Note From Melody: "What Inspires You?"
Feature Article: "Ten Tips For Working Assistants On The Phone"
Cue and A: "How Many Scripts Do I Need To Start Marketing?"
Check Out Our Special: "THE MAGIC PACK 25” (Celebrating Melody's 25 Years in California!)
"What Inspires You?"
A few weeks ago I went to a beautiful wedding for the daughter of a family friend in Jacksonville, Florida, at "Sawgrass," one of the top golf courses in the county.
I didn't know until later that this golf course is a really big deal, but even without knowing that, I was naturally inspired by the land when I was there. The waterway-river-creek-lake thing that fingered around the property reminded me of the creeks I grew up fishing and playing in as a young girl in Indiana. Of course, there was one major difference – there were no alligators in the creeks I grew up by!
Needless to say, the wedding was beautiful. But there was something else that occurred to me while I was there. I love my daily life in L.A., and my pool, Jacuzzi, and office in the back of my home -- I love all of that. But sometimes it is good to get back to just being still. Just being with nature. Watching alligators. Or watching it rain.
It is nearly true that "It Never Rains In Southern California," and I miss the way it used to rain in Indiana. In Florida, it poured. And I mean, it poured! And thundered. And lightninged. I watched it and took pictures of it raining, and I stared at the creek hoping to spot another alligator. It touched my soul. It felt good.
I wanted to share this with you because it inspired me deep inside. And now I ask you,
what inspires you?! What do you care about? Where do you get your inspiration for your writing?
Sometimes nature is a very good muse.
Joy, peace, and abundance to you!
Melody Jackson
"Dream Big and Do It Now"
"10 Tips For Working Assistants On The Phone"
By Melody Jackson, Ph.D.
Don’t you love calling up strangers in Hollywood and pitching your script?
NOT!
Wouldn't it be amazing if you could just call up a top producer, tell them you just polished a final draft of your script, and have them scream with excitement and beg you to send it to them? That would be amazing, wouldn’t it?
The truth is, you can call them, but they’re not going to be too excited – in fact, they may be downright nasty.
If you’re like most writers, you can probably think of nothing worse than the idea of getting on the phone with a total stranger and trying to get them to read your script.
So here’s some Good News: When you use our query letter mailing service, some execs may CALL YOU directly and request your script without you working the phones.
And here’s some Bad News: It’s also a FACT that at some point you are going to need to follow up with people on the phone – even if they called you and asked to see your script. So your marketing strategy needs to include being able to work the phones.
And here’s some more Good News: To ease the pain and help you get started, I’m going to do a series of feature articles on what else … Working the Phones! I’ve broken it down into small practical tips that you can use immediately. So now, the first article in a series on Working The Phones Of Hollywood.
“10 Tips For Working Assistants On The Phone”
- Always be pleasant to the receptionist or assistant.
- Get the name of the assistant and begin to establish a relationship with them.
- Ask the assistant for suggestions on how to get through to the exec or if there’s someone else at the company who might be open to reading your script.
- No matter what happens, let the assistant know that you will be back in touch with them on your next script.
- Practice role playing telephone conversations with a friend before you call.
- If the exec doesn't read your script after a couple of months, ask the assistant to read it.
- Create flash cards and practice answering questions they might ask you.
- Record yourself answering your flash card questions or the practice phone calls you do with someone.
As you listen to the playback, notice your uhs, ums, and pauses. Practice till you are somewhat smooth and confident with how you come across.
- Focus on inspiring the assistant to help you instead of pleading for help.
Do not call up and tell them that you desperately need to sell your script because your rent is due. They will hang up on you and think you’re a nut – not because you’re desperate (you may be!) and your rent is due, but because you tried to get them to read your script by telling them that.
Instead, focus on INSPIRING the assistant. I could write a whole book on that, but for starters, try to understand how you get inspired and then try to inspire the assistant. A HINT: Answer the assistant’s unspoken question of: “What’s in it for me?”
