When you are fortunate enough to meet with executives, whether at a screenwriting pitching event or a general meeting in a studio, it’s critical you come with realistic expectations and put your best foot forward. You have one shot at a first impression. Whether you have a screenwriting agent or not, you will have to get comfortable selling a script in person. The screenwriting executive needs to like you as much, if not more, than your screenplay idea.
In business, information is often the most valuable part of your arsenal, so protecting it is key to business survival. Christopher Schiller sheds light on the non-disclosure agreements, explaining when and why to use an NDA.
Manny Fonseca examines his biggest pitchfest pet peeves when it comes to attending pitchfests as an executive. Do you fall into any of the following categories? Read to find out.
Collaborating with friends has always been a tightrope act. Jeanne Veillette Bowerman gives tips to help you not lose the friendship over the course of a project.
When you're starting out in Hollywood you have to learn the ropes quick. Manny Fonseca explains that sometimes, it's the person you trust that turns out to be a "scam artist."
Marty Lang explains how the recent Writer's Guild negotiations garnered screenwriting lessons for beginning screenwriters and filmmakers. If you studied the way this negotiation played out, there are some undeniable truths that can help you in your work.
T. Jay O'Brien shares invaluable screenwriting lessons to aide your writing career, gained by working with writers and actors for a couple decades in a Writing Lab environment.
“Pitching” is a key ingredient to becoming a professional screenwriter. In short, it means telling someone—say, a prospective agent or producer—what your script is about in a simple, entertaining way.
After years of going to pitchfests, talking about pitchfests and live Tweeting from pitchfests, Manny Fonseca's sarcastic tone finally gets him banned.
Tawnya Bhattacharya gives insights on how to ask the right questions at agent and manager meetings to make sure you find the right representation for your career.