Film 210: Week 13

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

• Practical steps for building your writing career and portfolio
• How to network effectively and create opportunities in the industry
• Essential pitching skills including loglines and pitch methods
• Honest industry realities including pay rates and competition
• Self-care strategies for surviving the pressures of the industry
• Real-world examples of diverse career paths in film and television

Let’s begin!

This is our last lesson, and you might be wondering, “What’s next?”

So let’s consider some practical steps for those looking to work in scriptwriting or film production, as well as advice for anyone who wants to continue developing their craft.

Grow Your Writing

First and foremost, if you want to be a writer, keep writing and build your career. Here are four essential areas to focus on:

1. Focus on Your Craft:

• Keep writing and set specific goals to improve your skills
• Work towards writing 10+ scripts to build your portfolio
• Continue your education through classes, books, writing coaches, and mentors
• Join writing groups and provide feedback on others’ work

2. Build Your Network:

• Collaborate with fellow students—they’re your future industry contacts
• Network through production work—every connection is an opportunity
• Be friendly, talk, and introduce yourself to industry professionals
• Join industry organizations, guilds, or unions (Writers Guild, local film associations)
• Attend industry events, workshops, and conferences when possible
• Research and identify broadcasters, producers, programs, and funding relevant to your goals
• Remember: It’s often about who you know and your attitude

3. Take Initiative:

• Enter scriptwriting competitions and attend pitchfests
• Participate in festivals as a writer/director or team member
• Try cold calls and query letters to agents
• Don’t wait to be discovered—create your own opportunities
• Familiarize yourself with new technologies affecting scriptwriting and production
• Consider alternative routes—people are telling stories everywhere. The small screen in your pocket reaches more people than the big screen ever will

4. Develop Resilience:

• Practice patience—success rarely happens overnight
• Persist through challenges and rejections
• Balance dedication with self-care
• Stay adaptable as the industry evolves

Remember: Do good work, share it consistently, and don’t let setbacks discourage you from your goals. The industry is always evolving, so staying informed and adaptable is key to long-term success.

Mastering the Pitch

You’re writing and making connections. Now comes another vital skill: selling your work.

Creating Effective Loglines:
Loglines are one or two sentences that summarize your story—your elevator pitch.

1. Make it simple: What if (premise)? Or: What if X meets Y?
2. Find the hook that makes people want to know more

You could also build it out: “(Title) is a (genre) in the vein of (similar film). It follows (main character) as they (second act activity). Problems occur when (complication). Now they must (third act strategy)!”

There are many other pitching methods and frameworks available online—loglines are just your starting point for learning to sell your work effectively.

Balancing Audience, Writer, and Story

The market has polarized into high-budget tentpoles or micro-budget indies. Movies go to streamers and can disappear in the algorithm. You have to actively find your audience and punch through the noise.

Every successful project balances three elements: your audience (who specifically needs this story), your unique voice as the writer (what only you can write), and the story itself (quality craft that serves both). It’s not selling out—it’s strategic creativity.

Industry Realities and Challenges

The film and television industry can be rewarding, but understand the realities you’ll face. Whether you’re writing or working on set, you need to know about the challenges ahead.

The Hard Numbers:

• If you live in Saskatchewan, the industry is still restarting—consider whether to stay or move
• No matter where you go, finding producers, filmmakers, and funding is challenging
• 2024 WGC rates: A script pays $66,148, first draft from existing treatment $23,150, television script $19,591
• Producers will often option your work for $0, offering only “exposure”
• Many try non-union shoots, which won’t pay industry standard rates
• There are tales of producers undercutting writers or exploiting new talent

The Competition:

• Executives, producers, and agents get 1-15 scripts daily (5,475+ per year)
• 99% of scripts are rejected, then factor in options, non-union work, production hell, and shelved projects
• Many people are competing for every job

The People:
Not everyone is motivated by love of storytelling. Some are driven by money, power, or status, and may exploit their positions. While this isn’t unique to film and television, the competitive nature can amplify these issues. Stay aware, trust your instincts, and prioritize your well-being.

