“The idea was to bring together a group of remarkable people, to see if they could become something more. See if they could work together when we needed them. To fight the battles that we never could.”
Nick Fury’s description of the Avengers Initiative is the guiding principle for a successful screenwriting career as well.
Writing on spec also starts with an idea. With nobody to impress but ourselves, we can write about literally anything without fear of being misunderstood or misinterpreted by the audience. We are the entire audience, after all.
Your creative vision might where you think your movie begins. But why must it be that way? If dozens or hundreds of people are going to have an impact on your script’s journey to the cinema (or television, or phone, or tablet, or podcast, etc., etc., etc.), why not get them involved early? Why not build something together?
In essence, assemble your team while you build your story.
In 2024, more than ever before, networking is not something you do once your screenplay is written. It is the FIRST thing you do. Before you even come up with an idea to write. The people who are going to help your career in 2024 are people you already know right now. If you don’t know enough people, meet them. Find out what they are doing. Talk together. Get inspired. Stories effervesce in an atmosphere where they are fed with energy and joy from everyone.
When we talk to delegates about returning to the London Screenwriters’ Festival, the vast majority of them include “Reuniting with my tribe” in the top three reasons they are returning. Other top responses: “Pitching executives.” “Meeting other writers.” “Networking.”
In other words:
- Meeting people.
- Meeting people.
- Meeting people.
- Meeting people.
These are the writers who succeed. The ones who understand that screenplays are ABOUT people. And they are developed BY people. Collaborate early and often and with as many as you can. It’s not about BUILDING a network. It’s about FINDING them. GATHERING them. ASSEMBLING them.
Get your pass HERE.
Bob Schultz
LondonSWF
Screenwriter & Instructor with 20+ Years in Film, TV, & Comics | Expert in Pitching, Adapting, & Script Development | Festival Producer | Engaging Speaker & Mentor | Passionate About Storytelling & Empowering Writers
