Some people are very good at enlightening us in ways we hadn't predicted.
Having been introduced to Daisy as a Writer and Producer, she talked to us about her experience of working in the film industry, straight from graduating as a scriptwriting student.
A working history, in brief...
Daisy's first job was as an assistant producer for the Discovery Channel, also working as a script reader for Working Title. Daisy went on to work in distribution, working for Downtown
Pictures, followed by three years in acquisitions and development for
international sales agent and financier Capitol Films. She moved into
production when joining producer Nick Hirschkorn for Five Children
& It and helped him to launch the film arm of his commercials company
Feel Films in 2004.
As head of development for Feel she managed a
slate of literary adaptations through development, production and
distribution, including the upcoming production of The Song of Names
written by Jeffrey Caine. She was Associate Producer on Feel’s
production Skellig starring Tim Roth, John Simm and Kelly Macdonald. She
worked with Enlightenment Films as a consultant and Associate Producer
on I Can’t Think Straight and the multi award winning The World Unseen.
Daisy
was a founder of Stellar Network UK, a membership organisation
connecting professionals in film, television and theatre. As a script
writer, she is represented at Casarotto Ramsay. She had a radio film
review slot on Classic Gold for a number of years and has served on
various panels and short film festival juries, and taught on numerous
script development workshops.
Daisy gave some great tips throughout her talk, helping us to see the industry for what it is - ruthless.
Her advice to read as MANY scripts as possible, to network (that word again), to embrace change and to think about what type of writer I am? - what my 'voice' is?... helped me to put my thoughts into perspective and to think more broadly about my writing journey. I have never had grand notions of BIG things happening quickly (if at all)...I realise that this is a tough business and I'm prepared to work hard to pave my way. Daisy shed light on areas, such as the importance of spreading myself as thickly as possible. She even suggested working as a script reader for free at first as a way into the industry - a way to make contacts and raise profile. I'd never considered this before and I appreciate the knowledge of her first-hand experience.
So what type of writer am I? And what is my voice?...
I would say I lean mostly towards gritty drama....ideally for TV, quite probably at some point for radio. Having said that I want to explore horror/crime thriller and also comedy. In a session with Serena Cullen, she made it clear that a writer should write for one genre only. That you should not cross over. I can see why writing across genres could be problematic in terms of a building and maintaining a repertoire. However at this early stage in my journey I cannot say for certain where my writing is best placed only that I do enjoy writing drama.
My voice is my dialogue with others and with myself. It's a way of expressing, exploring and planting seeds.....
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Developing the writer's Profile and Status
Developing Profile and Status....the key to success!
It has to be said, I've never been all that good at 'selling' myself but as I take this writer's journey it is essential that I hone these skills if I am to get anywhere at all.
Today I attended a seminar with Helen Jacey, the main focus to inform us of the importance of NETWORKING - that daunting word. Not that I dislike being social....just that at this early stage, I lack the academic jargon to articulate myself as I'd wish...I'll get there. It's becoming easier.
So, how to improve - what strategies should I use to develop my status?
Key points were those relating to what I can DO in the here and now to raise my profile. It's about being proactive and consistent. The list includes;
- a BLOG (box ticked!)
- produce a writer's CV
- create a web site
- social networking site/facebook page (box ticked!)
- invest in some business cards
- write selling documents for each of my projects
- enter competitions
- network/attend film festivals
Lists are good...especially when ticked! I am currently creating a CV - (writer's CV's should be artistic & creative, conveying expression of self) one which will stand out from the rest in terms of visual aesthetics - well that's the plan (I'll let you know if it works).
Further to the discussion of raising profile, Helen relayed to us the importance of establishing the role of scriptwriter within the SIWG- Screen Idea Work Group. This group is made up of all the people who have a direct relationship with the screen idea. They exist in film, TV and radio. Directors, Producers, Writer's and Editors are a few of the people who work within these groups from initial concept to post production. As in all jobs, there is a hierarchy, which isn't often in favour of the writer, especially in the film industry. Working collaboratively, being assertive and open to new ideas helps! It's very difficult when there are a number of people working in one group to create something. Each of us have our own vision of what works. I have experienced this for myself when working collaboratively. It's a fine balance of compromise...listening is key and not taking rejection personally. Having said that, if you believe a concept to be strong, push it and explore it... address the feedback and work with it. Can it be re-worked/adapted? What is causing the conflict? It's about throwing ideas into the pot and filtering out the bad ones so that what is left can be shaped into something strong and thought provoking.
As time has passed I have improved my ability to give and receive criticism. It used to be excruciatingly painful to critique someone's work...I'd be very good at giving positive feedback but when it came to faulting their work in any way, I was terrible. I just couldn't do it. It's a skill in itself and as my creativity has been harnessed, alongside all the theory surrounding structure and style, I am able to find the right words. It's also important to remember that all criticism is constructive, rather than negative.
