Thread by @everythingloria

Writer Thread: Pilots & staffing. This is pilot season. Writers are waiting for their pilots to get a pickup. If you are interested in staffing you should already have an agent. If you don't have an agent then it is unlikely you'll staff this year. Focus on getting repped!

If you are repped then READ THE TRADES. Follow the shows you think you are right for. Then make sure to communicate with your reps about your focus. And have a sample that is appropriate to the show you hope to meet on.

I write a multi-cam. Two of the three shows I have going out this year are multi. I will be reading multi samples. I maaaay read a single if the rep promises there are jokes. If I get ten pages in and there are no jokes I will stop reading. MAKE SURE THEY SEND THE RIGHT THING!

It is a bonkers time of year. Showrunners are doing a zillion things. When they sit to read it is A BIG DEAL. You want the opportunity! Don't squander it. WIll I read a second sample if the first wasn't great from the same writer? Probably not. No time.

Think about that.

Also, when Showrunners do panels don't ask them to read your work. It is A BIG ASK. Introduce yourself, tell them what, if anything, you enjoy about thier work and leave that at that. Then you can have your agent follow up.

Also NEVER just email a showrunner material. That is not how it is done. They have development. They are busy. It is a big ask and very presumptuous. Can't tell you how often this has happened to me.

DOn't put showrunners (or anyone) in a position where they have to be the asshole. Especially if they are doing panels and giving their time away for FREE. That is the gift. Just say thank you. It's not the time to sell yourself. Or ask for a favor. BEING THERE is the favor.

But having an agent follow up with so and so saw you speak as such and such panel...is perfectly fine. The material still has to fit the show. So, if you want to go out for Multi & Single & Drama then you best have awesome samples of all ready to go.

And if you do get a meeting...be yourself! At that point, they like you enough to meet you. That meeting is mostly "what will it be like to spend hours with this person every day." This is also your chance to check them out. Do they seem cool? Like an environment you'd thrive in?