Yet Another Meeting Thread

[santino2699]

I know we've beaten this horse to death and beyond but I may actually be going on a meeting soon and would like to ask a few more questions...

If an exec has read a screenplay of yours and was generally pleased with the work but had to pass for whatever reason but agreed to meet with you, how much will they expect you to bring to the meeting?

For example, if I walk in there with the basics on the story I'm currently writing but I don't know exactly where I'm going to take the third act will I be perceived as a d0uchebag?

Or is it okay for me to just throw out loglines for a couple projects I've got in mind and that's enough for them? Keep in mind this is a meeting I'm calling since I'm going to be out there, it's not one that they requested. Does that make a difference?

Thanks in advance,
Santino

PS. Just to give you some more insight as to where my head's at. I'm nervous that I don't have enough fleshed out to be doing meetings. Even though this person has read two scripts of mine and supposedly likes my work, I feel like they're going to expect me to have it all figured out for every idea I mention and if I don't I'll be wasting their time. Can anyone confirm or deny these thoughts?

[SCRYPTREADER]

I know we've beaten this horse to death and beyond but I may actually be going on a meeting soon and would like to ask a few more questions...

If an exec has read a screenplay of yours and was generally pleased with the work but had to pass for whatever reason but agreed to meet with you, how much will they expect you to bring to the meeting?

For example, if I walk in there with the basics on the story I'm currently writing but I don't know exactly where I'm going to take the third act will I be perceived as a d0uchebag?

Or is it okay for me to just throw out loglines for a couple projects I've got in mind and that's enough for them? Keep in mind this is a meeting I'm calling since I'm going to be out there, it's not one that they requested. Does that make a difference?

Thanks in advance,
Santino

PS. Just to give you some more insight as to where my head's at. I'm nervous that I don't have enough fleshed out to be doing meetings. Even though this person has read two scripts of mine and supposedly likes my work, I feel like they're going to expect me to have it all figured out for every idea I mention and if I don't I'll be wasting their time. Can anyone confirm or deny these thoughts?

first relax and ask yourself, why did this person agree to meet with you? is it because they like your work? know your family? why?

i assume it is because they expect there is a chance you may have something to say that they will find interesting, whether it be about one of the scripts they have read or not. stay loose and relax and remember to let them do most of the talking. always agree with their opinions and seem like a person they would want to deal with.

players have huge egos... its all about who has the juice out here, who eats where, who meets where etc... when you get "in the room" allow this person to be as important as they think they are. make them like talking to you - eating with you - meeting with you.

as for loglines and specifics, stay away from that. there is nothing to be gained for a new writer to be pitching loglines to a person who actually makes movies... instead, talk to them about the power of movies, the things that inspire you to write movies, the things in other scripts you have admired... invite this person to do the same... they will get a feel for what you want to do that way, they will get a feel for your instincts, get a feel for your passion.

scripts are bought and sold by what is on the page... save that for another day - a day when you have written a script that you think this specific individual might like.

otherwise, good luck and stay calm. avoid talking about your work per se... try to find out what turns him on.

[santino2699]

as for loglines and specifics, stay away from that. there is nothing to be gained for a new writer to be pitching loglines to a person who actually makes movies...

scripts are bought and sold by what is on the page... save that for another day - a day when you have written a script that you think this specific individual might like.

otherwise, good luck and stay calm. avoid talking about your work per se... try to find out what turns him on.

Really? Wow. That certainly makes it easier.
So, just shoot the breeze?
It just seems natural that they would ask what I'm currently working on, doesn't it?

Thanks
Santino

[Otis]

The only part of Scryptreader's post I agree with are the first two words (first relax).

General meetings are a "shoot the breeze" kind of thing but feel free to toss out any ideas your working on and/or thinking about. Be yourself, have fun, be nice, etc. Relationships are an important part of this business and general meetings are a way to establish one.

[SCRYPTREADER]

The only part of Scryptreader's post I agree with are the first two words (first relax).

General meetings are a "shoot the breeze" kind of thing but feel free to toss out any ideas your working on and/or thinking about. Be yourself, have fun, be nice, etc. Relationships are an important part of this business and general meetings are a way to establish one.

lol - then it seems we agree on more than the first two words... perhaps i overstated my point... sure you can talk about what you are working on but as you admitted you had no third act for your latest script (at least thats what i thought you said) and "loglines" mean nothing in a meeting with someone you never met unless you have a script to back them up... based on that, i was simply advising that you avoid specifics with regard to unfinished business and move the conversation to a place where you can still benefit. if you show a general love for the game and understanding for the game he may read what you have when it is finished... if you appear to be unsteady, jumpy, eager and amateurish, he may not be interested in hearing or reading anything further.

truth is, my thoughts were just an opinion and i by no means have any qualifications to tell you what to do - was just offering some words based on my meetings, good and bad. from what i understand, otis has a lot more experience and is a lot further up the food chain, so i defer to him.

no matter how you proceed, i wish you all the best of luck.

[English Dave]

Santino if the exec has read your script and agrees to meet, THE LAST FVCKING THING he wants to do is wast half an hour of his valuable time shooting the breeze.

Five minutes on the weather, family, nice offices, bla blah blah then down to business. What are you writing now, what ideas do you have? And if you are lucky, - what do you think of this project we have?

That's why he wants to see you. **** shooting the breeze.

