[Watch the video interview on YouTube here]
Film Courage: You said about the sort of protocol for someone pitching a cold “Hey, can you read my script? Hey, can you help me with my book? So I can turn into that we should quote build a bridge instead of ask? What is bridge-building? How is this done?
Steve Harper, Screenwriter/Writing Coach/Podcaster/Youtuber: Yeah, I think one of my big analogies is I call it being professionally homeless.
If I walk up to or see a homeless person on the street and they ask me for money, I might give money but that all depends on my mood. Do I have money? Am I in a hurry? It depends on a lot of different factors.
If I said to you or somebody said to me in this instance My friend John, who I went to college with, who’s really amazing is now homeless and he actually lives in your neighborhood and you’re going to see him today probably and at least say hello. You don’t have to give him anything but he’s a really amazing guy, exponentially changes my response to that person completely and totally.
I will be then open. Maybe I’ll give money. I’ll spend a little time. There’s a bridge that’s been built between me and that person. I think that’s what we really need to focus on when we talk about and think about networking. It’s not just about getting stuff right. It’s really about:
How can I build a bridge of my personality, my energy, my thoughts, my feelings?
Then I think I’m more likely, and I think lots and lots of people are more likely, to eventually sort of entertain a professional ask.
If I know you or if you know me, then it’s easier to say Hey, I would love some advice about such and such or I’m trying to blah, blah, blah, or Do you happen to know anybody over here? I’ve applied for a thing and would you put in a word for me? That may happen if we build a relationship.
It’s going to be really hard to connect if you’re a stranger to somebody I know really well because I don’t know you. It’s a risk right.
I think that’s what networking is, whether it’s through an agent or manager or just through having coffee with somebody several times to become more familiar and user-friendly. I think that’s the way of the industry. It’s a very social industry.
It’s not just about an exchange of material or exchange of ideas. It’s really about building that bridge and getting to know people and letting them get to know you.
Film Courage: Do you think people in other parts of the world or country don’t realize New York and Los Angeles is going to be less chummy and familiar than if you’re in even a different part of California where you can see someone at the grocery store and strike up a conversation? It’s going to flow much differently than when you’re in LA because you’re going to be Oh, they want something from me. What are they going to ask me?
Steve: Yeah, I don’t know. I think it’s different in terms of the ease of that but I also think it’s similar in terms of the fact that people like to be approached as people. That’s it really. More about an exchange of ideas or conversation than it is about Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme. You can help me. Give me this. Give me that. Give me. I need.
I think we all get tired of that. Even if we’re in the mood to give, I mean how many times I get a lot of because I like to do charitable giving particularly at holiday time, I get a lot of things all year long from some of the same charities. I’m not going to give every time I get an envelope. It can’t just be, I need. We need…(Watch the video interview on YouTube here).
About:
STEVE HARPER’s TV writing includes Co-Executive Producer duties on Tracker and D.C.’s Stargirl and wrote episodes of God Friended Me, Tell Me Your Secrets, American Crime and Covert Affairs. His web series SEND ME earned a 2016 Emmy Nomination for series lead Tracie Thoms. Through his company Your Creative Life he coaches writers, posts advice on YouTube and co-hosts The Secret Writer Podcast – heard in 21 countries. He graduated from Yale, the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard and the Juilliard playwriting program.
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