My First Screenplays Were So Bad...

Some of my early screenplays were so bad my friends didn’t even know where to start with their feedback. My first try at getting a literary agent was met by well over 100 rejections. And my first few films were passed on by so many festivals I lost count.

But by not taking those failures personally and instead interpreting those setbacks as deferred successes, I continued to write blogs, articles, screenplays, one-man shows, and even a book. And as I developed my voice my confidence grew – convincing me I had something valuable to offer.

The best part was how taking initiative emboldened those around me to do the same. Friends saw that if I could do it they could too. Soon I was being asked to read their plays, edit their articles, and collaborate on their new films.

In the process we built a community where we felt invested in one another’s success. We had each other’s backs, supported one another’s vision, and held ourselves accountable to making something happen.

A Few Ideas to Get the Ball Rolling...

Here are a few ideas to help get you started on sharing your voice:

• Write a short film
• Write a feature length film
• Write a monologue
• Write a short play
• Write a full length play
• Write a pilot for a series
• Write a Webisode for a Webseries
• Host get-togethers where you can hear your work read aloud.

Remember not to let those stories collect dust on your desk. The world needs them! Implement the Steve Jobs rule of “failing fast.” Don’t wait to write, Lawrence of Arabia. Instead, get it out into the world for feedback as soon as possible. Implement what you've learned and take the next step.

Get Feedback

For several months I've been trying to find opportunities to teach, mainly at the university level. I felt quite confident during the application process in both my ability as an educator and the body of work I've put together over the years. Still, I wasn't being considered for many of the institutions where I felt I'd be a good fit. 

Recently, one school reached out and thanked me for taking the time to apply but told me they decided to go with another candidate. I sent a message back saying I was thankful for her consideration before asking for feedback on how I could improve my chances of working at a school like hers. To be honest, I didn't even expect a response.

A few hours later, she replied with a thoughtful and insightful letter telling me all the variables to consider that I hadn't. I learned not to take anything personally, that you might have a great set of skills the place you are applying to just doesn't need at the moment, and finally, it never hurts to just ask.

Getting Honest Feedback

How often have you rushed to a friend for his or her opinion with a problem in your life? How about their take on a new project you've just completed? A short story? A screenplay?

Having a community of like-minded people who have your back is crucial. And those of us who are fortunate to have such a network should never take it for granted.

But it can be a challenge to get the type of feedback you really need to help you take your work to the next level.

Your friends are your friends, which means they're feelings for you are biased. From their vantage point, being objective while trying to be sensitive to your feelings can be a very delicate dance.

Instead, try seeking the opinion of those you may not know as well and aren't afraid to be direct with their input. Rather than pursuing points of view that support those you already have, be on the lookout for thinking that enriches and challenges your own.

There's Great Value in Failure

There's a terrific TED Talk floating around out there by a gentlemen named, Jia Jiang. It's titled, "What I learned from 100 days of rejection."

http://www.ted.com/talks/jia_jiang_what_i_learned_from_100_days_of_rejection

Not only is it funny and insightful but I found it incredibly relevant to the lives of actors and artists.

Jiang explains that as a young man he was absolutely petrified of rejection but his desire to follow in the footsteps of his childhood idol Bill Gates influenced him to overcome his fear. 

As a result, for 100 days he decided to ask people for seemingly outrageous requests, literally turning to run the first time he was told, "No."

In time, he discovered standing your ground and literally facing your fears revealed that not getting what we ask for is not nearly as bad as we make it out to be in our minds.

He also realized that most of the time people's refusal to comply to his requests seldom had anything  to do with him. In other words, it was almost never personal. In fact, on occasion he managed to reshape and influence people's way of thinking through the nature and depth of his demand. A few times he even got what he asked for.

Failure is just feedback. Nothing more.

Follow-Up

Asking someone to read a screenplay you just finished can feel like asking for a kidney. And I get it completely. People are busy, distracted, and often have to prioritize tasks that will get them paid.

Still, if something is important to you like getting feedback on a monologue, short film, or a passage from a book you've recently completed don't stop trying.

The same goes for any endeavor, particularly when it comes to the arts. Trying to get funding for a feature film for instance, may feel like moving mountains. But you'd be surprised by the number of people who simply quit because an email wasn't answered.

Send a follow-up. Look for other avenues. Rinse and Repeat.

Seek the Insight of Non-Artists

Last night I spent about an hour speaking to a good friend from high school who now works as an attorney in Austin. Despite being in a completely different line of work he'd always shown a strong interest in my career as an actor.

