Networking and Industry Connections for Screenwriters

What are some networking and industry connections for screenwriters? Making it in this industry is all about who you know, right? Well, there could be a bit of truth to that, but there is also so much fictitious lore surrounding that idea. When it comes to screenwriting and wanting to be a screenwriter, if you don’t know how to actually write and tell a story, knowing the right people isn’t going to help you at all. No one is going to take a risk on you just because you know them and are buddies. You have to provide them with something where they can make money off of you. Meaning, you need to have such a well-written sample of a script that when they look at you, they see dollar signs because they know they can make money off of hiring you. And I don’t mean they will buy your script. I mean, they will hire you on their show so they can make money by you writing for them.

In this article, we will talk about the reality of networking in Hollywood and a couple of different ways you can go about doing it, and start to meet the right people. But first and foremost, you have to know how to write. Because again, if you don’t, building relationships with people isn’t going to progress your writing career forward.

Why Networking Matters in Screenwriting

In a perfect world, I would love to be able to replace the word “networking” with “building relationships”. In fact, let’s just do that. Building relationships can be incredibly important when it comes to screenwriting. When you are starting out, you don’t want to focus on trying to “build relationships” with the high-level Executive Producers. You want to build relationships with the people at your level. Join some writing groups. Michael has a private Facebook group that is only for people enrolled in his screenwriting course, “A Showrunner’s Guide To Screenwriting.” This is a great place to meet people at your level and talk about collaborations and working together. It is a super supportive group of people that really help each other become better. 

Now, on the other side of that coin, if you happen to know someone who knows someone who has an opening on a TV show for a production assistant, take advantage of that and get your foot in the door and start building those relationships. A lot of times, the hardest step is just being able to break into the industry. And 99.9 percent of the time, you are not going to “break in” as a professional screenwriter. You are going to break in at an “assistant level” and work your way up. So in that context, “networking” can be important. But the most important thing is building genuine relationships with people. That way, when they move from project to project, they already know you and your work ethic and want to bring you along.

Where to Meet Industry Professionals

Let’s define the term “industry professionals” for a second. I think a lot of times people will see this term and only think it is Producers, Actors, Directors, and other people “above the line”. Production Assistants, Transportation, Set Decoration, and every other department all consist of “industry professionals.” So if you want to be a screenwriter and you meet someone who works in Set Dec, don’t just blow them off because they are not a writer. You have no idea who they know. They are an industry professional; you are not, yet. You will be amazed at how small the TV world is with all of the various crew members. There have been many times in my career when I have worked with the same people over and over again on different shows. You are always going to run into familiar faces. Which is why building those genuine relationships is so important. 

Film festivals might also be a good way to meet people who are industry professionals. But again, the higher up Executive Producers are probably not going to these to “scout” screenwriting talent. They already know hundreds of writers who are professionals. In any environment that has a healthy population of similar creative minds, you want to try to get into that population.

There are a lot of writers’ groups out there that you can join, and the more writers you can surround yourself with, the better. But just be aware of what types of people are in these groups and what their experience level is. There are some of those groups out there that just seem so toxic with what is being said. Often, it’s from people who have ZERO experience being a professional screenwriter. Stay away from those groups. Like I said earlier, Michael has a private Facebook group, and the beauty of it is that we all learned from him, and he is someone who has worked professionally for almost 30 years. Some of these other groups might just be a group of college kids talking about what they read in “screenwriting books.” And there is nothing wrong with that. But speaking from just a logistical POV, you are probably going to learn more from a writers group like in Michael’s Facebook group.

The game has changed over the last 10-15 years with social media. You have a studio/network at your fingertips via a phone. You can build a network that way. You can get a group of people, and you can all talk on Zoom and do writer sprints once a week or do table reads. The opportunities are endless.

How to Build Meaningful Relationships in the Industry

If you want to build meaningful relationships in the industry, the best advice I can give is to be genuine. Treat those people that you work with with respect and decency. It’s sad that I have to say it, but there are those that don’t do it. You want to make an impression on these people, so you are always at their forefront. That way, when they work on a new project, you are number 1 on their list. Plus, you will make them look good because you have an amazing work ethic.

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, don’t bank on having someone else be the person who makes your career. You are the one who needs to do the work and find ways to put yourself in those positions where the opportunities can present themselves to you. Even though you are dead set on being a screenwriter, that isn’t going to happen on day 1. Sorry, but it’s not. You might have to be an assistant for a few years, getting coffee and lunches before those writing opportunities present themselves to you. And even those writing opportunities might not be huge, but you need to act and treat them like they are. I was working on a show as an assistant, and the Showrunner allowed me to submit “alternate jokes” for the live audience taping nights. What an opportunity that was! And I even got a few jokes in some of the episodes. So no, it wasn’t the “Hey, we are going to go have you write this next episode.” But I treated it like that’s what it was. It was just a tiny moment where I could prove myself to some people that I have done the work, honing my craft.

There is no book that is called “Hollywood Networking 101”. You sort of have to figure out how to get the first few doors open for yourself. That could be interning, working as an assistant, or growing your social media. But as you are working on opening those doors, the biggest thing you should really be working on is honing your craft. That is what you are striving for, having those amazing scripts ready at that exact moment you get that right door open.

Michael has some free lessons you can watch, so you can start your journey and learn more about story structure and the storytelling process.

I encourage you to sign up. It’s free! Literally no excuse. It’s free! And just in case you don’t know what “free” means, “free” means “FREE.” Do you know what ISN’T free?

Having regrets.

But what IS free is Michael’s free screenwriting lesson.

Sign up and start your screenwriting journey today with a lesson from Michael Jamin at michaeljamin.com/free.

Did I mention that these free lessons are FREE?

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