It's All About Who You Know -- So How Do You Meet People?

When I decided that I was going to actively pursue screenwriting/TV writing as a full-time career, I was kind of nervous. It's hard enough to cultivate talent, but add to that the fact that it's who you know more than what you know that determines your success? I didn't know anyone. I had no family friends to pull favors from or anything like that. So I thought, I guess if I'm going to do this, I'll have to be one of those lucky few -- very few, I thought -- who make it based on merit alone.

But here's the thing. Yes, it is about who you know -- but no one ever said you have to start out knowing anyone. The trick is USING YOUR MERIT AND SKILLS TO MEET PEOPLE.

Here's a little bit about my journey -- and while I haven't yet achieved the success I want to, I'm only just starting out, and I can feel that this is the right path. I think understanding how I personally am finding success could help you navigate your own trajectory. I took a screenwriting course in college, went to the Summer Film Program at USC for 6 weeks, and applied like crazy to internships and script reading jobs while I was out in LA for the summer. I got a script reading job, partly because of an interesting resume, partly because the head of the management company had done the same program at USC years earlier and thought I was a)the kind of person he wanted reading scripts and b)going to learn a lot from combining my coursework with the job. (People in this industry really do want to help you learn, especially at your early stages). Months go by, nothing. I was applying above my "level." Not above my skillset, but above my experience. I randomly saw an application for an internship at a non-profit, New York Women in Film and Television, and applied. I got the job. The organization is all about providing opportunities for people to connect better in the industry and advance their careers. It's a great organization, and there are chapters worldwide -- so I'd suggest checking it out. I worked really hard at NYWIFT, and attended as many of the programs as possible. I did my best to be helpful, efficient, pleasant, and hard-working -- more on that later. I built close relationships with my peers and superiors, and was given the opportunity to staff and attend a writing seminar with two established producers, one of whom used to head up the WB workshop. It's a great class -- small, and selective. I make it my business to be as gracious and helpful as possible to both the teachers and the other students. And I'm getting some great mentorship out of the deal. I've also had informational interviews with panelists (executives) from some of the NYWIFT events, and gotten great information, budding friendships, and people to offer to look out for opportunities for me. Meanwhile, at one of the NYWIFT events, I met one of our board members, and we got along pretty well. When she had an opening for an internship/PA job at her production company, she emailed me asking if I was interested. Suddenly, I wasn't the person blindly applying for jobs. I was the person who knew the hirers -- who "cheated the system" and got the job without applying through craigslist or entertainmentcareers.net.

I started out not knowing anyone. And now I have many business cards of contacts, and I'm seeing results from those relationships. I've learned -- it's not about who you know. It's about who you meet, and how you conduct yourself when you meet them.

In the next post, I'll talk a bit about how to meet people, what to do at networking events, and most importantly -- how to succeed as an intern/assistant and make sure you get bumped up to the next opportunity.

In the meantime, for that last bit, check out Amanda the Aspiring TV Writer's article on the Dos and Don'ts of being a good assistant.