Navigating the Real World

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.

Let's get to it.

Grow Your Writing

First and foremost, no matter, if you want to be a writer, keep writing and build your career. Here are six actions you can take:

  1. Focus on Your Craft:
    • Keep writing. Set goals. Improve skills.
    • Work towards writing 10+ scripts to build your portfolio.
    • Continue your education: Take more classes and read more books.
    • Find a writing coach and/or a mentor.
    • Join or start writing groups. Read and provide feedback on other people's work.
  2. Build Your Network:
    • Collaborate with fellow students.
    • Network through production work - every connection is an opportunity.
    • Be friendly, talk, and introduce yourself to industry professionals.
    • Join industry organizations, guilds, or unions (e.g. Writers Guild, local film associations)
    • Attend industry events, workshops, and conferences
    • Remember: It's often about who you know and your attitude.
  3. Research and Prepare:
    • Identify broadcasters, producers, programs, funding, and grants relevant to your goals.
    • Research the industry landscape: Canada, the US, or elsewhere.
    • Keep up with industry news and trends through trade publications, podcasts, and online communities.
    • Familiarize yourself with new technologies affecting scriptwriting and production (e.g., AI-assisted writing tools and virtual production techniques).
  4. Take Initiative:
    • Enter scriptwriting competitions.
    • Attend pitchfests.
    • Participate in festivals (especially as a writer/director or part of a team)
    • Try cold calls and query letters to agents.
    • Consider building your career path - filmmaking has changed.
    • Don't wait to be discovered - pick yourself and create opportunities.
  5. Develop Resilience:
    • Practice patience - success rarely happens overnight.
    • Persist through challenges and rejections.
    • Balance dedication with self-care.
    • Stay adaptable as the industry changes.
  6. Stay Current and Adaptable:
    • Attend industry conferences and workshops when possible to learn about emerging trends and network with professionals.
    • Be open to adapting your skills for different formats (e.g., streaming platforms, interactive narratives, VR/AR storytelling).
    • Continuously update your knowledge of industry standards and practices.
    • Embrace new storytelling mediums and technologies as they emerge. Don’t complain about how it was—figure out how it can be.

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 the key to long-term success.

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Mastering the Pitch

You're writing, building your skills, and making connections. Now comes another vital skill: selling your work. Let's learn how to pitch effectively.

Off the top, focus on:

  • Learn to talk about and sell your work effectively
  • Develop 2-3 minute pitches (5 minutes max)
  • Use your first scripts as your calling cards
  • Build an arsenal of scripts to be prepared for opportunities
  • Remember: success often depends on the connections you make

Creating Effective Log Lines

Log lines are the one or two-sentence summary of your story. They are like your elevator pitch.

  1. Make it simple: What if (premise)? Or: What if X meets Y?
  2. Find the hook.

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

Developing Your Talking Points

  • This movie is unlike any in its genre because of (its unique approach).
  • Audiences will respond to (theme).
  • And they'll love scenes such as (memorable set pieces).
  • Why do you write?

The Pixar Pitch Method

Pixar story artist, Emma Coats, says that every Pixar film shares the same narrative DNA – a deep structure of storytelling that involves six sequential sentences:

  1. Once upon a time, there was… (Main Character)
  2. Every day…(Ordinary world), then one day… (Catalyst)
  3. Because of that… (End Act 1)
  4. Because of that… (End Act 2A)
  5. Because of that…(End Act 2B)
  6. Until finally… (Act 3)

Crafting a Pitch Document

Build a one-page document. Focus less on images and fancy fonts and focus more on conveying your story.

There are several formats, but a popular one is using a one-sentence logline, with a short paragraph that summarizes the story, and a further detailed description over several paragraphs.

Or you could do one similar to the one-page pitch.

The goal is to draw a producer into the story. The logline acts as a hook that compels them to read further.

The Writer's Triangle: Balancing Self, Story, and Audience

Throughout this course, we've focused on craft and technique. But here's the reality: making movies costs money, which means understanding your audience and the marketplace is crucial.

How do you balance your creative vision with commercial appeal? This is where the writer's triangle comes in—the relationship between you as a writer, your story, and your audience.

1. The Writer: Finding Your Voice

  • When starting, you might feel like an untapped firehose, bursting with ideas, or experience a creative log jam due to fear or worry.
  • The goal is to let your creativity flow without drowning your audience.
  • Remember, your unique perspective is valuable. Cultivate it, but also learn to channel it effectively.

2. The Writing: Crafting Your Story

  • Focus on honing your craft. This includes developing your style, mastering storytelling techniques, and continuously improving your skills.
  • Your writing should reflect your voice while also considering your audience's needs.
  • Strive for a balance between self-expression and audience engagement.

3. The Audience: Writing with Purpose

  • Always have a clear audience in mind. This could be:
    • Someone you know personally (partner, parent, friend)
    • A specific demographic (e.g., a 30-year-old nurse after a 12-hour night shift)
    • Your future or past self
  • Once you've identified your audience, consider:
    • What do they want from a story?
    • What emotional or intellectual response are you aiming for?
    • What experience do you want to provide?
  • Remember, you're no longer writing for professors. You're writing for real people with real expectations.

The Intersection: Creating Meaningful Impact

  • Aim to resonate with meaning, have an impact, or provide a specific experience.
  • Consider what you want your audience to take away from your work.
  • Balance artistic expression with audience expectations and industry realities.

The Reality Check: Finding Your Market

  • There's always an audience, but are there enough people willing to pay for your work?
  • Consider your financial strategy:
    • Writing for a living: Find and cultivate a paying audience.
    • Writing as a passion: Have a day job that allows you to write without financial pressure.
  • Remember, your audience might include producers, studio executives, or actors, not just end consumers.

