Panic and Pitching: Conquering Fear at the London Screenwriters’ Festival

Preparing for the London Screenwriting Festival is much like getting ready for a job interview…Or a first date. Or anything else that gets your heart beating. It’s daunting and scary.

“Do I need to prepare something for the pitch?”

“Do I need to bring my business card?”

“What’s the best way to approach a producer?”

“What about snacks and food? How do I survive the meetings?”

I get it.

Lots of doubt and worry clutters your mind, distracting you from the most important tasks you need to accomplish, like writing, and finishing the projects you want to present at the festival.

I was stressed too, worried about losing important opportunities at the festival, making the wrong decisions, or failing to demonstrate my talent at its best.

For this reason, I asked the screenwriter Petra Lang, who comes from the Swabian minority in Romania, to share her personal experience as a behind-the-scenes volunteer at the London Screenwriting Festival, and to help you avoid the common mistakes that could ruin your time at the festival.

So, in this article, you’ll learn…

• Networking tricks to present yourself, your ideas, and your projects, without seeming like a pushy salesperson.

• Everything you need to prepare to make your festival a successful experience.

• Precious mindset advice to conquer the impostor syndrome, and make you feel more relaxed and confident during networking…

• And more…

“The first time I attended the festival I made a huge mistake that I still regret.”

According to Petra, the most crucial thing to prepare before the festival is embracing the right mindset. She wants to help you avoid making the mistakes she made when it was her first time at the London Screenwriting Festival.

“Because I’m an introvert and timid person, I didn’t speak to the other delegates so, when the festival was over, I went home empty-handed. I was embarrassed by my behaviour, but I was so afraid to show myself, that I preferred to stay in my comfort zone, and keep clear of awkward situations.”

Lots of writers can relate to this story.

The goal of attending a festival is networking and meeting new people. This is already an enormous challenge if you are an introvert, if you think you might look foolish, if you consider yourself a newbie in this industry because you haven’t sold a script yet, or if – like Petra- your mother tongue isn’t even English.

But the London Screenwriting Festival welcomes screenwriters and directors at all levels in their careers, and from all over the world, as Petra’s story will confirm.

Her journey to becoming a screenwriter is inspirational because she has had to overcome her social anxieties, forcing herself to stand out.

First, she left Romania and moved to London to pursue her screenwriting career, despite having no contacts or personal connections in the industry.

So, she needed to make an effort to network and meet new people, beginning with Chris Jones, and the staff of the London Screenwriting Festival.

To overcome this challenge, and face the fear of “meet and greet” events, Petra learnt an important lesson: “It doesn’t matter where you come from, or what level you’ve reached in your career, you always have an interesting insight or an intriguing original personal story that could inspire others.”

You never know what advice or anecdote you could have that will be helpful to future writers.

“I met screenwriters who were stuck in their careers and went to the festival thinking they had nothing to give, but everything to receive, like Rachel Hillman, who ended up helping another screenwriter in producing a movie together.

Just be yourself. Your personal story might inspire other writers to never give up and find the courage to start a new project.”

So, the first thing you need to do is to be ready to share your experiences, your ideas, your friendships, and offer your help.

If you still struggle with anxiety and self-doubt, or if you are afraid of pitching, don’t worry because, later in this article, you’ll learn how to cope with negative emotions and how to put yourself in the correct state of mind when pitching.

But, how can you showcase your experience and accomplishments while putting up your best front?

“You don’t have to get any actual business cards ready because, in most cases, they don’t work. I saw lots of delegates (the screenwriters who paid to attend the festival) put business cards into their pockets and throw them into a bin later on.

When you are at the festival, you are overwhelmed. There are lots of people to talk with. Lectures to attend. Pitches you want to deliver. So, carrying around a pile of business cards is the last thing you want.”

But, during these years as a volunteer, Petra discovered a technique that could surprise people and leave a lasting impression.

“Even if it’s not essential, if you have time before the festival you could create a career profile on social media, or a website with your contact information, and a list of all the work you have done, as a digital curriculum vitae.

You can suggest the website, and offer to put it directly in their phone book under your phone number, so it will always be handy.

To appear even more professional, you could create an email signature with your contact information, your IMDb profile if you have one, and all your social media accounts.”

But as Petra pointed out, the website isn’t the most important thing you need to prepare.

This is the only thing you need to prepare before the London Screenwriting Festival and the PitchFest

“The first step you require for networking, and pitching is researching. You have to find out who is going to attend the festival and who you want to talk to. “

This is like being a detective: you have to “spy” and “analyze” the profile of the producers, agents, and screenwriters you want to meet.

