Filmmaking / Directing : Ask Me Anything (AMA) Wednesday 6/12 to Thursday 6/13- How To Network Properly To Build A Film Career by James Kicklighter

Congratulations on all the success, James Kicklighter! Hope you have more! Thanks for having this AMA. What’s one thing that I can do to differentiate myself when networking?

Hi James Kicklighter - "The American Question" sounds super interesting. Thanks so much for spending your day with us for this AMA. When networking, at what point do you share the ideas that you're passionate about as opposed to focusing on being relational alone?

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, James Kicklighter ! My question would be what are some of the ways you maintain your professional relationships?

One of my favorite people in the biz and a wealth of knowledge. I encourage all lurkers here to step out of your comfort zone and ask James your questions.

James, for all your success, I know you've also told me about some challenging projects as well. What do you do to stay motivated, ride the waves, and keep pushing forward?

Thank you, James! What tips/suggestions do you have for people who love outside of L.A..?

Maurice Vaughan I think being authentic in your interactions is really important. For example, instead of asking for something -- "Hi, can you produce this project for me, we just met" -- approaching with a question, such as "I understand you know this topic really well, what's something I can do to improve how I approach my producing skills?" It's not about the transaction, it is about learning and better yourself. This generally leaves a better impression.

Leonardo Ramirez I tend to shout the ideas I am passionate about all the time! Look, people aren't going to steal ideas, it's all in execution. So, when I share what I'm interested in, sometimes, that leads to other people sharing the same interests -- that can lead to collaboration.

William Joseph Hill Social Media is useful! I also tend to check in on people and congratulate them when their projects are in the news. On Instagram in particular, I will screenshot and tag folks when they're having success. It's important to be a cheerleader, too.

Richard "RB" Botto You're most kind! The longer I do this, the more I realize that every project has a season. Sometimes, projects aren't ready, timing isn't right or the marketplace has shifted to something else. What else do you have in your back pocket? Focusing all of your energy on a single thing is a quick way to failure. Try to have a few projects cooking at the same time, and when something starts heating up, run with it. If something begins to cool down, identify why, and understand how you need to recalibrate. That way, when something doesn't work -- and it will happen -- you have many other things to keep you going. Of course, that doesn't even include surprise projects, which come across my desk periodically too.

Kathy Holzapfel I started my career in Bellville, GA, population 123. I picked up a camera, and started making things. Those things were pretty bad in the beginning, but I figured out through trial and error what worked and didn't work. Send those projects to film festivals, and when you start getting in, go to those places to network. If people don't know you exist, they won't know you exist. It's really important to use the tools at your disposal in the beginning. You don't need a fancy camera, you need to know how to tell a story, make it technically competent, and then take it to places where you'll meet people who can collaborate with you.

Thanks James Kicklighter - I've never been one to be concerned about someone stealing my ideas because as you mentioned, it's all in execution and everyone's is different. Thanks so much.

Couldn't agree more, James Kicklighter. There is a season for all projects. We're seeing that in multiple revived genres at the moment.

Your other advice here about asking questions and staying in touch and congratulating people on social media is gold as well. Relationship building is one of the most ignored parts of success in this business. Some get it, some do not.

Thanks for the answer, James Kicklighter. Excellent answers! I especially like "I understand you know this topic really well, what's something I can do to improve how I approach my producing skills?"

Do you have any networking nightmare stories that filmmakers and other creatives could learn from?

James... what are your tips/suggestions to help acquire representation as a writer/actor/producer?

Hello James Kicklighter, many thanks for this gesture. My question would be, when it comes to collaboration, what's the peculiar 'dos and don'ts' an aspiring filmmaker should look out for?

Thanks.

Thanks, James Kicklighter - that's a great point about social media, and I love your other answers too!

Maurice Vaughan oh, I’ve seen a lot of terrible networking practices over the years.

Just the other day, I was at an event where a “producer” was in front of me, meeting an Oscar winning filmmaker for the first time. She was asking him, after speaking for 2 minutes, to produce her next project. Clearly, that’s not going to happen, and it leaves a sour taste.

It so happened that I pitched the individuals company a few months back. When I spoke, I gave my name, complimented their executives for an excellent meeting. Though they didn’t buy my pitch, all I wanted to do was associate my name with the executive, and thank them for the opportunity.

It’s likely that I will pitch them again in the future, so that’s a more valuable way to handle that moment. Think long term, not short term.

Matt Otstot as I was told many years ago, you don’t need representation until representation reaches out to you. It’s important to build enough of a body of work that there is something they can do with you, to be able to position yourself and your work.

Even then, that might be challenging.

You have to build up work on your own, which means producing your own content, building relationships with casting directors and other creatives.

I worked for nearly 15 years before representation was on the table. Don’t rush it, do the work.

Thanks for sharing that, James Kicklighter. I've done there (asking producers to read/buy my scripts as soon as I've met them). I don't do that anymore. I build a relationship with a producer, director, etc. before I bring up my script. And sometimes I don't have to bring up my scripts. By building relationships, they ask me "What are you working on??

I've also been on the receiving end where someone asked me to read their script, support their crowdfunding campaign, etc. right away without building a relationship. Filmmakers, screenwriters definitely need to build relationships first.

Thank you for sharing your time with us today, James Kicklighter! You've provided such wonderful advice in this post already! Do you have any specific networking red flags or turn-offs that stand out to you when connecting with someone new?

Ashley Renee Smith one of the big ones is unsolicited material.

For starters, we just met, so I know nothing about you. Second, if you blindly email me a script or project, legally, it’s perilous for me to open it — just because there’s the possibility I am doing something similar. It also comes across as amateur and desperate.

If you want me to read or watch something, this should not be your first interaction, and I’m very likely not to respond. Build a relationship, ask questions, engage.

Even some of my mentors, who have been in the business a lot longer than me — I’ve never asked them to read or watch anything — unless they offer.

Being transactional, “what can you do for me,” puts you in the same boat as most folks. Stand out by doing something different.

Jessica Broesicke a great place to start is using social networks like Stage 32! But I think the best way to network is in person, so if opportunities arise for you to go to film festivals or events in those regions, I would try to do that.

Ikenna Ezuma as far as collaboration goes, DO surround yourself with people who have skills that you don’t. There are many things I’m not good at, so I try to work with people who can fill those gaps — to make our best work.

DON’T think you have all the answers, because that’s why you collaborate. Listen to what people have to say, consider how that can enhance — or detract from — your vision, and then clarify why their ideas may help or not.

It’s important to make your vision clear to all parties, so they can make suggestions to enhance it. Collaboration doesn’t work when you’re not clear.

Great advice James Kicklighter

Massive amount of gold in here, James Kicklighter

This would be an amazing Podcast Richard "RB" Botto & James Kicklighter & Ashley Renee Smith & Maurice Vaughan & Leonardo Ramirez

Great idea, Mark Deuce!

I'm in, Mark Deuce!

Me too Richard "RB" Botto & James Kicklighter & Maurice Vaughan