I’ve realized recently that my writing journey has been completely chaotic in the best possible way. Nothing about it has been strategic or linear or “here are the exact steps to break into Hollywood.” My entire method has basically been: see an opportunity, say “screw it,” shoot my shot, then Google who I just talked to, have a minor heart attack, and keep going anyway. I call it “Chaos Is My Way,” and weirdly… it’s been working.
In the last three and a half months, I’ve gotten a Double Recommend and entered the Lookbook, taken meetings with execs I didn’t realize were that high-level until later, connected with a former Navy Commander who works for a CBS showrunner, gotten a call from a former Navy pilot who did PR for Top Gun: Maverick, had an actress from The Color Purple ask to read my feature, started consultations with execs who develop actual franchises, and accidentally built a tiny corner of TikTok where people somehow are interested in what I have to say. All of this happened while I’m stationed on a NATO base in Sicily.
It didn’t happen because I’m special, or because I knew the rules, or because I had the right connections. It happened because I took action before fear had time to talk me out of it. I said this in one of my videos, and it truly sums up my entire break-in so far: “Ignorance is bliss… until Google almost kills you.” But honestly, that ignorance kept me from getting intimidated. It let me be human, it let me be myself, and it let me try.
So here’s my unsolicited Stage 32 advice as someone who’s still very much climbing: don’t wait until you “feel ready,” don’t wait until you “know enough,” and don’t wait until everything is perfect. Move toward the thing you want the second it appears in front of you. If you shoot your shot and learn who you talked to later, well… same. Welcome to the Chaos Method. It’s messy, authentic, terrifying—and sometimes incredibly effective.
If anyone else has their own version of chaos they use to navigate this industry, I’d genuinely love to hear it. We’re all figuring it out as we go.
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Everyone wants a plan when really all you can have is an attitude. Putting yourself out there is how you cross paths with people. It is indeed really luck and chaos.
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I used to be on a Facebook group until recently. Some 'guy' said, at every opportunity, "I've 35 years industry experience, it's only nepo babies who get seen, it's who you know!" all because I told someone to take a leap of faith. So I politely told him to sod off haha!
But in seriousness, how did you end up speaking to some of those people? There's a guy who comes into the shop I work in, he's a PA to an industry professional, but I never get to meet him... told me colleague to call me up when he's next in... hehehe ;)
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Emilia Maria honestly I’ve met two of them just scrolling TikTok, one through VME (Veterans in Media and Entertainment), and then some of them on here.
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I love your chaotic strategy.
You’re absolutely right — fear and hesitation kill a lot of opportunities and push people many steps back.
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VME - thanks, will have a look for them, love finding new outlets (I used to be in the Royal Air Force, had no idea that existed!!) Hannah Augenstine
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As Walter Gretzky once said to his 9-year-old son, Wayne, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
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But Walter also told his son, "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." So BE PREPARED when you take your SHOT!
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Congratulations on the Double Recommend and all your success, Hannah Augenstine!
I have unusual ways of pitching scripts, like posting pages in Stage 32's Your Stage Lounge, on Twitter/X, and on Instagram, like First Page Friday, Third Page Thursday, and Sneak Peek Sunday. I post loglines and script posters with the pages. And sometimes I post short pitches (like two-word pitches and three-word pitches) on social media.
And I used to make picture query letters for my projects. It's a query letter with just a picture, a title, logline, and my contact info. I never used the query letters. I'm not sure why. I might start making them again and using them.
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Emilia Maria, you get a lot of people who don't network effectively claiming the industry is closed. I think it makes them feel better about not getting anywhere or pushing themselves.
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Thanks for that feedback - it really helps to recognize these happenings and outcomes when the impatient amongst us is eagerly clamoring for access and affirmation today haha.
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CJ Walley I did think that was the likely case - he seemed very bitter. Either that or, he was trying to get business with his "35 years in the industry" or however long he has been in it. I'm not too sure, but it wasn't effective in any way, shape or form! Good to know I'm not imagining it.
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Congrats! I did a strategic way when I was writing novels, but now- I'm a bit chaos, a bit discerning, but your journey itself is noteworthy.
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Congratulations — this is incredibly inspiring! Your story is real motivation for so many of us. Thank you for sharing it.
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asked for an add! amazing!
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Well said. Thank you
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This was incredibly motivational and inspiring. Thank you for sharing and congratulations!
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Congrats on your “strike before fear does” approach.
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Hannah Augenstine this is literally the opposite of what I just read in the NWC most recent blog lol but I know what you mean about acting before you have a chance to be scared .
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Maurice that’s brilliant , that’s given me an idea as I have an incredible photo that represents the B story .
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Hannah, thanks so DOGGONE much for the message...and here's wishing you continued success in this journey!
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Hey Hannah Augenstine lady, thank you so much for this motivational article. So much love to you ,btw congratulation dear, go girl, go big. wish you a very good luck.
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I love this so much! Mine is organised chaos-- I'm neurodivergent, so there's a method to the madness- usually. I love how you jumped in and started just doing. I did the same thing about 6 months ago. It's led to 2 requests and a submission of a pitchdeck for one of my other scripts. Not going to lie-- I'm literally vibrating with the fact things are moving chaotically well for someone who just 6 months before-- only wrote novels(published), and indie comics(wrote, edit, and lettered).
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“Chaos Is My Way,” like it. should be a song too, @maria Hatten
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Hannah, love this post for a variety of reasons, but especially to understand that it can happen for writers. Mine has been the complete opposite after receiving the double recommend. Filled with rejections, pitch feedback coming late in spades (or not at all), followed by trying to navigate how this place works, which is a chore in and of itself (is mercury in retrograde or am I cursed? -- LOL). It's outstanding to me to see how this CAN work well in certain instances and give people opportunities they deserve. Congrats!
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Jeffrey Wright It's mercury retrograde until the 29th. LOL. Plus side-- it's the last one of 2025! As for navigating- I get you, it's not simple, but I've learned to save the lounge main page as a separate entity to help me know where to go back for postings. Same with script services having the pitching, 1st ten pages, etc. It's definitely something that takes a bit of practice, no doubt. Congrats on the double recommend, and I'm sorry you've been having rejections, feedback issues, etc-- that's frustrating. But the fact you've gotten this far-- congrats, you deserve every bit of success as it comes.
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Cynna Ael -- thank you for the heads up! I only have 5 more days. LOL Appreciate the reply.