Day 5 Assignments

[Cameron Martin]

Cameron Martin is Expanding his Network

What I learned doing this assignment is…this is going to take a while. Let me explain. I’m very inconsistent with my aptitude for technology. I’m both smart and savvy enough to find creative solutions or navigate through different technical tools. I once spent time teaching myself how to animate in Autodesk Maya for fun. I’m also like your stereotypical grandad who looks at social media and texting like it’s a slab of hieroglyphics; I barely know where to start. I think I have an effective plan, thanks to this assignment, and can at least metaphorically get the plane onto the runway. Taking off isn’t going to be an overnight process for me, but if I stay consistent and patient, I know I’ll get there eventually. Looking forward to seeing what everyone else put down for this assignment. I imagine most of my classmates have better ideas for this than I do, lol.

A. Your plan

1. Spend 5 minutes on each platform: twitter, facebook, and linkedin (fifteen minutes a day total)

2. Follow, like, and comment on prospective contacts (2 per day)

3. Post writing process and successes often, including past ones

4. Invite already established relationships to read 10 pages of my finished screenplay

5. Utilize sites like “Meetup” to create and foster new relationships and content

6. Post design concepts for new movie monsters or horror situations to advertise brand

7. Study how other screenwriting professionals use their online social networking

8. Review and revise plan periodically based on new findings and strategies

9. Don’t write anything that could be interpreted as negative or political

10. Trust the process and don’t give up.

B. Your Twitter address

https://twitter.com/Cameron97826564

C. The producers you followed

1. Buffalo8

2. Bondit Media Capital

3. M. Night Shyamalan

4. Blumhouse

5. Robert Rodriguez

D. Your experience of approaching producers this way.

Not gonna lie. I’m not sure yet if I know what I’m really doing. Kinda still taking baby steps here. The first two producers I followed because they followed me first on twitter. I followed Blumhouse because of their reputation in horror. M. Night Shyamalan and Robert Rodriguez were more personal favorites than anything else, both having major influences on my writing.

Tweets by Cameron97826564

[Dev Ross]

Cam,

You’re doing great! Hang in! I think this is daunting for us all. As a side note, somehow your twitter thing at end got connected to my post. I’ve tried to delete it but to no avail. Perhaps because I copied a Producer from your list to look up? Anyhow, it’s odd but please don’t think I was trying to post YOUR twitter link… Yikes… And, thanks for posting about Robert Rodriquez. One of my favs and I had forgotten about him.

best,

Dev

[Cameron Martin]

No worries Dev!

Thanks for the encouragement! Yeah, I have no idea what twitter’s doing either. I think it was trying to post something from my link as well. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Robert Rodriguez is awesome! Really hoping he gets a chance to make another Alita movie!

Thanks again!

Cam

[Dev Ross]

Dev Ross is Expanding her Network

What I learned doing this assignment is that I have huge resistance in the area of marketing, which means I’m plowing in and “doing it anyway!” Found out I already had a Twitter account – so now I have two, which messed me up a bunch. The result is – once I got through my resistance and upset over having two Twitter accounts, I’m okay. Making headway.

A. My plan

1. 30 minutes a day on social media platforms.

2. ON PRODUCERS: follow, like, comment.

3. Be more pro-active on ‘bragging’ on what I’ve done in the past and what I currently doing now. I have a Humanitas and an Emmy, was three times nominated but it was long ago so I have fear on that but will do it anyway.

4. I have already sendt out the first ten pages of the screenplay to a former producer at Universal. She LOVED THEM and asked for the complete script. I also sent ten pages to an actor a country music star who follows my work.

5. I have a membership to Stage32 for meet ups that I never use and now will make a point to.

MY Twitter address

https://twitter.com/@devoross1

C. The producers you followed

1. Robert Rodriquez

2. Adam McKay (Don’t Look UP)

3. Spike Lee

4. Ron Suskind

5. Jordan Peele

D. Your experience of approaching producers this way.

With the producer formerly from Universal, I just asked if she’d be willing to read 10 pages. That was easy. She has COVID as is bored! Worked!

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  Dev Ross.

Tweets by Cameron97826564

[Kate Hawkes]

me too.. the marketing thing.. yikes.. That’s why I keep creating new stuff that goes nowhere..

[Kate Hawkes]

And 🤩🤩YAY re response to the 10 pages..

[Cameron Martin]

No kidding with the 10 page request! Hope you get to be one Hal’s success stories and make a deal before the course is even finished!

[Lisa Paris Long]

DAY 5 – Building Your Network

Lisa is Expanding Her Network

What I learned doing this assignment is that I am not ready to do this step because I need to complete my script from PS81 and work on completing my next script during the Writing Incredible Movies class which I am attending soon. However, doing I am going to set myself up so I can hit the ground running when I am ready.

