How to Meet
I’m at the stage where I’ll hopefully be meeting with managers, agents, and producers. As a writer/director, what should I expect from these initial meetings and do you have any advice, or pitfalls to avoid?
– Sam
Los Angeles
Meetings are a crucial part of a professional screenwriter’s job. Even when you’re not pitching a specific project, you’re basically pitching yourself as someone worth hiring in the future. So you’re right to be thinking about what you should say, do, and wear. (In fact, I’ve already addressed that last point.)
Let me briefly lay out the structure of every first meeting I’ve had in Hollywood.
The meeting is set for 10 a.m. You get there at 9:55. An assistant asks you if you’d like anything to drink. The proper answer is, “A water would be great.”1 This phrasing makes it clear that her request has been heard and appreciated, and that you haven’t mistaken her for a waitress.
The assistant will bring you the beverage, then inform you that the agent/executive/producer is running a few minutes late. This is completely expected. Entertain yourself with your iPhone or copies of Variety laying nearby. If the assistant is nearby and doesn’t seem particularly busy with some other task, engage in conversation. There’s a pretty good chance this assistant will run Hollywood someday, so it never hurts to be friendly.
When the Big Man calls you in to his office, try to figure out which seat he likes to sit in. Generally, you’re safe sitting on the couch. If it’s a two-chair situation, you might as well ask, “Do you have a favorite chair?” Because if you sit in his spot, you’re just starting the meeting off on the wrong foot.2
The first topic of conversation will be about one of four things:
- Something he read of yours that he liked
- A mutual acquaintance
- His office: either the view, or how he just moved in
- A movie that came out this past weekend.3
This is a warm-up period, and is not scored.
While engaged in this conversation, listen for the word which signals the end of the period: “So.”
As in, “So, tell me about the kinds of things you write,” or “So, let me tell you a little about our company, and the movies we’re trying to make.” At this point, judging begins. If it’s mostly a listening exercise, be ready to restate his points in different words, preferably with insightful analogies to successful movies.4
If he’s asking you to talk, say three smart things. Then get him talking again.
EXEC
So, is that the kind of thing you mostly want to write, is thrillers?
YOU
Thanks. Yeah, I love thrillers. I mean, I love all genres, but what’s great about thrillers is you get to do the **character work setting up motivations,** you get the **puzzle aspect of plotting,** and **real stakes.** With comedies and dramas, you get one or two of those, but thrillers are the whole package.
EXEC
I hadn’t thought of it that way.
YOU
You take a movie like Collateral, and it can be funny and tight and dangerous.
EXEC
I worked on Collateral.
YOU
I love that movie. How did that come about? Was that a book?
This process will continue for ten to 20 minutes, at which point he may pull out a buck slip5 listing all of the company’s open writing assignments. (Or in the case of agent/managers, a list of studios and development companies.) After a little more discussion, he thanks you for coming in.
This is your signal to stand, shake his hand, and leave. Say goodbye to the assistant. Remember to ask if you need to validate.
If there’s any specific project you talked about, follow up the next day with an email. If you don’t have his email address, it’s fair to call the assistant and ask if you can email her (the assistant) something for the boss. You don’t need to send thank you notes and such.
When I first signed with an agent, he sent me out on 15 meetings. I was meeting junior executives at companies that had never made a movie. But it was smart of my agent to set those meetings, because it gave me a lot of practice — which I needed, because I was terrible. By the time I was taking meetings for Go, I was pretty unflappable, even in the face of egregious behavior.
My overall advice is to not freak out over any given meeting. Pretend it’s just having coffee with somebody who went to your same school. Unless you’re pitching a specific project, don’t approach it with any particular expectation, and it’s likely to go fine.
- You may also ask for a Diet Coke. These are the only beverages you can be reasonably assured will be on the premises, and not a hassle leading to frustration or extra work. Back in the day (say, 1999), you could also ask for a “Snapple-type beverage.” But no one drinks Snapple anymore. ↩
- Meeting with multiple executives is an extra-credit situation, and generally necessitates asking about who sits where. ↩
- Only appropriate if the meeting is on Monday, and the movie did significantly better or worse than expected. ↩
- Bonus points if you can include movies he’s worked on. Box-office disappointments are okay, particularly if there are praiseworthy aspects. ↩
- A buck slip is a piece of heavy paper cut down to roughly 4×10 inches, which is often attached to a script in lieu of a typed letter. I’m not sure they even exist in other industries. ↩
Articles
April 15th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I’m heading into similar waters, so this is great and very timely.
Danke Shoen John.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
John, this is without a doubt one of your best posts. You’ve been on quite a roll lately. Thank you for all your help to us up-and-comers on the web. Very inspiring work.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Great advice. It’s weird how the fridges are only stocked with water, diet cork and Red Bull (sugar free) but Red Bull is only for the jaded staff.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Nice guide. I’ll try to keep these things in mind!
