I recently received this question on LinkedIn, where I give advice to screenwriters from a literary manager's perspective. Here is the long version of my answer.
“…the whole reason I got into this job in the first place was to be a writer myself” Gosh I can relate, Audrey! Exciting times though, what a transition! 💪🥂
I've been reading your newsletter for a few months and have consistently thought and wondered if you were also writing scripts/if you would shift to writing FT -- Congratulations on your official shift!! Cheering for you, Audrey!
1. Find your tribe. Meeting new people and maintaining contact with them is great, but - as someone who has been lucky enough to have written professionally and worked in multiple high-tier writers’ rooms - fostering meaningful friendships is way more valuable. Ask people to coffee / lunch / dinner and get to know them. Making real connections with people who share your interests and worldview is not only a great way to increase your scope of opportunity, but it’s also incredibly personally rewarding. Connecting with others on a deeper level is fun!
2. Don’t just write. Make stuff. I know it’s much easier and less time intensive just to plant yourself in front of Final Draft and write, but being a specialist (just a writer) is no longer a viable option for budding creatives in traditional entertainment. It’s a really hard truth that no one seems to want to talk about: Even the very best pilot script isn’t going to push you to the top of the dog pile. I know this because I’ve spoken with dozens of Showrunners, all of whom have mentioned stacks of sample scripts they have to review for staffing, sometimes 300 scripts tall. One way to stand out from the pack is to have produced material, and no, that doesn’t necessarily mean a million dollar studio project. Even having a few hundred followers on your TikTok account can set you apart. If that doesn’t appeal to you, make a short with friends using your iPhone. Do it without spending money and then make another thing. And then another. If you can’t tell a good story without tens of thousands of dollars, I hate to break it to you, but the tens of thousands of dollars probably won’t help.
3. Keep learning. Getting notes on your script is a good start, but it’s not nearly enough to improve as a writer and build a career. If you want to work professionally - not just as a hobby - you need to learn from professionals: who’s selling what and to which companies. You can’t just know what you’re writing, you have to consider what you’re writing FOR. Who’s your audience? I mean that two ways: First, who is the audience that will want to watch this show or movie (the viewers) and second, who is the audience that will want to BUY this show or movie (the studio / prod co). Consider what the former is watching and understand what the latter is buying and you’ll start to see trends emerging. These trends will inform not just what you write, but what you do with that writing once you’ve completed it.
And what would you say to writers over 50.
Great idea for a whole separate article!
“…the whole reason I got into this job in the first place was to be a writer myself” Gosh I can relate, Audrey! Exciting times though, what a transition! 💪🥂
Thanks, Michael! It feels good to come out like this :D
For sure! Are you already working on a project?
Of course :)
Nice! What’s the concept? Or not quite yet ready to share? Regardless awesome to hear that you’re underway Audrey! 😃💪
I've been reading your newsletter for a few months and have consistently thought and wondered if you were also writing scripts/if you would shift to writing FT -- Congratulations on your official shift!! Cheering for you, Audrey!
Thank you yes it hasn't been surprising to too many people :)
Great post, Audrey 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼. I would add:
1. Find your tribe. Meeting new people and maintaining contact with them is great, but - as someone who has been lucky enough to have written professionally and worked in multiple high-tier writers’ rooms - fostering meaningful friendships is way more valuable. Ask people to coffee / lunch / dinner and get to know them. Making real connections with people who share your interests and worldview is not only a great way to increase your scope of opportunity, but it’s also incredibly personally rewarding. Connecting with others on a deeper level is fun!
2. Don’t just write. Make stuff. I know it’s much easier and less time intensive just to plant yourself in front of Final Draft and write, but being a specialist (just a writer) is no longer a viable option for budding creatives in traditional entertainment. It’s a really hard truth that no one seems to want to talk about: Even the very best pilot script isn’t going to push you to the top of the dog pile. I know this because I’ve spoken with dozens of Showrunners, all of whom have mentioned stacks of sample scripts they have to review for staffing, sometimes 300 scripts tall. One way to stand out from the pack is to have produced material, and no, that doesn’t necessarily mean a million dollar studio project. Even having a few hundred followers on your TikTok account can set you apart. If that doesn’t appeal to you, make a short with friends using your iPhone. Do it without spending money and then make another thing. And then another. If you can’t tell a good story without tens of thousands of dollars, I hate to break it to you, but the tens of thousands of dollars probably won’t help.
3. Keep learning. Getting notes on your script is a good start, but it’s not nearly enough to improve as a writer and build a career. If you want to work professionally - not just as a hobby - you need to learn from professionals: who’s selling what and to which companies. You can’t just know what you’re writing, you have to consider what you’re writing FOR. Who’s your audience? I mean that two ways: First, who is the audience that will want to watch this show or movie (the viewers) and second, who is the audience that will want to BUY this show or movie (the studio / prod co). Consider what the former is watching and understand what the latter is buying and you’ll start to see trends emerging. These trends will inform not just what you write, but what you do with that writing once you’ve completed it.
Happy to discuss more of these at length!
this looks awful tbh
Also, what really be helpful is watching your favorite writer/directors , no matter who they are, and learn from them in bts and interviews.
I would start brainstorming, have a plan to start writing your own idea and stories.