We'd often talk about films we'd seen, new and exciting television shows, and actors we admired. At the end of our talks I was convinced he knew more about the industry than I did. I half wondered where he found the time to keep up all the various mediums while juggling a full-time job and the responsibilities of having a family.

Our conversation also reminded me of the importance of reaching out to folks who have nothing to do with your creative pursuits, or even any real knowledge of your medium. His insights on the story I was trying to write were poignant, introspective, intelligent, and unique. It reminded me of the times I'd asked non-actor friends to read over a pair of sides with me as I prepped for an audition. Invariably, non-actor friends would offer a point of view that seemed so obvious, yet frustratingly hidden to my actor sensibilities.

I discovered the longer you're an actor and the more training you have there is a propensity to start looking at the work as just an actor. You think in terms of "objective" and "obstacles," while your friends are simply looking at the work as human beings.

Try and seek feedback beyond your immediate circle of artists. They may surprise you with what they find.

Not Understanding

I think the root of a great deal of angst comes from our failure to understand why life sometimes unfolds the way it does. I've spent far too much time racking my brain to figure out why a romantic relationship failed, wondering what I could have done differently.

I have tried over and over to figure out why my extraordinary efforts towards a pursuit did not bear the fruits I hoped it would.

And I've certainly felt my fair share of frustration from college admissions offices to literary agents to casting directors.

As a child I looked at not understanding something with a sense of wonder, a curiosity that has sadly been swapped for apprehension. Of course, as one grows older you gradually begin to know what you don't know, which is important for any meaningful self-development. It's important we continue to strive, to learn, to combat our ignorance.

But what if there was a sweet spot? A place where instead of getting worked up about why you weren't cast in a role, or your book was denied publication, or perhaps a blog you thought would resonate with people didn't we maintained a sense of poise. What if we eased into the unknown and didn't get worked up about the million or so variables we didn't even consider leading up to the result?

What if we looked at failure as feedback and used it as an opportunity to adjust our approach while not being so hard on ourselves? I'm convinced this would put years back on our lives.

Maybe there's a place where not understanding something is okay. Perhaps instead, we can tap back into our inner child and pivot back towards curiosity and that wonderful flexibility in thinking we often lose as we get older.

Just a thought.

Get Comfortable With "No"

Remember, failure is ONLY feedback. Get cozy with hearing, "No" because ultimately...

Our screening committee enjoyed the opportunity to view your film and gave it careful consideration. We regret to inform you that we will not be including your film in the 2016 Boston Film Festival. 

Dear Nicholas, 

Thank you for submitting your project to the 2016 San Jose International Short Film Festival. Unfortunately, we are not able to include it in our program this year. 

Dear Nicholas Maccarone, This is a difficult letter to send, and probably even harder to receive. You're receiving it because you submitted Communication to the Port Townsend Film Festival, and regretfully we will not be screening it this year.

Thank you for submitting your film for consideration for this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Unfortunately we were unable to find a place for your film in this year's Short Cuts programme.

Dear Nicholas Maccarone, 

Thank you for sending us the screener of Communication for consideration. 2016 was another terrific year with around 700 International Shorts submissions, of which 32 were accepted. We had more high quality shorts submitted this year than ever, and regrettably with a limited number of spaces available there were only so many we could fit in. There were a lot of difficult decisions, an unfortunately, we were unable to find room for everything. I sincerely apologize for any disappointment this may cause you. 

Dear Nicholas Maccarone: 

Thank you for your interest in the Margret McBride Literary Agency. 

We have reviewed the information regarding your project, and after careful consideration, we do not feel our agency is the right home for your project. 

Dear Nick,

Thank you for querying me about your manuscript, TO THE PROSPECTIVE ARTIST. I've read your sample pages and I'm sorry to say that the project just isn't a perfect fit with my current needs.

Thank you for sending me a query letter describing your work. After careful evaluation, I have decided that I am not the right agent to represent your work. I can only properly represent materials that greatly excite or interest me. 

Dear Nicholas,

Thank you for your query and interest in representation by Martin Literary Management. I regret that MLM is unable to take you on as a client at this time. 

...we will have to decline your kind offer to publish your book on acting.

Again, many thanks for your interest in Timber Press. We wish you the best of luck in finding a suitable publisher for your book!

All you need is one, "Yes." Go forth. Undaunted.