Novice? Show up, anyway.
with Mary Nsikanabasi Uyoh
Breathe baby…
I stared at my phone for about five minutes reading and re-reading the message. It read:
Would you like to be part of the writer’s room as an intern writer for show XXX?
What??? No! Wait. WHAT???? When I finally recovered from the shock, I went into full on panic mode; ran into my brother’s room, repeatedly said ‘oh my God’, screamed, lay on my bed staring at the ceiling and shed a few tears.
No, my darlings, it wasn’t madness. It was an immense joy and a rich sprinkle of fear wondering if I could do it and repeatedly telling myself that I’ve waited for this my whole life. How hard could it be?
For a long time I had watched MNET’s Africa Magic 260 telenovelas and each time the name of the writer for an episode popped up, I would imagine my name right there — Mary Nsikanabsi Uyoh. So when this message came, it felt like I had walked through a door that I had been knocking on for so long even when I had no idea what was behind it. So, I said a big-fat- long awaited — YES! The Head Writer then requested that each writer must come with a story pitch. I didn’t have a clue what that was meant to look like but I did write something. Yes, something because my something is better than a blank page, right?
The day finally came! I arrived at the location, a thin film of sweat on my forehead in a well air conditioned room. My heart thumped in different directions and I could swear the lady beside me could hear it. I said a shy hi and my usual big smile plastered on my face, while reminding myself not to be awkward. She reponded and other writers filled the room, my heart palpitations became louder and my palms sweaty. Be cool, I said over and over again.
The long awaited moment came — pitches.
My stomach churned as each writer delivered pitches, creating and building characters so well, you could touch them. I was almost filled with dread but alas… I pitched. The Showrunner slammed questions at me as I read but I soldiered on even when I felt no one was listening. The Showrunner and Head Writer later told me I did well, considering it was my first time but I still remember shedding a few tears, calling my sister and telling her that I think I should have done better. Being the angel she is, she reminded me that I got a seat at the table, right?
Oh yes, I did. A seat at my first writers’ room and I won’t let a few misses steal this long awaited big moment.
In the next couple of days, I gleaned as much as possible and tried to keep up with the pace as we were broken down into teams to create stories based on the political side of the story, the love stories and then family stories. I was placed in politics/crime and it was gruelling. We would work into late night breaking stories — agreeing and then disagreeing with each other until we came up with something we were all proud of.
For someone like me who is in love with sappy romcoms like The Bridesmaids, Trainwreck or The Big Sick, I kept wondering how I would fit in?
Is this was the point they discover that I may just be a fluke????
God, I don’t want my career in writing to end like this! Thankfully, the guys I was paired with weren’t struck by some deus ex machina with a gift to read minds. I was also thankful to be blessed to work with the best guys who were patient and kind enough to nudge me in the right direction. So, I chipped in, tossed my idea around in my brain a couple of times before sharing it, poked holes in other ideas they shared and learnt. I learnt a whole lot.
One of the things you should know about me is that I’m a foodie and I love workshop food. You can judge me, it’s okay. I don’t care. Yes, the yummy small chops tea breaks and buffet lunch where one of the things I immensely enjoyed. I am a bonafide, unashamed foodie, so please, the food is a worthy mention of my experience. Lol.
Now, I don’t mean to be preachy but here goes: Dear first — time — in — a — writer’s room — young writer, I will do my one goodwill and share tiny little things that will help you get along in your first experience. Be warned, it will be the good stuff and maybe really shitty things I experienced, heard and learned along the way.
But first, what really is a writers room? Who’s in it? What does it look like?
It’s basically a room where a group of people sit around a conference table or sometimes comfy couches. The room will consist of the Showrunner, the Head Writer, other writers, production team and then representatives of the network team you will be writing for. The Showrunner takes the lead in formally introducing the big story idea. The Head Writer then takes over in breaking down the day’s agenda and then each writer takes turns pitching their stories to the room. This means, based on the big story idea which must have been shared days/weeks earlier by the Head Writer, each writer will pitch their own story idea to build the original story and have the room (mostly, the executives and production) weigh in. After the first few days in the room, you will become more familiar with the team and things will be less ‘rigid’. Breaking story will be more rinse and repeat in tinier bits until the workshop is done. It’s a lot of work but gosh, it’s fun!