Taking Care of Yourself

Whether you’re writing or working on set, here’s essential survival advice:

Understanding Your Position:

• Your degree often doesn’t mean much on production sets, but don’t dismiss its value
• It gives you knowledge about filmmaking that will pay off in other ways
• It’s a networking tool connecting you with classmates who may end up in key industry positions
• Long 12-14 hour production days make it hard to write afterward

Professional Survival:

• Don’t be incompetent, lazy, or difficult and you’ll likely get hired again
• The production assistant you’re rude to today might be a producer tomorrow
• Learning to be a people person helps whether on set or networking
• Production environments can be like kindergarten with egos and expectations

Personal Survival:

• Sleep, eat healthy, and exercise during productions or deep writing periods
• Be cautious about temptations on set—there are many, and I’ve seen people’s families and lives ruined
• If you thrive on stress/rest cycles, production is perfect for you. If not, find ways to manage the ups and downs
• Take care of your mental health—industry pressures are intense whether pulling long hours or facing writer’s block
• Find your community of fellow writers and industry professionals who understand your challenges
• Celebrate small wins: finished drafts, new contacts, any progress

The Long Game:
Have a day job, but do what you love. If you want a career in the industry, practice it every day. Work hard and don’t give up, and don’t let difficult people discourage you.

The Long Game:
Have a day job, but do what you love. If you want a career in the industry, practice it every day. Work hard and don’t give up, whether facing tough production schedules or challenging scripts. Don’t let difficult people discourage you, and remember that your well-being is crucial to your creativity and longevity.

Real-World Examples

Success paths are as varied as the stories we tell. Here are real examples that illustrate the unpredictable nature of the business:

The Lucky Break: A classmate became a driver for an old Hollywood star. She took a liking to him and invited him to stay in her LA guest house—his unexpected entry into the industry.

The Persistent Writer: Someone I knew moved to Toronto, worked production sets by day, and wrote every night. Slowly, he got a few scripts turned into features, eventually creating a television cartoon series that ran for several seasons.

The Career Pivot: Another industry professional grew tired of the entertainment world, briefly worked at IKEA, then found his way into copywriting—a different kind of storytelling.

The Power of Networking: I got my first job because I accompanied my future wife to drop off her resume at a production office. I ran into an old classmate who encouraged me to submit mine too, leading to a PA job.

The Dedicated Filmmakers: I know several students who focused solely on directing. They found ways to finance their films and poured all their energy into making movies while working second jobs to support themselves. One worked at his father’s car dealership, another at CTV, but they dedicated their free time and resources to what they loved—creating films. They didn’t take the traditional route of working their way up; instead, they carved out their own path with passion and dedication driving them forward.

The Unpredictable Journey: My path has been full of unexpected turns. I was once an assistant to a two-time Oscar-nominated actress. While it didn’t directly advance my career, I later wrote a story about the experience that became part of my first published collection. As a PA, I made good impressions that led to references, ultimately landing me a job at SaskFilm as locations coordinator for seven years. There, I met countless industry professionals, read hundreds of scripts including some that became Oscar-winning movies, and overcame a 15-year writing block, which eventually led me to teach.

The Reality Check: For every success story, there are countless tales of hardworking individuals writing constantly, yet never selling or producing a script. This industry can be as challenging as it is rewarding.

Every connection is an opportunity for career or personal growth. You never know which experience or relationship might lead to your big break. Stay open, work hard, and remember that your path might not look like anyone else’s—and that’s okay.

Key Takeaways

• Keep writing and building your portfolio—consistent work and networking are essential for career growth
• Master the basics of pitching, especially clear loglines that hook listeners immediately
• Understand industry realities including low acceptance rates and financial challenges, but don’t let them discourage you
• Take care of your mental and physical health—the industry pressures are real and intense
• Build genuine relationships and treat everyone professionally—today’s assistant could be tomorrow’s producer
• Success paths are unpredictable and varied—stay open to unexpected opportunities and connections
• Balance persistence with patience—careers develop over years, not months, but dedication pays off