- Prior to calling, prepare for what you will do if you get the exec on the phone or get put through to their voice mail. Be sure you have your pitch ready in case they want to hear it.
You might surprise yourself about how good you are, so be ready!
When you leave a message for an exec, the assistant can choose to pass it on or not. If you’re at all unpleasant, they might not pass your message on and you won’t even know. So always be pleasant to the assistant. Charming is even better.
Simply ask, “By the way, what is your name?” And when you hang up say, “Thank you, Bob,” (insert their name!) Then when you call back in 3 or 4 weeks to follow up, use their name, thereby developing a relationship with them.
They may know of a junior exec who is establishing themselves or there may be someone specifically assigned to handle new writers.
Whenever you speak with someone, even if they aren’t interested now, plant the seed for your next connection with them. People switch companies, strategies change, and you write more scripts! Every exec you keep in touch with expands your list of “who you know” in Hollywood.
Getting good at working the phones calls for practice and preparation. You can develop your skills to a high degree by role playing before you make the real calls. Then when you speak to the assistant, you’re more confident and prepared to make bold requests.
Almost everyone moves UP in show biz! It’s very likely that the assistant you’re speaking to wants to be an agent, producer, or studio exec. If you can’t get the agent or producer to read it, pitch it to the assistant. If they like it, they may encourage the exec to read it or try to pitch it to their own contacts.
Get a box of index cards and write down any questions you think the assistant might ask you – especially ones you dread. Then create answers that might help get you through to the exec. For example, what will you say if they say, “We don’t accept unsolicited scripts,” Or “Is he expecting your call?”
For each question, work out a good answer and write it down. Then shuffle the flash cards, pick one out, and practice answering it on the spot.
Even though this article focuses on dealing with assistants, you should have your entire game plan in place before calling. The last thing you want to do is successfully get through to the exec and then not know what to say.
Hope this helps!
P.S. Be sure to watch for the next issue with an article on “Preparing A Strong Verbal Pitch.”
P.P.S. Remember: Nothing happens until you take action! If you want a career boost, we can help you market your script with our Query Letter Mailing service, and I also have a coaching module where I work with you one-on-one (on the phone) to prepare you for calling execs and pitching on the phone. For more information, check it out on our website at Pitching Your Screenplay or give me a call.
© 2008 Smart Girls Productions, Melody Jackson, Ph.D.WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can as long as you include the following complete blurb with it: Melody Jackson, Ph.D., publishes “Plugged in Hollywood,” the Bi-weekly E-zine on Marketing for Screenwriters. She has helped thousands of screenwriters polish their scripts and market them to Hollywood. If you are ready to jump-start your career, increase your confidence, and have more fun pursuing Hollywood success, get your free subscription now at www.SmartGirlsProductions.com.
How Many Scripts Should I Have Before I Start My Marketing?
You can start marketing as soon as you have one solid completed script. You don't have to wait until you have a whole slew of them. Although it is nice to offer an agent or producer additional material if they like your first one or at least like your writing, it's not critical. If you only have one, I don't recommend waiting. Whenever you wait to market your material, that's just more time for someone to come out with your exact same idea or for something to happen that changes the viability of it.
Take action as soon as you can. Then get back to writing your next one!
A big congratulations goes out to screenwriter Joyce Seyburn for completing and marketing her first screenplay. She worked with Smart Girls to develop her script over a period of a few months and very diligently implemented suggestions while bringing her own deep creativity. As a result of her query letter mailing, she now has two WGA agents reviewing her material for representation. Good luck, Joyce!
Another congrats goes out to Diana Woody on her efforts. After marketing her romantic comedy, she also got interest from multiple companies!
Getting your script out to the market and getting it read by Hollywood is where it all starts. These Smart Girls clients (we also work with guys, of course) are taking action and moving and shaking. We wish you the best!
"THE MAGIC PACK 25" -- Runs Only Through The End of the Month
July marked my 25th Anniversary in California, so to celebrate, I have created a Magic Pack 25 Special! If you're tired of procrastinating and want to get in action, click below to find out what it's all about!
