Advice for Emerging Filmmakers
Movie Producer Robin Cowie's Tips for Pitching & Writing Scripts
Have a good idea for a film, a script in hand and no idea what to do next? Get the goods from a Hollywood producer who's been around the movie block...
Suite 101: Given your extensive experience in the industry, what tips would you offer young filmmakers and writer’s trying to break into the industry?
Robin Cowie: The first thing a person needs to do is choose a path. No one will ever know what they want to be when they grow up, but standing still won’t get you anywhere. I personally have done many different things that have led me to where I am. I started out working for Nickelodeon and Disney after college, then transitioned into a more corporate environment with the Golf channel. After that, I started my own business where I was able to produce films.
Ultimately, the journey is yours and you have to find in yourself in what you create, what you want to get made. I want to make films, whether it be putting together financing or selling a product. You have to believe in what you’re working on and what you’re investing in- never surrender and never give up. It’s important to stay away from clichés when creating art, but in trying to do something new and different it is also imperative not to ignore the rules of storytelling.
Suite 101: What are the most common mistakes people make when pitching?
Robin Cowie: Many people forget to ask questions prior to their pitch. They make assumptions about what they think the producer wants to hear that are not always based in reality. This can be frustrating to the person on the other side of the table, as they are essentially listening to something they don’t want to hear and something that could have been avoided given a few preliminary questions. As a producer, I look for employees who take initiative and solve problems. If someone understands the big picture, then I will provide them with additional opportunities and ask them to contribute more.
Suite 101: Do you have any tips for someone who is just starting out?
Robin Cowie: It’s a process. As a producer, if someone comes to me and wants to make a feature film, I’m going to be hard pressed to give them money right off the bat. I need to be confident in them so I need to see work they've done in the past. Frst-time writers should have taken the initiative to write specs, or have a portfolio of 10-15 scripts.
I’m currently dealing with a first-time filmmaker who's worked mainly on visual effects and hasn’t directed a feature. He has a great deal of experience with storyboards and effects, but it is still a hard sell for investors. As a result , we had him make a 15-minute short film that involved children and visual effects to show what he was capable of. Now, when I approach investors, I have an exceptional short film to present in addition to his impressive resume.
The process of gaining credibility will be different from individual to individual. I made 18 short films while I was in college, winning an award for one, which in turn led to my position at Nickelodeon, and so on. Fiction writers might start by getting short stories published.
For more from Robin Cowie about his own start in Hollywood and the life of a movie mogul check out the other two parts of this interview, and learn about the fine art of writing and financing your own film.
