It’s amazing how people will play you if given half a chance. As I’ve been played like a flute, I know whereof I speak. Because I’m kind and responsive to people who engage with my work, they believe I’m an easy mark.
I’m not.
Let me give you an example. A recent one as individuals who should know better have tried to entice me to share my screenwriting knowledge with them for Bubkis by using flattery.
Learning to write screenplays and navigate the entertainment industry has taken much of my life, but I wouldn’t have it any other way as that is my passion. For over twenty years, I’ve studied the craft, followed the players, read script after script, and worked my ass off. I’ve experienced triumphs and setbacks yet, at seventy, I’m still at it.
So, when someone approaches me who wants to pick my brain to fast-track the craft much like a side hustle and to satisfy a whim to “try” screenwriting, that lack of sensitivity and commitment infuriates me. Especially when they want to pick it for free.
The other day, I received a glowing review on a Medium story from a young woman who started following me and said that she’d love to connect on Twitter as she wanted to write a documentary, and saw from my profile that I’m a screenwriter. But, she told me she couldn’t find me. I don’t know what she expected me to do for her on Twatter, or X as it’s now called, but that’s what she said.
Now, this part is on me. I told her to feel free to shoot me an email. And then I forgot about it. She, on the other hand, did not. In her email, she asked if we could set up a time for a phone chat. My initial answer was “Sure,” but then, after thinking about it, I sent her another reply.
“What, exactly, do you want to discuss?” I knew it had something to do with screenwriting and it occurred to me that perhaps I was going to do what I’ve done in the past: Waste an hour or so of my time answering questions and getting nothing but a “thanks for your time,” for it.
When I was still employed, the nitwit who became the head of our creative team, and who I’d known for years from other agencies, approached me one day to tell me that she was writing a script. She then asked if I’d give it a read and share my “thoughts.”
Well, my thoughts were that it sucked, and it did, people. But, of course, I couldn’t tell her if I expected to ever get another salary increase. Instead, we went to lunch and I plied her with a shit ton of feedback for her shitty script. And, I provided in-depth notes for that turd. In return, I got f##ked over on Valentine’s Day, 2018 when she laid off me and several of my teammates on a day that we were working remotely. Yes. We got involuntarily separated from our livelihoods over the phone.
Through the years, I’ve helped many would-be writers and screenwriters, out of the goodness of my crusty heart. And here I am. Still struggling. Still writing for cents on the dollar.
Uh-uh. No more. As in no more free coaching.
Now, I’m not saying this young woman from Medium was trying to play me, but unfortunately, that’s how you have to think these days because we’re surrounded by scammers. Disgusting, scum-sucking, bottom-feeders who will do anything, but work for a living. Again, please understand that I’m not talking about this gal as she seems very nice. It’s me, okay? I’m tired of giving my all and getting little in return.
She quickly answered my question by telling me that she hoped that I could “teach her a thing or two,” and provided her calendar so I could set up a time to do just that.
It didn’t take me long to conclude that the “Twelfth of Never” would be the best time for me. No more freebies, for anyone.
I told the wannabe screenwriter that she should read scripts. As many as she could, and beyond that, I’m available for coaching. At a fee.
I didn’t hear back.
