Networking Tips, Inspired by Tribeca

The Tribeca Film Festival is here! Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend two Tribeca events, a panel on writing for big budget vs small budget films, and a screening of the romantic comedy TiMER. (Yes, it is a lower-case "i").

I'll give notes on the panel in an upcoming post. The movie was really charming. It stars Emma Caulfield of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame (she played Anya). It's a romantic comedy set in a world where you can get a wrist implant that will count down to the day you will meet your soulmate -- so a lot of the love game is gone. I liked it a lot. And I got to meet Emma afterwards, which was fantastic, since I'm a huge Buffy fan.

But anyway...I mostly attended these events for the networking opportunities involved. It's great to know as much about the business as possible, but without connections, knowledge, creativity, and talent won't get you anywhere. I made one great career connection and one personal connection (which, you never know what it could lead to!)

But along the way I noticed some networking faux pas.

First off, if you arrive early for an event, don't pull out a book or an ipod or anything. Try to engage with the people around you. They all share some similar interest, right? Otherwise you wouldn't be at the same event. Everyone is looking for their next connection -- let it be you! Try to take a seat next to someone, instead of a few over. This way you can really converse. Even though an opening is scary, it's worth it. Try "I like your shirt/dress/boots." Or, "Do you know what time this starts?" or "Oh, I've been meaning to read that book you're holding, is it good?" or "Boy, it's nice out today, isn't it?" Then, follow up with "By the way, my name is (Cindy). Nice to meet you. What brings you here today?"

I opened up to the person next to me at the TiMER screening by asking if she was with Tribeca. She was wearing a Heineken lanyard, which the volunteers and workers all had. She responded (quite curtly) "No, I'm an industry professional." "Oh," I said. "What do you do?"
"I'm an aspiring filmmaker." (still curtly)
"Very nice."
"Yeah, well, I'm working in web and video for a company so I got this pass."
And then she stopped talking to me. No follow-up questions.

Not to toot my own horn, but this woman could have been making a huge mistake. She had no idea who I was -- maybe a student (I look young) or an aspiring filmmaker like herself -- or maybe I've had things produced. Maybe I'm an assistant at Mirimax. Maybe I'm Martin Scorcese's niece. How would she know? She never asked. She missed out on making a connection because she was rude and had no follow-up. So always follow-up with someone if they approach you to network. I've had too many people at networking events just stare blankly, as if the adage "Don't talk to strangers" applies at business networking events. It doesn't.

Another error this "industry professional" made is that she assumed I was not worth networking with. EVERYONE is worth networking with. You never know what the future holds for someone. In 5 years, I could be a senior writer on a major TV show (we hope we hope we hope). Even people who aren't in the industry are worthwhile. You never know who someone knows. Maybe someone is an accountant. But maybe this accountant has an important client. Or plays golf with a big Hollywood person. You're only hurting yourself if you judge based on appearance, past credits, or career.

There's a famous Hollywood truth that's worth repeating. Today's assistant is tomorrow's exec. Be courteous to everyone, take an interest in everyone, and soon your Rolodex (or blackberry or twitter friends) will grow.

Tonight I'm headed to an event sponsored by NYWIFT that I'm really excited for -- a Conversation with Theresa Rebeck (writer on Law and Order, writer of Harriet the Spy and Gossip, as well as others...playwright). I hope networking opportunities abound, and as always, if there's something interesting that pops up I'll be sure to share it!