What to do when things are scary? Look for the helpers.
We all know anecdotally or personally that the entertainment industry, especially television, is going through some rough times. We have heard the hopes for 2025 and seen some uptick in the success of independent films, though this remains an incredibly hard facet of filmmaking to break into. Let’s face it – it’s all hard! But as Tom Hanks said, “If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. It's the hard that makes it great.”
When things are hard it makes one work with more energy, more passion and take more risks. All of these traits are what move us ahead in the industry and in life even in the easier times. Without these traits you’re simply lucky, and while that’s true of some people, it’s not what really shows us who you are.
What to do in times like this? Here are a few ideas:
Don’t give up. This is always a difficult business and there are few overnight successes. Keep working on your creative outlet without expectation. Just write for yourself or shoot a very low budget short film.
Connect with other creatives who are going through the same things you are. Collaboration is what this business thrives on so two and three and four heads are better than one and when you all get together, who knows what connections you can make.
Get in touch with your contacts in the industry and update them on what you’ve been up to. Everyone is feeling the struggle, not just writers, so discussing your work and what might come next year is imperative to keeping those contacts alive. If someone in the industry has offered to chat and said to stay in touch – DO IT! Do it when you have things to offer them because as writers often forget, EVERYONE is looking for good material. You have it – they want it. Don’t undersell yourself.
Look for the helpers and look for people who don’t take no for an answer. This is the key to living this life. We had one of our strongest years this year and in 2020 when Covid hit. Some competitions skipped that year (!!!!) but what was there to do but sit inside and read? Our winner Guy Rowland continues to reap the rewards of his brilliant script REVELATION, which is very much on its way to being made, a writer’s room being developed and his success in the industry solidified.
There is never a time to stop unless that’s what you want to do. And those who have access to the industry, like Finish Line and others, know that all time is a good time to be working with writers, developing projects and making sure they’re being seen by those producers and executives who can help take them to the next level. If you’re interested in those producer and executives, please check out our MENTORS section and see the level which we can be of help.