This seminar with Helen has really got me taking action with regards to 'selling' myself'...I have added myself to google+, posting blogs there, updated my information on LinkedIn, connecting with a number of respected professionals in the industry and I have become a blogger, which I do intend to keep doing. This is just for starters. I am looking into producing an artistic CV - there are a number of sites where you can customise this selling document to tailor your needs. Business cards too!( - all within my 6 month plan!) I have been aware of my lack of productivity outside of my course. In my attempt at becoming more prolific, I have started to write down ideas for two new projects. I also intend to enter more competitions. I have an existing profile on Circalit and have posted work for feedback on the site. My main aim for the new year is to write, direct and produce something ...anything! Helen really pushed this point and it has stuck in my mind....even if it's on a mobile phone, I'm going to make a film!
I attach a link and a video clip to assist in harnessing your NETWORKING skills...I hope they are of some use.
http://www.brunel.ac.uk/services/pcc/students/finding-a-job/developing-networking-skills
http://youtu.be/XCO9-93Z1H0
For the purpose of 'raising my profile' & indeed networking, my LinkedIn page is attached via this link: (feel free to connect if we share the same professional interests)
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=144717582&trk=hb_tab_pro_top
References:
It has to be said, I've never been all that good at 'selling' myself but as I take this writer's journey it is essential that I hone these skills if I am to get anywhere at all.
Today I attended a seminar with Helen Jacey, the main focus to inform us of the importance of NETWORKING - that daunting word. Not that I dislike being social....just that at this early stage, I lack the academic jargon to articulate myself as I'd wish...I'll get there. It's becoming easier.
So, how to improve - what strategies should I use to develop my status?
Key points were those relating to what I can DO in the here and now to raise my profile. It's about being proactive and consistent. The list includes;
- a BLOG (box ticked!)
- produce a writer's CV
- create a web site
- social networking site/facebook page (box ticked!)
- invest in some business cards
- write selling documents for each of my projects
- enter competitions
- network/attend film festivals
Lists are good...especially when ticked! I am currently creating a CV - (writer's CV's should be artistic & creative, conveying expression of self) one which will stand out from the rest in terms of visual aesthetics - well that's the plan (I'll let you know if it works).
Further to the discussion of raising profile, Helen relayed to us the importance of establishing the role of scriptwriter within the SIWG- Screen Idea Work Group. This group is made up of all the people who have a direct relationship with the screen idea. They exist in film, TV and radio. Directors, Producers, Writer's and Editors are a few of the people who work within these groups from initial concept to post production. As in all jobs, there is a hierarchy, which isn't often in favour of the writer, especially in the film industry. Working collaboratively, being assertive and open to new ideas helps! It's very difficult when there are a number of people working in one group to create something. Each of us have our own vision of what works. I have experienced this for myself when working collaboratively. It's a fine balance of compromise...listening is key and not taking rejection personally. Having said that, if you believe a concept to be strong, push it and explore it... address the feedback and work with it. Can it be re-worked/adapted? What is causing the conflict? It's about throwing ideas into the pot and filtering out the bad ones so that what is left can be shaped into something strong and thought provoking.
As time has passed I have improved my ability to give and receive criticism. It used to be excruciatingly painful to critique someone's work...I'd be very good at giving positive feedback but when it came to faulting their work in any way, I was terrible. I just couldn't do it. It's a skill in itself and as my creativity has been harnessed, alongside all the theory surrounding structure and style, I am able to find the right words. It's also important to remember that all criticism is constructive, rather than negative.
This seminar with Helen has really got me taking action with regards to 'selling' myself'...I have added myself to google+, posting blogs there, updated my information on LinkedIn, connecting with a number of respected professionals in the industry and I have become a blogger, which I do intend to keep doing. This is just for starters. I am looking into producing an artistic CV - there are a number of sites where you can customise this selling document to tailor your needs. Business cards too!( - all within my 6 month plan!) I have been aware of my lack of productivity outside of my course. In my attempt at becoming more prolific, I have started to write down ideas for two new projects. I also intend to enter more competitions. I have an existing profile on Circalit and have posted work for feedback on the site. My main aim for the new year is to write, direct and produce something ...anything! Helen really pushed this point and it has stuck in my mind....even if it's on a mobile phone, I'm going to make a film!
I attach a link and a video clip to assist in harnessing your NETWORKING skills...I hope they are of some use.
http://www.brunel.ac.uk/services/pcc/students/finding-a-job/developing-networking-skills
http://youtu.be/XCO9-93Z1H0
For the purpose of 'raising my profile' & indeed networking, my LinkedIn page is attached via this link: (feel free to connect if we share the same professional interests)
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=144717582&trk=hb_tab_pro_top
References:
Brunel University. 2011. Developing Networking Skills. Available at: http://www.brunel.ac.uk. [Accessed
11/12/2012]
Kintish Business Networking Tips. 2011. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCO9-93Z1H0&feature=youtu.be
{Accessed 11/12/2012
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