Screenwriting : NWC Week 3’s Challenge Post #1 – The Best Advice I’ve Received by Maurice Vaughan

This is so true. I haven't pitched Without Roots to anyone...yet. I'm meeting people, learning, building some credibility, etc. I feel like I will know when it is time to present to certain people because I know they are looking for something like what I write, or even better, they will ask me because they know me. Of course, I'm not an assertive person, and a different style may work better for someone else with more experience.

That's great, Melanie Lang! You're doing it the right way. "I feel like I will know when it is time to present to certain people because I know they are looking for something like what I write, or even better, they will ask me because they know me." That's been my experience. I build relationships and people ask me about my projects, ask to read my scripts, etc. Thanks for commenting!

I don't quite agree that you can't promote your scripts to strangers. there are many examples in our country when screenwriters managed to interest producers, directors, actors with their script and make a film or TV series. another thing is that you need to be a seller and offer the product to those people who may be interested in it.

Hi, Arthur Charpentier. Screenwriters can definitely promote their scripts to strangers. It shouldn't be the first thing a writer does when meeting someone in the industry though.

I love your advice Maurice Vaughan it’s what I am doing :)) It’s like a strategy! Thank for sharing my friend :))

Maurice Vaughan, I don't understand what you mean by acquaintance. the author has a script, he offers it to a person from the industry. what other communication options can you offer besides this?

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia. Thanks. It's a great strategy, and I'm glad I heard the advice way back so I wouldn't keep making the same mistake!

Screenwriters should take time to build relationships/network with people in the industry, Arthur Charpentier. That means getting to know people, finding out what projects they're working on, and becoming friends. Then the writers can talk about their scripts at a later time/day. And like Melanie Lang mentioned, you might not have to talk about your script at all. By building relationships/networking with people, they might ask you to tell them about your script.

Maurice Vaughan, Thanks a lot for the clarification. I completely agree with you. but the problem is that not all authors can establish contacts with people who actually make films. and there are many people in Russia who pretend that they want to make a movie, but in fact they are looking for money.

You're welcome, Arthur Charpentier. You're right. That's one of the benefits of being on Stage 32. Writers can network with producers, directors, etc. all over the world.

good advice there.

Wise words. The funny thing is, by not pushing your material on people, you actually solicit more interest and respect from them. I've never actually asked anyone I've met in person to read anything of mine. I've also had directors/producers come up to me on set rolling their eyes because someone keeps pushing their work.

Great point about the interest and respect, CJ Walley! And I've been on the receiving end of people pushing their work on me as soon as we meet. It doesn't feel good at all.

WOW.. see Maurice.

THIS is what I am talking about... THANK YOU

You're welcome, Stephanie Mack. I've heard this advice over and over and over again. That's one reason I know it's terrific advice.

Very true! Test it out by seeing how you feel when a stranger walks up to you and asks you to read their script (without offering to reciprocate), or talks at your for what feels like hours about their own stories/scripts, without asking if you even like that genre. It's the old adage that RB Botto (founder of Stage 32) and Dale Carnegie (author of the first selfhelp book How to Win Friends and Influence People) give--namely, give 3 times before you ask for anything!

Writers should test that out, Martha Caprarotta.

I use the "give 3 times before you ask for anything" adage. I picked it up from RB. Thanks for mentioning it! Hopefully writers will see your comment and use the adage!

Sounds like good advice but at the end of the day business is business and someone who thinks being offered a script straightaway from a writer is 'rude and unprofessional' should have their head read. (my opinion)

Maurice Vaughan well said, Maurice. Building relationships is such an essential part of working in this industry.

Personally, I think the ask for three times was a good idea before, everyone knew about it. Now Producers think, after the first convo. 'Pleasant enough guy.' On the second, 'Oh, he's here again... commented on my work, nice'...or 'he approached my business partner and commented on my work/the seminar' (to self: 'now he is circling like a shark') and then, on the third, 'oh he's here again, is that a script in his hand, he's following the 3 times before he asks for anything rule... I am outta here! .... Perhaps, I'll have lunch with RB!'

Financing is the best way to build relationships in the film business. less words, more money.

Tell me more Arthur Charpentier!

Relationships built around money are a great way to end up surrounded by fair weather friends.