How to network in film and TV: 5 practical tips from screenwriter Amanda Graham

In her previous blog, award-winning speaker Amanda Graham explored practical ways to build confidence and approach networking more effectively. Now, we’re building on that. 

Having worked across the industry, Amanda has seen first-hand where opportunities can be missed – and how small, unexpected shifts can make a real difference.

To help more people feel comfortable putting themselves out there, she shares a few surprising hacks to make building connections feel more natural while working behind the scenes.

Notice how people share their contact details

At a film festival a couple of years ago, a comedian who presents in character showed up to do a big chat. I was a huge fan. Anyway, we were chatting, and I mentioned my enthusiasm for the series…and she answered with this one, gut-punching sentence. ​“Oh okay. Well, you can find me on Twitter.”

Ouch. I internally crumpled like a cheese and onion crisp packet hit by a rusty lorry on the M6.

If people want you to reach out, they’ll give you a clear way to do it. Nine times out of ten, the way someone tells you how to contact them is the way they see your relationship at that moment. They give you their number? You’re probably all set. Email? 50/50. Follow me on (social media account)? They’re not sure, or they’re just being polite and you’ve got some groundwork to do.

Write cold emails about them, not you 

When we’re emailing someone we don’t know, think about avoiding too much ​“I” and ​“me”. It can come across as self-interested and turn the other person off. The solution is simple – cut back on using ​‘I’ and ​‘me’ as much as possible.

Example: say we’re a writer approaching a Sci-fi TV director for work. We might send something less effective: 

“I think your films are amazing and I want to work with you. I’m an experienced writer who has worked in TV for eight years. I think we could make something great together and I’d love to have a chat about it.” 

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with this email, but it’s all me me me. 

But, if we make the email about them, their goals, and why their work is meaningful, the tone will immediately change, which is more effective:

”Your work is really inspiring! That series 4 episode really showed your 70s sci-fi influences. No doubt you have loads of people reaching out to collaborate. But if you’re looking for a writer who also adores 70s sci-fi (I used to have a Battlestar Galactica lunchbox and it was everything) AND could bring extras like Insta content to your project, how about a 12–15 minute chat? It would be great to hear your biggest priorities for your next project and the most important trait you look for in the writers you like to work with.” See the difference?

Stand at the end of the drinks table 

Maybe you despise networking. Maybe you’re insecure. Maybe you’ve lost all faith in human nature thanks to an unending succession of horrific professional work relationships. Whatever. So, here’s a hack for when you don’t have the energy. Nearly everyone does the same thing when they arrive at these events. 

First, after they queue for the drinks table and grab a plastic glass of room temperature Pinot Grigio, they stand there, scan the room, and secretly wonder, ​“Welp, here we go again. Who should I talk to? And why do I do this to myself?”

But did you know… that spot at the end of the bar/​drinks table is the best place to start a conversation.

People who stand there are dying to be rescued. So, rescue them. You could stand there all night and speak with a succession of people. And they will love you forever because you saved them.

The over-your-shoulder-look 

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou rocks because everything she says is gold-standard insight and advice. And there is one thing at in-person industry events that consistently makes people feel like crap. Can you guess what it is?

Ever found yourself speaking with someone, and then they start looking over your shoulder to find the cooler, more powerful, higher status people in the room? It’s so deflating. If this happens to you, immediately abort the conversation.

People who do this tend to be huge users or sharks who will always look for the better people. Free yourself. And if you do this, know that this is real bad behaviour. Stop it. Then invent a time machine, travel back to the first time you did this, and stop it again.

If you live your life making people feel bad to boost your career, guess who you’ll be surrounded by the more time goes on? It ain’t the good people.

Use animals to boost engagement 

This is a quick one. If you’re trying to boost your engagement online, be shameless and use animals. Especially if they’re yours. People adore animals and it shows you in a new light too. Your engagement ratio can increase by up to 300%. So, give them updates on what His Royal Floompfiness Lord Sheddington Meowder is up to.

Ready to try one? 

Pick a single hack and use it at your next event or in your next email. 

And if work – or networking – is feeling isolating right now, you’re not on your own. Explore our events and opportunities and connect with peer-to-peer community groups for people working behind the scenes.

Need to talk to someone?

Our free and confidential Support Line is available 24/7 on 0800 054 0000.

• The way someone shares their contact details tells you how they see the relationship 
• Cold emails work better when they’re about the other person, not you 
• The end of the drinks table is the easiest place to start a conversation 
• Never let your eyes drift over someone’s shoulder mid-conversation 
• Online engagement goes up when you post about your pets