So I just graduated with a minor in Screenwriting, and I want to try to apply for writing jobs on the off chance I can find success in it.

So I just graduated with a minor in Screenwriting, and I want to try to apply for writing jobs on the off chance I can find success in it. There was never any courses on actually applying for jobs or anything because I went to a shitty midwest school.
Since this writer's strike is going on, I'm assuming I'm just fricked for now, right? Like there's not even anything I could apply to. Any IndustryAnons here? What should I be doing?

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  1. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    they don't cover "how to get a job in film" because if you have to ask, you won't get a job in film.

    • 10 months ago
      Anonymous

      Is there really no way to apply online for these sorts of jobs or is it solely being born with the correct nose?

      • 10 months ago
        Anonymous

        There is. Media Match, Mandy, Production Hub, tvandradiojobs.com, and entertainmentcareers.net have all been around for years. Back in the day you could find legit jobs/gig on Craigslist. That's how I landed a production coordinator job on a reality show. Worst decision I've made in my career. It was awful and I would never suggest working in reality tv to anyone. It's filled with backstabbing self-righteous buttholes.

        p.s. Gatekeeping is a severe problem as well. Keeping others down to ensure your rise is the rule not the exception.

  2. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    Making as many connections as possible but even that can be a futile endeavor. I worked in production and even with several years of real world experience in television and radio I had a hard time finding work when I did a brief stint in LA. Still could only land a shitty PA gig even though I had been a Master Control Op, radio DJ, and had shot/edited local commercials for a production company in the Midwest. Moved to a medium sized city after that and even encountered the same problem there until I landed a job mixing audio for national gigs. Moved to Chicago after 4 years of doing that and I was right back to square one. It's a very insular industry and I knew a guy form film school who worked almost 10 years as a PA before he finally could land a gig as a 2nd 2nd AD and 2nd AD job. Nepotism or luck are often the two defining factors in getting work. And if you're a white male the deck is stacked against you. Sad but true.

    • 10 months ago
      Anonymous

      >if you're a white male the deck is stacked against you
      Frick.

      • 10 months ago
        Anonymous

        Another suggestion would be to never talk politics to anyone on or off set you work with. Humility is also crucial even if you know you're not in the wrong or are being treated like shit. Higher ups simply do not care for the most part. I got fired from said reality tv show gig by the production manager and ironically I ran into the executive producer later that year and said if I ever needed a recommendation let him know.

        And don't even get my started on the writers strike. The WGA should stand for Whiners Guild of America. Productions Assistants have no union, still have day rates of $150 (10-12 hour days minimum), and it's been that way for over 20 years when I first started in the industry. No one ever goes to bat for them publicly and PAs are treated like shit even though they're often the first and last to leave set. It's fricked up. And they should absolutely have a class in college about stuff like this so people know what they're getting into, but like the other anon said they won't because it would expose the truth.

      • 10 months ago
        Anonymous
  3. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    Anyone know what the writer strike is over anyways

  4. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    You can't really "apply" for a screenwriting job even if there wasn't a strike. You just have to know someone. The jobs aren't posted anywhere or anything like that. If you actually want to be a screenwriter, move to LA or NYC

    • 10 months ago
      Anonymous

      Sometimes they are posted. You just have to know what websites to visit, and some of those are behind paywalls for that very reason. But in general you are correct.

      • 10 months ago
        Anonymous

        >Sometimes they are posted

        Where?

        • 10 months ago
          Anonymous

          Stop being lazy and go look back in the thread at the sites I listed. YNGMI with such a short attention span and lack of work ethic. You can't even be bothered to read trough a small thread on Cinemaphile.

          • 10 months ago
            Anonymous

            >Media Match, Mandy, Production Hub, tvandradiojobs.com, and entertainmentcareers.net

            You mean those? kek there are no writing jobs on those sites. The closest you'll get is a writer's assistant. But I've never even seen something that good on there. These are sites for for email wagie type jobs. Actual creative jobs like being a writer are not listed anywhere. They are gatekept extremely hard and you must know someone to get in. I'm not being a hater, this is just the reality.

