Hello ScreenCraft readers! My name is Etan Muskat and I am the 2021 Screencraft Scholarship winner. I’m excited for the opportunity to share some of my takeaways from a whirlwind week of conferences, mentorships, and major industry breakthroughs!
Contest
So let me start by saying this: I have never been a competitive person. I’ve been writing for a long time and competition has always felt… long shot at best. “That’s great for deadlines,” I’d say, “but I’m never going to win.” Or maybe there’s priority review, or they choose people who have already reached a certain level in the industry.
But imagine my surprise when I placed twice and won with the first pilot I ever raced. At the very least, this greatly strengthened my belief that my writing was as good as I hoped it would be. Not only that, but after winning the Screencraft Scholarship, I’ll have an incredible opportunity to network with some absolutely amazing talent, top writers in the industry, and meet face-to-face with executives from dozens of studios and networks. Learn about them and their processes. All because I took a chance and hit submit.
Read more: How to Win a Screenwriting Contest, Competition or Scholarship
my compatriots
The first surprise I got was the chance to meet Dan [Williams] and vanita [Borwankar]the other winners among my peers. I can’t express enough how wonderful it was to be in the company of two such great writers and great people.
When we attended meetings together, we bonded and developed our little routines. It’s always a treat and comfort to be in a (virtual) room with them, and I can’t wait to see the amazing things they create.
Screen technology team
I have never felt so taken care of while working with the Screencraft team. [They] They were very encouraging, gracious, helpful, and positive throughout the entire experience. Mostly, they felt invested in our success in such a genuine way, and I’m so grateful for their encouragement.
tutor
I met some very accomplished people (Oscar and Emmy Award-winning writers and producers, some of whom shaped entire television and film genres). They all have such different pedigrees and styles, but what they all share is wisdom, insight, care for other writers, and a deep love of telling good stories. They all generously shared their personal experiences, how they got into the industry and how they learned to navigate it.
I received a lot of incredible advice, but I was reminded (over and over) that there is no blueprint for success. Opportunities come from many places and lead to many places.
Read more: The Importance of Mentoring in a Writing Career
Industry conference
Okay, it’s a cliché metaphor, but let’s stick with it: meetings are like dates. But, like, not a romantic date. Business date. About art. Correct? No matter what…just like any date, you’re looking for connection, shared interests, and vibe. You want to see if there’s chemistry, curiosity, positive affirmation. But for the senior executives who buy your project, they have been contracted or committed to it for many years. They have to love it. (So, by extension, what about you?)
Sometimes they do, and it’s love at first sight! Sometimes it’s not a perfect match and you say, “Nice to meet you and good luck in the future.” Sometimes, you make friends. This can also lead to unbelievable things.
Read More: Screencraft Scholarship Winners at Hollywood Conference Week
Alumni
One of the unexpected joys of my fellowship was the opportunity to talk to ScreenCraft alumni who have gone on to do amazing things. Those people are oracles. They are honest, open, curious and compassionate, sharing the ups and downs of industry development.
I felt welcomed by admirable peers. But most importantly, they shared this advice: Keep writing. Stay true to your voice. Do what you believe in.
What’s next?
The networking week itself has come and gone and I’ve taken away a lot of theoretical and practical takeaways that I’m looking forward to sharing more soon. I’m forever grateful to the Screencraft team for seeing something in me and my writing worth supporting. Writing can be a solitary act, and it’s easy to lose perspective on your work and yourself. But during those seven days, I felt like I was part of a community.
Yes, I’m glad I clicked the submit button.
Read more: How to Make the Most of a Screenwriting Fellowship
