Tweetstorm: Melissa Hilfers on the attitude to have when taking a meeting

“No matter how many times you get knocked down not only must you get up, you must hold up your head knowing that last guy was a fool for saying no.”

Twitter can be a gold mine for writers. Case in point, when pro writers generate a tweetstorm about the craft. Recently Melissa Hilfers uploaded a series of tweets about a critical aspect of a screenwriter’s life: The attitude one should adopt when taking a meeting.

The other day on an ama I got a question that got me thinking. I was asked for advice on talking to actors. My advice was, remember they are artists just like you, (and don’t waste their time). But this bring up a bigger point for aspiring professional screenwriters. 1/

When I first started, I felt so lucky to get any meeting. I’m sure I acted overly grateful and obsequious. As years passed without any sales I felt desperate. I remember one time I placed in a contest and got to meet with an exec from fox tv. 2/

As he told me he wasn’t going to buy my script in spite of having selected it as a winner, I had to fight back tears. I’m not proud of it. But it had been YEARS of close calls, and I walked in thinking he was buying it. He was kind and said “I know, you just want it so badly.” 3/

When I sold my first script, maybe a year later, I realized something that changed my mentality. The person who found the script attached himself as a producer. I realized, hey, he wasn’t being nice, this is good for him. My script can make him money! 4/

Since then, when I walk into meetings, even with heads of studios, I do so knowing I am there with something of value. If they work with me, they’re not doing me a favor. That shift in my thinking, that my work has value, has changed the way I approach every meeting and pitch. 5/

It’s hard when you’ve faced rejection, but it’s essential that you go in understanding this. They will be lucky to work with you. This is why they’re meeting with you. It’s sad that wanting it so badly can become desperation which comes off you like a scent and shuns success 6/

It’s not fair. But it’s real. No matter how many times you get knocked down not only must you get up, you must hold up your head knowing that last guy was a fool for saying no. 7/

I now have a show in development at fox. EOT/

I asked Melissa if I could reprint her thread because this is a great real world example of what I attempt to convey to my university students: As they head off to Los Angeles and eventually put themselves in a position to take writer meetings, go in with a sense of confidence.

This is tricky. Aspiring screenwriters exist in a state of desperation, so much of their energy focused on breaking into the business. That’s understandable, especially living in L.A. where you are this close to the business virtually everywhere you go, yet you are still on the outside looking in. That day to day proximity can fan a writer’s frenzy to generate their Big Break.

However, if a writer carries that air of desperation into a meeting, that can sour the experience for both parties involved. As far as the writer goes, the last thing you want to do is emit that aroma of neediness, as it gets in the way of conveying what you should be communicating, the strengths of your personality. On the other side of the desk, when a manager, agent, producer, or development executive senses a writer’s desperation, that arouses their anxiety and gets in the way of them assessing the writer’s creative chops.

Thus, I tell my students, when they are in a meeting to discuss a writing project, enter the room with confidence. As Melissa says, “When I walk into meetings, even with heads of studios, I do so knowing I am there with something of value.”

And this is why I keep pounding the point: It’s not just about the script. It’s about learning the craft. Understanding the business. Developing your own unique writer’s voice. The more you immerse yourself in all aspects of being a screenwriter, the more confident you will be in meetings. Why? Because you have every good reason to believe in yourself as a writer.

Thanks, Melissa, for sharing that real life experience with the online screenwriting community and congratulations for your continuing success in the business. We look forward to seeing your TV series on Fox (fingers crossed!).

You may follow Melissa on Twitter: @melissahilfers.

For more screenwriter tweetstorms, go here.