There was just one thing that I didn’t fully understand (English being my second language and all..): “Remember to ask if you need to validate.”
Did that refer to following up via email to make sure you are both on the same page or does it mean something else?
April 15th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Um, considering there is a remote chance that this will ever happen to me anyway… wow, I don’t think I could do this shake down alone. Wouldn’t you bring someone with you? Are you seriously there all alone? I always imagined that if you went to meet someone at some studio somewhere you’d at least have Turtle. (Here’s hoping you watch Entourage.)
April 15th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
…egregious behavior…?
tease!
April 15th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Brilliant post. Thanks.
I have an odd question: What should one wear?
I’m generally sitting around in t-shirts and jeans — and I never really dress up. What is proper attire for these meetings?
April 15th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Umm how does one get an avatar in the comments?
n00b.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I read the following advice for female writers going to meetings: wear something simple but add an interesting accessory — belt, earrings, necklace. The idea was to be memorable without looking like you were trying too hard. It worked for me on the one meeting I’ve been to. :-)
April 15th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Andreas: “validate” refers to having a parking stub validated, verifying that you went to some particular office or establishment nearby. This makes your parking less costly, or free. This can save a lot of money in LA and NYC, among other places.
Leo: check the link John provided towards the top- http://johnaugust.com/archives/2004/the-not-so-well-dressed-screenwriter That John thinks of everything!
April 15th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Andreas…John is talking about parking and asking whether you need to validate your parking.
John, it seems from what you have described that it is basically a job interview. As someone who has gone on plenty of them, there doesnt seem to be much difference between interviewing for, say, an office job, and going to one of these meetings.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
hahaha no one drinks snapple anymore. so true.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Reminds me of a meeting I had with a producer – a big time producer in his heyday. When I met him in the evening I was very sleepy. I’d been running around L.A. meeting people etc. Anyway, we were going to have dinner with an upcoming director. I wasn’t peddling any of my material, mainly because I didn’t have anything to promote, but being a fan of the producer was enough to get me a meet, and he wanted to meet me because we’ve been conversing on the phone for a while.
So the time came: we were at the Deli and… and… I was very quiet for most of the dinner. I didn’t have anything to say, but on the phone I’d chat merrily for two or three hours. I think he was disappointed, but not enough to break-off the friendship. He did eventually read my stuff and was complimentary about certain aspects but wasn’t enthralled with the overall material. He’s happy to read my material in the future.
I got a 2nd chance, but I know I blew it big time the first time. Psychologically, I’m playing catch-up. I’ll get over it, but what a wasted opportunity!!!
April 16th, 2008 at 1:17 am
@Leo Re-read the first paragraph and click on the words “already addressed” in the last line.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Wow, John, you rock.
I had a meeting at William Morris last month and it was almost beat by beat identical to this.
( I went for the diet Coke and the Variety…the receptionist actually waited for me to sit down, and handed me one copy, then artfully arrayed the others within reach), and chatted with the assistant on the elevator.
I’m glad I did what I was supposed to, but I’m glad this is here for the next one!
April 16th, 2008 at 1:52 am
I had never heard of parking validation before. You learn something new every day =) Thanks for the explanation Scott!
April 16th, 2008 at 5:41 am
I wish I’d had this post when I went for my first meeting with an agent. I am, to my knowledge, the only writer to have gone into a “we’re very interested in representing you” meeting and come out without an agent. Disaster.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:45 am
John,
Thank you for your insight. In your experience, is it typical in these situations that the assistant is a woman and the agent/executive/producer is a man? I’m absolutely not saying your scenario uses gender stereotypes. I’m just wondering if that’s the typical case.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:09 am
@Christina (#5):
It’s rare to bring someone to a meeting. Writers don’t have entourages.
@Ayz (#8):
You can get an avatar at gravatar.com.
@Scott (#11):
I’d say it’s less pressure than a job interview. Most of these meetings are really just “nice to meet you” meetings.
@Nathan (#18):
You could very easily flop the genders in the example given. While I don’t know the real percentages, in general, half the executives you’re likely to meet with are women, and half of all assistants are men.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:59 am
So… I don’t really expect an answer on this, but I’m SO curious.
You can’t ask for coffee at a morning meeting? And it would be weird if you said “no thanks” to anything?
Fascinating.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I’m an aspiring screenwriter and currently an assistant (male) in development at a television studio. Writers frequently come in for a ‘general’ meeting, and the description of what ensues is spot on.
