Screenwriter Survival Guide

It's the grand finale of Volume I, and we're taking a look back at some of the most impactful things our guests have said over the course of the volume. This is not a clip show. We're sifting through the advice that appeared most frequently across the volume to bring you the six key steps you can take right now to help you not only survive, but thrive in this industry. If you only listen to one chapter of the Screenwriter Survival Guide, let it be this one. It will pay dividends for you down the road.

On a personal note, I really appreciate everybody who's joined us on this journey. We've got so many exciting projects lined up for the SSG feed, some coming very soon, and others lined up for 2022 and beyond. We're going to be talking with some brilliant filmmakers, so please go and follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And we'd really appreciate it if you'd give us a rate and review if you're excited for us to keep making stuff like this!

Connect with me on Instagram (@sambrookspresents), or visit my website at sambrooksfilm.com.

Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @SSGPod, or email me at [email protected].

If you haven't listened to the rest of Volume I, here are links to all our other chapters:

CHAPTER I: Me (Moving to LA)

CHAPTER I: Laura Modica (Getting An Assistant Gig)

CHAPTER III: Michael Ross (Becoming A Professional Writer)

CHAPTER IV: Jonny Santana (Networking)

CHAPTER V: Queency Luvry (Living In LA)

CHAPTER VI: Timur Bootzin (Indie-Filmmaking)

CHAPTER VII: Quincy Li (How To Get An Agent)

CHAPTER VIII: Axel Arzola (Development Hell)

CHAPTER IX: Beecher Reuning (Film Festivals)

RESOURCES:

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Don't be an "aspiring" screenwriter.

This is the first episode of a new series we're airing throughout the coming year called "Spotlight On". In this series, I’ll be chatting with some of the coolest young screenwriters, directors, and other industry professionals in Hollywood using a less-structured format. Our goal is to spotlight excellent up-and-comers with unique experiences and perspectives on the industry. Episodes will premiere throughout the year (basically whenever we have one to air).

On the first episode, I sat down with Kylie Eaton, who's written and directed many indie films such as 'Dispel' and 'Kinetic'. We had an excellent conversation, covering everything from the writing process, to a great day on set, to the importance of compartmentalizing the different steps of the filmmaking process.

Connect with Kylie online at kylieeatonfilm.com or on Instagram (@kylie109).

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @SSGPod, or email me at [email protected].

NOTE: Apologies for the audio quality, we had a number of technical difficulties in this episode.

Screenwriter Survival Guide is presented by my newest venture: Get Me An Agent: The fast pass that connects unrepped writers with agents and managers. For as little as $14.99/mo, you can reach out to unlimited literary agents and managers.

Get a free month, plus half off FOREVER with the discount code 'survive'. Check it out at getmeanagent.com.

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Find what works for you.

In the ninth chapter of Screenwriter Survival Guide, I sat down with Beecher Reuning, whose screenplays and films have premiered at over 30 film festivals worldwide, including Nashville Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, The Student Emmys, and Final Draft's Big Break Contest. We talked about how to best promote your screenplay to festivals, how to leverage selection at a festival to supercharge your career, and, in a special bonus topic, how to make it as a screenwriter without moving to LA.

Connect with Beecher on Instagram (@beecherweston), Facebook (facebook.com/beecher), and online at beecher.media.

Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @SSGPod, or email me at [email protected].

PART I: Beecher's Story (or Why You Don't Need to Move to LA)

PART II: Film Festivals (31:45)

PART III: You're in! Now what?

RESOURCES:

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Learn how your brain works

In the eighth chapter of Screenwriter Survival Guide, I sat down with my friend and colleague Axel Arzola to talk about 'development hell'. Axel has been developing shorts and features for over ten years, and I thought he'd be an excellent guest for today's episode considering we're actually developing a pilot together right now. We talked about what you actually do when developing a pilot or feature, how to find the best partners for your project, and why you can't be afraid to just go out and make stuff.

Connect with Axel on Twitter or Instagram (@axelarzola).

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @SSGPod, or email me at [email protected].

Screenwriter Survival Guide is presented by my newest venture: Get Me An Agent: The fast pass that connects unrepped writers with agents and managers. For as little as $14.99/mo, you can reach out to unlimited literary agents and managers.

Get a free month, plus half off FOREVER with the discount code 'survive'. Check it out at getmeanagent.com.

PART I: Axel's Story

PART II: Starting a Production Company

PART III: How to Develop Projects

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Work on the project you’d make if you only had six months to live.

In the seventh chapter of Screenwriter Survival Guide, it's the one you've all been waiting for: how to get an agent (or manager). Since I'm unrepped, I decided to sit down with somebody with a bit more background on the subject, Literary Manager Quincie Li. In this enlightening conversation, we talk through the ins and outs of looking for representation and how to cultivate an excellent working relationship with your reps once you have them.

Connect with Quincie on Twitter (@quincieli).

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @SSGPod, or email me at [email protected].

DISCLAIMER: I own a website, advertised on this podcast, called Get Me An Agent, designed to help connect screenwriters with literary agents and managers like Quincie. This site had no bearing on our conversation, and we even discussed on air how unlikely it is to find your reps through processes like Get Me An Agent's alone.

Screenwriter Survival Guide is presented by my newest venture: Get Me An Agent: The fast pass that connects unrepped writers with agents and managers. For as little as $14.99/mo, you can reach out to unlimited literary agents and managers.

Get a free month, plus half off FOREVER with the discount code 'survive'. Check it out at getmeanagent.com.

