Some of you may already be aware that my ambition is to write scripts. Film and TV scripts to be precise. Last year, I did a Masters Degree in Writing for Performance. Part of the course was to explore into the market, network and search for scripting opportunities and pitch our scripts.

So for part of my coursework, I need edto find some funding and commissioning opportunities for feature film scripts.

Networking

Networking is important to build connections. I plan to network by going to ScriptFests and similar events held around the UK. The National Writers’ Conference is held annually for various kinds of writing, including scriptwriting.

The Futures Award in Social Networking course I completed has gave me tips to apply to my social media. I should research keywords and hashtags on the relevant platforms to learn about hot topics as well as the industry.

This method can also help me find channels and groups to join, such as the Linkedin group, Screenwriting and the Facebook group, BlueCat Writers Group.

I need to be aware of my audience, which would be agents, producers or anyone with connections to the Film and TV industry. To do this, I need to create a persona (fictional character) that matches my target audience. A persona is a stereotype that gives me an imaginary test bed that I can review and revisit to get the results that I want. This will enable me to create content that the persona would want to engage and interact with and encourage real-life interactions with my content.

Utilising Social Media

Linkedin and Facebook are going to be my main platforms as this
is where the majority of the writers’ groups are. While Twitter is
useful for marketing, it is hard to build a relationship with
followers. Linkedin will be especially useful as it is a platform
specifically for connections and professionals. However, Facebook groups are easier to find compared to Linkedin.

In order to make the most out of these platforms, I will post questions in relevant group circles and comment on posts surrounding my topic, creating a discussion and base for networking. I will monitor the activity and behaviour of my audience to see if this strategy is working, analyse the results and make the necessary changes in order build my network circle. This might mean revisiting my mission statement, strategy, platform or target audience. I can also ask my network and desired audience for feedback.

The Writers’ Guild

I have joined the Writers’ Guild as a candidate member, which gives me exclusive benefits and offers as a writer. This includes essential software, for example: Final Draft, an industry- recommended software for screenwriters; and Dragon, a speech-recognition software for users to dictate their work.

The Writers’ Guild also offers me free membership to The Black List and discounted membership to Script Angel. Script Angel  is an online mentoring and workshop service for film and TV writers which would help me hone my craft. The Black List is an online database of unproduced screenplays. Members are able to upload their script titles, loglines and representative information and monitor their work’s rating and user traffic. For a discounted price, I would also be able to upload my script and receive evaluation from readers on my project.

I am looking forward to making the most out of my candidate membership and will be working towards a full membership so that I am able to be found in the Writers’ Directory and be contacted when opportunities are available.

In order to have a full membership, I need eight points on my candidate membership—earned through each piece of work that is self-published or contracted. After contacting administration, I now know that this does not include the work on my blog.

Networking with Screenwriting Competitions

Screenwriting Competitions will help me to enter the industry and find people to connect with. At this stage, I'm not planning to direct my scripts, so these connections will be extremely beneficial.

Script Angel lists competitions and updates the list on a monthly basis, so I have subscribed to the mailing list to be updated about any screenwriting competitions that I will be eligible for.

UK Film Festival has a 3-minute script competition, a 10-minute script competition and a feature-length competition ran annually in January. The winners of the competitions have their scripts produced by a company chosen by UK Film Festival. Entering these competitions would be enormously beneficial for me. Should I win, it would be a step into the industry. I feel that Cast and Honey, Chocolate & Nerkles would perform well in this contest.

The BlueCat Screenwriting competition also runs annually and has similar criteria to the UK Film Festival. A short film under 30 pages, a feature script, half-hour pilot and hour pilot script competition with cash prizes. I have already submitted to BlueCat, with an hour pilot script this year. I have received free feedback on the submitted script but, on this occasion, I have not been moved to the quarter finalists. The feedback received on my script will help me to improve as a writer.

The Page International Screenwriting Awards is another competition that is likely to put me in contact with agents. If I win this competition, then my script and contact details will be sent to agents, producers and executives along with other benefits. This would include my logline featuring in InkTip Magazine and a chance to pitch my script. I could enter all my scripts into this competition, and plan to submit Cast in the future.

There are more competitions that I have not mentioned here, so it's worth looking.

Not too late to vote

I have a poll for one of my current projects. It currently has the working title, Pirate by Blood, but I would love to hear your name suggestions. Do feel free to vote on the poll by the 7th Sept.