Nadiya Chettiar is a TV writer and an expert in her field. With five seasons of TV under her belt in just three years, Nadiya is one of Canada's most sought-after comedy writers, and she also happens to be a Vancouverite. She was recently nominated for a Leo Award and you can find her work on major networks such as YTV, CityTV, and the CBC. Below are her 5 tips on surviving "the biz" in Hollywood North.
Nadiya Chettiar
1. The hours can be brutal.
Working in a writers’ room means you are paid to be creative. Which is awesome. However, the reality is, creativity isn’t on a switch that can be turned on when we need it. As a result, some days can go late into the night when all the writers are trying to figure out the perfect end to a story, or a creative solution to solve a production issue, or just a funnier joke. The end result is you may not see your loved ones as much when you’re on a job… but at least you get to be creative at work!
2. Talent is great; perseverance is key.
Talent IS great. Don’t get me wrong. And talent will certainly get you in doors. But it’s really those who never give up—The ones who take the rejection, dust themselves off, and keep on trying—that make it. And guess what? Taking rejection is good for your writing. It’s an experience that will give you more fuel and more fodder. Keep writing, and your writing will improve.
3. Learn to budget.
TV writers tend to work season to season, or contract to contract, so you need to be good at budgeting to get you through the times when you aren’t collecting a pay cheque. It’s not a bad life, getting to work really hard, and then getting a month or two (or more) off. But if you haven’t planned for it… well, let’s just say it connects you to your inner starving artist. Only you’re not exactly an artist. But you are hungry.
4. We’ve got resources… and I’m not just talking water.
Canadians have access to lots of great programs for getting into TV writing. Check out NSI, CFC, the Banff World Media and TV festival, to name a few. We’re lucky because many of these programs are either very cheap, or free! There’s also the TV Writer Podcast that features Canadian writers. Getting to hear other people’s stories will make it seem more possible for you. And it is!
5. Everyone’s got your back.
Reach out to any producer, or writer, or cousin who works in TV and see if they can’t connect you to someone who is doing exactly what you want to be doing. My money is on them wanting to help you. Everyone working in this industry is happy to help anyone who’s coming up. The key is: you just have to ask. You may have to ask twice—a gentle reminder that you’re really eager and you want this—and people will respond to the initiative you’re showing and give back. It’s just how the universe works... or something.
