How to bring your Goal to LIFE: based on Screenwriting (Part 1)

In the film industry, you have to hustle, make connections and show commitment, by getting involved in conferences, associations, launching initiatives, taking courses and so on. This is true for any industry you plan to tap into and isn’t “newsworthy”.

Unfortunately, I’ve spent the last 7 years doing the above in a business context and have to start from scratch for film. Fortunately, at least I know I have the hustle in me. So do you.

No more staring wistfully at others – here’s some thought starters on getting your freak on.

Eat Pray Love (get the juices flowing)

For me, this includes renting and going to the movies and watching TV with active listening/observing and note taking instead of passive consumption. Whereas before, I thought watching TV was a waste of time, I now have a legit reason to form a butt imprint on my couch. Netflix helps too.

• Give yourself permission to indulge in a guilty pleasure by identifying how it can help your goal.

There are other media forms like blogs, novels (so many films start here) and the news (which I avoid because who wants to be assaulted with doom and gloom?) to spark inspiration. Overcome your mental blocks with tools like the War of Art and others.

• Draw inspiration from real life stories and complementary business models.

Also on my list is an Improv Class/Group or something stage based for spontaneous creativity and general
go with the flow/risk-taking benefits, all of which are needed in this industry.

• Try out a different, yet related role that is necessary in order for your goal to flourish.

Think about what you want to achieve, talk to others who are doing it and cover all conventional and unconventional bases. Then cram it into your schedule.

Learn learn learn just try not to be as socially awkward

2. An Education (a.k.a. learn like Sheldon and the Big Bang Gang)

To kick off the new year right, I plan to sign up for formal training like a Screenwriting Course, offered through the continuing education arm of a university, or another other credible organization.

I’ve also thought about picking 5-10 directors and watching at least three of their films to home school myself like a Duggar. Vintage John Hughes here I come!

• Do you learn better in a formal, structured setting? Are there conferences or courses youcould be taking?

Mastermind Groups (entrepreneurial term) are great because they are peer groups that provide accountability and
feedback on work-in-progress. Formal Mentorship lets you learn from someone with relevant and legit experience.

• If you can’t keep promises you make to yourself, how can you build in true accountability i.e. life coaching, blogging, peer groups etc.

I’ve been told that reading other scripts good and bad is helpful to learn the form and flow of it. Also becoming a professional eavesdropper and writing down how people actually speak to each other – what they say and don’t say adds realism.

• How can primary research and/or imitating the work of others help you?

Getting buried under a pile of books is a cheap and productive form of procrastination. I’ve read Screenplay by Syd Field (just so-so) and Save the Cat by Blake Snyder (so good).

My reading list now consists of The Morale Premise and Film is Art with maybes including a Joseph Campbell novel
and How to write a screenplay in 28 days – all recommended to me by others.

• What should be on your reading list? Text books, biographies, foreign languages, comic books?

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Goal Plan which covers building the right network and getting down and dirty.

Have any of the above tactics helped you with your goal? Have I missed anything? I’d love to learn from your
experiences.