            • 10 months ago
              Anonymous

              You're not going to land a legit writing gig straight away without climbing the ropes or knowing someone. That's like winning the lottery. And I stated they're sometimes posted there.
              https://www.mandy.com/us/project/2647081/sci-fi-television-series
              https://www.entertainmentcareers.net/psearch/?zoom_query=writer

              You know frick all because I literally landed a prod cord gig on Craigslist once for a major reality tv show. Even landed a $500/day meme job to shoot weddings on film from Craigslist. Those links I posted have mainly tv writing jobs but they're listed just the same. Often people wanting to work in film start in television or vice versa and you end up going where you can get hired.

    • 10 months ago
      Anonymous

      Frick I hate both of those cities. I was hoping post-covid I could just work remotely or something because everything you do is on a computer anyways.

      Another suggestion would be to never talk politics to anyone on or off set you work with. Humility is also crucial even if you know you're not in the wrong or are being treated like shit. Higher ups simply do not care for the most part. I got fired from said reality tv show gig by the production manager and ironically I ran into the executive producer later that year and said if I ever needed a recommendation let him know.

      And don't even get my started on the writers strike. The WGA should stand for Whiners Guild of America. Productions Assistants have no union, still have day rates of $150 (10-12 hour days minimum), and it's been that way for over 20 years when I first started in the industry. No one ever goes to bat for them publicly and PAs are treated like shit even though they're often the first and last to leave set. It's fricked up. And they should absolutely have a class in college about stuff like this so people know what they're getting into, but like the other anon said they won't because it would expose the truth.

      >never talk politics to anyone
      Didn't plan on it, considering my politics.

  5. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    >There was never any courses on actually applying for jobs or anything because I went to a shitty midwest school.
    Do you think Harvard has a class on how to find a job? Writers are fricking morons you'll fit right in.

  6. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    I don't support the strike anymore after reading those signs

  7. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    Move to phillipines or thailand and write some cliche gay script.

  8. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    >can't use a paint brush to write something legible from far away
    >can't even plan far enough ahead to not scrunch their sentences at the end of the sign

  9. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    instead of going to some shitty midwestern school you were supposed to go straight to California. you will never ever make it in Hollywood unless you make a friend there. no one goes to film school to learn about film, they go there to make friends and ride their coattails.

    • 10 months ago
      Anonymous

      Not true. I learned a lot in film school and also had a great time partying and making friends. Although when I went we were still shooting on film and not video. Also a small Midwestern school. And gatekeeping like I said is a huge problem. And yes, even your "friends" from film school will frick you over. I had it happen to me. I have friends who move to LA after they graduated with zero connections there. Some made it, some didn't. It's literally like going to the casino. Most often the house wins, but sometimes you get lucky.

  10. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    You don't "apply" for screenwriting jobs. You write something great and sell it, or use that sample to get you jobs or a manager/agent. Write a great script and send out queries on ImbdPro. If it sounds interesting, people will read. See you in 10 years.

    • 10 months ago
      Anonymous

      >Write a great script and send out queries on ImbdPro
      I've written two full screenplays and while I'm obviously biased I think they're both pretty good. I wasn't aware of this, I will do that.

      • 10 months ago
        Anonymous

        Keep writing spec scripts. Even the most talented writers it can take them 10-15 scripts to find their voice and break in. Consider using a pen name too until you get legitimate feedback on your work.

        • 10 months ago
          Anonymous

          Where / who do I submit my spec scripts to?

          • 10 months ago
            Anonymous

            Look up similar genre movies to what you wrote.
            Find emails to producers, prodcos, the writer's manager/agents.
            Send them a concise pitch with a great logline.
            If they like it they'll ask to read.
            Send them a PDF.
            99% won't respond even if it is great, but 1% will.

            • 10 months ago
              Anonymous

              Like I've stated before, this is a great way to get your script/idea stolen. The best way to protect yourself is to copyright your script before doing something like this. It might cost more than you're willing to spend but it's the only way to protect yourself. The majority of the people in this thread have zero experience in the industry. I can claim that with absolute certainty because none of them have told you to protect yourself from getting fricked over like I have.
              https://nofilmschool.com/how-to-copyright-your-screenplay

              • 10 months ago
                Anonymous

                Nobody is going to bother stealing from some random cold email screenplay that will be terrible 99.9% of the time anyway. Nobody sifts through their spam folder looking for ideas to rip off. You're assumed to be terrible until someone discovers that you're not. Actual great writers are rare enough to be a gold mine when you discover one. They'll want to sign you and make money from all your current and future ideas, not rip one of them off and let someone else get credit for discovering you.

