I’d like to go back to the wonderful producer Gary Goldstein again for some great advice on how to network in Hollywood.
Goldstein personally doesn’t believe in the value of just going out and getting a bunch of business cards. “I don’t see any real value in doing that,” Goldstein says. Instead, he recommends that we spend our time on creating quality work.
Once you’ve done that, the networking part often takes care of itself. It’s the easy part.
Build Rapport Through Trust
When Goldstein first went to Hollywood he had no connections and didn’t even understand the film business. So, you might be wondering how Goldstein got his in?
“I joined an outdoor health club and played a lot of tennis.” Goldstein recalls. He said that even though he didn’t know anyone when he first moved to LA, it wasn’t long before he was meeting well-connected people at the health club he joined.
And Goldstein has always stressed the importance of meeting and networking with people who seem real, honest, nice and smart.
It’s important to network with people who you like and trust and they should feel the same way about you.
You can meet successful people in the film industry all over town (at clubs, at society events, meetings, and conventions).
I believe there are two types of screenwriter out there. There are the screenwriters who sit back and hope for a good thing to come along.
Then there are the screenwriters out there who go out and make it happen—these are the ones who are actively looking for an agent or producer to read their script.
It is this last type of screenwriter that makes it in Hollywood. And while you’re out networking, try to think of ways in which you can add value to the people you’re networking with.
You Always Have Value
There is always emotional currency and value that can be given as a gift if you care enough about people. Even if you’re just playing a game of tennis with someone, that’s adding value.
Remember, just be honest, open, and trustworthy, and state your intentions clearly.
If you do that, an agent or producer will gladly read your script and take a look at any projects you might be working on.
*Jennifer Sloane has worked as a screenplay agent in Los Angeles and Nashville for the last five years. Jennifer loves good movies, music and animals. A former television and movie executive, Jennifer currently heads business development at Script Mailer (a company that connects screenwriters with agents and producers in Hollywood).