Hi everyone. I've been having zooms with various people in the industry and helping people where I can and I've decided that I need to create a thread for all of you with big hearts and dreams 1. bc you're awesome and 2. I don't want you to get shredded to bits in this biz.

1. People smell desperation. Esp in this biz. If you get THE meeting, do NOT cower. Do not look down. You meet that person eye to eye bc if you GOT the meeting, you're SUPPOSED to be there. THEY saw something you have. YOU have the advantage. Don't forget that.

Yes, you will be lowballed. KNOW your worth. Obvi, a new writer that hasn't completed a script should not ask for WGA wage rates. BUT, if you are on the rise, and they insult you with a super low rate, WALK AWAY. No matter how bad it hurts. You're training them how to treat you.

If you walk away due to low balling, it also establishes a moral code for you and believe it or not, people will respect that.

2. Writers: this will save you a WORLD of pain. When you get hired, immediately have a mtg with those hiring you and ask them for the THEME of the movie. Five core wants of humans: love, comfort, respect, validation, justice. Find out which one is. WRITE IT DOWN.

This is bc, when you submit your draft, they will ALWAYS want to change something. You now have the THEME in your arsenal and can go back, puff them up nicely and redirect. "Oh, I have it here in my notes that you wanted it to be about Justice. Now you're wanting a lovestory...

Have you changed your mind in regards to the theme?" Usually that routes them back to the original idea PLUS it signals to them that they are about to spend more money for more drafts. THEME will help you every time.

3. No matter WHO you are or WHAT you do on set, visit various departments and THANK THEM. Costumes is so abused. You'll never know how grateful crew is to hear, "Hey, I see how hard you're working. You're amazing. Thank you for making this so successful."

You don't have to be a director or producer to do that. Just be flipping human. It calms the set, too, to know appreciation is flying around. People will work their butts off for gratitude more than abuse. Hands down.

If you're directing, give your actors a 1-2 page backstory of their characters. Actors are vulnerable and this helps them focus their talents. This early direction, too, will save you a world of time later in a table read or on set. I do this and I've never had an actor hate it.

They've always said how thankful they are, bc that page helped them round out the characters. Remember, if you're directing, it's NOT just shouting orders at crew. YOU set the tone for your set. Which brings me to another point...

4. Praise in public, admonish in private. If you're the type who likes to belittle or embarrass people in public, you're gonna have a hard road. You'll build more walls than bridges, and this is a biz where everyone really is less than 6 degrees away from folks.

5. If you're a Production Assistant on a set, and you have no clue what to do, DO NOT STAND AROUND. DO NOT PLAY POKEMON ON YOUR CELL. Pick up a cable, wind it up, lay it, wind it, lay it, repeat. ALWAYS look busy. You'll be known for hard work and it'll get you jobs.

Directors have tech scouts for reasons. When you choose a street, and choose which way to film, all of those biz will now be approached by Locations and paid off for their loss of biz for that day. So, when you get there the day of, and decide you like the OTHER direction better

And change to the other side, you've just cost production thousands of dollars AND time bc now they have to approach THOSE biz and get THEIR Permission and pay THEM for their loss of income for that day as well. Plus set up and prep.

No one likes ANYONE on set who says, "That's not my job." (This doesn't pertain to union rules where certain folks cannot do Iatse jobs) Filmmaking is all hands on deck. It's work. Get used to it. If you're not doing anything, you may have to run an errand.

I've basically concluded that if you have a servant's heart, you'll do very well in this industry IF and ONLY IF you retain a SPINE. Meaning, don't get walked on. There's a tactful way to lay down boundaries and not be seen as argumentative. Sorry, I forgot to number these now...

Be excited for people who make it before you. They're paving the way for you. It's not a competition. Lift them up. Cheer them on. Be known for that. It's so rare in such a superficial business. Care about people. It costs nothing to be kind. To help someone with their dream...

This biz is hard work. It's NOT glamorous. Make sure you like yourself at the end of the day. Don't lose who you are bc 1. that's all you have and 2. they won't care that you've given all and missed your kids birthdays and things. It's okay to put family first.

Transparency. Incredibly helpful.

Even if you've been involved with a stinker you want to remove your name from, be grateful for that experience. It's taught you things. Sometimes you learn more from sh*t shows than you do from an incredibly, positive, well run set. Learn what NOT to do.

Beware of social media. I've seen people be fired over things they post/tweet. Whether it's something from ages ago or news of today. Just beware. Social media can work for you or against you.

There are so many different personalities in this biz you'll find someone you can't stand AND have to work with. Here's a nugget of wisdom: find the ONE thing you have in common and go back to that when you're frustrated. Like: you both like scuba diving. When you need a break..

...from their annoyances and you can't leave, take a second. "Have you ever dove in Jamaica?" Refocus. You're both on the same team trying to get the same movie over the finish line. You'll learn more about each other and find a rhythm to work. This has saved me a TON.

When someone freaks out, no matter how bad it is, even if YOU want to freak out. Appear calm. Use a steady voice. Have them take a breath and explain the issue. Then say, "Well, you're a smart cookie. Let's figure it out." You're projected faith in them helps them. It works.

During freakouts I like to say things like, "this is an easy fix. We've got this." or "They hired you bc they know you can handle things like this. How can I help you?" The last one once again lifts their confidence AND offers aid. SO when they DO get through it, they can...

they can take ownership that they got through it. They get the pat on the back. That's okay. It's about completing the job. You don't need the credit for them learning they had more in them then they thought they had. And thanks for coming to my Ted talk today.

And I'm sorry about any typos that auto carrot supplied for this thread...