Recommended Screenwriters
Doing Meetings with Celebrities
- July 15, 2010
- Posted by: HalCroasmun
- Category: Articles
Often, when I ask a top writer how a movie came about, they’ll say something like “I was in a meeting with Tom Cruise where we…” or “I got invited to this party where I met Jerry Bruckheimer and we set up a meeting to…” or “I was working with a producer who introduced me to Tom Hanks and…”
These kind of things occur often for the A-list writers. But how can something like this happen for you?
As you become more successful as a screenwriter, chances are that you’ll have meetings with celebrities. It will likely begin with smaller celebs that may be on the D-list and move up as your writing gains more fans.
But this isn’t just about actors. You may meet famous people to write true stories about or that you need to get funding from.
Your list of future meetings could include :
– Actors and actresses
– Major producers
– Important directors
– Reality TV stars
– Sports stars
– Well-known politicians
– Prominent media
– Best selling authors
– CEO’s of major corporations
– and many others.
In the last year, Cheryl and I have met with VIP’s from each of those categories. If you continue on this path, it is possible that you could be doing the same in the near future.
Whatever the case, the following “do’s and don’t’s” can help you be more successful when meeting with celebrities.
DO be business like and act like they are a “regular person” while remembering that they are also important to your career.
If it helps you be comfortable in the meeting, you may want to remind yourself that the person in front of you has all the same needs as anyone else. In some ways, they are more vulnerable.
Over time, you may develop a deeper relationship with them and you will see those needs show up.
DON’T gush and act like a raving fan.
It is okay to say that you admire their work, but then get on with your purpose in the meeting. They already have fans who beg for autographs everywhere they go. But you are here for a different purpose — and you hold a different place in their life.
DO feel confident about the value you bring to the table.
They are meeting with you because they are seriously considering a working relationship. You do bring value to the situation and your script must be good for you to be in this meeting. On the other hand…
DON’T act arrogant about them needing your project.
They have hundreds of projects coming their way. When a writer or producer starts saying “this movie is the one that will make your career,” most celebrities turn off.
DO prepare well for the meeting.
In the third part of this article, I’ll talk about your preparation, but in general, you need to have a sense of what is important to the celebrity so you address that with them.
DON’T be desperate in any way.
Even if this meeting doesn’t immediately turn into a deal, you can still gain from it — both for building future connections and for becoming more experienced in how things work in this industry.
DO respect what the celebrity has been through to succeed.
Celebrities are not shallow. They somehow got to the point of being one of the most successful in their field and they’ve had thousands of business proposals in front of them.
DON’T disrespect any of the celebrity’s people.
A famous person usually has a lot of people around them. Some are there to protect the celebrity’s interest. Some provide certain services. And some are old friends.
You are not in competition with any of them. In fact, you probably need their buy-in and assistance to move things forward. It is in your best interest to be as respectful and considerate of them as you want them to be of you.
DO accept a short meeting.
Most of the times we’ve met with celebrities, we’ve been told up front that we only had 5 or 10 minutes with them. That is easily enough time to make any presentation if you know your stuff.
Also, remember that 5 minutes with a celebrity who is truly considering your project could be a turning point in your career.
DON’T try to intrude in their world in other ways.
I’ve seen times where a meeting turned into a series of outside requests (play tennis, go to dinner, represent a charity, meet my relatives, sign autographs, etc.) and it makes everyone look like amateurs. Yes, all of those things can happen in time and as you develop a relationship with the celebrity.
——————
If you truly consider them and do a good job, you will naturally become a valued resource. As you continue to work with them, it will be natural to be included in other parts of their world.
To the celebrity, it often feels like everyone wants a piece of them and some people are very greedy about it. Set yourself apart from the violators by being professional.