My goal and how I'm getting there

Yesterday Christina asked what my goal as a writer is. So today I will answer.

I want to get paid. I want to quit my job as a teacher and write screenplays full time. That is my goal. Anything else I do is just a method to reaching that goal. I don't care if it's TV or film, if someone is willing to pay me to write something action-oriented with good characters and effective drama, I will take it.

Lately I've decided to put more time into film specs. But if the TV opportunity comes along I also want to be prepared because I love both forms.

I'm not planning on directing. I was an okay director. I work pretty well with the actors. But I think the main reason the short is looking really good is because I surrounded myself with people who know way more than I do and did what they needed to whether I gave the order or not. The reason they were all there is because apparently I am an awesome producer.

So I wouldn't mind producing but I don't think directing is in my future. I directed the short because I wanted to experience it and see if I was cutout for the job, and more importantly because I now will have a produced version of my work.

The short route is a way to get your writing some attention. In this business you can write the greatest screenplay in the world but it won't matter unless you can get it into someone's hands. And that means exposure. So I write this blog, and every time more of you lovely people read my ramblings it means a greater chance someone who can give me a job will see it.

I also write this blog because if I didn't I'd explode from trying to keep all my ramblings contained. Plus, I've made some great friends through the blogosphere.

I produced and directed a short film. That means when it's finished I can take it to festivals. At those festivals I can meet other filmmakers and producers and maybe someone will see it and go, what else you got?

In the meantime I write as many scripts as I can so that when opportunity knocks I'll be ready. Because opportunity will knock after you've called it a bunch of times and asked it to come over.

That's the big difference between living in LA and other places. In other places you have to submit your scripts to contests and query agents or nobody will know you exist. But agents are largely a waste of time unless you have a specific connection and contests? I've entered a few but haven't won anything yet. I don't bother too much with contests because only a few of them really matter.

I'll enter zmbie script in the Nicholl but let's be realistic - it's a zombie script. I don't know how well it will compete with Alzheimer's Grandmother Living in the Basement story.

If you live in LA, thought, you don't have to worry so much about contests and agents. In LA you go out and you meet people. And I have. And eventually I'll develop a reputation of being really good at well-developed action scripts and someone will mention my name at the right time in the right place and I'll be on my way. That's what I'm waiting for, and in the meantime I'm putting myself in a position to make sure enough people know my name in that context.

That's my view of it. But it's easy for me to wait and build contacts because I actually like my day job and make almost enough money at it to make ends meet.

But there are eight hundred ways to break into this industry so everybody's got their own. Feel free to share your theory.

Tomorrow I'll answer part two of Christina's question and Leif's question because I think they're connected.

Today I'm going to the Show Off Your Short film festival three blocks from my apartment.