How to Become a Professional Screenwriter 101

The key to packaging yourself as a screenwriter and preparing you for a career in entertainment is all about finding the right people, building relationships, and knowing where your voice fits into the marketplace. Industry veteran, Michael Schulman (THE AVIATOR, SIXTH SENSE) will show you how to navigate your career, from getting your foot in the door and beyond.

So you believe you’re ready to launch your screenwriting career. Now what?

Most writers hunt for representation in the hopes that they will sell their scripts. But what if you can find the right people to produce with on your own?

In this Stage 32 exclusive webinar, industry veteran Michael Schulman will show you how to make yourself and your script an appealing package, and find the right producers to build relationships with.

Michael’s extensive career includes time working at William Morris, ICM, and CAA, as well as three studios, including Netflix. His experience makes him uniquely aware of what both producers and representatives are looking for in a writer and their scripts. This gives you fantastic access to years of insight from someone involved with some of the most successful films, including THE AVIATOR, ALI, THE SIXTH SENSE, GROUNDHOG DAY, and many more.

Believe it or not, accessing real industry pros is not as difficult as it looks. Michael will help you write to your strengths, determine what exactly your script needs, know how to choose the right producers for your package, and also know how to reach out to them.

From there, you’ll learn how to prepare to meet with both producers and representatives, even establishing follow-up steps to keep the conversation going with them.

By the end of the webinar, you’ll understand the producer’s mindset of how to look at and market your scripts, viewing yourself as a package that can kickstart your career.

How to “package” yourself as a screenwriter

• Define your career goals
• What do you want to do with your projects(s)?
• Who are the "right people" to help advance these goals
• Is it better to have a portfolio of projects or a single labor of love?

How to know when your project is ready to send out

• What is more important: concept or execution?
• Understand how your project(s) fit within the current market
• Identify your project's selling points
• The importance of feedback before you submit -- you may still be a draft away

The differences between Agents and Managers

• What Agents and Managers look for
• Why it is so difficult to connect with anyone
• Reasons why maybe you shouldn't worry about representation just yet

Who are Producers and how they fit into the equation

• What producers actually do and why they may be the key to the process
• How to identify and target the right producer for your project
• How to write query letters that work
• The power of the introduction -- how producers can get you the right representation

What is a “General Meeting” and how to prepare for it

• How to do your research
• have a flexible agenda
• Ask about projects in development
• Leave with a follow-up step

Summary and Analysis

• Why "diversity" matters and why it doesn't mean what you think
• Write projects that play into your strengths
• Screenwriting and the "Law of Attraction"

Q&A with Michael

All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn learn how to make yourself and your script an appealing package, and find the right producers to build relationships with.

All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how to make yourself and your script an appealing package, and find the right producers to build relationships with.

Producers looking to learn how to make yourself and your script an appealing package, and find the right producers to build relationships with.

Actors looking to learn how to make yourself and your script an appealing package, and find the right producers to build relationships with.