Back in the day my friends and I used a common phrase: “Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.” If you’re thinking, “Stay ready for what?” then you’re not ready… HA! The answer is to stay ready for whatever happens.
For example, several months ago, I suggested to my 18 year-old-cousin that he keep his self well groomed when he was job hunting. I said, "You gotta be clean shaved, taper and trim your hair, and get a nice pair of slacks, a dress shirt, and dress shoes - minimum." Well yesterday he thanked me saying the advice prepared him for a different occasion. You see, he didn’t have to get ready; he was already ready. He learned the lesson of staying ready to avoid having to get ready.
As I'm learning about the art and business of filmmaking, I sometimes wonder whether I’m ready to take the next step and move to the next level. I consider how prepared am I for success. Be honest, who doesn’t want the proverbial “red carpet experience”? Not just any red carpet, I’m talking about the one reserved for professionals. I want to experience THAT! Well then, simple logic says I have to be a film professional… right? How is that possible if you're committed to a full time job? Anyone who's been following this blog should have a clue about the answer.
The adventure continues with the first blog of 2011, and January kicking off the start of a promising year!
This month I attended Michael Elliot’s Circle Group webinar on Developing 'Marketable' Script Ideas and Stories That Sell. He gave me positive feedback on my story, an urban social drama, along with tips on marketing it and folks who might be interested in it. I had a one-on-one call with Tanya Kersey. She gave me amazing advice on preparing a pitch for my first feature script, referral to a professional Reader, and confirmed my approach to producing Denied, my first short. I got an email from Roberta Munroe to schedule a meeting to discuss my budget for the short – remember this is the short I wrote - she’s the project’s Consulting Producer. Lastly, I submitted my first feature psychodrama and the Denied script to the Fellini Awards. My feature scored 41 and 42 out of a possible 60: no news on the score cutoff to compete for prizes. I submitted my first rewrite of the feature based on notes I got from Beth Danesco. The script I submitted for Denied was based on notes I got from Roberta Monrue. I haven’t received feedback and scores on it yet.
Needless to say, I have work to do. First I gotta get in a rewrite and research frame of mind. What’s my screenwriter’s confession/mantra? That’s right, “Writing is rewriting until it’s written.”
Wait, back up, did I mention this is a business? Do not be mislead. You gotta know some facts and numbers, box office statistics and whatnot for casting alone! Okay, so you’re telling me you haven’t produced any significantly recognized material, and you want international celebrity so-and-so to be your protagonist – well doesn’t that sound novice. Who’s his/her audience, does his/her audience relate to your story, is s/he attainable to you, does s/he have any film awards/credits, did the film sell, did it perform well on the festival circuit or at the box office and/or through other revenue channels, etc? Think about it; are you even ready to talk about your project(s) to industry professionals who could help you produce at their level?
If you answer no, then why are you haphazardly rushing to make films? Why loiter at large indie film festivals or film markets you’re not working/volunteering at? If you’re not on the festival program, attending a workshop/event or prepared to pitch your project, why are you there? What’s the point of any of the time you spend “filmmaking” if you don’t plan to succeed? Here’s a thought, how ‘bout learn from professionals? Oh, forgive me, that answer requires a dedicated blog.
Don’t get me wrong. You might be able to sail on the coattail of someone else’s success, and be labeled as “Friend”, which I did. Shut, when someone asked me, “Do you want to walk the carpet?” All of a sudden I felt famous! But later, when I saw the media coverage, my name was “Friend.” So I felt ALMOST famous…HA! Not that fame is the reason; it’s just commonly associated with the “red carpet” walk. At this event, however, there were only a handful of folks who even knew I wanted to be an industry contributor. Yet I was simply labeled as “Friend”. I REALLY appreciate the invitation, and some type of association, but I plan to get in the game. Sure, you might be able to make a noteworthy contribution on a whim, but how prepared are you to stay in the game with the pros? Have any of them seen your work or know who you are?
Let me take a side step here. Let’s talk about communications for a few seconds. I believe it’s critical to any career, and failure to prioritize it can be detrimental. Of course in-person is most effective and impressive. Next best is telephone. Then there’s virtual communication such as email, which I place a high priority on, and social networks. To be honest, email is how I learn about a lot of opportunities. Well there’s another blog topic – Email lists to get on.
In any event, one of Hollywood Career Strategies member benefits is the free monthly coaching call. This hour is side aside for members to ask Tanya Kersey any career questions. How ‘bout this past Wednesday, by sheer default, I was the only person who attended the call. Now I believe all members got the email, but I was the only person on the call. So if all the members got the email, why did only one person benefit? There could be any number of reasons – overlooked the email, email trouble, didn’t check email, personal urgent matters, unable to call in for whatever reason, who knows. What I do know is I check email daily. By doing so, I was ready for some insight on how to take the next step to move to the next level.
I've been reteaching myself the art and business of filmmaking for four years and nine months now. I will admit that, this year, at this point of the journey, I sense that I’m getting closer to leveraging some tangible results as a benefit from the relationships I’m building here on earth and in Heaven. Well you look at that, seems we’re back to the question of “How to learn from professionals?” Okay we’ll consider that for future discussion.
Lesson Learning: Develop as a professional film contributor with a reputation for being as passionate about the art as you are knowledgeable of the business.
Who said, “If you stay so ready, Gina, why was your blog late?” The answer, some things we’re simply not ready for.
I dedicate this blog to my beloved cousin-in-law, Tiffany Bolden (10/13/66 – 01/16/11), at Rest In Paradise.
Happy Writing,
/GM
Writing is rewriting until it’s written!
0 comments:
Post a Comment