Regarding asking for water, we have a variety of snacks and beverages (including Snapple) just in case and there’s no reason why anyone taking a meeting shouldn’t take advantage. No writer has not been hired because an assistant got a coffee, a bag of chips and a candy bar (or nuts, or soda, or juice, or anything in our over-stocked kitchen). Notably, I work at a large, corporate television studio so we’re probably the exception to the rule, but my point is you don’t only have to ask for water if other things are available.
Oh, and we’re going green. Which means no more bottled water. So there’s that.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Man, I miss buckslips. Just the right size for a grocery list, notes, etc.
Also as a former assistant, I would add that the good thing about water or diet Coke is that they are low-maintenance drinks. I grab the can/bottle, give it to you, done.
The problem with coffee: it can be spilled. By you, or by me. Or accidentally by me on you, in a worst case scenario. (Or, “accidentally.”) I also, as an asst., felt very awkward making someone coffee. I don’t know why…maybe it was just me. Plus, people have such high maintenance coffee needs that it’s just not practical to have every milk and cream iteration on hand, leading to scenarios like me running to other assistants on the lot looking for the “right” additive, only to find when I got back that calls were missed, boss is pissed, and the person in the meeting was already gone.
And while I may be reading way too much into this, there is something very servile about making such a simple drink for someone else, where me handing you a bottle or can has more of a feeling of camraderie.
More than you wanted to know…
April 17th, 2008 at 1:07 am
All brilliant advice. One final comment for the ladies. If you chose to wear some truly expensive splendifferous designer shoes, or a piece of amazing jewellery, the attention of any female interviewer may well be focused on this item of loot which they silently covet and, human nature kicking in, they may immediately resent you for being over dressed, having better taste and minted. Or worse, being a poser with bags of time to shop for these treasures while the hard working interviewer struggles to get to the grocery shop. All surface gloss, no depth. [I am British. We have a problem with posers.] On the other hand a quirky designer piece by a local artist or a vintage item could create a talking point. Even better if you have your jeweller friend’s business card in your pocket. Then all you have to do is wow them with your talent, skills and professional excellence. Gulp.
April 17th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Thanks John.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
This is so great and so spot on, and I wish I’d had it a year and a half ago when I started the whole meeting dance. I went through the gauntlet first with reps (which I thankfully now have), and now I’m doing the circuit for TV “generals.”
Before one agent meeting, I declined water because I wanted to dash to the ladies’ room. When I sat down with the agents, they were all incredibly concerned that I didn’t have water. They were so disturbed by it, I thought the assistant was going to get called into the room and fired on the spot for not forcing some kind of beverage on me. And that agency ended up passing on me. I’m not saying it was because of the water — in fact, I know it wasn’t — but still … take the drink, just in case. Plus, it gives you something to do with your hands if you’re nervous.
My adds for the TV side of things: Be familiar with their slate, both of current on-air shows and of stuff coming up the pipeline. Be ready to talk about why you’re passionate about writing for TV and not film. Be ready to talk intelligently about whatever script got you the meeting. They’ll probably ask you what your immediate goals are (are you interested in just development or staffing), and where you want to be in ten years. And they’ll ask about your favorite shows, of course. Naturally have few from that network/studio/etc, but don’t be afraid to mention other people’s stuff. TV execs love TV, and they have favorite shows like everyone else. So don’t be afraid to geek out a little and shoot the breeze about any great show.
For TV, they’re looking to see if you’re someone who will fit well on staff, so the ability to relax a bit and just be social while being smart is key.
Also, don’t be surprised if your meeting is rescheduled at least once, and don’t forget to double check your directions (says the girl who got screwed by Google Maps on Monday with near-disastrous results).
April 19th, 2008 at 5:20 am
I loved this post. Working in Europe it all feels so alien and wonderful to me. The thing that gets me the most is the whole water/diet coke/coffee-thing. In Europe – or at least in Scandinavia – the proper thing to ask for is coffee. You’ll get normal coffee – nothing fancy. There is usually milk, but not always sugar. Especially writers are expected to be coffee-drinkers. (But don’t mistake coffee for anything else and ask fot tea, because that will just cause weirdness). In Scandinavia we are not big on the whole “having-an-assistant”-thing, so generally the executive himself will escort you to the pentry to get you the coffee. This is part of the whole initial “testing the waters”/chit-chat-part of the meeting. And he will usually get a cup for himself as well. Once coffee-preferences are covered, you walk to his office while he asks you if you had a hard time finding the place. This is your cue to tell a hilarious public-transport-anecdote since Scandinavian writers don’t have drivers licenses but executives do. You are free to lie through your teeth at this part. The story about how you got there doesn’t have to be true, but it has to be self-depracating and it has to make the executive laugh. Then you sit down in the executives office, the laughter dies out and the executives says “So…” ;-)