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Last week I planted the seed for thinking about the viability of writing corporate and educational media scripts as a way to support our time-consuming passion for writing screenplays. Now, I'll give you my top ten reasons for pursuing work in this market if you're not completely, one hundred percent satisfied with your current "day job." They are:
1. Writing a corporate video or interactive instructional program exercises your writing muscles-keeping them in shape for screenplay work. Likewise, this writing also requires you to think visually and create pieces that marry picture and sound.
2. By contrast, there's a big difference between the discipline needed for writing successful media projects (especially interactive material) and writing for the big screen. These differences are intrinsically challenging and rewarding when you meet them head on and solve the inherent writing problem.
3. It exposes you to a wide range of industries, subjects and interesting people. Such exposure provides grist for your screenwriting mill.
4. They're paying jobs. In my best years, I can live quite comfortably on writing fees from this market. Sure, no one's going to get rich doing it-but it pays the bills and then some.
5. I can do as much, or as little, as I want. One great advantage to being a freelance media writer-you can always "just say no." Need time to polish a screenplay because you've got an agent willing to read? Just say "no" to that next media writing offer. (Sometimes, this even raises your standing in the eyes of your client: "The gal can turn work away-must be in big demand.")
6. It's interesting work. I've done projects on new medical breakthroughs, on financial subjects, toured manufacturing plants to learn how a product is made, even climbed the scaffolding surrounding the Statue of Liberty during its restoration-all because they were part of the necessary research for a paying project.
7. I've made good friends. Just as making movies is a collaborative art, creating corporate videos is equally collaborative. I've used video directors who shoot my corporate material as sounding boards for screenplays in progress. They're much hipper readers than your best friend who works as a corporate accountant.
8. It builds discipline and writing stamina. Freelance media writing requires the same discipline and writing habits as screenwriting. You get up in the morning-you go to your word processor and you work until lunchtime. Then you hit it again in the afternoon-perhaps editing what you wrote that morning, working the phone for new contacts and business, or generating still more new copy. The same persistence and work habits will facilitate success as a Hollywood screenwriter.
9. It's a low-overhead way to self-employment. A little stationary, a few business cards, some memberships in a few key professional associations and you're good to go.
10. I get to write this column.
Coming in the next installment: more on the market itself and how to start making contacts and building a support network.
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