If you want to network with someone (producer, director, agent, actor, etc.) for the first time but you don’t know how to start the conversation, try this out: learn something about that person.
Search their Stage 32 profile, website, or social media to find something about them that you can spark a conversation with.
Example: If they like your favorite basketball team, start with that.
Don’t start the conversation talking about your project, getting an agent, selling a script, etc.
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This is such a great piece of advice, Maurice, thank you for sharing. We also live by the rule of three here at Stage 32. Give to someone three times before you ever ask for anything in return.
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You're welcome, Amanda Toney. The rule of three is great advice and really effective. I've been reminding myself to do it more and more.
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Thanks Maurice, this is very helpful.
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great information that I will remember as I continue my journey here
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Thanks, Maurice for this information!
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You're welcome, Angela Lawrence. Glad the tip's helpful.
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That's great to hear, Kevin Oye. I've picked up a lot of screenwriting advice on my journey on Stage 32. Sometimes I email them to myself. Maybe I need to put them together in Microsoft Word.
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You're welcome, OB Nwani.
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Thanks for sharing, Maurice!
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You're welcome, Ty Strange.
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My approach for breaking the ice in conversation is much more subtle and looks something like this-- "So? I hear you hate your father? What's THAT all about?"
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Think of a network as a spider web. All interconnected. You may never work or deal with that person. But they are part of your web.
If you see them as people first, then it is an exploitative relationship.
I speak to the producers I work with a few time a year. We like each other instagram etc. But we only discuss business when we need to. It is a strong network built on friendship.
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Subtle, Bill? :)
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Spiderweb Networking. I like that term, Craig. :)
"If you see them as people first, then it is an exploitative relationship." Do you mean "not exploitative"?
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It's great to get feedback and collect advice at the very start of your journey, Xenia. I suggest keeping all of the advice in a file so you won't forget them.
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Some tremendous advice, Maurice!
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Good advice, Maurice!
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Thanks, RB.
"learn something about that person" is also great for Stage 32's Introduce Yourself Weekends, everyone.
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Thanks, Iannis.
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That's a great way to put it, Joy! :D Proposing on the first date would look crazy. So would asking a producer to buy a script (etc.) during the first conversation.