On Saturday, by sheer luck or universal kindness, I met a REALLY REALLY famous director...

[OfMe]

NB - COMPLETELY 1ST WORLD PROBLEM, this I am ACUTELY aware of.

I'm a writer and a musician, (and I've just finished producing my first small indie feature film) and I was accompanying a local play last weekend, a little two-man play and me playing along in the background. It wasn't in a city, or even another cultural hub city, just a lovely, little small playhouse in a seaside town. 40 seats max.
The main actor and writer of the piece said the day before we opened, that his one famous friend was coming along. I asked who, and he said the name - probably not a name that many people would know, but in the industry she's BIG. HUGE. Think Greta Gerwig, but not, and you're not far off.
So the actor, seeing how excited I was, said he would introduce me to her.

On the night she came, she sat with Actor 1's girlfriend, right in my eyeline, and I think I did fairly well to not let it show and not play like a berk. DH was there and he said it was fine. Afterwards, we all went down for a drink, but the actor got caught up talking to people, and so the introduction looked like it wasn't going to happen. Thinking that she probably wouldn't be staying for too much longer, I went over and struck up a conversation with Actor 2, Actor 1's girlfriend and her. I tried to just pretend like I didn't know who she was, as I didn't want to do the whole 'OMG it's XX, how amazing, I'm-such-a-big-fan-gush-gush'. So, I petted her dog, talked about the town, talked about her town, that I used to live there, and other such small talk shit. Now considering I have a tv series I'm trying to get off the ground, when she said she was in film, I probably should have said 'Oh, yes, I am too, in fact I've just produced my first indie feature film' - but how do you say that without coming across as a complete arsehole?! SO, instead, I just kind of froze and went, 'Yeah'! What a fucking muppet! Then, when her friend invited me to sit at the table, they then turned around and started talking away from the table! I couldn't really go up to them again after that could I, it just would have been bloody rude! (Some of you will likely say I'd already been rude somehow, I'm sure!)

So, it looks like I blew my shot. Actor 1 said he's happy to read my script, so some joy might come of that, but I can't help but feel I should have done something differently. What do you all think? Am I completely worrying over nothing, or have I been a massive twat?

People like that probably get harassed all the time by people like you (no offence) so you were right not to bring it up on the first meeting. Keep in with the group who know the director and you might meet again?

Yeah, maybe, SouthernComforts! I thought she might not appreciate someone doing the whole 'fan' thing (because I could have completely geeked out on that one and gone into her works and everything, but at least I didn't do that! I don't know why I found it so hard though - I spent two years teaching someone else who's quite famous, but never quite got like that - I think it's probably more to do with me not being as confident in myself as I thought I was.

See I definitely think you should have said something, and I would still ask your actor friend to throw your script under her nose and remind her that it is you (from the play)

Theatre-land and all that is not real life and therefore normal rules of etiquette do not apply imho.

Cant hurt to try and everyone needs a lucky break sometimes

Thanks Funny. I guess I'll probably never know now! She was really nice and polite, and I think it's worth a shot to send the script to Actor 1 anyway and see what he thinks - I think neither he nor Actor 2 (who does a lot of RSC stuff) realised I'd produced a film, and probably just thought I was 'just' a local musician. I do give off a 'big-fat-mummy' vibe, so I know a lot of people get a bit judgy about fat, middle-aged mothers not having a brain.

I work in this field, OP, and networking is expected - it’s how theatre and the arts work! Now you’ve met the director, give them a follow on social media, try to build up a bit of a relationship in there and then, when it feels right, drop them a DM, ask them if they’d like to grab a coffee and and have a chat. Or, if you have a good relationship
with Actor 1, have a chat with him about the best way to connect with her.

Oh God, I've looked for her on SM, she doesn't seem to have either a Facebook or Twitter presence! I don't think I'd be confident enough to go for a Linked-in. I just know she'd love my project though - her work is usually quite feminist, and she's done period dramas before, done both tv and film, so she is perfect for it - when I made my iMDB wishlist of directors she was at the top, but I've just dismissed those as they're 'too' famous! (The project I have is completely pie-in-the-sky for a new writer, it would take a massive budget - probably Netflix/Amazon/Hulu level). The whole thing is so ridiculous, but it's such a good story I just have to see it made - to be honest, it's more likely that someone else will do it as it's based on a true story, so there's no imperative to use my script, but I just want to see the fucker made!

I'm definitely sending Actor 1 a draft and treatment for him to read - hopefully he'll realise it's a corker and maybe talk to her about it?

I could always send a query to her agent, but they tend to be seen as cold calls and ignored.

You have nothing to lose, really. Connect on LinkedIn if she’s on there with a note saying “I’m a friend of x, we met at y” - then I think it would be fine to say I’ve attached a précis of xxx and would love to discuss it further and to get your advice or where I could place it. Or ask if you can take her to lunch? Good luck.

Just looked and she isn't there either! It's all on Actor 1 now - I've just looked through it, and it does make me proud when I read it, although quite embarrassed that I end up thinking it seems to be much better than anything else I've read from associates or from stuff that's been submitted to me. I have had some great feedback from a friend who's a radio writer for the Beeb, who thinks it's great, so I just have to keep that in mind!

OfMe

(Brilliant username by the way! Blessed be the fruit!)

I used to work in theatre producing and my experience in tv/film is limited so feel free to ignore my advice!

It’s absolutely fine to casually chat when introduced to/in the company of people who you are looking to get behind your work but wait for your colleague with the connection to them to approach them with your idea/script and ask if they want to meet you - don’t make contact via social media, use your connections in person if that makes sense.

Good luck. Don’t be afraid to shout about your project - you know it’s good, have faith in yourself.

Thanks @ArabellaDoreenFig! I'm at least glad that I didn't literally shove my script in front of her face, but yes, just going over it now and compared to some of the shite coming out on Netflix, it would be a go-er, but then, as a literary agency told me, no-one's going to front the money for a period drama from an unknown writer. So it's back to doing contemporaries and plays and try and get something of mine made, and build up a list. But I do so want this series to get done - even if it's not by me - it would make such bloody good television.

Oh now that's the most fabulous "problem" I've seen on MN in a long time!

Lots and lots of good luck with it!

Thanks @PerkingFaintly!