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Supermentors Administer "Shot of Inspiration"
by Hilary Smith
(February 2003) |
Supermentors-the name conjures up images of comic book super heroes with the requisite super powers clad in tights and capes. Could this dynamic duo put a writing career on the faster-than-a-speeding-bullet track? Make one more powerful than a Hollywood mogul? Enable one to leap to new heights of creativity in a single bound?
Dashing all fantasies, Marc Zicree swooped into Universal's rehearsal hall sans cape and tights. Unfortunately for us, he was without Elaine, as well-she was ill and could not attend. But Marc recounted both his and Elaine's entertainment industry journeys, shared some tools for industry success and gave the audience a booster shot of inspiration.
Before they ever became Supermentors, Marc and Elaine Zicree were already super Sci Fi writers and producers with over 100 credits. They include feature assignments for MGM, New Line and Orion, 7 pilots for ABC, NBC and Showtime, a project with OZ's Tom Fontana and the landmark "Far Beyond the Stars" episode of Deep Space Nine. Plus both held staff positions on Sliders and Lazarus Man. Also, Marc garnered an American Book Award nomination for his bestseller, The Twilight Zone Companion and a three-book deal with Haper Collins that includes Marc's novel, Magic Time.
In fact, a teenage Marc jumpstarted his writing career by attending Clarion, a six-week Sci Fi writer's workshop taught by genre luminaries such as Harlan Ellison and Damon Knight. He said it showed him that writers who he'd admired were humans like him. He also learned there to have a thick skin-Mr. Knight told Marc that he wasn't one of the workshop attendees who would "make it." Ironically, Knight bought a short story from Marc the next week. The lesson here: don't give up on yourself. And use nay sayers to strengthen your craft and your resolve.
Further, Marc is a testament to perseverance and passion being keys to success. In his early twenties, Marc did what seasoned journalists hadn't been able to do: convince Rod Serling's widow to give him rights and access to Twilight Zone materials for a book. He did this by studying the series and by interviewing all the writers on the show, who in turn, vouched for him. Marc built credibility and rapport with Mrs. Serling, which led to him writing The Twilight Zone Companion. After 25 rejections, a publisher picked it up and it became a bestseller.
Creating a career in the industry is according to Marc, "A two-fold task-getting your work strong and getting the business end done." The first challenge is to hone your craft and your voice. Marc said that professionals need discipline. He also said, "You've got to prioritize and do what's most important to you. And must schedule time for it when you're not drained or exhausted." Also, "If you want to write, step into a place of humility, growth and learning."
As to finding one's voice, Marc urged writers to get a sense of what their stories are. "What are you here on earth to tell?" Marc echoed this sentiment several times during his talk. He stressed the "necessity of telling your own truth." And the confines of an established TV show need not be an obstacle to this-when writing for TV, Marc thinks of the show as a "frame" for his message. He sets the bar high for himself. Although he doesn't always achieve it, Marc aims for transcendence in his writing.
Concerning the business end of the career-path equation, Marc touched upon many proven strategies he and Elaine employ in their Supermentors one-on-one coaching and also their six-week course. First, know your result/goal, then work backward from it. To illustrate this, Marc likened achieving one's goal to building a skyscraper. Many things must occur in certain sequence for it to be built, starting with a blueprint. "Speak to the future you want to create." Marc said, "Look at who you want to work for-what production companies or TV shows match your sensibilities?" The Hollywood Creative Directory is a great resource for this research. Another tip: ask the experts how they made it, because successful people have different methodology than unsuccessful people. By way of example, Marc relayed how he and Elaine interviewed 20 show runners before pitching their own pilot and show.
And this leads to one of Marc and Elaine's most interesting career-building insights: it's not all about you. Yes, you need talent, craft and perseverance. But, you especially need other people. Marc said, "You must surround yourself with supportive people." Marc mentioned again and again, the need for others and for a positive attitude towards them, "Come across as human and see others as humans instead of obstacles…See everyone as partners, not as adversaries…They are your helpers, your co-conspirators." And this is crucial: you are theirs, as well. Marc stated, "If people do something for you, ask what you can to for them." No Pollyanna, he also stressed that one must, "know that not everyone is your friend."
Expanding on this relationship theme, Marc felt that when dealing with agents or production company staff, et cetera, "There is a dividing line between the untalented people who waste their time and the talented people who make them look good." You want to be one of the latter, and need to cut yourself away from the herd. How? First, you need in two short sentences something that will sound impressive enough for them to hear your pitch, read your script, etc. A Supermentor suggestion is to look to your background-your experience. For instance, a former cop writing a police procedural would have instant credibility. Also of the utmost importance, is getting the assistants' names and calling them back. Use their names and ask them about themselves. When you do this, you become a person to them-not just another writer. You must also build rapport with the people who you want to read your script. One way to do this is to find specifics about each one. Marc says you must, "know the minutia of people's lives." There's a treasure trove of such information in the clipping file in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Margaret Herrick Library.
Another tactic for growth as an artist, is to "take power" as a means to safeguard the work. In features, the writer/director owns the power, whereas in TV, the writer/producer rules. With power, comes more responsibility, longer hours and at times, the guts to go to the mat. One way to take power when you're breaking into the business or getting to the next level, is to get next to people who have the power and convince them that you have ability. Also, find a mentor. And get people in power who are fans of your work to vouch for you by making calls or letting them use their names. Yet another way to take power is take care of the other person's fears-in a pitch, etc.
Marc also addressed writer-specific issues. Like getting around the agent-only rules for screenplay submissions. He said that if a production company likes your pitch, and you don't have representation, simply say you have an attorney. Then get a lawyer-any lawyer-to submit your screenplay. Marc also provided these tips for pitching TV ideas: know the voice of the show and characters; know what's in development; know what ideas haven't you seen on the show; know what will turn the show on its head, without violating what the show is; have the courage to tell producers what you'd die to see and show writing samples written for successful shows currently running on TV. Added to this, Marc repeated some insights and advice. You need to gain the faith and trust of people. Don't give up on yourself. Follow your passions. Make your career any which way you can. And be dogged.
Marc didn't delve too deeply into the Supermentor Six-Week Intensive course, save to say that it's limited to 10 people. And that they work back from your desired result, create a custom-tailored game plan for you and then help you work it. To contact Marc and Elaine Zicree or learn more about their Supermentor seminars, visit their Web site at zicree.com.
After listening to Marc, it appeared that the Supermentors are super career coaches -and their "superpower" is their ability to empower others to reach their entertainment industry goals.
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