How to get the MOST out of your
Screenwriting Convention experience
by
Cameron Counts
Well, the majority of us are going crazy making plans to attend one of the numerous
Screenwriting or Pitch conventions...working overtime to afford it, polishing pitches and
scripts, etc. Conventions are EXPENSIVE but well worth the cost IF you plan ahead and
come prepared.
Stay in the hosting hotel: You can save a lot of time by staying in whatever hotel is hosting
the event, if possible. I've tried to save money by staying at a hotel on the outskirts of
town...but had an hour bus or subway ride back to the hotel. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but
just wait until you buy the newest edition of The Screenwriters Bible and are condemned to
carry it around all day, or can't go back to change clothes for that Pitch or big Networking
Party, etc.
Networking: Speaking of Networking...do it!! MEET EVERYONE!! You NEVER know
who knows who or who's someone's cousins neighbor!! I was talking to a SECURITY
GUARD one time, turned out he was TROY DUFFY's BOSS when Troy was writing a little
script called The Boondock Saints. Not only were there some great behind-the-story stories
that few people had ever heard before, they were still friends!! There are now only two
degrees of separation between me and Troy Duffy...and perhaps I can utilize that someday.
So, talk to everybody, follow up and KEEP IN TOUCH...who knows, you might find a
co-writer, a producer or a potential roomie to reduce costs for NEXT year!! FaceBook,
LinkedIn and NextCat are your friends...and I'm on all of them.
Lend a Helping Hand: UNCLE BILL WANTS YOU!! I can't say enough about
volunteerism. If I don't volunteer for the convention itself, I volunteer for one of the
exhibitors. This gives you some great perks and some incredible access to people that you
normally wouldn't get!! Work a booth for a DAY and all the other exhibitors see you as an
EQUAL instead of a CUSTOMER...this means potential freebies, discounts, etc...plus, back to
the Networking aspect, a TON of the exhibitors are insiders to some extent and/or have some
serious, upper level contacts!! I have NEVER regretted my time spent volunteering!!
Don't be an Autograph Hound: (I even have trouble with this) Conventions are exciting.
There will be a TON of A-List writers and even some producers, directors and actors. You
have to be realistic about things though...what's REALLY more important?? Standing in line to
maybe get Seth Rogen's autograph or learning subtext?? That's not to say that the Seth Rogen
interview wasn't hilarious and was totally worth it, it's just that the super A-List people at
conventions do NOT (usually) sign autographs. William Goldman doesn't, Seth Rogen didn't,
Oliver Stone didn't...so if you're going just to get the ink, go to a class and strengthen your
skills instead.
Pitching: Pitching...an unfortunate, necessary evil in this industry. (it's also my WEAK spot)
Every screenwriter will HAVE to do it in some way, shape or form...some people LOVE the
experience, some HATE it. Practice, practice, practice...audio or video recordings are useful,
you'll pick up things you might not notice you're doing...pauses, gestures, tics. Also, practice
pitching to someone, friends and family are a bad choice because they won't be objective, find
a fellow writer and swap pitches AND BE BRUTALLY HONEST with each other.
Pitching/PitchFests are expensive, try to get a list of who will be there, research them as much
as possible and lock in to who might be the best targets for your pitch. One last min idea,
completely off the hip...would it help to schedule a practice pitch with a agent/catcher you
don't care about? I know that contradicts the previous statement, but it might get your
first/new pitch jitters out of the way so you can knock the important ones out of the park!!
And who knows, they might even be interested...
Just a few thoughts, my reflections upon attending 4 EXPOs (and a CineStory Script Sessions,
back in the day!!), take it with a grain of salt.
Screenwriting Convention experience
by
Cameron Counts
Well, the majority of us are going crazy making plans to attend one of the numerous
Screenwriting or Pitch conventions...working overtime to afford it, polishing pitches and
scripts, etc. Conventions are EXPENSIVE but well worth the cost IF you plan ahead and
come prepared.
Stay in the hosting hotel: You can save a lot of time by staying in whatever hotel is hosting
the event, if possible. I've tried to save money by staying at a hotel on the outskirts of
town...but had an hour bus or subway ride back to the hotel. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but
just wait until you buy the newest edition of The Screenwriters Bible and are condemned to
carry it around all day, or can't go back to change clothes for that Pitch or big Networking
Party, etc.
Networking: Speaking of Networking...do it!! MEET EVERYONE!! You NEVER know
who knows who or who's someone's cousins neighbor!! I was talking to a SECURITY
GUARD one time, turned out he was TROY DUFFY's BOSS when Troy was writing a little
script called The Boondock Saints. Not only were there some great behind-the-story stories
that few people had ever heard before, they were still friends!! There are now only two
degrees of separation between me and Troy Duffy...and perhaps I can utilize that someday.
So, talk to everybody, follow up and KEEP IN TOUCH...who knows, you might find a
co-writer, a producer or a potential roomie to reduce costs for NEXT year!! FaceBook,
LinkedIn and NextCat are your friends...and I'm on all of them.
Lend a Helping Hand: UNCLE BILL WANTS YOU!! I can't say enough about
volunteerism. If I don't volunteer for the convention itself, I volunteer for one of the
exhibitors. This gives you some great perks and some incredible access to people that you
normally wouldn't get!! Work a booth for a DAY and all the other exhibitors see you as an
EQUAL instead of a CUSTOMER...this means potential freebies, discounts, etc...plus, back to
the Networking aspect, a TON of the exhibitors are insiders to some extent and/or have some
serious, upper level contacts!! I have NEVER regretted my time spent volunteering!!
Don't be an Autograph Hound: (I even have trouble with this) Conventions are exciting.
There will be a TON of A-List writers and even some producers, directors and actors. You
have to be realistic about things though...what's REALLY more important?? Standing in line to
maybe get Seth Rogen's autograph or learning subtext?? That's not to say that the Seth Rogen
interview wasn't hilarious and was totally worth it, it's just that the super A-List people at
conventions do NOT (usually) sign autographs. William Goldman doesn't, Seth Rogen didn't,
Oliver Stone didn't...so if you're going just to get the ink, go to a class and strengthen your
skills instead.
Pitching: Pitching...an unfortunate, necessary evil in this industry. (it's also my WEAK spot)
Every screenwriter will HAVE to do it in some way, shape or form...some people LOVE the
experience, some HATE it. Practice, practice, practice...audio or video recordings are useful,
you'll pick up things you might not notice you're doing...pauses, gestures, tics. Also, practice
pitching to someone, friends and family are a bad choice because they won't be objective, find
a fellow writer and swap pitches AND BE BRUTALLY HONEST with each other.
Pitching/PitchFests are expensive, try to get a list of who will be there, research them as much
as possible and lock in to who might be the best targets for your pitch. One last min idea,
completely off the hip...would it help to schedule a practice pitch with a agent/catcher you
don't care about? I know that contradicts the previous statement, but it might get your
first/new pitch jitters out of the way so you can knock the important ones out of the park!!
And who knows, they might even be interested...
Just a few thoughts, my reflections upon attending 4 EXPOs (and a CineStory Script Sessions,
back in the day!!), take it with a grain of salt.
The Writing Initiative
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