Amanda Graham Profile picture
Jun 29, 2022 13 tweets 6 min read Read on X
Just got harassed on LinkedIn by the same new writer who harassed me months ago. Had to report and block. Here's what NOT to do if you are a new writer asking people for help or advice THREAD #WritingCommunity #preWGA 1/
This guy approached me for help on a film project. I thought he meant help from me as a development producer/script writer (because I do this A LOT and it's right on my LinkedIn profile), so I quoted my rate and all the services he would get from me. No biggie, right? 2/
He responded with this 3/
Just decided to drop it. I don’t like escalation like this. If he has just something like “I don’t have any money- and this is cheeky, but could I bend your ear, just for a quick convo?” I would have said fine. 4/
Months later, today, he reaches out again, asking for hours of work giving them ideas and helping them with funding etc. I explained that I couldn’t do that, and that’s when everything blew up. 5/
He accused me of hypocrisy - “you make out like you’re supportive of disabled people” I AM BITCH, I’M DISABLED. I AM NOT SUPPORTIVE OF ASSHOLES. Then he accused me of being rich and having no idea how hard new writers work HE WRITES 3-4 hours a day! 6/
(Those of you who know me well know I work b/t 10-18 hours a day, almost always on weekends too, haven’t had a holiday in 4 years, and sacrificed everything as an autistic single mum for this). I give tons of free notes, serve on 2 disability boards and champion new writers 7/
So new writers, please take the time to get to know more seasoned writers in the community. When you reach out to them, value their time. At best entitlement will get you nowhere- at worst, it literally gives an autistic person like me the shakes. 8/
I promise you new writers if you change your approach to networking from “what can I GET from this person” to “how can I use my knowledge and skills and abilities to GIVE to others while I grow” it will change things for you. 9/
There are some garbage people in this industry but so many people are AWESOME and they want authentic friendships just like you do. Find the people you have stuff in common, grow real relationships, and the help and advice will flow naturally. BUT 10/
Of course sometimes we do need help and advice fast from people we don’t know. This is something I teach to writers and TV/Film students- here’s a link to a thread that can help you. 11/
But please, be kind. We are living in such a dumpster fire of a time, and we’re all on the edge. We need to have a think about how we reach out to people. Put out kindness, we get kindness back. Put out fear or anger, we literally make things harder for ourselves WHY?!?! 12/
Phew, that felt good. The shakes will eventually stop and I’ll continue to love the hell out of this #writingcommunity. Y’all have given me so much. People who rock win when we’re here for each other in the struggle. Turn to people, not on them. #pipelinewriters ##preWGA

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More from @AGComedy

Feb 10, 2022
Hey #screenwriters- Are differentiated characters and dialogue a challenge? Or conflict itself? I just read this MIND-BLOWING book about types of behaviour, how they are seen by others, body language, and how to stress the types TF out. THREAD 1/
So I’m going to share takeaways to help you crack the “I need conflict” or “my characters are too similar” or “the dialogue sounds the same” or “No idea how my character would move through the world.” 2/
Also you can learn a lot about yourself and why you are misunderstood. The book is Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson. I/m about 2/3rd through and it’s so helpful I had to share it with y’all and then explain why it will ramp up your conflict. 3/
Read 25 tweets
Jan 30, 2022
Just catching up with @SHO_Billions so I thought I'd mention the glorious time I finally met @lewis_damian after adoring him forever.
You must understand the backstory.
I first saw him in Band of Brothers, and I had a little personal connection to Lt Withers. #WW2 THREAD
My Grandpa was in the Army, a sniper and a munitions expert serving in the same base at Winters before he want to the Pacific. I emailed Winters about this, but I also saw Damian Lewis playing him in the most perfect way. In fact, all of Band of Brothers is played beautifully. 2/ Image
Though this isn't about Band of Brothers, this is about @lewis_damian. Just had to mention he was awesome in it, and that show did our Grandpas proud. Anyway, I always liked him, and he was amazing in the Forsyte Saga as well. And I determined to meet him. 3/
Read 7 tweets
Jan 25, 2022
Hi #screenwriting and #animation people- beware - there is another established animation house doing super unscrupulous things after asking for women writers on twitter. And they're not the only one. Here are some things to look out for, and they're SHOCKING
MINI THREAD 1/
Even though I've had 23 scripts broadcast by BBC Children's, this newest one asked me asked me to write a 5-minute script based on scenarios in their existing IP. And they asked me to sign away the rights for it in a disclaimer that was attached. READ the disclaimer!
2/
Another animation house last year based in The Netherlands put a call-out for scriptwriters, so I sent them an email. They asked me to write a 10 minute script, provide 10 ideas for a show they had in development, and again sign away the rights. When I replied with 3/
Read 12 tweets
Jun 24, 2020
Being a scriptwriter, networking sounds like a nightmare, right? GAH. Maybe you live in the middle of nowhere, or are mega-introverted (me!), or feel too new to offer much. But you REALLY want to be in a writers room! THREAD 1/ #PreWGA #NationalWritingDay
Or you want to contact an awesome Director! Or you want to collaborate with a group of creatives! What can you do? As a tv writer, and a Uni lecturer who teaches networking to tv and film students, and I’ve gathered specific tricks, tips and ideas 2/
(mostly gathered from my years of humiliating mistakes)- that could help you kick the door down and get into this world. I hope you find this useful to get into this TV/Film world. Buckle up baby! 3/
Read 66 tweets
Jun 12, 2020
If you are a new comedy writer struggling with your pilot script, man I get it. UGH. It feels like you hit brick wall after brick wall. It’s exhausting going after your passion when you feel you are going it alone. (THREAD) #PreWGA #screenwriting 1/
I’ve spent 14 years in tv, the last four years studying comedy scriptwriting, reading scripts, and giving notes. Here are some tips, questions and resources I’ve collated (stolen?) from the giants that could help you. 2/
And then at the end of this thread I’ll bear my soul a bit (ouch) with a few painful lessons to encourage you. This list is by no means comprehensive and there are a huge variety of perspectives, but here’s what helped me big time. 3/
Read 60 tweets

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