Read on Twitter
THREAD: One topic that's come up a few times lately on podcasts and Q & A zooms that I've done has been screenwriters and social media. Figured I'd do a thread on the two questions I get asked frequently regarding that. 1/
Obligatory Parental Advisory Tweet: These are simply my opinions; Your Mileage May Vary; This advice is freely given and may be freely ignored. 2/
The first question I often get asked (and it's more social media adjacent, really) is: Do screenwriters NEED to have their own personal website --- particularly one that advertises their screenwriting work?
And the answer I would I give is No, you do not. 3/
And the answer I would I give is No, you do not. 3/
To my knowledge, none of my writer clients have websites. Or, if they do, I have no idea that they do. Which should give you an idea of how useful they are to reps.
You don't NEED to have one.
If you want to have one, great. Do so. 4/
You don't NEED to have one.
If you want to have one, great. Do so. 4/
A personal website can certainly be useful for directors or writer/directors, as those sites can showcase their shorts and other work.
But if you're a screenwriter only? Then it's really not a necessity. 5/
But if you're a screenwriter only? Then it's really not a necessity. 5/
The second question is, do screenwriters NEED to have a social media presence? And by social media, people tend to mean Twitter.
Again, the answer I would give is, No, you do not. 6/
Again, the answer I would give is, No, you do not. 6/
I would note that most of my clients are NOT on Twitter.
More to the point, I would say the vast majority of executives, agents, and producers I speak to are NOT on Twitter.
That should give you a sense of its relative importance in terms of a screenwriting career. 7/
More to the point, I would say the vast majority of executives, agents, and producers I speak to are NOT on Twitter.
That should give you a sense of its relative importance in terms of a screenwriting career. 7/
If you find it useful to be on Twitter (and, since you're likely reading this on Twitter, you probably do), then you should be on Twitter.
But definitely don't view it as a requirement for a screenwriting career. It absolutely is not one. 8/
But definitely don't view it as a requirement for a screenwriting career. It absolutely is not one. 8/
Finally, I would say that for a screenwriter, Twitter is very much a double-edged sword.
There is definitely a chance you can demonstrate your talent and create relationships on Twitter.
There is also a strong chance you can create animosity or hurt your career via Twitter. 9/
There is definitely a chance you can demonstrate your talent and create relationships on Twitter.
There is also a strong chance you can create animosity or hurt your career via Twitter. 9/
One of the things that I've learned showrunners often do before interviewing writers staffing for their show is to google the writer. To get a sense of who they are and so on.
Even if the showrunner isn't active on Twitter, they may read your Twitter via this method. 10/
Even if the showrunner isn't active on Twitter, they may read your Twitter via this method. 10/
Thus, how you present yourself online may factor into how they judge you as a potential fit for their TV show.
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As well, there are tons of creatives who, while not particularly active, may occasionally check out Twitter to see what people are saying about the films or TV shows that they're involved in.
Do a quick Twitter search to get a sense of what the reaction is to their work. 12/
Do a quick Twitter search to get a sense of what the reaction is to their work. 12/
People don't always remember the nice things said about their work, but negative things tend to make a STRONG impact.
This is also true about any comments about new TV or feature projects that have been announced or scripts & shows that have been sold. 13/
This is also true about any comments about new TV or feature projects that have been announced or scripts & shows that have been sold. 13/
I'm definitely not perfect at it, but I try (with rare exceptions) to focus my social media on positivity. If I like a movie or TV show, I love to share that with the world. To spread attention for something great. 14/
If I don't care for something? Well, I keep that to myself.
There's very little to be gained in trashing someone else's hard work. No one sets out to make a project that doesn't come together.
But it happens.
It happens more often than not, sadly. 15/
There's very little to be gained in trashing someone else's hard work. No one sets out to make a project that doesn't come together.
But it happens.
It happens more often than not, sadly. 15/
People often view social media as a portrait of who you are, even if it's just portraying a single aspect of you. A single tweet or response (or even liking a tweet) can shape their perception of you to a great degree. 16/
(Which is probably why people who follow me on Twitter are always surprised when they meet me on a Zoom and I'm not wearing a suit.
Look, I paid $$$ to get those classy headshot photos taken, so I'm going to use them as often as I can!) 17/
Look, I paid $$$ to get those classy headshot photos taken, so I'm going to use them as often as I can!) 17/
All of which is to say, screenwriters certainly do not NEED to be on Twitter.
But if you are on Twitter, my advice is to be mindful.
As was noted in THE SOCIAL NETWORK, "The internet is written in pen, not pencil." 18/
But if you are on Twitter, my advice is to be mindful.
As was noted in THE SOCIAL NETWORK, "The internet is written in pen, not pencil." 18/
Hope that was helpful! Let me know if you have any questions or aspects I didn't address!
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