Hello everyone! I joined Stage 32 recently and I am currently writing my first script. But more often than not I am questioning my future career or prospects in the entertainment industries as a non-US and non-EU citizen. The entertainment industries are unfortunately still very much "western" dominated and if you do not fit in the restrictions of your country's entertainment standards and have to look outside it is even harder to get into the entertainment world. For all those who are not US or EU citizens but looking for reaching to a wider, global audience, how do you navigate your way into the entertainment industries as screenwriter, or while applying for jobs? If you could share your experiences that would be a great encouragement!
Screenwriting : Possible implications of being a non-US or non-EU citizen in the entertainment industries by Aybüke Günsel
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I’d also like to better understand this too as I’m in Australia. TIA
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Hi,
I am in Australia and I have a very simple plan. It revolves around me being able to produce good work. So let’s assume we can all do that.
I identify a market segment that has a higher volume of movies being made. This is the low budget indie end of the market. This is also the home of lower quality films. So good work stands out.
How do you get to these people? scriptrevolution.com has many of these producers using that service. So I created some scripts that targeted that market. I took a story that normally has a higher budget and wrote for a low budget audience.
I have a few of these (sold) and other in train.
So once these are produced and out in the world. I can use these as a calling card to get larger budgets and some paid work.
I am doing this as I can’t (and don’t want to) relocate. Sydney is also a good movie town. Marvel has offices here and a lot of production is down here.
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I don't see issue here...I've pitched to German, French, UK, US producers...only barrier might be knowledge of spoken and written English...in case ure not multilingual or such...
My advice - give Turkey a go first...uve got splendid film / TV industry there...
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hey with internet friend anything, anywhere is possible...good luck and let me know if i can pitch a story in Germany :)
Great to hear that it is possible to reach to other producers outside of one's country. It is not that Turkey does not have a good film/TV industry technically. But I believe there are some restrictions content vise and in execution as there is great sensorship in media in Turkey. For example you are not allowed to write about different sexual orientations like gay, lesbian or transgenders. Not because there are non in Turkey but because it is not allowed to be shown in media. And then you cannot write about people of color because you probably won't be able to find an actor for them as there is not much diversity in the entertainments industries here. And then there is the issue of content, which is I believe quite the same. That is why most people in Turkey don't even watch TV much but rather prefer streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon to find diverse content. For example I am currently writing a fantasy TV show but fantasy is not something that is worked on in Turkey. There are a couple shows in Netflix but even those cannot reach its fullest potential (I believe because of budget, locations and special effect issues).
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yeah i get it...well let me know if I can help in any way by hitting me here sir
Craig - let's not make that assumption.
Which assumption, my plan has a few (many) assumptions. I believe you have to make some in your plan so you can have contingencies.