Hey Filmmaking Lounge,
This week, my creative growth looks a lot like what many of you are probably feeling right now: pushing myself to network, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Networking is something I do regularly, but that doesn’t mean it ever stops being a little intimidating. Reaching out to new contacts, strengthening relationships with people I admire, and showing up socially when I already feel stretched or drained still takes real effort. Confidence doesn’t erase vulnerability, it just teaches you how to move forward alongside it.
The start of a new year feels like the perfect moment to lean into that discomfort instead of avoiding it. There’s something energizing about saying, “Okay, I’m in,” and jumping back in with both feet. So that’s what I’m doing. I’m sending the emails I’ve been putting off, responding to DMs, sending new network requests, and intentionally taking the time to get to know people better. Not in a transactional way, but in the way that actually builds meaningful, long-term relationships.
It’s easy to underestimate how impactful this kind of work is because it doesn’t always produce immediate results. But connection-building is some of the most important career work we can do as creatives. Opportunities don’t usually come from cold submissions. They come from trust, familiarity, shared values, common interests, and showing up consistently over time.
I believe deeply in practicing what I preach, so I’m right here doing this alongside you.
So let’s check in:
Where are you pushing yourself outside your comfort zone right now?
Does networking energize you, drain you, or a little of both?
What’s one small outreach or connection you could make this week that future-you would be grateful for?
Cheering you on as we all step into this new year with intention and courage.
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Hey, Ashley Renee Smith. Congratulations on your creative growth this week!
I started outlining my first vertical short series this week, I'm used to writing short scripts and commercial scripts, so working on a vertical short series isn't hard. For now.
Networking used to be hard, but it's gotten a lot easier the more I've done it. Networking energizes me and drains me.
I sent some network requests on Stage 32 today. I forget to do it sometimes.
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@Ashley Networking in general always energises me even if physically tired, not just on a social, educational or professional growth level but it’s also a tad spiritual. The latter may sound OTT but my passion for the craft, renders me always receptive & is a part of my core that I can’t ignore but I do feel a discord with zoom. I love to meet in person & attend many network events, phone, write & email. However, I dislike zoom gadgetry, the veil of technicality between people & the need to worry how I appear on film. To answer your question, how will we push ourselves into “discomfort level” in 2026? For me it will be to practice having regular zoom meets. LOL Maybe I’ll do some here.
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Ashley Renee Smith Each week my partner Diamond Monique Washington and I host an hour long online drop in. We meet a lot of industry people at all levels. I post it here, but mostly we get a LOT more LinkedIn people than we do from S32 right now. For the last several months I also host an online meet and greet on both Saturdays and Sundays on S32s Introduce Yourself weekend. We also go out to various events and especially industry open houses as those usually have professionals worth knowing in attendance.
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Congrats on your growth Ashley Renee Smith, and I'm with you, networking is a mixed bag for me. On the one hand I of course want as many connections as possible, but on the other hand it's difficult knowing what to say and do to instigate and then maintain them. It's hard to relax lol
My own growth is taking the initiative earlier this week and deciding to host my own table read with actors I already know for Lunar Window, sometime in February most likely. I genuinely didn't expect to drum up so much interest (got 6 people interested within about 3 hours of posting the "ad" on my Instagram story), and even moreso when the two actors I personally invited to be part of it, agreed. I'm also rewriting Lunar Window's ending for probably the third time right now as I make good on my promise to mail it out to all my actors this week. I might surprise myself in the future but I really am hoping no one expects me to write another one like it ever lol
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Great reminder to lead the year with intention. Keep showing up.
One thing I'd add: the people who succeed at networking long-term are the ones who treat it like you described: building actual relationships, not just collecting contacts. That "not transactional" mindset is what separates people who build sustainable careers from those who burn out chasing the next opportunity.
The key for me has been learning which contexts feel authentic (like this community) versus which ones feel like I'm just checking boxes.
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Love this reminder that growth often starts with leaning into discomfort and showing up anyway... thank you for sharing and encouraging all of us to keep building real, meaningful connections!