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Be Good in the Room at ScreenPlayLab or Any Mixer

Be "good in the room." ScreenPlayLab is about being successful and loving being in the industry.

People like winners. If you're taking your time and trouble to come to an industry mixer, it's worth presenting yourself in a good light as a winner. Prepare yourself before the event by taking a moment to recall some of your recent personal triumphs that are industry-related. Maybe you wrote twenty new pages for your screenplay, had a great class, got a callback, entered a contest, nailed an audition, made a short, got a check. It doesn't have to be huge. Be positive. Be excited. Have good news and winning stories ready to share so you're not standing around awkwardly. Remember to be grateful for the people who've helped you.

Do not volunteer self-doubts, disappointments, or cynicism. It can only attract misery that loves company. There are some bitter people so out of touch that they will complain and put down the industry at a mixer filled with industry people. If you do meet someone like that, excuse yourself and get away as quickly as possible. Do not encourage self-sabotage.

If you have a specific goal, be open what it is. ScreenPlayLab is a very helpful group. Dozens of actors and writers have gotten agents on networking referrals. A writer got his treatment optioned. People have been asked to join shows. Let people know what you want so they can help. However, don't be pushy or appear desperate.

If what you want is an agent, don't expect it to do you any good to meet an agent at an event. What you need is to meet the friend or client of an agent, someone who has the agent's number and can make a phone call to refer you. Being referred to an agent is significant, a big favor. Don't expect someone you just met to vouch for your character and talent, although it does sometimes happen. Note that due to the current threat of a SAG strike, getting an agent now is tough. When times are hard, agents cut clients loose. Many have lost representation lately.

If you meet a producer or executive, do not try to give a pitch at a mixer. It will seem too needy. Pitches happen at an office or over coffee. Share enough that a producer could be intrigued. Give the genre and topic. You can do that because you're sharing how excited you are about your project, not pitching it. If the producer says it's interesting, you can then ask if you may call sometime to talk about it more. Much better is if the producer asks you to call.

A mixer is a good place to meet people, not the place to try to close a deal. Your first goal when you encounter someone interesting should be to suggest a private meeting sometime, not a deal. Do not bring a script with you. That would be too forward and needy.

If someone says they "don't accept unsolicited" that means they don't have the resources to look at every script being offered to them. There are two ways to respond to that. You can say, "Should I have my agent call you?". That's how your script gets solicited. Or, if you don't have representation, you can ask, "Can I sign a release?". If you can get them to send you a release form, don't be shocked if the wording seems unreasonable. The point of the release form is to enable the producer's agent-less friends to submit material, but discourage everyone else. If you can't trust a producer, get an agent first, which is what you're supposed to do anyway. Producers don't sign NDAs. If you need to keep your project a secret, produce it yourself.

People who are popular have other people they need to see. Don't linger too long because winners don't do that. Do not monopolize one person. Just say, "Excuse me, I have someone else I should see." Meet as many people you can.

When you arrive say hi to the host. If you're shy, ask the host, "Would you mind introducing me to a few people?". When you leave don't forget to say thank you to the host. That's not just courtesy, it's so the host knows you've left if anyone asks for you.

Have fun!

Robin Rowe