Getting general meetings in Hollywood — what people in the industry used to call the water bottle tour — sounds like a win. And it is. But when I finally got in those rooms, I made five mistakes that cost me real opportunities. Nobody coaches you on this. Your reps prep you, but they can't live it for you.

This episode is me coaching my younger self. What those mistakes were, what I was accidentally signaling, and what I understand now looking back after 15 years as a working writer.

Topics covered: being too protective of your material, apologizing for your background, not having a narrative for yourself, confusing proximity with momentum, and walking in without an undeniable follow-up. If you're a writer who's getting traction and starting to get in rooms — this one's for you.

🎬 The Long Road is a weekly vlog about staying in the creative life. Not breaking in. Not blowing up. Staying in.

📖 Read along on Substack: https://substack.com/@boochomatic ▶ Subscribe:    / @brianbooch