How can smaller players monetize their content?
LY: We constantly encourage our community to go to smaller platforms that might give them a stipend. Everybody always wants to run to Amazon and Netflix, but they’re inundated with proposals. If you’re unable to get it on there, try a local station. Try a Black-owned streaming service or a streaming service that has recently launched. They’re going to be more forgiving of beginner filmmakers. … Once you get on a lot of those platforms, it’ll be easier for you to get into the larger ones.
Why should writers come to the workshop?
RW: A lot of screenwriters come to our screenwriting workshops. It is one of our signature events. The script is really like the foundation of a house. Without a script there, you don’t really have a story, you don’t have a movie, or a TV show. If you look at a lot of the films that come out, nowadays, the cinematography is amazing, acting is amazing, but the story’s not that interesting. If you come to our screenwriting workshop, we’re going to ask very simple questions. Who’s the protagonist? What’s their goal? What’s their obstacle? The key thing really is the protagonist.