PART I: Quincie's story

PART II: How to find reps

PART III: Your relationship with your reps

PART IV: How to become a manager

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Surround yourself with people who champion you.

In the sixth chapter of Screenwriter Survival Guide, I sat down with award-winning indie director Timur Bootzin to talk about ditching the studio system and striking out on your own. Timur's films have collectively amassed over 18 million views on YouTube, but that's barely scratching the surface. He's also directed a music video for LA-based band V.O.T.G, been tapped to direct a documentary for the same, and launched his own podcast called 'The Inspiration of Now' that made me step up my game for this episode. He brings a really unique worldview to his films and the filmmaking process, and anybody looking to venture into the quagmire of indie-filmmaking would do well to listen.

Connect with Timur through his production company, Los Feliz Films - https://www.losfelizfilms.com, or IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9374174

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @SSGPod, or email me at [email protected].

Screenwriter Survival Guide is presented by my newest venture: Get Me An Agent: The fast pass that connects unrepped writers with agents and managers. For as little as $14.99/mo, you can reach out to unlimited literary agents and managers. Get a free month, plus half off FOREVER with the discount code 'survive'. Check it out at getmeanagent.com.

PART I: Timur's Story

PART II: The Ins And Outs of Indie Production

PART III: Writing For Your Own Projects

PART IV: Distributing & Marketing Your Film

RESOURCES:

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Don't aim for just survival

In the fifth chapter of Screenwriter Survival Guide, we're doing something a little bit different: we're talking about your life outside of writing. You're never going to thrive as a writer if you're entirely focused on work all the time. So it's important to remember to find a balance of work and "not-work" that's healthy for you. To help me with the "not-work" part, I'm chatting with my friend Queency Luvry, an Indonesian/Canadian sound editor who also happens to be my oldest friend in LA. 

Connect with Queency on Instagram (@qluvry), by Email ([email protected]), or Facebook (facebook.com/queencyluvry).

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @SSGPod, or email me at [email protected].

Screenwriter Survival Guide is presented by my newest venture: Get Me An Agent: The fast pass that connects unrepped writers with agents and managers. For as little as $14.99/mo, you can reach out to unlimited literary agents and managers. Get a free month, plus half off FOREVER with the discount code 'survive'. Check it out at getmeanagent.com.

PART I: Queency's Story

PART II: Your Daily Life in LA

PART III: Getting Out of Town

RESOURCES:

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP

      QUEENCY'S: Put your mental health first.

      SAM'S: Find a work-life balance that works for you.

In the fourth chapter of Screenwriter Survival Guide, I sat down with my good friend, writer-director Jonny Santana to talk networking. Jonny's been making movies since he was four years old, and his work has been featured on NBC, CBS, The CW, and Telemundo. He's even been tapped to give a TED Talk. He's an absolute beast at networking, and I was personally floored by his approach to cultivating real, meaningful relationships across the industry.

Connect with Jonny online (jonnysantanamovies.com), and watch his films on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtE1CJ1Dol7K3AHOpLBQqZA

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @SSGPod, or email me at [email protected].

Screenwriter Survival Guide is presented by my newest venture: Get Me An Agent: The fast pass that connects unrepped writers with agents and managers. For as little as $14.99/mo, you can reach out to unlimited literary agents and managers. Get a free month, plus half off FOREVER with the discount code 'survive'. Check it out at getmeanagent.com.

PART I: Jonny's Story

PART II: How to become a genius networker

RESOURCES:

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Studying social skills is a superpower.

In the third chapter of Screenwriter Survival Guide, we're going deep on the writing process. I sat down with screenwriter Michael Ross, whose credits include Switched At Birth, The Baker And The Beauty, and the hit Netflix series, Firefly Lane, to discuss his path into the industry, how to balance your personal career with the show you're paid to write, and why it's so important to go above and beyond when you're working as an assistant.

Connect with Michael on Instagram (@mykleraus) and Twitter (@mykleraus), and watch Firefly Lane on Netflix later this (or next) year.

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @SSGPod, or email me at [email protected].

Screenwriter Survival Guide is presented by my newest venture: Get Me An Agent: The fast pass that connects unrepped writers with agents and managers. For as little as $14.99/mo, you can reach out to unlimited literary agents and managers.

Get a free month, plus half off FOREVER with the discount code 'survive'. Check it out at getmeanagent.com.

PART I: The screenwriter's career path

PART II: The day-to-day of a screenwriter

PART III: Tips and tricks for screenwriters

In the second chapter of Screenwriter Survival Guide, I sat down with an excellent young writer/director, Laura Modica (who also just so happens to be my coworker) to discuss how to get your first assistant gig in Hollywood. We start by going over her story (LMU alumni to the front), then dive deep on how to get an internship or job, and what sorts of responsibilities you'll have once you get them. Then we talk about the most important things for not-yet-screenwriters to keep in mind when building their career.

Connect with Laura on Instagram (@whatawonderfulsite2see) and Twitter (@laura_lmod)

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @SSGPod, or email me at [email protected].

Screenwriter Survival Guide is presented by my newest venture: Get Me An Agent: The fast pass that connects unrepped writers with agents and managers. For as little as $14.99/mo, you can reach out to unlimited literary agents and managers.

Get a free month, plus half off FOREVER with the discount code 'survive'. Check it out at getmeanagent.com.

PART I: How to get an internship in Hollywood

PART II: What you'll do in internships

PART III: How to get a job as an assistant