Over the weekend, I attended the Austin Film Festival and Writer’s Conference!
Since moving to Austin, the Film Fest has been a part of my life, whether as a volunteer or an attendee. I’m grateful I could go this year, and I allowed myself to take things a little easier.
Last year, I attended so many panels—which was great, but it took me a week to recover.
The AFF Writer’s Conference is four days of panels, round tables, parties, and other events, all focused on writing for film, TV, and podcasting.
There were some great panels this year. Here are my big takeaways:
7 Things I Learned from the AFF Writer’s Conference
Your job is to write the story of your life.
Over the years of attending the Film Fest and meeting so many other writers, it’s very easy to get sucked into the whirlwind of submitting to contests, networking, marketing yourself, etc.
When, sure, all of those things are important, but the writing is the MOST important thing. Write the greatest story you can, then work on getting it in front of the right people.
Don’t ever give up on an idea.
I heard this sentiment across several panels I attended and it’s an important one.
Not only should you never give up on an idea, but even if you think you’re idea has been done, know that it will find a time and a place.
I heard a similar sentiment during the pandemic, and it encouraged me to write my first novel!
All you need is one really good script.
At the first panel I went to, someone asked the panelists (rom-com writers) if they were afraid of being typecast.
Ha! We could all be so lucky to be pigeonholed as experts in the thing we love doing!
But, the panelists assured us — you can always write your way to your next thing (genre, medium, etc.). The shift is your career is just one script away.
If something is good, it’s good.
This seems obvious, right?
One of the panels I attended was about an LGBTQ rom-com, and the writer shared a bit of pushback he received for some specific scenes.
But, he wanted to fight for them, and he knew the LGBTQ community needed to see them. He said when something is good, you should see it through — push through the gatekeepers.
Your name is on your work.
Another no brainer, but sometimes we need a reminder that a piece is ours!
As much feedback and notes as you get, know what you want to stand by and what you’re okay with changing.
At the end of the day, you’re the one that has to stand by your work.
Keep writing the stuff you love.
One of the panelists admitted that the stuff you write or do to pay the bills may not be the stuff you love.
But, when you sit down to work on your side project, keep writing what you love.
If you love it, you’ll keep at it, and it will see the light of day.
Pitch ideas, and pitch more ideas.
One panel I attended was a live pitching session to create a pilot.
I wanted to go to this last year, but was too exhausted. This year, it was my goal to go and I’m so glad I was able to.
The writers on the panel pitched all sorts of ideas; didn’t matter if they were going to work or not. One idea could spark another idea, and so on.
The entire festival is always so inspiring, and serves as a great reminder to not give up!
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