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by Cameron Counts
Well, the majority of us are going crazy making plans to attend one of the numerous Screenwriting or Pitch conventions...working overtime to afford it, polishing pitches and scripts, etc. Conventions are EXPENSIVE but well worth the cost IF you plan ahead and come prepared.
Stay in the hosting hotel: You can save a lot of time by staying in whatever hotel is hosting the event, if possible. I've tried to save money by staying at a hotel on the outskirts of town...but had an hour bus or subway ride back to the hotel. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but just wait until you buy the newest edition of The Screenwriters Bible and are condemned to carry it around all day, or can't go back to change clothes for that Pitch or big Networking Party, etc.
Networking: Speaking of Networking...do it!! MEET EVERYONE!! You NEVER know who knows who or who's someone's cousins neighbor!! I was talking to a SECURITY GUARD one time, turned out he was TROY DUFFY's BOSS when Troy was writing a little script called The Boondock Saints. Not only were there some great behind-the-story stories that few people had ever heard before, they were still friends!! There are now only two degrees of separation between me and Troy Duffy...and perhaps I can utilize that someday. So, talk to everybody, follow up and KEEP IN TOUCH...who knows, you might find a co-writer, a producer or a potential roomie to reduce costs for NEXT year!! FaceBook, LinkedIn and NextCat are your friends...and I'm on all of them.
Lend a Helping Hand: UNCLE BILL WANTS YOU!! I can't say enough about volunteerism. If I don't volunteer for the convention itself, I volunteer for one of the exhibitors. This gives you some great perks and some incredible access to people that you normally wouldn't get!! Work a booth for a DAY and all the other exhibitors see you as an EQUAL instead of a CUSTOMER...this means potential freebies, discounts, etc...plus, back to the Networking aspect, a TON of the exhibitors are insiders to some extent and/or have some serious, upper level contacts!! I have NEVER regretted my time spent volunteering!!
Don't be an Autograph Hound: (I even have trouble with this) Conventions are exciting. There will be a TON of A-List writers and even some producers, directors and actors. You have to be realistic about things though...what's REALLY more important?? Standing in line to maybe get Seth Rogen's autograph or learning subtext?? That's not to say that the Seth Rogen interview wasn't hilarious and was totally worth it, it's just that the super A-List people at conventions do NOT (usually) sign autographs. William Goldman doesn't, Seth Rogen didn't, Oliver Stone didn't...so if you're going just to get the ink, go to a class and strengthen your skills instead.
Pitching: Pitching...an unfortunate, necessary evil in this industry. (it's also my WEAK spot) Every screenwriter will HAVE to do it in some way, shape or form...some people LOVE the experience, some HATE it. Practice, practice, practice...audio or video recordings are useful, you'll pick up things you might not notice you're doing...pauses, gestures, tics. Also, practice pitching to someone, friends and family are a bad choice because they won't be objective, find a fellow writer and swap pitches AND BE BRUTALLY HONEST with each other. Pitching/PitchFests are expensive, try to get a list of who will be there, research them as much as possible and lock in to who might be the best targets for your pitch. One last min idea, completely off the hip...would it help to schedule a practice pitch with a agent/catcher you don't care about? I know that contradicts the previous statement, but it might get your first/new pitch jitters out of the way so you can knock the important ones out of the park!! And who knows, they might even be interested...
Just a few thoughts, my reflections upon attending 4 EXPOs (and a CineStory Script Sessions, back in the day!!), take it with a grain of salt.
An interview with screenwriter Robert Heske regarding the Get Initiative Writing Competition.
An interview with screenwriter Andrew Bennett regarding the Get Initiative Writing Competition.
An interview with screenwriter timothy ellmore regarding the Get Initiative Writing Competition.
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