I Connected With an Executive Producer. 5 Things I’ve learned So Far
Last year, I decided to stop pursuing work that I didn’t have a passion for. It lead me to a place that I didn’t expect to be. In my retrospection, introspection, and yes, circumspection I realize, man, I’m a lucky duck. I can’t waste this.
I don’t know if it was God, the Universe or some chaotic force of good or evil. The dream is illusory, but the goal isn’t. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Cesare Borgia: Is this a game, sis?
Lucretzia Borgia lies naked on the bed.
Lucretzia Borgia: This is a game about want and wanting.
This from the third Season of Showtime’s The Borgias. It’s a pilot script I recommend you read.
- You must be proactive. This was the result of scouring Instagram for likeminded people. People I could stalk without asking for mentorship. People that have done what I want to do. People that were offering free advice. I want to be a screenwriter. I have to find an inroads.
I wasn’t picky either.
I went looking on Instagram for people to connect with. I found Hollywood Here @hollywoodhereinc on Instagram. They have an initiative called Raise the Percentage. They want to connect lesser represented voices in the industry to staffed writers, show runners, and execs with virtual coffees.
Scrolling through a long list, I found the writers on the show I wanted already snagged. I live in Japan, so I couldn’t stay awake for the email blast. Oh well, I found other people that wrote for shows I liked. Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I snagged an appointment.
Now, for the virtual coffee via Zoom of course. The connection had been made. The rest was up to me.
2. Execs are humans. Hone your human connection skills.
Computers and quarantine have limited our human interaction. We can’t forget to cultivate our humanity.
People who can choose their coworkers do not choose people they don’t like. Being a normal, likeable human goes a long way. If you’re not, you can hone listening and conversation skills.
When I met with The Exec, I was so nervous. My internet connection was garbage. My laptop was garbage. We kept getting disconnected. I almost cried.
He was instantly calming. He assured me is “wasn’t that guy”. He tried to talk without ego about his role, but I got the picture. He was a somebody. I didn’t expect an ounce of humility, but there it was.
I approached this as an interview of a lifetime. Soon, I it felt like I just having a coffee. We learned facts about each other. Shared laughs. Talked about the insanity of the day. It was nice. IT WAS NICE.
Our conversation ended with, “I will read whatever you send.”
3. You need to have something to show. “Always be writing” is a true statement.
Imagine my excitement. He said that he would read whatever I had as a new baby writer. Wow. Yipee.
Oh, I didn’t have anything finished. Imagine my horror. I sent him a scene or two. However, he specifically asked for a finished script. Now, I’m always writing.
Remember, the game is about want and wanting. Be ready to show your work.
4. You have to learn patience. The proactive person can cultivate patience because that person makes moves while they wait.
The Exec was kind enough explain his schedule. The bottom line was, he had other things to do. He would read my script when he had the time.
Those other things did include some work things. They also included his wife and children. He only explained his work schedule. Remember, he’s a husband and father in a pandemic. So, I knew, because I’m a teacher constantly worried about my own students, he must be worried about his loved ones. See there’s that human thing again.
He apologized profusely for not reading my script right away. My response was this:
I’m under no illusions. I’m lucky person to have someone in your position looking at my work. I know you’re parent and spouse. You have a lot of hats. I don’t care if it takes a month or six months. Be safe. We’ll talk soon. AT
And you know what, he read my pilot. I got great notes. I rewrote a bit of a problem area. Volleyed it back to him. Proceeded to work on his other notes. Patience is a virtue.
5. Take advice. Be teachable. Enjoy learning. If you’re not on the inside, you don’t really know what’s going on. You’re not sacrificing your work if you’re asked to change things. They are called drafts for a reason. You can have more than one.
Prepare yourself to do the things that are recommended.
This video is an insider’s perspective about how important it is to be receptive to gatekeepers and decision makers. Our penchant for being disagreeable could be the difference between landing work and being unemployed.
You don’t want to cultivate the reputation that you can not do what is recommended. This is very much a Jedi Master/Padawan relationship.
Also consider, if you’re going to battle your reader, you defeat the purpose of the process.
I made the connection, but I think of it as a boxing game. One of the people we talked about was Shonda Rhimes.
Another pilot, I recommend is reading is Scandal. The Exec stated that it is one of the “tightest” pilots he has ever read. Shonda Rhimes also has a Masterclass, I recommend. You also get to learn for the great Aaron Sorkin also. I think its definitely worth the subscription.
This year, I’m committed to leveling up. Being productive. Making moves. Writing everyday. Finishing scripts. Finishing short stories. Finding those who want want I’m producing.
Remember the next question could be, “What else have you got?”
Write on, y’all.
