down so well, as people do talk to each other. And if you don't get an immediate response? You can always follow up! People have busy schedules, and just because they don't reply once doesn't mean you'll never hear from them. If you're serious about making your contacts, you won't give up too easily. As Hannah Durham, script secretary, says:
"Be shameless! Send as many emails out as you can and just ask to go for a coffee."
And while this is good advice, there's another thing you've got to remember (yes, yet another thing to add to the list), and that is: don't be desperate. Emily Greenwood, writer and director, who I had a wonderful chat with about gender politics in the industry, explained to me the importance of being patient. Hounding someone at a festival panel isn't going to earn you any brownie points - you're far better off biding your time a little. Emily told me, "Don't rush it. It's not like they're waiting for an email from you, so it's best to wait until you've got something to say or show."
 |
| Ask people to meet and have a chat |
Clara Cornish, who talked to me about script reading, also reiterated this idea of selecting your networking opportunities wisely. There's a time and a place, and a right type of person to network, so don't beat yourself up for not networking at every possible opportunity. Clara actually reiterated a lot of the things I've already covered here: using events to meet people, following things up (without being a pain), and picking and choosing your opportunities. Be selective with your networking. Her big piece of advice? "Don't be a network whore." Oh yeah, you heard.
Between them, this gang have pulled together some key aspects of networking for you to take away into the world. And if there's anything I've not covered, I'm sure you'll find it in the latest BBC Writersroom blog. So now you can go out and be networking champions.
But now, my possums, we have reached the end of our screenwriting chronicling journey, and I'll be signing off. Got forth aspiring writers, and write the stories that only you can tell. Gain experience wherever you can, learn from every opportunity you get, and networking will get you everywhere. Be wonderful to each other, and remember: be selective, follow up, and don't be a whore.
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