Screenwriting : Widening my circle of contacts by Mark Apostolou

Hello Mark, what kind of shows?

See if any of your existing contacts have a linkeId profile. If they do, connect there. Then either automatically or on your own volition "suggestions" will come up - both from you to your contacts connectictions and vice versa.

IDK if you've already tried this - it's just a suggestion.

Hi Annie, the shows have been dramas. Of the two 'optioned' one is espionage based the other a mystery/thriller. The third, next most close to completion, is crime based drama. Wolf of Wall Street meets Captain Fantastic

Thanks Kevin, that's a good call. Thanks

I could not get to the espionage one you posted...But I found the log line inspiring.

Mark. Congrats on your projects. I currently have 6 projects in development hell. I have faith that two will get made but the other four I have my doubts. Anyway good to meet you and good luck with your projects.

Come to the Austin Film Festival, the writers fest. There will be a lot of networking and you can ask your question to the pros.

Vitaly. I am not disagree with you but if a producer has to rely on a screenwriter to raise money, attach talent and arrange distribution they aren't much of a producer.

Vitaly. I know what producers do. If I am going to attach talent and bring in money and get distribution and supply the script I don’t need a producer because I can produce it myself. If a screenwriter can bring one of those things it will make the script more valuable so if I did it I would want to named as one of the producers and paid accordingly. FWIW 99.99 percent of the aspiring screenwriters out there couldn’t possibly bring any of those things to the table except maybe a bankable actor or a director but even that would be difficult if they don't have connections or a track record.

I said I agree I just know most aspiring screenwriters can't do what you say they need to do to get a project made. Also I wouldn't work with a producer that has to rely on a screenwriter to help them do their job.

I don' t know where you came up with the idea I was doing or tying to do everything myself. That is not the case. I have a writing partner and we recently teamed up and wrote two screenplays that we are going to produce. I admit I don’t have a lot of experience producing but she does. You can look her up on the IMDb. Her name is Judy Norton. She has won 2 Golden Globes. Another 18 wins and 56 nominations and is well-known throughout the industry. She is probably best known for her role as “Mary Ellen Walton” on the icon television series “THE WALTONS”. Anyway, between the two of us I think we can make our movies without help from an aspiring screenwriter.

This is a very interesting thread, and also very sobering. I guess having been a writer for most of my adult life kinda makes it impossible to ever have a script of mine produced (writers don't make any real money, see). I'll still enjoy the fun of writing while it lasts. If this hits the screen, I'll be thrilled (and flabbergasted). If it doesn't, then the next one will. Or the one after that, or the one after that, while I am building a network.

Hey Mark! I am addicted to Twitter and Stage 32 makes the most sense so your half way there!

We already have funding and distribution so you don't need to tell me what we need or don't need to do but thanks anyway.

Bonne chance Guardino and your team and CONGRATS.

Thanks Vitaly for keeping us all on our guards.

Thanks all of you for your advice. I've secured meetings with a few relevant production companies/film funds, so all good.

Vitaly. Thanks. If you see something on the IMDb I didn't put it there. I heard it is a pain in the ass to do so and I don't need another pain in my ass. This is just a sideline thing for me so I really don't care about the movie business. I think it has been over ten years since I even went to go watch a movie.

Vitaly - IMDB is not an indicator of your past career achievements - some of us old retired types predate IMDB. We didn't care then & we don't care now; my advice, don't hang your hat on it.

Well Vitaly...I might be slow, but I'm ahead of you.

Vitaly. Maybe you missed the part where I said this is just a sideline for me. That means I don't give a rat's rectum if people can look me up to see what I have done.

Guardino, are you a rat or a squirrel?

A squirrel but I have been called both.

Vitaly. Thanks again for all your advise but I will continue to run my business and my life my way and follow my own rules.

Mark, hi! I just came across this thread and boy, has it gone off the rails! I think Kevin offered some good advice (about LinkedIn), although I wouldn't totally depend on any social network. Get out there, find others in your locale who are working in the biz, meet, shake hands, etc. As a general rule, offer what help you can first (even if it's something small, like helping strike a set or offering rides, doing errands). Because the best, long-term, most satisfying networking comes from developing relationships. Look at the idea that connections are friends first, and career helpers second. That's my two cents!

John, you're so right. The 3 short videos I posted here were all made with lay and professional people I had given a hand in many of their cinematic projects. They voluntarily pitched in their skills, talents, or time to pay forward on mine. In turn I reciprocated and we built a nice little close-knit troupe of loyal co-workers. In time we all found our own niches and I applaud their successes as they did mine. There was little social network then... By the way, if you're interested, please take a look at those early attempts at screenwriting, directing, and co-producing on a limb and on a shoo-string budget, and let me know what you think