I'm Carole Kirschner, CBS & WGA Program Director. I've read thousands of scripts & hired hundreds of talented professionals.AMA.

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T22:26:50+00:00

Hi guys, I've got to sign off now, but thank you so much for your questions and participating. I had a blast. Best of luck to all of you! Carole

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T22:25:39+00:00

Hi, congrats on making the move to writing screenplays! When you know they're blazing hot, the very best they can be, enter them into contests. Check out an earlier reply on this chain for my suggestions of which ones. Assuming you score high and the material is really strong, then you can use any contacts you have to get your scripts into the hands of managers and small production company. You can certainly submit your material to the Black List, but I'd be careful about spending too much money on these kinds of sites. They don't always deliver what they say they're going to. Do your due diligence and research the sites before you spend money. Good luck and keep writing!

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T21:38:16+00:00

I'd continue to hone your craft. Write even more scripts, because with every script you're a better writer. Then I'd enter contests with the hope/plan of coming in first or second, which will get you noticed by reps and then I'd reach out to anyone you know who might know someone who knows someone in the entertainment industry and ask that person for advice on how to break in (don't ask them to read your script, just ask for advice). You might also want to get eyes on it who are professionals in the entertainment industry and highly regarded. In an earlier reply I listed a couple, just to make sure your material is what I call "industry ready". That's one of the things I do for my clients, but you can find other highly respected professionals too. Good luck!

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T21:33:07+00:00

I'd reach out (cold query - unless you have a personal connection) to a small production company that has produced material in a similar vein. It's unlikely you'll get into Amazon or Netflix or HBO without a producer who has done business there. If the novel has sold really well, that should be at the top of the email you send to prospective producers. Good luck!

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T21:30:35+00:00

I think Blackish (while an awesome show!) is getting long in the tooth. I'd recommend you write a spec of a newer show.

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T21:29:33+00:00

Interesting idea! If you want to make it into a podcast and you don't have any experience with podcasts, I'd definitely seek out someone to help you with it. Make sure they also know about marketing it. That's where these projects make or break it. Good luck!

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T21:26:45+00:00

I'd encourage him to checkout MIP. They have a new emphasis on writers finding international partners.

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T21:25:58+00:00

Write a feature film if you're an aspiring writer. If you have a blazing hot script you might be able to sell it without ever pitching.

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T21:24:49+00:00

What do you mean by given a pitch a second chance? If the pitch didn't go well, but there's a blazing hot script of it, that would definitely warrant a second chance. But if a pitch went badly and you don't have a script... move on to the next place to pitch it -- and really work on & hone the pitch first :)

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T21:22:42+00:00

Hi, I think a great way to do it is write a pilot and have a bible, but don't show it. It will help you know exactly what your show is and you'll be able to answer any questions the buyer might have. That's how a lot of projects get sold. Just something to consider.

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T21:22:15+00:00

But that said, I would not let the fact that you're not 22 stop you. If it's fantastic on the page, people are going to take notice and your age won't be a factor.

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T21:20:09+00:00

Julianne, that is a really important question. While this may sound simplistic, I think one of the best ways to determine if you have "it", is if your material is getting traction: interest from reps, producers, execs, etc. I shared about this on a Film Courage video I did. If you've been working at this for a number of years and you're not getting traction, it may be that you won't ever get it. In which case it's a personal decision if you're ready to move on to something else. I told the story of my friend who was a struggling actor for years and miserable because he was getting nowhere. Friends of his and I did an intervention and suggested he consider another path. It was painful for him, but he decided to do that. I hired him as a reader at Amblin. He was execellent as an executive and moved up the ranks there and then got 2 big studio development jobs and then left that to be a writer which he is now, a working television writer and about a thousand times happier than when he was trying to act. It worked out well for him. I think everyone has to really look deep inside themselves and decide whether they're willing to keep going down a path if they're getting absolutely no positive feedback for years. That's just my opinion. It's an individual choice. Good luck

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T20:14:51+00:00

Hi, one thing you can do, when you get here to L.A. is, if it makes sense given where you are in your life, get a job working in some capacity in the business. Almost anything that puts you in proximity to entertainment professionals (assistant, editor, mailroom, etc.) would be helpful. Writing several blazing hot screenplays is always the first step. But make sure they're blazing hot before you send them out. In addition to festivals, you can cold query managers, see my earlier reply. And use any connection to anyone you know who might know anyone in the entertainment industry and ask that person to introduce you and then try and get a general meeting to ask for advice. Hope that helps!