[santino2699]

Santino if the exec has read your script and agrees to meet, THE LAST FVCKING THING he wants to do is wast half an hour of his valuable time shooting the breeze.

Five minutes on the weather, family, nice offices, bla blah blah then down to business. What are you writing now, what ideas do you have? And if you are lucky, - what do you think of this project we have?

That's why he wants to see you. **** shooting the breeze.

That's what I figured. So then it brings me back to my first question...
Are loglines enough? Other than the project I'm writing which I can speak in more detail on the characters and throughline..is it okay to just mention loglines and nothing more on any other project or is it better advice to keep your mouth shut about ideas you haven't fleshed out yet?

S

[kidcharlemagne]

Santino,

I've just done what you are about to do and I had 15 meetings in 5 days. The shooting the breeze was a few minutes of chit chat mainly centred around chatting about Europe, jet lag, how long I'm in town, who else I'm seeing, other stuff about the biz, their projects, the script which I submitted them in the first place i.e. the one that got me the meeting.

We then discussed what they were looking for and this was my cue to pitch my new projects. I basically pitched with full enthusiasm the concept of my next script. I had a hook/log line, some humurous scenes, the characters, the basic theme and generally painted a picture of the movie I was about to write. I had no 3rd act, in fact I barely had a 2nd act. They never asked for it. I had enough to get them excited. The pitch met with a great response which obviously fuels my enthusiasm to write the script. It of course is no guarantee that they will buy the script but I know I won't have to jump through a million hoops to get them to read it.

After sitting in a tin can for 10 hours and eating crap airline food there was no way I was going to go in there for just a chit chat. This is your opportunity to pitch your new projects. Take it!

In most of the meetings I just pitched the one idea with full passion but to prod. co's who were involved in animation I also pitched a bunch of animation ideas along with visuals from animation artists.

This is your chance to practice your pitching skills and to get them excited about your new ideas. They know you have the writing chops. It's now up to you to get them excited about your future projects. If you make an impression then they'll still remember you a few months down the line when the project is ready.

Oh, and don't discount the fact that you may be asked to work on an idea that the producer is developing or you may even be handed a treatment or novel for your 'take'. It happened to me and another DD'er friend.

Bottom line advice - don't ask, don't get.

Good luck

KC

[SCRYPTREADER]

as for loglines and specifics, stay away from that. there is nothing to be gained for a new writer to be pitching loglines to a person who actually makes movies... instead, talk to them about the power of movies, the things that inspire you to write movies, the things in other scripts you have admired... invite this person to do the same... they will get a feel for what you want to do that way, they will get a feel for your instincts, get a feel for your passion.

scripts are bought and sold by what is on the page... save that for another day - a day when you have written a script that you think this specific individual might like.

otherwise, good luck and stay calm. avoid talking about your work per se... try to find out what turns him on.

i know this may be putting to fine but i never said "cjit chat"... maybe its semantics... either way, like i said, goodf luck.

[kidcharlemagne]

SReader,

I think some of us couldn't understand why if you get the chance to get a meeting with a prod. co. you would not talk about your work or wouldn't take the opportunity to pitch new projects.

This is a great way to check out if an idea has legs since you're pitching to people who hear new ideas all day long. If you get a meeting based on the writing but they've passed on purchasing the project they are basically interested in your new projects unless they want your take on their ideas or a novel or something.

I found that there is a dynamic to these meetings where both people know instinctively that the intro period is over with and now it's down to business. My experience is that people enjoy a good pitch. It's free entertainment. They tend to invite other people in. I was in one pitch meeting and I went into my routine and the dev. exec and story editor called the intern in as well I guess to get her view on the concepts. It becomes a mini event which is great, hey, the more the merrier and if you're pitching comedy it's fun, so I always try and pitch at least one project when I go to a meeting. I think you leave a more lasting impression if you do a great pitch that has captivated or entertained, and the only way to get better at pitching is by actually doing it.

[GreatOz]

I agree with those who say the meeting will start out with a few minutes of chitchat, the producer or CE will then describe their company and what they're looking for, and then the question will be asked, "What else have you got?" -- hopefully something close to what they've just described. Thoroughly research the company first, what films they've done, who you're going to be talking to, etc.

Don't sweat it. The meeting will only last about twenty minutes and go by quick.

One time I did pitch a logline only. It was very high concept and I only had a few jokes worked out (it was a comedy). I was meeting with two people and they loved it and immediately started giving me ideas on how the rest of the story could go. It was amazing, it's like they gave me some of the missing pieces and I ended up writing the script based on their imput!

Ironically, they passed on it! But it's always good to have another screenplay to pass around.

[odriftwood]

It comes down to this...

"What are you looking for?"

"Perfect cause here's what I'm working on...."

And ask for validation.... parking that is...

[santino2699]

So what I'm hearing is that I should dress up in a boy scout uniform and recite Hamlet for 15 minutes just to grab their attention and set myself apart from any other writers they might be meeting with that day.

Then, for the last five minutes...a burlesque act complete with feather boa that I pull from my sleeve. Note to self: bring my own boom box!

And when they scream, "Encore! Encore!" That's when I throw a bunch of fortune cookies at 'em with my loglines hidden inside.

I can't wait!

Seriously though, thanks for helping me to stay calm and realize that even if the meeting doesn't go perfectly it's not the end of the world. You guys are great.

Take care all,
Santino