10 things I wish they taught me in film school, #screenwriter edition. 🧵
1.Networking is a long-term game.
It might seem like getting ‘access’ to industry gatekeepers is the most important thing. It is not. Building a genuine, long-term relationship is.
2.Competitions are a tool, not a goal.
Every new writer should enter competitions, but placements are only helpful if you go out and use them to hustle.
PS: @Coverfly has a waiver program for those who can’t afford it.
3.The best thing you can do to advance your career is to finish a long-form script.
Everybody has ideas. Only a limited number of people can develop those ideas in a coherent, well-structured, well-formatted way. So, step 1 is to prove you can do that.
4.Being original is almost impossible.
The Internet has made it possible to access basically every single piece of content ever written – by keywords. Which means, being original is harder than ever.
5.Getting an agent is just the first step on the ladder.
Agents help open closed doors, but the hustle remains.
6.Working in development is probably the best day job for a screenwriter.
If I could go back, this is the thing I would do. Even working only five years in development is worth ten years in ‘trying to break in’.
7.Writing actual scripts is only a tiny part of your job.
Once you’ve got your sample scripts, most of your time will be spent creating one-pagers, treatments, pitch decks, applications, etc..…
8.Coping with rejection (or silence) is the most important skill you’ll have to learn.
The key is to understand that it’s not personal. This is just how the industry works.
9.Being consistently productive is the best way to get noticed.
While no script ever ‘expires’, you want to be able to prove that you’re not a one-trick-pony.
10.Short films will not make your career.
Short form is mainly a learning tool unless you make an outstandingly good short film. Basically, a cheaper way to fail!
11. BONUS: there's no right way to do it.
This is just my experience. Go make your path!
#screenwriting #screenwriter #filmmakinown #screenplay #writing #writersoftwitter #screenwriters #scriptwriting #filmmaker #movies #writingcommunity #amwriting #writingtips #careeradvice
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