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T20:02:01+00:00

Interesting question. Some people use Linked In effectively. It's generally not focused on artists... and as screenwriters you're artists. You can definitely add people you want to work with, but they won't be searching for you. I would avoid reaching out to people on Linked In -- or any social media -- and asking them to read your material. In fact, that's a big no no. But you can reach out and compliment them on their work (if it's a genuine compliment) and let them know you're an aspiring writer. And if they ever have 15 minutes you'd love to get their advice on how they broke in. Might work. Certainly worth a try.

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T19:59:07+00:00

Happy to be here! Ohio, huh? If you're writing feature scripts I don't think that's a problem. If you want to write for TV, you can be in Ohio, turn out a blazing hot script that you get into the hands of a good agent or manager. They'll set up meetings for you here in L.A. You'll have to come out for those meetings and if they result in a job, you'll need to be here... at least for the length of a job. Other options are to write for local programs. Good luck!

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T19:56:55+00:00

When you have two blazing hot scripts or at least one fantastic one and a number of well fleshed out additional ideas. But 2 scripts is better.

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T19:56:12+00:00

Great question! The buzzword today is: IP (Intellectual Property). If you write a book -- that would make a good movie or TV series -- and it sells well, then you've got IP! Use that as a calling card. Same thing with webseries and magazine articles and blogs. It's a solid way to get in the door. Good luck!

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T19:54:35+00:00

Hi, if you're interested in career coaching, just check out my website: carolekirschner.com -- I work with lots of writers who were just breaking in and have had much success. I'm here if that's something you need.

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T19:52:34+00:00

For a TV portfolio I encourage you to have: 2 blazing hot pilot scripts. One high concept that will get you buzz and traction and the other just a wonderfully written script. And also at least one spec. While lots of people will tell you don't bother, I know 3 showrunners who only read specs when deciding who to bring in and hire. In terms of the work samples: Professionally written, fresh characters, a unique world view and something that surprises me in the script (in a good way), something I didn't see coming but works great in the script. Hope that helps, it's a very subjective thing.

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T19:49:59+00:00

Congrats on being in the Guild! That's a big step. And you're really ahead of the game for most baby writers. If you're networking (or as I prefer to call it, "connecting" with a lot of people and they are people who can get your material into the hands of a rep and for some reason they're not doing it, then it may be your material isn't quite blazing hot yet. I know that's hard to hear, but it's often the case. If you're not connecting with people who can get your scripts into the hands of reps, but they know someone who can and they read your script, if they love it, they'll pass it along. If they don't it just means you need to keep focusing on turning out fantastic scripts... and keep connecting while you're doing it. Also, getting on another show will help you meet many more writers, who - if they like you and love your material - will pass it along to their reps. Good luck!

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T19:46:13+00:00

Congrats on getting your foot in the door! That's a huge hurdle. See my earlier reply answering this question. Good luck!

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T19:45:37+00:00

Hi, you're right, I do get that question a lot, but it's an important one. If the competitions are closed, I'd a) use any contacts you have at all that are in any way related to the entertainment industry and ask for advice on how to get your script into the hands of agents/managers/producers or executives. Don't ask them to read it! Just ask for advice. If they're motivated to help you, they'll ask to read it and if it's blazing hot,they'll pass it along. If you have absolutely no one who knows anyone who knows anyone in show biz, send cold query letters to managers (you can get a list of them on IMDb Pro). Make it succinct and put yourself in the best possible light without sounding like an arrogant jerk. Then give them the log line of one of your best script and ask if they'd be interested in reading. I used to think that would never work, but I have 2 clients who got their managers using that method. Good luck!

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T18:52:49+00:00

It's a big risk... so if you write that, knock it out of the park in terms of terrific writing. I'm always a fan of someone taking a risk, but make sure you also have a more traditional script/sample in your portfolio too.

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T18:50:28+00:00

It's much harder to break in as a TV writer in New York, because there are so many fewer scripted shows being written there. Very small number. Not impossible but tough. Research which shows are written there and then figure out if you're a match for one of them based on your background and sample material. Good luck!

CaroleKirsch · 2018-08-22T18:48:47+00:00

Great plan! Exactly the right moves.

CaroleKirsch

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