How to get 'People Who Matter'(tm) to see your work?

[Humberfloob]

I'm writing for a soap-opera which people can watch on their smartphones through a free to download app.

It's work I'm proud of and when it comes to submitting scripts to 'People Who Matter'(tm) I think I've got a pretty good idea how to go about it.

I'm struggling though to think of how best to get those folks who can help further my career to actually take the time to watch something, especially as it involves an extra step in downloading an app first. So far I've just been using it as a line at the bottom of my query letters which at least shows I've had something made, but still...

Any suggestions?

[Diana_Rajchel]

Is the soap opera already available free online?

[Humberfloob]

Hi Diana,

Yes it's available now but not online, you have to watch it on a smartphone or ipad/tablet thingy which you do by downloading a free app. The way it works is you get to see a new 3min 'appisode' every weekday and they put a short ad before it (which I guess is how they fund it).

Season 4 is running now and each season consists of 4 different storylines, one of which I've written, but the app allows you to catch up, right back to Season1 if you wish. I'm making it sound more complicated than it is, by the way!

If you want to check it out I'd love to hear your feedback, good or bad. I'm reluctant to post links but if you search PERSONA DRAMA in the AppStore you'll find it, or if you search ELIZA'S PERSONA on YouTube there's a short trailer for my story.

Thanks,
Martyn

[Stijn Hommes]

Don't try to get them to watch it. Those scripts have already been written, filmed and made available and the "People Who Matter" (TM) probably won't be able to do much with it. Instead, try submitting something new and use it as a credential in your cover letter. And try to get whoever filmed it to make a short trailer or reel to put on your own website so you can use it to entice your own audience and the people you submit to.

[thothguard51]

Why are you using (tm)?

[Humberfloob]

Thanks Stijn, I think you're right and it does feel good to be able to put on a cover letter that I've had something made. I just feel a bit frustrated because if it was a short film at least I could refer people to Vimeo or wherever and someone may just happen to see it and say hey, whoever wrote that would be perfect to write our next film...

Really do need to set up my own website - not sure I've got enough to put on it to make myself not look an 'amateur' though.

And I'm not sure why I decided to put (tm) - won't happen again (R)

[nmstevens]

Originally Posted by Humberfloob

Thanks Stijn, I think you're right and it does feel good to be able to put on a cover letter that I've had something made. I just feel a bit frustrated because if it was a short film at least I could refer people to Vimeo or wherever and someone may just happen to see it and say hey, whoever wrote that would be perfect to write our next film...

Really do need to set up my own website - not sure I've got enough to put on it to make myself not look an 'amateur' though.

And I'm not sure why I decided to put (tm) - won't happen again (R)

Here's a little secret about the so-called "people who matter" -- it's very hard to get them to watch anything or to read anything. Period. Those people pay other people to do the watching and the reading for them -- rather highly paid people. in fact, a lot of those people are paid so much, that most of them don't really want to be bothered actually reading and watching stuff, so they pay other people to do the actual reading and watching for them.

I've been one of those "other other" people who do the actual reading and watching and have had the experience of sitting in on phone conferences with one of my bosses, while he looked at my notes on something he had presumably read (but hadn't) while I fed him crib notes in response to questions that he was being asked about the material, which he couldn't answer because he hadn't read it and didn't frankly intend to.

Has there been any coverage about your show -- I mean like a short item on an internet news show that featured some clips? Surely if you're in the fourth season, there must be some publicity materials, hopefully, since it's a downloadable media-based item, some of that material would be targeted to media audiences. How do people even find out that this thing exists?

Somehow you have to advertise it -- maybe on line? Something that shows people what it is? Shows people something about it? How good it is? Maybe references who wrote it?

If it's current on a website somewhere that would be best, especially if it's short (blind links are tough because people are frankly afraid in this virus-y world, to click on links) -- that might serve your purpose -- I'm this cool, next gen writer, I've written this cool new script, and oh, by the way, go to this website, there's an on-line story about this cool, next-gen show that I'm writing right now that's really hot.

Because that's the idea, isn't it? You want to talk about this other thing you're doing to give yourself a bit of screenwriting "street cred" to whoever you're sending your stuff to.

NMS

[Humberfloob]

Thanks NMS, really appreciate you taking the time to post.

And you're absolutely right. Not sure how many people have downloaded the Persona app; they say it got 130,000 views for Season2 so *someone's* watching it but there hasn't been a lot of publicity for it, or 'buzz' if I'm being honest.

Another problem is that my story is only one of four intertwined; in total I've written 10 x 90 second scenes that play out over four weeks. It's something that I'm really proud of because I've been able to write my own story (about a woman whose husband comes back from Afghanistan suffering from PTSD) but realistically no development exec is going to stay with it over four weeks just to check out my writing.

I think I need to sit tight until my season's finished and use it as a credit when submitting other stuff - and it's out there to refer people to whenever I get the opportunity.

[nmstevens]

Originally Posted by Humberfloob

Thanks NMS, really appreciate you taking the time to post.

And you're absolutely right. Not sure how many people have downloaded the Persona app; they say it got 130,000 views for Season2 so *someone's* watching it but there hasn't been a lot of publicity for it, or 'buzz' if I'm being honest.

