Everyone and their parents know that the film business is notorious for being a difficult and cruel place to work.

It’s both hard to break in and hard to stay in.

So much in fact, screenwriters have been seasoned to be ready for those golden moments when they might be able to connect with someone or send someone their work – because it’s a chance to slip into Hollywoodland through the side gates … not to imply that there are front gates where most people gain access, because there aren’t.

This moment usually involves someone on the inside asking you, the outsider, what you’re working on. Though this is probably most commonly asked right after you mention you’re writing a new screenplay or that you’re a screenwriter, don’t be surprised it’s asked out of the blue … in this town, it’s small talk … small talk that could change your life.

Needless to say, you don’t want to miss this golden moment. Here’s why:

Best case scenario:

You’re introduced to a family friend and learn that they’re a producer with a deal at Universal. You chit-chat a bit and reveal your passion and interest in movies and the overall business. They ask what you’re working on and you tell them. They’re compelled and invite you to send your screenplay to their office. Later, you check in and find out that the interns liked it so they’re going to have their staff reader take a glance. The staff reader likes it! The producer’s assistant gives you a call and you set up a meeting to talk about your work. You meet and talk and laugh and sweat. Then you find yourself at yet another golden moment question – but we’ll get to that later.

Worst case scenario:

One, two, skip a few – they’re compelled and invite you to send your screenplay to their office. Later, you check in and find out that the company either has a project “similar in the works” or “it’s not what the company is looking for.”

You can take this however you need to, but it’s usually a nice way to say they didn’t like it. You probably won’t know why, unless it’s obvious, until you’ve grown as a writer, but a solid guess might be because your submitted the script prematurely.

It just wasn’t ready for a producer to read it yet.

So, what do you do when a producer wants to read your work, but you don’t have a solid spec script?

Learn from my experience – the best thing you can do is tell them the truth … or at least, a glamorized version of it. Consider something along the lines of the following example.

“I’m just finishing up the draft. I’ll have it to you by the end of the month”

It’s always a good idea to let them know when you’re going to send it over; just be sure you can meet your own deadline – you don’t want to kill your career before you even have one do you?

Don’t be afraid of turning off the producer with your deadline – chances are, they’re going to forget about it by the end of the week so it doesn’t really matter. If it’s going to take a month, let them know.

If you’re near completion, get busy and finish your screenplay as fast as possible!

So the best thing to do when facing this pitfall disguised as an opportunity is to take it on strategically. Be sure to have the following things ready to go when you meet this side gate-opening producer friend.

• Your elevator pitch – this is the snappy version of your story designed to compel the listener in a short amount of time. You’ll put this to use usually after someone asks “What’s your story about?” so have it rehearsed and ready to go … and try not to look like such a writer. Relax.
• Know how much longer it will take before you’ll complete your script – have an idea so you can give the producer a deadline.
• A card – sure, it might be old fashioned, but it works. Create a unique card – like Victoria Vaughan’s – and put it to use. The shinier and more impressive it is, the more likely the producer will remember you … they won’t want to throw it away!

I hope there’s enough warning here to motivate you to prepare to meet a producer – it could happen at any time!

Anyone else out there experience this situation before? If so, what happened?