Building a Supportive Network in the Arts

As an artist, finding community has been perhaps the biggest benefit to my practice and my career. Here’s how you can do the same: 1. Actively acknowledge and reach out to other people whose work touches on similar themes or ideas as yours When I was working alone as an artist, I felt like a “sad boi.” I was constantly on edge, burnt out, and lonely...despite doing what I thought I wanted, which was write and create art. But when I decided to find community and become a “squad boy,” if you will, I felt more energized and creative, which in turn made me more successful. This transition from isolation to collaborative engagement was key, and it wouldn’t have happened by chance. I needed to take matters into my own hands, actively seeking out and building community. 2. Recognize and cultivate "scenius” “Scenius” is Brian Eno’s concept, which defines the collaborative nature of creative work. Instead of focusing on individual "genius," scenius emphasizes that artists are part of a larger "scene" or community, where they observe and learn from each other. This is a daring act in today’s age of hyper-individualism, but those who group together are more likely to generate unexpected ideas and will almost certainly enjoy the social and emotional benefits of being part of something greater than themselves. 3. Create your own ring rather than chasing the “inner ring” We love to want what we don’t have. That’s human nature. But rather than seeking acceptance from established tastemakers or the most lauded people in your field, instead focus on your unique voice and creating your own space. If you break your quest for the inner ring and shift all your focus towards creating your own work, you will create your own circle -- the only one that truly matters. To quote the great 20th century thinker Jimmy Buffett: “They used to tell me I was uncategorizable. Now they tell me I’m a category.” Intentionally shifting from an individualist, competitive mindset to one that embraces collaboration, shared identity, and collective action allowed me to build a more supportive and empowering environment for myself. I’m glad I did it, and I hope you consider it, too.

I’ve never loved the word "networking." It sounds transactional, like the goal is to collect business cards instead of building real relationships. But in this industry, connections do matter—it’s just about how you build them. People often ask me how I’ve built my network, and my answer is simple: I don’t “network.” I make real friends and build meaningful relationships. If your approach to networking is just about getting ahead and calling in favors, you’re probably not going to be very successful. It’s not about collecting contacts or sending a LinkedIn request. It’s about genuine connection—finding common ground, engaging in real conversations, and being invested in people’s success, not just your own. I genuinely love engaging with people—probably more than most. Whether it's the on-camera talent, team members, showrunners, agents, managers, etc... I'm into it. Engaging with people is how you meet new people, learn about them, and start building those relationships. In development, strong relationships are everything—without them, no one is going to want to partner with you or bring you their best ideas or talent. No matter what part of the industry you’re in, relationships aren’t just important; they’re the foundation of success. The other side of building your network is bringing something to the table. That might mean thinking of someone when an opportunity arises that is beneficial to them, offering words of encouragement, championing them in a room they’re not in, or simply reaching out when they land a new job or sell a show. Relationships grow when you invest in them. Not every connection will turn into a lifelong friendship, and that’s okay. If you don’t vibe with someone, keep moving—there are plenty of people out there to connect with. Focus on building authentic relationships, and your network (and career) will grow in ways you never expected.

Too many screenwriters network with open hands. You can see it in the comments of my posts, and I see it in dozens of emails and DM’s in my inbox every day. There are too many hopeful writers that need and want help. No one with access has time to give to them all.  Instead of getting lost in a sea of artists clamoring for favors, analyze where your experiences, insights, and connections can move other people closer to their goals. Whether you’re meeting someone new or talking to a friend, as soon as you hear a need of theirs, start immediately strategizing how you can help them solve their problems and get ahead.  Not the other way around.   When you show up to networking conversations by calculating whether a person’s job or connections can be a beneficial steppingstone for you, they can feel it. It doesn’t feel good.  It’s why networking gets a bad rap among sensitive, well-meaning artists.  No one likes interacting with a sleazy social climbing person. But if you focus instead on what you can for someone else (with no expectation of receiving anything in return), you generate goodwill that will pay off dividends later in unexpected ways.  Don’t think you have anything to offer anyone? You do. It doesn’t have to be big, influential, or even entertainment-related. Just try it in the next conversation you have with a friend or acquaintance in any context. Ask about their goals and projects. What are their frustrations? What challenges are they facing in their life? Do they have any trips, plans, or dreams that they’re working towards? When they open up to you, see if you know anyone you can offer to introduce them to who might help them.  Or offer to lend them a book or send them an article on the subject with helpful information. Connect them with any resources or recommendations that they’ll find useful. You can even show up for them in a supportive way if they have an event, a show, or a publication (no matter how small).  If, in the middle of the conversation, you can’t think of anything helpful immediately off the top of your head, write a note to yourself. Record who this person is and what their needs are. Now that this action item is simmering in the back of your mind, you will probably meet someone or get inspiration later today or in a few days. You can always go back to that person with something helpful. It shows that you’re thinking about them and that you genuinely care about their needs. And this helps build your habit of constantly strategizing over how to help others. *** Want more actionable advice on how to build a network in the Entertainment Industry (Even if you live outside Los Angeles)? Check out the deep dive I wrote on exactly this topic! Link in the comments below.