I attended the Screenwriting Expo this weekend at the LA Convention center. Was it the right thing to attend for me? Perhaps, perhaps not. It annoyed me that they set up the conference with an initial registration fee, then a fee for most of the panels that they offered ($4). I mulled over buying a ticket to pitch to the companies who would be there accepting pitches (for $25 per ticket), then after talking with Jo-Ann decided to save my money. I really can call them for free and get my stuff read, so I need to work on setting aside the time, energy and enthusiasm for that.

Mostly enthusiasm. I face a cold call with a sick dread that most people would liken to public speaking. Perhaps part of my issue is that my dread of the cold call hasn’t quite equaled my dread at getting up and going to work.

But, back to the topic at hand. I did pick up an occasional gem. The best was preparing for a meeting with an executive or buyer. Most of the advice was common sense, but also have answers to the following standard questions asked of writers:

What’s your name? (do you have a mnemonic that will allow them to remember it?)
Where are you from? (do research and try to connect with the interviewer if possible)
Where did you go to school?
When did you start writing?
What else have you written?
What are you working on now?

Establishing rapport with the interviewer is probably the most important goal for a meeting (rather than getting paid) – it will help with the longevity of your career.

Another good quote: “An artist accepts the limitations and rises above them.”

Another realization: my innate writing talent is for drama, not comedy.

Drama/action involves “impressive failures.”

Always ask for a Proceed to Production and No Rewrite Without Talent Attached clauses (but anticipate not getting them – use them as negotiation points).

As per William Goldman: Everybody’s scared – make them less so.

More on the expo after lunch.