• Which interests do they have?

• Which genre are they interested in?

• Which topic do you have in common with them so you can start the conversation?

• Which interesting experiences did they have that you want to know more about?

Dig in.

Don’t just concentrate on the agents, the producers, or the directors’ profiles.

Do research on all the screenwriters who will be attending the festival with you and the experts who will host the lectures and speak on the stage.

You could also reach out to the other delegates, using the LSFconnect website or the app, so you get to know each other before the festival.

This is the secret strategy that differentiates screenwriters out of their depth, from the ones who are successful and obtain new opportunities.

When your research is finished, you need to prepare a road map to keep track of your networking and pitching.

This is also the best way to collect contacts, without losing them.

Create a table chart with your computer. Divide the table into three sections.

• The “Name” of the person you want to meet and talk to.

• Their contact information.

• A section for the notes, where you’re going to write what you talked about, if they said something important, when you are going to reach out again, and what you need to send them.

You don’t need to carry this sheet around. Keep it on your phone.

When you meet people, look them in the eyes, smile at them, and write down their contacts on your phone.

You can update your sheet later in the evening after giving your day a mental once-over, noting the goals you have achieved.»

At this point, you probably have the same question that I had in my mind while I was talking to Petra…

“If I don’t need an actual business card, do I need to prepare the One Page Pitch of the projects I’m going to pitch?”

«Screenwriters usually bring their projects’ “One Page Pitch” to the PitchFest. It’s not a problem if you don’t have it printed.

In case your project interests them, producers and agents will ask you to send it to them later, so you’ll have an excuse to reach out and remind them about your meeting.

So don’t stress out preparing your One Page Pitch. You only have 5 minutes to pitch, so your goal will be to talk to the person in front of you, find a point of contact, try to understand what they need and how you can help them.»

Petra has shared one of the best pieces of advice for the festival. In this, she included the mistakes she keeps seeing year after year.

This is the most dangerous mistake you can make. It might wipe out your chance of success…

Imagine being one of the producers who has just finished their speech in front of hundreds of people at the festival.

A screenwriter blocks you, talking as fast as possible, and then gives you a business card and the One-Page Pitch. All you want to do is relax, drink a coffee, and go directly to another appointment.

You’re running away, this screenwriter chases you.

Isn’t that frustrating?

What are you going to think about that screenwriter?

Probably this: they are desperate.

I see this “film” every time.

Producers or agents who are running away, tired, and in a hurry.

And screenwriters bothering them with their pitches.

I understand why screenwriters do this at the festival.»

I did it my first time, too.

As screenwriters, and artists, we want to create art and be paid for it, so sometimes we are desperate. Especially when we are one step away from producers, and agents, and from the opportunity to achieve our dreams and live an entirely different life…

So, how can you sell yourself, without seeming desperate or acting like a seller?

“The success of your experience at the festival depends mostly on your mindset and attitude”, said Petra: “So, here’s the mindset that you want to abandon if you don’t want to fail at pitching and networking…

Thinking like this at the festival will bring you regrets.

“Because the goal of the festival is finding connections that will take your career to the next level, one of the most common mistakes is having the “pushy seller” mindset.

As Petra explained: “When you have this mindset, every time you talk to someone, your brain keeps thinking: How can this person help me with my career?”

Imagine being at the Regent’s University Cafe and getting stuck in a dead-end conversation. Then, you see the producer that you want to talk to, entering the bar, alone. It’s your chance to talk to him, but you can’t. You are too busy talking to someone else and, instead of focusing on the conversation, you keep thinking that you want to talk only to people who could help your career.

This is a typical situation at the festival.

But this type of mindset will undermine your experience, make you anxious and more concerned about your performance than making friends and building solid connections, which you never know where they will lead you.

If you want to sell yourself in the best possible light avoiding sounding like a salesman, this is the mindset you need to embrace…

“Instead of thinking: How can this person help me with my career?”

Think…

How can I help this person?

When you are in front of a producer at the PitchFest, focus on how you can help them with your writing, your ideas, or your skills.

When you are with your fellow screenwriters, think about what your personal experience may offer to them, focusing on their problems or doubts.

“People that possess not only talent, but also kindness, humility, and a welcoming manner are highly valued in the film industry,” explained Petra.

As a copywriter, I know that a good seller doesn’t talk about himself, his company, or the product, but talks about the target.

That’s what you have to do…

How?

“Ask questions about the person you are talking to. Find interests that you have in common, or personal experiences that you share.

You just need to be an active listener.”