Another problem is that my story is only one of four intertwined; in total I've written 10 x 90 second scenes that play out over four weeks. It's something that I'm really proud of because I've been able to write my own story (about a woman whose husband comes back from Afghanistan suffering from PTSD) but realistically no development exec is going to stay with it over four weeks just to check out my writing.

I think I need to sit tight until my season's finished and use it as a credit when submitting other stuff - and it's out there to refer people to whenever I get the opportunity.

But this might very well be something that's worth asking -- at least asking yourself. There's just got to be some sort of marketing associated with this thing -- how else could 130,000 people have downloaded an app which, if I'm understanding you correctly, the sole purpose of which is to view this on-line programming stream. Somehow, prior to their doing that, someone or something must have interested them sufficiently for them to do that. What did it? Whoever set this whole thing in motion had to have counted on more than simple word of mouth.

There must be some marketing plan that involves both the app and the underlying story of which you are a part. If there wasn't -- then nobody would be downloading it.

And just as whoever-it-is is marketing that thing, it's got to be your job to market yourself -- not downplay yourself. Like I said -- they're not going to watch it. Seriously. That doesn't mean that you have to lie about the extent of your involvement -- but a surfeit of detail isn't necessary either. You're one of a handful of writers involved in this cutting edge new media project -- (doesn't that sound better than saying, well gee, there were four writers, I was just one and sort of just contributed a little teensy-weensy little bit that hardly anyone would notice if they blinked -- don't present yourself that way).

Look, here's the hint -- they way you present yourself is the way they will see you. If you present yourself as someone who is involved in something that's marginal and who's contributed to it in a marginal way -- that's how they'll see you. If you present yourself as someone who's involved in something that's new and exciting and appealing to a young technologically sophisticated generation, and you've made and are making a central creative contribution to that enterprise -- then that's the way they're going to see you.

It doesn't come down to bragging, or lying or chest-beating.

The question really comes down to how you see yourself.

NMS

[Humberfloob]

"Look, here's the hint -- they way you present yourself is the way they will see you. If you present yourself as someone who is involved in something that's marginal and who's contributed to it in a marginal way -- that's how they'll see you. If you present yourself as someone who's involved in something that's new and exciting and appealing to a young technologically sophisticated generation, and you've made and are making a central creative contribution to that enterprise -- then that's the way they're going to see you."

You're absolutely spot-on, acting professional in this business is really important. Act like a novice and you'll be treated like one.

Thanks for the kick up the arse!

[nmstevens]

Originally Posted by Humberfloob

"Look, here's the hint -- they way you present yourself is the way they will see you. If you present yourself as someone who is involved in something that's marginal and who's contributed to it in a marginal way -- that's how they'll see you. If you present yourself as someone who's involved in something that's new and exciting and appealing to a young technologically sophisticated generation, and you've made and are making a central creative contribution to that enterprise -- then that's the way they're going to see you."

You're absolutely spot-on, acting professional in this business is really important. Act like a novice and you'll be treated like one.

Thanks for the kick up the arse!

I've written a story arc for Season4 of smartphone soap-opera @yourPERSONA which you can watch by downloading the free app (search PERSONA DRAMA).

Season4 started 7th May but the app lets you catch up previous episodes, from the beginning of Season1...

If I were going to include something like the above -- no reason not to, I'd probably go further in the first paragraph --

I've written a story arc for Season4 of smartphone soap-opera @yourPERSONA, the first in a new generation of multi-part dramas produced for exclusive on-demand delivery to a new generation of smart-phone media consumers.

You can watch it by downloading the free app (search PERSONA DRAMA) etc...

Something along those lines.

NMS

[Humberfloob]

Thanks NMS, have took your excellent advice!

[Richard Alan Phipps]

Write something new and make it the best you possibly can. Get it in front of people. If you get a bite, they'll want to know more about your background. At that point, you probably get a shot to show off your soap opera work, though it will probably be merely as background on who you are, not a viewing for a potential buy.

[Humberfloob]

Thanks Richard - and I agree completely.

Anyone checked the app out? You can download it free if you search PERSONA DRAMA and I'd love to hear what you guys think - I've been sounded out to write for a future season and any feedback I can get would be really useful to me...

[Richard Alan Phipps]

If you can somehow get it on Youtube, you'd probably have better luck getting feedback from here.

Apps scare many of us off.

[Humberfloob]

Ah, right - thanks Richard. Have people had bad experiences with apps? I'll be honest, I thought apps had been 'verifed' whereas I certainly wouldn't want to click on links I wasn't sure about.

Unfortunately the producers want people to download the app so it won't be available online. If anyone is interested they can see a trailer for my story on youtube by searching ELIZA'S PERSONA there...

[Richard Alan Phipps]

Love sells, as does war during these times, so you might be onto something.

I viewed the trailer and, not to sound generic, but it looks interesting. Clean shots and quality sound.

Good luck with your venture.

[Gateway]

Originally Posted by Humberfloob

Any suggestions?

Someone now quite well known used to work as a stripper where all the PWM used to go.

It's an idea. It'll work.

You can get whatever you want real quick if you're willing to pay the price.

[dennis7490]

I don't know if any of you have heard of INKTIPS, but I've had two scripts optioned through them. Anyone can join. It's $50 every 3 (or 4?) months for their preferred newletter, which lists producers looking for specific scripts. Well woth it in my book.

the "pay to pitch" deals I think are worthless. IMO.