A. Action plan for next 60 days:

Create a Twitter account

Join the Twitter ScreenwritingU page and follow Hal. Follow 5 producers and actors (who would be great for my script) on Twitter

Change up my Linked In page focusing on screenwriting

Create a Facebook Screenwriter Fan page

Reconnect on Facebook with friends in the business

Connect with ProSeries 81 peers on social platforms

Work on Draft 2 of PS81 script

Do pre-work for Writing Incredible Movies class

B. Twitter Address: @LisaLon58012004

C. Producers following: Many that I thought may be interested in my genre of scripts; ScreenwritingU producers list; A-list actors that may be interested in my script

D. Experience of approaching producers: Not ready to approach because I don’t have a completed script yet.

[Dana Abbott]

PS81 – Dana is expanding his network

What I learned:

I grew up during an era when you didn’t want anyone to know what you were doing, especially parents. Social media is contrary to that privacy. I have a private Facebook page with only 60 family and friends, a Twitter account I never used, and an old LinkedIn page I used for my last career.

I need to learn to like social media.

My Plan

Finish my script!

Manage and update new business pages on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and integrate them to work in unison with each other.

Expand my list of producers, directors, and industry professionals on my accounts.

Network family and friends with connections to producers

Market my first ten pages

Be proactive marketing myself on social media

Twitter Address

https://twitter.com/dana_abbott

Producers

Jason Blum

Ryan Turek

Christopher McQuarrie

Mike Flannagan

Scott Derrickson

Robert Rodriguez

Experience

None. This is a brand-new experience for me. I need to become familiar and comfortable with this process.

Tweets by dana_abbott

[June f]

June Fortunato is expanding her network Day 5 of Marketing module

What I learned

After scrolling through twitter and literally falling asleep- going back to it- clicking- I have not cracked the code of what’s useful on the site. It seems to me to be far too time consuming and at best, a slim, very long range plan. As far as facebook, maybe it’s a bit more direct. I find Linked in to be the most useful, easiest to build and connect and most professional. The truth is that focus is everything and twitter is an hours long distraction with little gain. Plus, it needs to be constantly returned to.

1. Create a plan of at least 10 actions to take in the next 60 days to build a strong social network and connect with producers.

ACTIONS TAKEN

I updated my linked in page- severely needed as it was four years out of date. I sent out a message through linked in, pitched my logline, and got messages in return. FB I joined a producer group and commented on posts. FB joined ‘secrets of screenwriting group.

Twitter– returned to it a few times. Typed FILM and started clicking “follow” on production companies, Women in Film chapters (I’ve applied in the past), and other film orgs. Commented on a Drew Barrymore post.

TO DO

Linked in – continue and finish update and get more recommendations on the site. Re-join IMDB Pro and post my resume Purchase a Hollywood creative and search for contacts of companies who produce my genre of work. Search my exterior hard drives for producers I’ve had direct contact with on my previous Romantic comedy, Clinical Trials. Still collecting comments from 7 more beta readers of my first draft and will make updates, re-register with Copyright office, and then send to script blasts and pitch fests.

2. Go to Twitter and look through our list of producers. Follow at least five of them that you feel comfortable meeting through Twitter. If you don’t have a Twitter account, sign up now. We use Twitter for many things in the PSA, so you’ll be ahead of the curve when you get there.

I tried the Screenwriter’s U link on twitter for list of producers several times but the link doesn’t work for me. If anyone can help me with this, I’ll be grateful.

3. On the five producers you’ve followed on Twitter, read through their tweets and find something they’ve said that you can make a comment about.

4. Post the following:

Plan (above) Twitter address Trancewoof (an address created when I wrote, Trance, the Power Pug TV series) Producers followed: Paramount+ and Warner bros.

Your experience of approaching producers this way.

Did not really approach yet. I have a hard time scrolling on social media for work. The only site I find at all businesslike is Linked in. The others feel like I should be accomplishing something and it’s too vast, and inefficient. If someone has a shortcut, I’ll be grateful for the advice.

[Antonio]

Hi June,

The link did not work for me either, but I went to Twitter, “@ScreenwritingU” click on the three-dot circle that is next to the bell and message icons. This will display a menu that includes: VIEW LIST, this will take you to Producers We Follow and other lists that Hal and Cheryl have curated.

Hope that helps! Hope that helps and while you are on Twitter, don’t forget to follow “@trigrama” 😊

[anna harper]

Anna Harper’s Expanding Network Day 5

What I learned doing this assignment. The step-by-step approach will help me stick to concrete actions.

I changed all my social media accounts to reflect my current reality and life as a writer. I have added a few followers. I will simply follow up for a couple of days before contacting producers so I have something to add about their interests.