              • 10 months ago
                Anonymous

                You're delusional. If it can make someone money they'll steal it. You honestly have too much faith in the industry not being sleazy. You're right, they'd never steal from up and coming writers. Or even low budget screenwriters who already have several movies under their belt they've written and directed.
                https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13050005
                https://medium.com/film-courage/the-mistake-i-made-when-hollywood-stole-my-screenplay-shane-stanley-b7b9f10014a7

                OP listen to these people at your own peril. I honestly don't think you stand a chance if you're unwilling to comprehend how shady the industry is.

              • 10 months ago
                Anonymous

                I haven't submitted my two scripts for copyright protections yet but if I submit them or email them to anywhere I am going to. I think it's like $70 to do so? Not much in the long run.

    • 10 months ago
      Anonymous

      >Write a great script and send out queries on ImbdPro. If it sounds interesting, people will read.
      That's cute. Here's what actually has to happen to get a script greenlit:
      1) Be friends with/be related to/frick a Hollywood producer.
      2) Connect your script to an existing IP.
      3) Check all the DEI boxes.
      4) Maybe quality will come into play at this point, probably not.

      • 10 months ago
        Anonymous

        That's a great way to get your material stolen. It's literally a recipe for disaster. You can roll the dice and might get lucky. I'm not saying don't do it but you have to be realistic. Even shitty low budget movies have that problem. With "Christians" nonetheless.
        https://charismamag.com/charisma-archive/tbn-sued-over-omega-code/

        Don't listen to these morons. I have multiple scripts being read by CAA and major production companies, and have gotten literary managers just from cold emails. If your premise is good, you will get reads.

        • 10 months ago
          Anonymous

          This is complete bullshit and a pathetic attempt at a troll/bait. If you believe this OP yngmi.

          • 10 months ago
            Anonymous

            I didn't believe that poster, his advice sounded really poor. I'm planning on trying to follow

            Look up similar genre movies to what you wrote.
            Find emails to producers, prodcos, the writer's manager/agents.
            Send them a concise pitch with a great logline.
            If they like it they'll ask to read.
            Send them a PDF.
            99% won't respond even if it is great, but 1% will.

            's advice.

            I guess I'll also add I've had some really minor success in comic writing, but it's all been self-published / kickstarter stuff. Would this help in getting into television writing, or is entirely unrelated?

            • 10 months ago
              Anonymous

              By all means do what you think is best for you. Writing a spec script episode for one of your favorite tv shows is a great suggestion as well akin to what

              Look up similar genre movies to what you wrote.
              Find emails to producers, prodcos, the writer's manager/agents.
              Send them a concise pitch with a great logline.
              If they like it they'll ask to read.
              Send them a PDF.
              99% won't respond even if it is great, but 1% will.

              suggested. I wouldn't tell you not to that. Merely to CYA if you write an original screenplay that you think has merit.

              You might have success from the self-published/kickstarter stuff, sure. If you can show it's made it to a film festival, television/cable show, or in a film that's been released online it will certainly boost your chances.

    • 10 months ago
      Anonymous

      That's a great way to get your material stolen. It's literally a recipe for disaster. You can roll the dice and might get lucky. I'm not saying don't do it but you have to be realistic. Even shitty low budget movies have that problem. With "Christians" nonetheless.
      https://charismamag.com/charisma-archive/tbn-sued-over-omega-code/

  11. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    If these signs are supposed to be an example of what we're missing out on from these writers I say replacing them with AI can't come soon enough.

  12. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    Write a letter to you grandmother. At least your writing will bring some joy to somebody who needs it.

  13. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    Is the Black List website a scam or can hosting your spec script on there actually get you some contacts?

    • 10 months ago
      Anonymous

      Their readers are even more woke than your average Hollywood assistant. Save your money and just use ImdbPro to contact the people who actually make movies happen.

  14. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    if you don't already know someone in the industry who's going to kick you a gig, you wasted your time. if you do know someone in the industry who's going to kick you a gig, you also wasted your time.

  15. 10 months ago
    Anonymous

    >I shot myself in the leg
    >now i'm bleeding

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