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TV Calling

Networking 101: How to Talk With People in Hollywood (PT05)

Alex and Nick discuss the point of networking, why (aspiring) television writers should network, and how to do it when you don’t know anyone or are socially anxious.

SHOWNOTES

Content

1 – Networking is about why you’re meeting people, not who you should meet (00:25)
2 – Mixers and One-on-ones: the two ways you’ll be networking (08:12)
3 – What to talk about and how to behave in a networking situation (12:22)
4 – Learn what you can offer them instead of what they can give you (19:50)
Takeaways and Resources (28:54)

Links

Ben Franklin Effect
Announcing your plans makes you less motivated to accomplish them
When Intentions Go Public: Does Social Reality Widen the Intention-Behavior Gap?” (PDF)

Resources

Facebook
Make Your Contacts Count – Anne Baber & Lynne Waymon
FullContact

If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please leave us an iTunes review and/or rating at paperteam.co/itunes! :)

You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex@TVCalling
Nick@_njwatson
If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

Spec v. Pilot: What You Should Be Writing Next (PT04)

Alex and Nick discuss the differences and implications between writing a television spec episode and a television spec pilot. Which script should you choose to write as your next sample? Whether it’s your first teleplay, you want to apply to the fellowships, or you’re trying to build a portfolio to get representation, the Paper Team has got you covered.

SHOWNOTES

Content

1 – Defining what “spec script” and “spec pilot” mean (00:28)
2 – The goals of writing a TV spec script or a spec pilot (02:33)
3 – Why and how spec scripts and pilots are read (10:13)
4 – Deciding what your next writing sample should be (17:13)
Takeaways and Resources (29:40)

Links

What is the difference between a “spec script” and a “spec pilot”?
Star Trek: Terran
Stargate SG-1 – “The Other Guys”

Resources

Writing the TV Drama Series – Pamela Douglas
The TV Writer’s Workbook – Ellen Sandler

TV Calling’s TV Spec Course mentioned in the episode is almost ready.
Be prepared by taking our free PDF Spec Test!

If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please leave us an iTunes review and/or rating at paperteam.co/itunes! :)

You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex@TVCalling
Nick@_njwatson
If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

How to Meet People in LA (When You Don’t Know Anyone) (PT03)

Alex and Nick discuss tips and advice on making new TV and other industry contacts in Los Angeles. How do you create connections for yourself before setting foot in Hollywood? How do you use ones you may already have? And where do you start when you don’t know anyone in this strange city? The Paper Team tackles the subject and much more.

SHOWNOTES

Content

1 – Making connections before getting to LA (00:40)
2 – Don’t lose sight of the connections you already have (07:29)
3 – What to do when you don’t know anyone (14:24)
4 – Creating your own adventures (41:04)
Takeaways and Resources (44:31)

Links

JHRTS
International Screenwriters Association
Tracking-Board.com
TrackingB
Jen Grisanti’s Friday Night Drinks
The Black List Events
Nerdist Writers Panel
Austin Film Festival
San Diego Comic-Con
WonderCon (Anaheim/Los Angeles)
Jeffrey Lieber’s Twitter
Javier Grillo-Marxuach’s Twitter
Jose Molina’s Twitter
reddit’s Screenwriting subreddit

Resources

Meetup.com
LA TV Writers Group – Yahoo
LA TV Writers Group – Facebook
Hollywood Game Plan – Carole Kirschner

If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please leave us an iTunes review and/or rating at paperteam.co/itunes! :)

You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex@TVCalling
Nick@_njwatson
If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]