3-2-1 | Screenwriting Thursday: Relational Climbing, Believing in Yourself, Loudmouths
It’s been a while since I’ve come across a complete newbie in the industry in person - which is sort of insane really - but chatting with one over the past weekend at a party reminded me of so many unspoken etiquette rules we assimilate into once we’ve hit a certain amount of experience… At least, ideally.
It felt like this individual was only interested in talking to me for business purposes (fine-ish in a meeting, not at a party) to improve their own standing rather than interested in building a connection that could be mutually beneficial.
So - I was pleasant and just didn’t volunteer my resources.
But First…
3 IDEAS FROM ME
I.
The entertainment industry is inherently different from other industries due to the high degree of emotional connection necessary in order to work together well. It might sound silly, but vibes frequently matter more than practical ability or experience.
Think about it - do you want to work on an art project (especially a stressful one where someone could theoretically fuck you over) with someone you don’t have a natural connection with? With someone who feels like they don’t really care about you? Probably not.
It took me a long time to get this one, but jumping straight to business is a deal killer. The opening hangout is just as important as the work. We need to sus out if we’re the right fit before jumping into bed together. There’s too much intimacy required in the work to skirt the foreplay.
II.
People need to buy in to YOU before they buy into your project. Do you think your project is stellar? Are you confident? Are you able to handle pushback? One of the most effective things I’ve seen a manager do is tell a client their idea likely isn’t going to be a good fit. If the client follows suit and moves on, it was the right move - how would they be able to stand up to someone who said that in a pitch meeting?
If the client thinks about it and comes back with a quality defense, it still might not be the ‘right move’ commercially, but at least the conviction is powerful enough to stand on it’s own when the chips are down.
III.
The loudmouths who brag about their connections are usually in a more tenuous position than someone who is quiet about theirs. The people who shut up are used to having strangers try to use them. The loud ones haven’t had enough of those experiences yet.
2 QUOTES FROM OTHERS
I.
Viktor E. Frankl, a man of many titles: Psychiatrist, neurologist, and Holocaust survivor. From his book, Man's Search for Meaning:
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
II.
Robert Frost - the classic:
“The best way out is always through.”
1 QUESTION FOR YOU
Why do you believe in yourself? Genuinely - take a moment and write it down.
Until next week,
Kate Gaulke
p.s. Tone is important
