What's good, Sexy Creatives! You're in the right place... Real talk: When I first joined S32, I was a bedroom screenwriter. Almost 2 years later, I have an agent. I've formed a production company with another S32er. I'm a feature extra on LONGMIRE, and I roll to New Mexico for work on a regular basis. I've done more in two years than some creatives will ever do, and I owe it all to S32. If you need any assistance working your way around the Lounges, or jus wanna say hi, feel free to contact me :) Stage32 works if you work it!
Your Stage : Big Denver in the buildin'... by Shawn Speake
Other topics in Your Stage:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
1 person likes this
Great motivational post. Like to hear more about how you landed said agent! Did you use any of the Happy Writers online pitches?
2 people like this
I landed an agent with my writing. I met Pook with a writing sample at my first S32 Meetup in Denver. Soon after, he asked me to write a short for him. I said, get me on LONGMIRE... He's like, take a selfie and shoot it to him. Next thing you know, I have an agent, I'm on LONGMIRE, and they dig my 'distinct' look - whatever the hell that means! S32 Meetups are where it's at, buddy.
2 people like this
Thanks for the response!
2 people like this
Shawn is doing. He's not wishing for LUCK, he's making his own LUCK. Networking. Helping others. Self-less gestures. great camera 'look'. Reminds me of Agent Johnson (DIE HARD), the other Johnson :)
1 person likes this
@Shawn...You know that it's "Truffle Butter" that opened your doors, right?! Hell yeah! Atta-Boy!
1 person likes this
All the high fives, Shawn! You're killin' it.
2 people like this
Thanks for all of the props, sexy people! But I gotta do a take 2. That poorly-written comment made it sound simple, and it's totally not. Here's "HOW I GOT AN AGENT - WITHOUT TRYIN' TO GET AN AGENT: Before joining S32, I completed 10,000 hours of study in the craft of screenwriting and storytelling. Received double-digit coverages from Scriptapalooza, Wildsound, and more. Flew to LA meet the legendary Syd Field for coverage in his back yard. Took classes with Scott Meyers of GOINTOTHESTORY, and graduated from the ProSeries at SCREENWRITINGU. PS35 in the buildin'! ... In 2014, I have 3 features and it's time to network. I join S32 and attend a Meetup in DC. Then I host a meetup in Richmond, Va, where I live. A few people showed, but the market in Richmond ain't exactly poppin'. Now, I'm reinventing myself and my career so this won't work. I pack, drive to Denver and actually join Facebook to meet peeps in Colo. FB's not my style, but we're only as strong as our network, and I need to meet some strong natives. FB it is. I connect S32 and FB Filmmaking Groups in Colo, and hold my first S32 Meeup in Denver. I meet Pookie, an actor on LONGMIRE, and more. We read some pages from one of my features. He asks me to write a short for him. I say, sure, big dogg. "Get me on Longmire with you." I was jus jokin', and I'm gonna write for him regardless because he's the man in Denver. I'm thinkin' if I help him get to his destination, I'll get to mine - alchemy. But he was like, "okay." I couldn't believe it. I've taken classes back in the day, but gave up on acting. I know I'm an ugly dude. My strength's in my work-ethic. I'm also good in a room. So I'm in New Mexico on the set, and they pull me outta the crowd to be a feature extra. Lookin' crazy actually paid off! The crews also dig my energy and voice. Now, I have an agent who calls me about gigs that pay 450 an hour and more! Let me tell you how good those phone calls feel: oh, what a feelin'! ... We just held our 2nd S32 Annual S32 meetup, hosted by Pookie and I. Our team formed a company to fund our shorts and features. We work with Danny Manus to make sure our paper is proper before we shoot. Had a coaching call with him yesterday. Shooting our first short soon. Of 2,000 Creatves in my network, I only work with a handful. It takes a lot of networkin' to find the needles in the haystack that suit our needs, but they are here! Teamwork makes the dream work. Always remember, never to forget: we're only as strong as our network :)
1 person likes this
Here's a blast from the past and a look at a ScreenWriter's Room - Speake Style. Holler at your boy! https://www.stage32.com/media/1536897327703271781
1 person likes this
You are good on Longmire-can you watch my film Felicia a short film on youtube? Maybe I can be in something in your films!
2 people like this
Shawn, you are such an inspiration to all of us starting out. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Here's to many, many, many more years of success for you.
1 person likes this
@Shawn... oh wow. I love Longmire... I kinda binged it on Netflix. Are they doing another season? Which Episode are you in?
1 person likes this
Nice! .
1 person likes this
Cool pic. Re "Real Talk"....It's great how you walked the walk with giant strides!
1 person likes this
Great. I met the author, C. Johnson, of Longmire in Des Moines this past summer. One of my favorite shows.
1 person likes this
@Sylvia, it's fairly certain there will be a season 6 because the main cast's contracts run for 1 more season always good hearing from you, shawn.
1 person likes this
Thankyou Shawn, very motivating post!!
1 person likes this
Thanks for the kind words, everyone! ... Stephen, "Truffle Butter", lol! I still can't believe I made it to the finals of AGT in Vegas rappin' that stupid song! ... As far as my cameos, don't close your eyes! Sylvia, I'm in a few episodes. In 6: I'm a dopedealer in the bar who glares at Walt when he enters with a styrofoam cooler in gray duct tape. I'm also in the courtroom scenes, around ep 9 with Peter Stormare as one of his henchmen on the cult side.