The “general meeting” is one of Hollywood’s most common occurrences, but it’s also one of the hardest to define. No matter what, you’ll almost certainly come across a couple in your creative journey. Luckily, once the process has been demystified, it can really help you get ahead. Here’s how to plan like a pro.
What is a general meeting?
A “general” is a professional meeting without any specific job in mind. It’s an opportunity for a rep, producer, executive, or even another filmmaker to get to know you, your work, and your goals to see if you might be a good fit for something down the road. This can feel as formal as an actual job interview or as casual as lunch or a chat over coffee.
The exact context can vary significantly. An indie filmmaker whose movie just cleaned up during its festival run might be invited to generals at a few production companies. An actor fresh out of conservatory might book generals with several managers.
Regardless, all general meetings are essentially group get-to-know-yous. Think of it as seed planting: You’re here to establish relationships with powerful people in the hope that, someday, you might work together. That day may be soon, but sometimes these relationships do not blossom for a few years. The key, therefore, is to present the best version of yourself, and then maintain your contact.
Kathryn Hahn, for example, booked her role on the Marvel Cinematic Universe show “WandaVision” based on a general with the studio.
“Everyone was lovely, but I didn’t have any hopes for it. And then, I think it was the next day [they reached out],” she told Backstage. “You just don’t know what could be down the pipe, or if somewhere behind those people’s eyeballs, they’re looking at you for something specifically. They want you to just bring yourself. It’s almost like you have to forget about what this could be and just meet some nice people.”
How to prepare for a general meeting
While a general meeting isn’t quite the same thing as a job interview, it can be useful to prepare like it is. So, do your homework. What kind of company are you meeting with? What sort of material do they produce or champion? If you’re primarily a horror filmmaker with aggressively adult themes, don’t come into your lunch with Nickelodeon guns blazing about your idea for a slasher.
Do the same diligence for the person you’re talking to. Forget about the “general” part; the best way to be memorable is to organically connect on a personal level. Is anything in their past work particularly meaningful or inspiring to you? Are you passionate about the same genre? Do you share any hobbies? (Just use common sense here—don’t bring up something you saw after scrolling seven years into their Instagram posts.)
Maybe most importantly: Understand your story. It sounds easy to talk about yourself, but you want to paint a coherent, compelling picture. Be prepared for certain, standard topics:
- Tell me a little about yourself.
- What are you interested in?
- What are your goals?
- What else are you working on right now?
Don’t memorize a speech, but do know the broad strokes ahead of time. Focus on what makes you unique and topics you feel most passionate about. Of course, there’s a chance the conversation will get more specific from there. But other times, the whole thing feels more like catching up with a friend, to the point where you might leave asking yourself: Did anything just happen? Whatever the case, be ready to sell you.
Once you have your story straight, take the time to prepare a few questions of your own. Don’t go overboard, but it’s important for this to be a two-way street. Keep it simple with queries like:
- How did you get into this corner of the industry?
- What type of material are you finding the most success with these days?
- In an ideal world, what are your ambitions for the company?
Do I dress up?
No. Well…maybe. It might go without saying, but don’t show up in your workout clothes or pajamas. But don’t don a costume, either, or a fancy dress you’d never wear. Once again, these people are here to get to know you. They want to find out if your creative aspirations align. If everything goes exceedingly well, this could be a relationship that lasts for a while, and, as such, everyone wants to make sure you’re the type of person they want to be around. So, dress in a way that showcases your natural, distinctive style, and—perhaps most vital—makes you feel confident and secure. No one wants to be futzing with buckles and straps while trying to advertise their work.
Who will be there?
Typically, you’ll be told ahead of time who to expect in the room, but it’s not uncommon for additional people to sit in. “Generals are sometimes broadcast to the team only moments before they begin,” an anonymous Fox executive told us, “which means you might get a bunch of junior executives eager to jump in on a meet and greet.” You don’t have the time to juice yourself up with facts and figures about every person you’re going to meet, so focus your energy on who called the meeting. If you’re faced with 10 or more people staring back at you, relax. Think of this as no more than a vibe check.
What do I do after my meeting?
Make sure you leave the conversation with contact information. Keep in touch on a reasonable basis when you have a significant update. For example, do invite them to your solo show or the premiere of your next film. Do not send them long-winded journal entries about the weekend you just had.
Don’t expect a reply every time; the industry is filled with incredibly busy people. But that doesn’t mean they haven’t read your message and aren’t interested. Be persistent and follow up in the months (and years) to come.
What should I not do?
Do not inflate your résumé or biography in an attempt to show off. It’s normal to feel anxious about looking competent, but don’t let that lead to you offering advice or criticism when it isn’t directly asked for. Definitely don’t tell them you have material if it’s not actually ready to share. The last thing you want is to lie about a finished screenplay, only for them to follow up the next day asking for a copy of the latest draft.
The age-old Shakespearean advice from “Hamlet” is still the most sage: “To thine own self be true.” It cannot be overemphasized that, especially with a general meeting, you are only being asked to present who you are. After all, that’s who they wanted to meet with in the first place.
