Currently approaching several agents but they are all asking for a writing CV. As a self-taught screenwriter, I don't have much experience I can add into it. Other than reading screenplays by a variety of different writers as well as watching a never ending supply of tutorial videos, there isn't really anything concrete I can brag about in a sense. Just looking for a bit of advise to help make a self-taught screenwriters CV look a little more tantalising to an agent.
Screenwriting : Writing CV by Ben Madeley
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2 people like this
Write some short films and make them. Then you can give them a YouTube link.
They need something to evaluate. When they are talking about you, they need to be able to talk with authority. They need to know your strengths and weaknesses.
1 person likes this
The route I've taken is to enter a bunch of writing contests. I've placed in several and won a few. Not the easiest way to go but I've been able to pad my resume over the years. Besides, I don't have the time to go out and make films. Got a job and family, so writing is as close as I'm currently going to come. Good luck.
I'm in the same boat as Anthony, I work full time with a family as well so don't get the time to make films, although I would love to. In regards to competitions, it is already part of my plan for September to enter as many as I can. I suppose it's just a long process to get those additions to my CV.
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Same exact problem my dude, plus I can rarely afford to enter competitions and get my name out there. Been trying to find people to work with on other projects, seems like the best way to go.
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Mine is bulked out with screenwriting events I've organised and attended to show I'm proactive. I'd add any contest success stories (none for me yet). I previously included screenwriting books that I had read too but I've taken that section out now.
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My agent didn't ask for a CV. The buyers don't care about CV either.
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Ben Madeley You are on here. You have time to make a short film.
https://youtu.be/jcy6SbxfkXI
I wrote this in a few hours. It is an idea I had for novel. I grabbed my brother in law after work and we walked into some unused land beside the road. There is a BTS video as well on my channel. The entire process was a few hours. Davinci Resolve is free for editing. This was shot on Canon 600D, it would be better shot on a new phone.
You are in charge of your own career. There are more ways to get your rep out today than ever before in history.
I did put together a writers resume since I wanted something in addition to my right-brain resume. The major sections (below the standard header) are:
1. Published Works (my four books)
2. Streaming Entertainment (my ten videos on Amazon Prime and other outlets)
3. U.S. Government (I did a lot of training videos for four federal agencies)
4. Republic of Singapore (paragraph summary of the work I did for that government)
5. Video production work for a Washington DC mega-church
6. Education (my degree, etc)
7. Training (all classes, certifications, and workshops attended)
Granted some of the aforementioned may apply to you. But, if not, think of those areas in which you can describe things related to writing and/or the entertainment industry. If there are none, sign up for some workshops… produce some videos and put them on YouTube and/or Amazon Prime… etc.
I hope this helps.
2 people like this
Like Dan M... My Agent didn't ask for a CV. All she wanted to do is see two of my screenplays. She liked one of them and signed me. I have written several screenplays on assignment and the producers never asked for a CV.
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Nobody in the professional film industry hires off a CV - period. This is a very eyeball to eyeball business. The Agents are asking to see samples of your work (spec scripts), not a CV.
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hold on strong and never give up if it is what you want out of your life .. and goodluck .. also contact people that have had some level of success in the line of work you want to do.. network all the minds you can reach and keep pushing .. do what you can to improve and take risk you can afford to make..
1 person likes this
Ditto on what some others have said - no manager or agent worth their salt is going to ask you for your 'screenwriting CV'. If you're lucky to get their attention at all, they're going to want to see what's in your 'portfolio,' i.e., loglines, synopses, scripts, short films, links to your projects on IMDB.
Like Dan, I've also written for several producers, and none of them ever asked me for a resume.
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Thanks for all the comments guys! As usual everyone had been so helpful and shed more light into the screenwriting industry... If a lot of you are not being asked for CV's then I think I'll leave that and work on my portfolio as well as continuing to network with other professionals!! Thanks again guys!
More often than not, writing a good resume is not easy. A good option can be ai resume that will definitely please your agents. Personally, it has helped me a lot.