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KNOW YOUR WORTH. A thread.
I was recently asked to interview for a writing job at a small YouTube channel with decent animation on their content, but poorly written stories. They had a solid number of followers & as a non-WGA writer, I thought it was a good opportunity. 1/11
I was recently asked to interview for a writing job at a small YouTube channel with decent animation on their content, but poorly written stories. They had a solid number of followers & as a non-WGA writer, I thought it was a good opportunity. 1/11
As part of the application process, they asked for a creative resume. I sent mine in and almost immediately, someone replied saying they& #39;d be interested in my continuing the process. My resume is fine, but not yet so impressive it would warrant an immediate YES. Red flag 1. 2/11
They said they wanted a writing sample. I offered to send scripts, links to shorts I wrote/directed, short stories, poems, or a segment of one of my novels. They said no. ... They had a "writing test" they wanted me to complete. 3/11
The "writing test" was this: They would give me a one sentence concept. I would write character breakdowns and a full synopsis of a story based on that concept.
This sounds like actual writing work. Not a "test"
So I replied: "Sounds great! How much will this task pay?" 4/11
This sounds like actual writing work. Not a "test"
So I replied: "Sounds great! How much will this task pay?" 4/11
They said, "Sorry, we won& #39;t be paying anything for this test, but we assure you that we won& #39;t steal any of your ideas."
...
That wasn& #39;t what I asked and I& #39;m wasn& #39;t worried about anyone stealing my ideas, but then I was. Anyway, go on.
And they did go on. Oh did they...
5/11
...
That wasn& #39;t what I asked and I& #39;m wasn& #39;t worried about anyone stealing my ideas, but then I was. Anyway, go on.
And they did go on. Oh did they...
5/11
Their email continued: "It& #39;s ONLY a synopsis and character breakdowns. We& #39;re not actually asking you to write a script."
...
Ex-squeeze me?! So because I& #39;m not opening up Final Draft for you means that I& #39;m not actually doing work?
6/11
...
Ex-squeeze me?! So because I& #39;m not opening up Final Draft for you means that I& #39;m not actually doing work?
6/11
Because let me tell you - the writing the script part is easy. It& #39;s the coming up with a story, creating conflict that& #39;s interesting and resonates and characters who feel real, who you want to root for or against... that& #39;s the real work of writing. 7/11
And that& #39;s what I told them: "Conceiving a story and characters is the lion& #39;s share of what screenwriting is. It will take hours to do it properly and I cannot do so without just compensation. If your goal is to get a sense of my writing, I& #39;ve included a script sample..." 8/11
I also invited them to request as many other samples as they& #39;d like. Guess what? I NEVER heard from them again. Not even to say thanks, but no. And they responded to every one of my prior emails within 15 minutes of my sending.
I& #39;m guessing the interview was a scam.
9/11
I& #39;m guessing the interview was a scam.
9/11
But even if it wasn& #39;t a scam, why would I spend time doing unpaid work for hire (that& #39;s what the "writing test" was) when I could be spending time spec-ing something I& #39;m passionate about, submitting my short-form series to film festivals, and querying agents re: my novel? 10/11
Even if you& #39;re #PreWGA or haven& #39;t even come close to selling a thing, your time, energy, effort and work have WORTH.
Say no when something feels wrong. Don& #39;t be so desperate to be seen as "legit" that you forget that your voice and skills are VALUABLE.
And keep writing.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Rotes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Herz"> 11/11
Say no when something feels wrong. Don& #39;t be so desperate to be seen as "legit" that you forget that your voice and skills are VALUABLE.
And keep writing.
