How to Stay Connected to the Film Industry, No Matter Where You Live

You don't have to live in Los Angeles to stay connected to the film industry, screenwriter. There are plenty of ways to keep yourself informed on all-things entertainment and use that knowledge to shape your screenwriting craft because the craft of screenwriting, after all, is more than just the skill of writing. In the film business, it's all about who and what you know!

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We've interviewed screenwriting consultant Danny Manus on more than a dozen screenwriting topics, but his answer to this scriptwriting question is perhaps the most simple, and any writer can and should do it. How does a screenwriter stay connected to what's happening in screenwriting hubs around the world? Read, read, and read some more. And the information is not a big secret. You can find everything you need to know to stay current on events in plain sight.

"Read the trades every day, you know? I mean, there's so much information, both from the business side and on the craft side," Danny told us.

As the owner of NoBullScript Consulting, it's advice that he gives all of his clients. Immersion in the business side of things is critical.

"You need to immerse yourself in it for a little bit and read as much as you can."

Make it a habit that you build into your screenwriting schedule, whether it's 10 minutes of reading each day or a Sunday morning coffee ritual. It is just as important to brush up on the state of the entertainment industry as it is to develop a writing a great writing habit or learn to write great scenes.

"If you're not paying attention to what's going on in the business, you're not going to know if you're writing the right material or reaching the right producers," he said. "There are so many resources, quite frankly, too many resources out there."

We asked him to name his favorite, must-read screenwriting resources, which include:

But Danny doesn't stop at websites for information. He told us that he also finds social media a golden resource for information that's a bit harder to find or more obscure.

"I'm in a bunch of Facebook Groups," he said. His Facebook group recommendation? "There's a great one out there that's a little bit more high-level, called The Inside Pitch."

This group is also a favorite of SoCreate Media Production Specialist Doug Slocum, who spent many years in Hollywood as an editor. So, you know it's good!

"You really have to be open and take everything in before you can start giving things out," Danny concluded.

Be the sponge,