How to Break Into the Film Industry Without Any Connections
The screenwriters of the smash hit movie A Quiet Place share the ins and outs of their journey to Hollywood.
The screenwriters of the smash hit movie A Quiet Place share the ins and outs of their journey to Hollywood.
Over the course of three decades working in the movie and TV business, I’ve met hundreds of screenwriters. I can honestly say Scott Beck and Bryan Woods are two of my favorites.
Is it because they originated and co-wrote the compelling and hugely entertaining horror movie A Quiet Place?
Is it because they gave one of the best interviews I’ve ever conducted?
Is it because they visited DePaul University to participate as panelists in the School of Cinematic Arts annual Courier 12 screenwriting conference?
Is it because they are fellow Los Angeles Galaxy soccer fans?
Yes, all that. Plus this: They have one of the best Twitter feeds (@beckandwoods) about the craft of screenwriting. For example, this:
Reading this list, it occurred to me the guys embody the spirit of something I wrote about a while back: 10 Screenwriting Skills and Traits You Need.
Five Screenwriting Traits
Five Screenwriting Skills
These are areas of personal development we all need to be working on, but here’s a really easy first step: Follow @beckandwoods on Twitter. Feel free to tweet a question about the craft at them. Even though they are busy, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they responded to you.
Then do this: Sometime this week, take an hour to sit down and take stock of what you are doing and not doing to learn the screenwriting craft. Ask yourself: What habits can I develop to make me a better writer?
Read Bryan and Scott’s list again. Note: They started where their passion was. Movies and telling stories.
Lean into your own passion and use that to fuel your growth as a creative.
And one more time, remember: @beckandwoods.