Hey everyone! I'm an aspiring writer from Chile, South America, hoping to get my foot in the door of TV writing. I currently have 1 original TV pilot that did well on a few contests, and I have studio notes to help me with rewrites.
I made a 5 year plan to have 2 more original pilots and 2 feature length scripts and have that go around contests and other services in hopes of representation.
I plan on moving to the US at some point to help move everything forward. Is there any advice you could give on how to tackle the challenge of breaking in from afar, time management and motivation to write, and any tips on getting representation? I'm excited to hear what everyone has to offer and I'm very thankful for any advice.
All the best!
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My advice would be the same advice I've received from folks in the past: be ready for your breakthrough because it can come at any time. That basically means have those pilots/feature scripts polished, create decks, bibles, and have your query letters or your bio ready to go. Contests are fine but can be expensive. So focusing on fellowships/writing programs would be even better. More importantly, don't think of a potential move to the US as your official "start". There are great pockets of filmmakers all around the world and I bet there are great grants and opportunities in Chile as well!
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Ben Basso super vibes! Great momentum, wishing you much creative and industry success with your projects, seems like a good time to be parallel working on both TV and feature materials;
You may want to check out the "Writers' Room" here on Stage 32, it's a great platform with industry people sharing timely tactics and strategy.
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Hey Ben Basso! It sounds like you're in great shape to start talking with some managers. And I love that you have a 5-year plan. This business is definitely measured in months and years - not days and weeks. With that in mind, feel free to drop me an email at j.mirch@stage32.com - I am the Director of Script Services and I can help you connect from afar. I will also hook you up with the VIP link to our Writers' Room so you get a free month to meet and connect with other writers, filmmakers, and producers. Hope to hear from you!
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I had a five year plan that sort of worked. it started, but relying on other people’s timeframes was my undoing. But here it is.
Writer some scripts that could be produced for a low budget. Not horror or “room mate” dramas. I went dystopia family action and a cop drama. Sell them. From that, market some of my more reasonable budget stuff. Make sure these have a market to sell them in. Which I have.
I have a limited series I know I can sell to a local distributor connected to a network here in Australia. The budget for this will be determined by the distributor quote. If I have the rep I am hoping I can leverage some local Government Funding (which is possible in Australia). We are also very supportive of writer/directors. I have directed some shorts. A limited series would be in my abilities.
From there, design a stage 2 of my plan.
I also take an “agile project management” approach. Design, implement, test, assess, if the problem still exists design a new solution and do it again. For me, if I miss a goal, I assess why, find a new problem, design a solution and so on.
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Ben Basso. Your five year plan should include writing a lot more than two screenplays and two pilots.
Oh yeah to second Dan G. I mentioned to two plays. But I have written a truck load.