Recommended Screenwriters
Tip 7. You Are a Metaphor for the Movie Biz!
- February 8, 2011
- Posted by: jennamilly
- Category: Interviews
Many writers have expressed to me that they either don't understand the business side of Hollywood or feel like it is not their kind of business. They want their movie made, but they've heard discouraging or frightening things about doing business with Hollywood.
When most of what you see on the Net is either hype or myth, it is hard to feel connected to the Industry. But as you gain more understanding, you'll debunk the myths and begin to see how this business can work for you.
At ScreenwritingU, we provide articles, interviews, and classes that are all geared to having you understand this industry in a way that can help you succeed. But there is another resource that is just as important — your own experience.
Today's tip is Part Two of this part of the philosophy. Part One (Tip 6) had you look into your own experience to find insights into life. Now, we're going to look into your experience to find insights about the Biz.
What Does Your Own Experience Have to Do With the Biz?
Again, the more you understand the movie business, the more comfortable you'll be as you bring scripts to agents, managers, and producers.
The beautiful thing is that you have many experiences in your life that are analogous to how Hollywood and the rest of this business works. If you access those, you'll have insights into how people work in this industry.
Just to be clear, using metaphors is a useful way of learning and growing. This metaphor gives you a way of seeing Hollywood through your own eyes.
Balancing Business and Creativity
For an unproduced writer, you are constantly doing a balancing act — giving your writing the time and effort it deserves while still maintaining your day job. It is great to focus all your attention on your screenplays, but if it costs you your job or income source, you'll be forced into "emergency action" just to survive.
Your challenge is to take care of your creative and business sides at the same time.
The same thing applies to production companies. When you get on the inside, you'll see a unique world where both sides of any project are constantly being worked on. It is a dance where the conversation goes from story to business and back to story with every few sentences.
Just like you, production companies must maintain that balance. Both sides are important, and both sides must receive due consideration.
Understanding Hollywood Players
With just a little thought, you'll find experiences that help you gain an understanding of the people, business models, and situations you'll encounter here, and you'll be more prepared because of it.
How does your experience help you understand the different players in this industry?
Ever been in sales? Then you understand something about being an agent.
Ever worked for a corporation? Then you understand something about how studios work.
Ever been in business for yourself? Then you understand how a producer might make decisions to keep his or her business alive.
Ever sat through a meeting at work? Then you have some understanding of what it might be like for an assistant or creative exec to do meetings all day.
IMPORTANT: The more you find your own experience matching that of the industry, the more comfortable you'll be when you start doing business here. So, make sure you take 10 minutes to do today's Action and Question.
ACTION: Make a list of the things you might have in common with producers, agents, and managers. What in your life is similar to the movie business? QUESTION: What do you already know about The Biz that can help you feel more confident and build better relationships with producers, agents, and managers? |
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