This advice will help with shyness. If you have social anxiety, or you simply don’t know what to talk about, asking questions is what matters. You want to hear about them.

This is how you make a lasting impression.

“But, most importantly, don’t just talk with people who can help you with your career. Speak with volunteers. They are screenwriters and directors just like you, and can’t wait to help you and share their experience at the festival.”

This is important advice.

Petra’s story is inspiring, and I’m pleased we chatted during the Festival because her experience directly reflects the importance of overcoming social anxiety, and where to focus for pitching.

Petra also revealed the best course a screenwriter can do to prepare themselves…

If you want to deliver your pitch with confidence and passion, you need a tarantula and burning coals.

At the beginning of her journey, Petra was much like other screenwriters, in that she was afraid to go out and actually pitch.

She felt stuck. She didn’t know where to push her career.

She didn’t know that an influential moment of burning coals was waiting for her in London.

When she decided that screenwriting was her path in life, Petra wasn’t even in the UK.

She started her journey in Romania, her native country. At that time, Petra didn’t even know what to do with her life. Her only passion manifested through photography. Capturing the world in a snapshot.

But when she chose Photography and Film Studies, she realized that she was more interested in cinema history, and how to show life through video.

“The passion I have for cinem comes from movie nights with my younger brother, watching the behind-the-scenes of Jackie Chan’s films”, revealed Petra.

Romania didn’t offer many jobs for an aspiring screenwriter, so Petra moved to Denmark to attend an international program for students. From there, she moved to London, where she entered the film industry, volunteering at the Screenwriter’s Festival while working as a barista.

As you know, loneliness is a common companion to screenwriting. It’s challenging to navigate the ocean of opportunities. Where do you stand compared to everyone else?

Which genre fits you the best?

How to find your writing voice?

Which path will take your to your goal, quickly?

How do you conquer your inner fears and blocks?

Petra was stuck, full of doubts, and wanted to find the right direction for her career, when she discovered Talent Campus.

Talent Campus is like The Screenwriting Festival with Tony Robbins, the most famous life coach in the world.

Firewalking to make you invincible, and fight all your limiting beliefs…

One-to-one mentoring to help you find the right path for you…

Reflections on your current projects to improve the quality of your story and its economic value…

And everything on pitching successfully…

“Talent Campus is designed to help you be comfortable in your own voice, find the courage to show yourself and your work to the world, and give you the confidence you need to never give up, even in the face of failures and rejections: two elements that are part of the journey for success”, said Petra.

“I was working on a script but, when I went to Talent Campus, I discovered that it was not a story in line with my personal goals, so I stopped writing and wasting time. That was a turning point in my life. In everyday life, you have less time and courage to reflect deeply on your career and your writing”, confessed Petra, talking in detail about the firewalk experience.

«Like it or not, life constantly pushes you to go out of your comfort zone. Stretch your courage and challenge yourself, do things you never think you are capable of, like pitching in front of an agent, or firewalking. Fear gets in the way all the time, rooting you to where you are.

But what if you could control your fear, and act freely?

Think about it…

If you could erase all of your fears, self-doubts, and limiting beliefs, would you do it?

Walking on fire, with the help of Chris Jones as an instructor, is the first step to concurring your fear in screenwriting. If you can walk on burning coals, you can do anything. Like pitch a movie. You just need to learn the technique and try.

Ever time I face a difficult situation, I think back to walking on hot coals with Chris’ help at the Talent Campus. It reminds me that I can do everything. I just need to set aside my fear, and have faith in myself.»

During Talent Campus, you’ll also learn everything about pitching, and how to eliminate the fear of public speaking.

“During my Talent Campus experience, I was afraid of spiders. And guess which exercise was offered in the face of concurring your fear?”

You must pitch while holding a tarantula.

It wasn’t mandatory, so I skipped the challenge because, at that time, I was too afraid to hold a tarantula.

I’m still afraid of spiders, but not like I was back then.

Some fears die slowly.

Luckily, I don’t need to hold a tarantula to sell a movie. But I need to learn how to conquer that pitching anxiety.

According to other delegates, overcoming the tarantula challenge will help you reinforce your confidence, so next time you pitch, you can say to yourself: “I pitched with one of the scariest spiders in the world in my hands. Now, I can pitch to anyone.”

Thanks to her Talent Campus experience, Petra was able to join Roadmap Writers with Joe Tuccio, where she found her brand identity as a writer, and the confidence to work on projects that resonated with her true self.

“I’m working on a horror movie, which, with Sci-fi, is my favorite genre.”

Thanks, Petra, for this amazing interview.

Photo: Charles Gervais