The Cheerleader and the Mentor: Your Screenwriting Secret Weapon
This wild writing racket we’re in can be wonderful. But, let’s be honest, it can also be isolating. We constantly attempt to tackle our objectives, obstacles, and opportunities on our own. Sometimes we strike gold. But many times we hit roadblocks and have to navigate our journey through sheer instinct and impulse. Wouldn’t it be great to get a little bit of guidance and support sometimes?
Well, that is exactly what we are talking about today.
You see, when I reflect on the success spikes in my career I realized that they always had something in common: I wasn’t alone.
This didn’t mean that I had a co-writer at the time. Most of the screenplays that I sold or had commissioned were solo tasks. But I did have two types of people in my orbit that kept me focused and propelled me to continue: a cheerleader and a mentor.
The cheerleader was a trusted friend, colleague, or collaborator, who saw something in me that they admired. They weren’t always screenwriters. But there was a natural chemistry there that just clicked.
This cheerleader would be there for my successes, my failures, and my plateaus. They would be there when I needed a boost of confidence or to simply hear some zany idea that struck my busy mind.
The mentor, on the other hand, was someone that I admired who was either a few rungs up the ladder from me or a decision-maker that saw something in this ‘clump of puddy’ and thought it would be worth their time pounding it into a respectable shape.
On their own, a mentor and a cheerleader can be very powerful allies. But if you are fortunate to have them at the same time, my friend, you are simply unstoppable!
Your Screenwriter Secret Weapon: The Cheerleader
A Cheerleader can come in many forms. It could be a fellow writer, an actor, a bartender, or a cousin.
You might not even notice that it’s happening at first. But you’ll have a warm welcoming feeling when you’re around them. And when you part ways, you’ll feel energized and pumped to get straight to work.
This is incredible fuel for your drive. Something that can’t be replicated on your own. You need that external belief engine to kick your ambition into that next gear.
While the cheerleader can be incredible at keeping you motivated and sharp, they usually aren’t the best at judging the unbiased quality of your work - and nor should they be!
“You need that external belief engine to kick your ambition into that next gear.”
They look for the positives in your situation. By all means, send them a draft of your script. They will most likely point out what works well and encourage you to keep going, celebrating your achievement of finishing the screenplay more so than the level of craftsmanship that has been produced.
The cheerleader is probably not the best at strategizing your career trajectory either. They are more of a sounding board when you need to jolt of confidence. Or if you get knocked on your keester, the cheerleader is there with a handout, helping you up (and maybe throwing some feel-good shade on the ruffians who put you down, to begin with).
Cheerleaders are simply awesome... But they work best as one-half of your Support Coin. To really put momentum into your screenwriting career, you’ll need the other side as well: Mentorship.
Your Screenwriter Secret Weapon: The Mentor
This one can be trickier to find and it might even involve going out of your comfort zone or putting your ego on the shelf and asking for guidance.
But, let me be very blunt here… Every single time I sold a script or was commissioned to write one, I had a mentor at my side. And even though I do believe in my abilities, I’m not sure I could’ve gotten past the finish line without them.
This is how incredible a mentor can be to a screenwriter.
Mentors can be experienced screenwriters who have found a higher level of success than you. Or they could be producers, directors, actors, agents, or decision-makers, who you may not work with professionally (yet!), but are willing to give you some time and some guidance when you need it.
No question should be out of bounds for them, but at the same time, they feel like a bit of a precious resource that you don’t want to squander with Google-able concerns or queries.
Instead, the screenwriting mentor is more for strategy and quality.
Is your screenplay really ready for the eyes of decision-makers?
What should your next step be?
Hell, what should your first step be?
How best can you navigate an opportunity?
Or is an opportunity actually too good to be true - i.e. is this a scam?!
How to Get a Screenwriting Mentor
It’s all well and good to say that you should have a screenwriting mentor. But how do you actually get one? Well, once you have identified the individual that you believe could be a positive mentor for your life and career, the next step is to contact them.
Too easy?
Well, why not? Are you afraid that they might say no? I think you’d be surprised at how receptive people can be when you treat them with respect - and be very clear with your request.
Don’t let the assumption of rejection derail you from trying.
But what if you don’t have a relationship with your would-be mentor? How best can you kick off the communication and request?
Well, isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, as it all depends on your circumstances.
However, to help you get started, here is a sample email template that you can use as a first draft. Be sure to tailor this to your unique relationship or situation:
Hello (Name),
I am a screenwriter who attended a screening of your film at the _____ last month. I thought it was a very thoughtful and engaging story. Amazing work!
I just wanted to ask you a quick question about independent film production for a project that I am currently working on.
In regards to the first steps, which would you recommend comes first:A) Getting a production company onboard
B) Or applying for development funding as an independent screenwriterI appreciate your time and any and all thoughts you may have regarding the question above.
Kind regards,
(Your Name)
As you can see from this email template, this is in relation to meeting a producer at an event. And it isn’t exclusively requesting mentorship. Instead, it is initiating communication on a very specific question that could evolve into a mentorship later. This kind of request works well with the more cold email marketing scenarios (in other words, emailing people you don’t really know yet).
If you’d like more tried, tested, and proven screenwriter email templates, then download our eBook for free today. Click here to access it.
Your Next Steps
So, for today, reflect on your current community. Is there someone in your circle who straight-up has your back? Is someone who is a legit fan of your attitude, personality, style, and work? This may just be your cheerleader!
And if you have identified this person, then make it a priority to meet with them more often. Share your thoughts and ideas with them… The struggles and the successes.
Then, look at your more professional network. Is there someone you met at a networking event or a festival that you had a good rapport with? Was there a lecturer from film school who has found success or has provided you with positive guidance in the past? Or maybe someone you barely know, but admire.
These are places you can start your search for a mentor.
And the best way to secure a mentor is to just reach out and start the conversation. For the more introverted readers, I wish I had a more comfortable scenario. But I assure you, it won’t be as awkward as you think it will be 🤗
At the end of the day, if you are fortunate enough to have one of these champions, then you are in a great place. If you are lucky enough to have both, then there ain’t no mountain high enough that can keep you from reaching your goal!
Thanks for reading!
The track I listened to while writing this article was: Daniel Pemberton’s His Name is Napoleon Solo from The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
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