Building Your Team
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a screenwriter is that this industry isn’t something you navigate alone. Film and television are collaborative by nature, and while we tend to think about collaboration on set, it actually starts long before production. It starts with the team you build around yourself.
Right now, I’m in the process of looking for a manager, and I’ve realized that finding the right one is the first step in building that team. A manager isn’t just someone who forwards your script to executives, they’re your career partner, your sounding board, and sometimes the first person to really see the big picture with you. That’s why it’s so important to be intentional about how you approach the search.
Here are three things I’ve found are essential:
1. Network and Make Connections to Get Referrals
Most managers won’t sign a client based solely on a cold email; they want to know that someone they trust already believes in you. That’s where networking comes in. I’ve been leaning in to writers’ groups, film school connections, and industry events to form relationships that might lead to a referral. It’s not about using people, it’s about building genuine connections. A recommendation from a peer can open the door in a way a blind email never will.
2. Research Managers Who Fit You
Not every manager is the right fit, and that’s actually a good thing. The relationship should be about mutual alignment; you want someone who understands your voice and your long-term goals. I’ve been making lists of managers who represent writers in the genres and formats I’m working in, paying attention to whose clients have careers that align with my goals. When I do send queries, I make sure they’re personal and thoughtful while keeping them short and to the point: a quick bio, an accolade, and a logline. One targeted, professional email is worth more than a hundred generic ones.
3. Enter Screenwriting Competitions and Contests
Competitions may feel like a shot in the dark, but the right ones can be powerful. Many reputable contests offer introductions to managers, or at the very least, they give you a credential that makes your work harder to ignore. Personally, I’ve been looking at contests that managers actively scout from, like The Academy Nicholl Fellowship and the Austin Film Festival, because a placement there can spark real industry conversations.
Building your team starts with networking connections, but it doesn’t end there. It’s about surrounding yourself with people who see your potential and push you further than you could go alone. I’m still in the middle of that process myself, but I know that every connection, every email, and every script competition entry is a brick in the foundation of the team I want to grow with.