One very weird, trivial but important thing to point out is this; do not sit at the head of the table especially on the first day. It’s mostly reserved for the Head writer or Showrunner. But if you find your Head Writer or Showrunner seated elsewhere, by all means take the seat after asking if it’s available.
Now to the other tiny helpful notes you should know…
Make new friends
Personally, I really hate the word networking, cause what — in — the — corporate — term is that? But like they say, your network is your networth so, go forth and mingle. Networking and making new friends is one of the most vital habits to adopt especially during workshops where you meet executive producers, production and other writers you can collaborate with or learn from. I am socially awkward when I meet new people because boundaries and the crazy thought of over-analyzing my words cripples me but I had to learn. I made a friend prior to the writers workshop so, instead of mingling during breakfast and lunch, I stuck to my friend and allowed my introverted brain to keep me in small circles. I beg you, don’t be me. Meet other writers, and if you sense any weird vibe, move to someone else, start conversations with them, be yourself and be kind. Whether it’s a writer, a representative of the network outfit or production, please mingle. Don’t cross boundaries and over familiarize, just mingle, chat, and be kind. Flow with it and rellaaaxxxxx!!!
Be confident
This is scary especially when you listen to other story pitches and if you are ‘lucky’ enough, the other writers are industry geniuses. Breaathheeee, baby. Just breathe. You got in the room. You did. No matter how many times you choose to doubt yourself, please remember that the Head Writer will not deliberately pick a writer who would make his/her life miserable. So, you were chosen for a reason. Now, delivering a pitch is like selling a dream. And because we can’t rip open your brain and see the live action of the characters in your mind, you have to sell the story with confidence like you wrote it . I mean, you didn’t write a story pitch you don’t believe in right? So take your listeners through your exciting journey and sell magic to them. I mean, if you don’t believe in your story, who will?
Listen
When done with your story pitch, do not — I repeat — do not tune-off and imagine what’s for lunch or scroll through your phone. I beseech you in the name of whatever you believe in, listen to other writers delivering their pitches. Listen to how they weave their stories, their gesticulation and how their story impacts yours and the story world in general.
It is also important to listen to the feedback from production, executive producers, your head writer and showrunner. Do not be defensive and listen to understand before responding. Sometimes, this may require you to kill your darlings to ensure your story blends into the story world. Here is the warning to take the knife and slay those darlings if you must. If you can defend the story and why you should maintain your pitch just the way it is, please do so politely.
Listen to chip in if/when the room permits. Share your thoughts to build the story world as workshop goes on. When you find a hole in the story, be polite when sharing how to fix the problem instead of tearing down someone else’s pitch. Don’t give your team problems, find a solution. Be present and remember that you are not independent of the other writers. You are one now, creating this beautiful story world together.
This is not a competition
Yes, impress the bosses. They paid for your brilliance so please, by all means, blind them with it but do not compete. Of course, there is healthy competition when you consider that if other story pitches are setting the room ablaze with wild excitement, your team’s pitch should bring the gas too. That is good competition not the toxic type. I have heard of toxic writers’ rooms and thankfully I have never experienced that but I know what it would feel like being stuck with a know-it- all for the duration of the workshop.
Your perspective may be fantastic but trust me, you are not the revolutionary the film industry has been waiting for. Scratch that, maybe you are. In fact, you could probably be the redeemer but I always say, the sky is big enough to plant my own star. I don’t need to compete with anyone else to prove my worth. You shouldn’t too. You are in a team and this is your temporary family. Be kind.
You will goof
Inhale …. Exhale …. Yes, you read right — you will goof. Or maybe you won’t. But just in case you do, it’s okay. The important thing is that you showed up and you did the damn thing. As a newbie, the nerves will have you reading your pitch feverishly or very confidently but the moment you’re done, everyone will have a say. Calmly take notes and if you have to explain your idea, explain from a place of understanding.
Finally, bask in the experience and not the nerves. You got in the door. You got a seat at the table. You showed up!
Mary Nsikanabasi Uyoh is a Writer and Producer. She is a writer on varied shows on Africa Magic like Enakhe, Dilemma and Covenant. She has also produced a number of web series for the Accelerate TV platform on YouTube.