By keeping this triangle in mind - balancing your creative voice, the quality of your writing, and the needs of your audience - you'll be better equipped to create meaningful work that resonates in the industry.

Industry Realities and Challenges

The film and television industry can be rewarding, but it's important to understand the realities you'll face. Whether you're writing or working on set, you need to know about the challenges ahead—and how to take care of yourself along the way.

  • The industry is still restarting in Saskatchewan—stay or move—And where? Canada or States or elsewhere?
  • No matter where you go, finding producers, filmmakers, and funding can be a challenge.
  • 2024 WGC rates:
    • A script: $66,148
    • A first draft from existing treatment: $23,150
    • A television script, based on a Story or Screen Story which is provided by a producer (60 minutes or less): $19,591
  • Producers will often option your work essentially reserving the script for them to develop it. It should be done for money, but often producers will offer $0 for it.
  • Or producers will try to do non-union shoots, which won’t pay IPA dollars (= $0).
  • There are tales of producers undercutting writers, or they’ll say you can do it for exposure.
  • A lot of people competing for your job.
  • Low demand: Execs, producers, agents, and filmmakers get 1-15 scripts on their desks every day (15 x 365=5475 a year). Of that, 99% of all scripts are rejected. Then there are options, non-union, production hell, shelved projects, etc.....

Lastly, not everyone in this industry is motivated by a love for movies and storytelling. Some are driven by money, power, or status, and unfortunately, some may exploit their positions. While this isn't unique to film and television, the competitive nature of our industry can amplify these issues. Stay aware, trust your instincts, and prioritize your well-being.

Taking Care of Yourself in the Industry

There’s also a chance that you just want to work on set, or you hope to write at the same time. While it can be a lot of fun, there are a few things I like to share with people who want to take this path:

  • Your degree often doesn’t mean a lot in the industry. Some production companies will look at it, but often you’ll work with people who’ve been hired other skills and trades—electricians, woodworkers, seamstresses.
    • This doesn’t mean dismiss it—it gives you knowledge and depth about filmmaking and other disciplines that will pay in other ways.
    • It also is a networking tool. It connects you with fellow classmates that may end up in production positions that can lead to work.
  • If you want to be a writer in the industry, the long 12-14 hour work days make it hard to think and write afterward.
  • Sleep, eat healthy, and exercise as best you can when you are on a production or deep in the writing process.
  • Production is like kindergarten—egos, expectations. The same can be true in writers' rooms or when collaborating on scripts.
  • Be cautious about the temptations on set. There are a lot and I’ve seen people’s families and lives ruined by them.
  • If you thrive on stress/rest/stress/rest/"OMG there's a fire!!!"/rest, then you are perfect for production. If not, find ways to manage the ups and downs of both production and writing life.
  • Learning to be a people person will help you, whether you're on set or networking with other writers and industry professionals.
  • Don't be incompetent, lazy, or an asshole and you'll likely get hired again. This applies equally to production work and writing gigs.
  • Remember that the production assistant you either like, hate, or are rude to today might be a producer tomorrow.
  • Have a day job, but do what you love. If you want to have a career in the industry, then practice it every day.
  • Work hard and don't give up, whether you're facing a tough production schedule or a challenging script.
  • Don't let crappy people get you down, on set or in the writing world.
  • Remember to take care of your mental health. The pressures of the industry can be intense, whether you're pulling long hours on set or facing writer's block.
  • Find your community. Connect with fellow writers and industry professionals who understand your challenges.
  • Celebrate your wins, no matter how small. Finished a draft? Did you make a new contact? Acknowledge your progress.

The key is to find balance. Whether you're on a hectic production or deep in a writing project, remember to take care of yourself. Your well-being is crucial to your creativity and longevity in this industry.

Conclusion: Real-World Examples

The paths to success in this industry are as varied as the stories we tell. Here are some real examples that illustrate the unpredictable nature of the business:

  1. The Lucky Break: A classmate of mine became a driver for an old Hollywood star. She took a liking to him and invited him to stay in her guest house in LA. This unexpected connection became his entry point into the industry.
  2. The Persistent Writer: I knew a guy who moved to Toronto, worked on production sets by day, and wrote every night. Slowly, he got a few of his scripts turned into features, eventually creating a television cartoon series that ran for several seasons.
  3. The Career Pivot: Another industry professional I knew grew tired of the entertainment world, briefly worked at IKEA and then found his way into copywriting - a different kind of storytelling.
  4. 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 my resume too, leading to a PA job.
  5. 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, often 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 doing what they loved - creating films. They didn't take the traditional route of working their way up in the industry; instead, they carved out their path, sometimes with a producer team, sometimes on their own. Their passion and dedication to their craft drove them forward, regardless of the challenges.
  6. The Unpredictable Journey: My path has been full of unexpected turns. I was once an assistant to a two-time Academy Award-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 a locations coordinator for seven years. There, I met countless industry professionals who shared stories and tips, and I read hundreds of scripts, including some that became Academy Award-winning movies. This job gave me the space to overcome a 15-year writing block, which eventually led me to teach and do what I do now.
  7. The Reality Check: It's important to note that 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.

The takeaway from these stories is that every connection is an opportunity, either for your career or for personal growth. You never know which experience or relationship might lead to your big break or your next learning opportunity. Stay open, work hard, and remember that your path might not look like anyone else's - and that's okay.

Thank you

Whether your future lies in screenwriting, fiction, or another form of storytelling entirely, I hope this course has given you the tools and inspiration to keep crafting narratives. Your unique voice and perspective are valuable, and the world needs your stories.

Whatever path you choose, keep writing, keep creating, and keep sharing your vision with the world. The journey of a writer is ongoing and filled with challenges and rewards. Embrace it, learn from it, and above all, enjoy it. Keep telling your stories—they matter.