Blogroll: Fresh Hell

Here's an excerpt from Kira's blog, Fresh Hell, regarding general meetings:

Generally Speaking

TV staffing season is upon us! Shortly shows will be meeting with writers -- some already are, particularly at the higher levels.

But by and large during this time of year, TV writers are waiting for the dust to settle around pickup news and the fall schedule. If you're not currently on a show, I've learned that you're doing two things right now:

• Writing. Always be writing. Spec screenplay and spec graphic novel script in my case, since I'm covered on TV samples for now.
  
  
• Going on general meetings.

General meetings, aka "generals," are one of the few things in the screenwriting business that I haven't found an analogy for in other fields. Imagine an interview at a company where they don't necessarily have a job for you but might in the future: it's a job interview slash get-to-know-you. This kind of thing is rare in other industries, but happens all the time in entertainment.

The way it works is this: your agent or manager gets your script to an executive at a network, studio, or production company. If they like it, a general gets set up.

Going on your first general? A few tips...