5 Valuable Lessons You Learn After You've 'Made It’

Hi All,

A lot of emerging screenwriters think once they get their foot in the ‘Hollywood door’ their career magically gets easier, and all of the screenwriting lessons they need to learn are in the past. 

Yep, professional credits can make it easier to get people to read your script, but once you become a ‘paid Hollywood writer’ you’ll have a whole new set of challenges to contend with.

To give emerging screenwriters a little insight into what's beyond your first paid gig, here are 5 valuable things you’ll learn after you’ve reached “Professional Screenwriter” status:

1. A Career is More Than One Hot Script

When you’re trying to break into the business, it’s easy to get consumed with perfecting one blazing hot script. But once you’ve got one great screenplay under your belt, it’s time to stop putting all of your energy into one “breakout project” and start creating a great body of work. I promise you, in almost every meeting you’ll have as a professional writer, someone is going to ask you, “So what else are you working on?” You need to have an ever evolving body of work to be able to answer that in a compelling way. Also, let’s say you put all your focus into writing that one awesome script, but another show or feature comes out that’s very similar - that concept you worked so hard on is now most likely a non-starter. You need other irons in the fire. Always, always be developing and writing new stuff. If you have a body of work that’s constantly growing, you will always have a new script to pitch, a new story to fine-tune, and new ideas to keep you and others excited.

2.  Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Having ‘buzz’ in this industry can do a lot for your career. It feels awesome. It can help you get great reps, great meetings, and be heavily considered for some very coveted writers rooms or projects. But, no matter how much buzz you might have as a screenwriter, getting a project into production is one of the hardest things to do in Hollywood. Why? Because it’s not just about the script. There is a lot of money and a lot of moving parts that have to come together in order to get a project to go ahead: creative team, financing, packaging, marketing, company production schedule, the list goes on and on. Even if a project is green lit, you never really know if it’s going to make it all the way to production. So, remain hopeful, but find a way to “optimistically” manage your expectations of every deal.

3. Relationships = Future Employment

This one might sound obvious, but it’s an important one to remember - a lot of your career is based on relationships. When you get to know more people in this town, you realize just how many job opportunities come from professional relationships rather than submissions. Don’t get me wrong, knowing the “right people” isn’t all it takes to get a writing gig, but it can definitely help make sure you’re considered. Don’t be a douche. Be nice. Keep up your professional relationships, be a great collaborator on projects you’re working on - be appreciative and work your butt off. You never know when those relationships might open the door to your next gig. 

4. Professional Writer = Professional Deadlines

One of the great joys of being an amateur writer is the only person creating deadlines for you is YOU. When you’re being paid for your work, those ‘self made schedules’ go out the window. If you’re in a Writers Room you’re usually working on some seriously tight turnarounds, and even if you’re on a contract where you have the luxury of being “left alone” until you finish a first draft, you still only have about 8-12 weeks to turn it in. Inside Tip for new writers: teach yourself to write under deadlines now. You don’t need to go crazy and try to write a feature script in a week - still give yourself ample inspiration time - but if you’re currently in the habit of taking six months or more to finish a script, you’re going to have a shock once you step into the professional realm. 

5. There’s Always a New Mountain to Climb

This career is not like an office job, you don’t get hired once and ride it out until retirement. As you know, it’s a series of gigs. If you get hired for a paid writing assignment, great! Now how do you make it into a Writers Room or sell your feature? You made it into a Writers Room, congrats, now how do you get something produced? You managed to get a script produced, awesome, now how do you get your next project produced with a bigger budget? It can feel endless. But being a professional writer is still amazing. So, strive ahead with a love for writing, a healthy sense of humor, and don’t become complacent. Enjoy the journey!

Have you “made it”? What’s your best screenwriting advice? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!