As marketing is a huge task, I made a spreadsheet (physical) to keep me on track with daily activities. I can change the spreadsheet as I find out what works.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=38230b27cd&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-a:r9117873862560276064&th=1821e6da926eb8ce&view=att&disp=safe&realattid=1821e6c831f11040f6e1

Twitter account

@fringemovies

Facebook

Village Fringe Productions

Linkedin http://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-harper-9234a2168

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  anna harper.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  anna harper.

[Kate Hawkes]

Kate is Expanding his/her Network

What I learned doing this assignment is this the hardest part of the entire course. My self-talk about ‘hunting people down’ and ‘stalking’ them is crippling.

A. MY PLAN

Dedicate 20-30 minutes a day on Twitter,LinkedIn,Stage 32 and DMM

with a view to add people to levels 2,3 and 4

Update loglines etc on the sites where I have them

Work on my existing scripts to improve them (3 of them)

Complete this course’s script

Do the pre-production work on my short (to shoot in Nov) including the social media stuff

Pluck up courage do at least 1 live pitchfest with Stage 32

Connect with at least 10 of the producer/actors I listed in Assignment 2

Build better relationships with the industry people listed in Assignment 4

Get therapy to overcome my aversion to selling myself

Win the lottery to pay for all of this time!

B. Your Twitter address

@KateMHawkes

C. The producers you followed

James Ganiere

Justine Bateman

Wes Craven

Lee Gadney

Magnolia Pictures

D. Your experience of approaching producers this way.

Zip
at this time…

[Anita Gomez]

Hi Kate,

I am just now getting to this module of assignments and laughed out loud reading your comments about needing therapy from this effort. I think writers by nature are solitary creatures (at least in my experience) and your comments about needing courage and a reset of mind set resonate with me!

-Anita

[Antonio]

Antonio is Expanding his Network

What I learned doing this assignment

Social networks have a language of their own, conventions, protocols — you name it. And likewise any language, mother tongue or other languages we speak, we learn on the go! The more we use them, the more we learn. For many of us who have not yet been repped or whose works have not been produced, it is an act of affirmation to add the line ‘screenwriter’ on our bio, a very important first step. I courageously added ‘aspiring screenwriter’ a while ago, but now ‘I write, therefore I am’… Drumroll, please!

———————

1. At least 10 actions to be taken in the next 60 days to build a strong social network and connect with producers.

— Join ScreenwritingU alumni group

— Follow the awesome PS81 class members on Twitter

— Continue growing as a writer

— Continue developing my PS script

— Join WIM, meet more ScreenwritingU people

— Reconnect with PoPing

— Periodically imdb search, skim through producers, directors, actors bio

— Build a presence: design a WordPress blog/repository/portfolio about me as screenwriter (to be launched on January 2023)

— Build a presence: list loglines on Inktip and other reputable web sites

— Make a list of selected competitions to join in 2023

— Draft the PS81 product or WIM product as graphic novel or audiobook

2. ScreenwritingU list of producers. Follow at least five of them.

My Twitter address: @trigrama

My selected producers to follow and something to comment about:

• Dean McDermott: likes MMA
• Julia Verdin: artists for change
• Ashton Kutcher: running a marathon to defend children from abuse
• Stan Lee: Excelsior… “nuff” said
• Peter Winther: Godzilla, Stargate, Independence Day

3. On the five producers you’ve followed on Twitter, find something they’ve said that you can make a comment about.

The political discourse is omnipresent now, but I guess there are other topics, causes, and common interests that give an opportunity to strike a conversation as I noted above.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  Antonio Flores.

[Anita Gomez]

Neglected to post some assignments!

Here’s Day 5 Marketing Assignment.

Anita is Expanding her Network

What I learned doing this assignment: I am deferring a Twitter account. Had one a few years ago. Became a black hole for my time and wish to focus my energies elsewhere at this time. Maybe I’ll get more disciplined with my social media use in the future!

1. Looking over the Day 4 and 5 lessons, create a plan of at least 10 actions you are going to take in the next 60 days to build a strong social network and connect with producers.

– Stay connected with my PS81 contacts

– Join IMDB Pro and research targeting of producers that match my script

– Update my Stage 32 Bio and Profile and utilize the Writers Room

– Continue to Pitch appropriately via IMDB Pro

– Beef up my LinkedIn presence

– Connect with ScreenwritingU on social media platforms

– Revisit my existing screenplays and apply the tools learned in PS

– Write Query Letters

– Google myself and up my “buzz” presence

– Revisit my Twitter account; likely create a new one

2. Go to Twitter and look through our list of producers. Follow at least five of them that you feel comfortable meeting through Twitter. If you don’t have a Twitter account, sign up now. We use Twitter for many things in the PSA, so you’ll be ahead of the curve when you get there.

3. On the five producers you’ve followed on Twitter, read through their tweets and find something they’ve said that you can make a comment about.

4. Post the following:

A. Your plan (from #1 above)

B. Your Twitter address

C. The producers you followed,

D. Your experience of approaching producers this way.