Connecticut's Questionable Film Groups

I have been dabbling in screen writing for a bit and went to some of supposed film meeting events only to be concerned rather than to be excited. So I took the liberty to do some research on some tactics which have been called into question.
To paraphrase some sentiments gathered post events:
There have been a number of “film and television networking events” and “festivals in the state of Connecticut following the cuts to the tax incentive program in the late 2000s. The collected consensus of many attendees have shown a distinctive view that they were no better off connection-wise to film and television personnel than prior to having paid an entrance fee for the mixer of “film festival,” events put on by groups in the state that come and go. These events have had their detractors.
Filmmaker Gorman Bechard holds the view that conventional, paid film industry mixers are frequently ineffective for networking and securing employment within the industry. He recommends engaging with active filmmakers through their work instead of investing in general networking events. He mirrors the view of many attendees to area “festivals” and mixers in that they might be in attendance with a number of people of whom only a handful are related to the film and television industries.
Critics conveyed his doubts regarding generic industry mixers. They advised aspiring filmmakers to refrain from spending money to connect with others in similar situations:
“Otherwise you're paying good money to meet with people who are more or less no different than you… because the people you're actually “mixing” with are the other people who paid $50 and are sitting next to you in the lecture hall. It might make for interesting conversation, but it certainly won't advance your career.” This has also mirrored the experiences expressed by attendees at festival type events by the same organizers.

“Let’s start this lecture by me telling you where NOT to start: These so-called “Film Mixers” or “Film Industry Conferences” or whatever their promoters are calling them today. They truly piss me off. They are nothing but a rip-off for these people who sincerely want to work in film. Their promoters take advantage of that desire, and what do they deliver in return? Absolutely nothing. Look at the people running these things. Have you every heard or seen any of their films? (If you have, did you actually make it all the way through before shutting the damn thing off?) Have you seen films based on their scripts? Do their acting abilities make you jealous? Is there anything about their careers that makes you say: “Yes, that’s what I want for my life?” Most likely not. Most likely the people running and speaking at these meetups and mixers are not working full time in the film industry. Mostly likely they’re producing wedding videos, or doing something completely unrelated to film to pay their bills. Most likely they’re very similar to you, except that they’ve figured out a way to get you to pay $50 to listen to them speak.”
Others have suggested the following:
Rather than participating in formal mixers, these attendees and critics have promoted the idea of forming connections with individuals who are actively creating films that you admire. Are the attendees mostly students? Aspiring volunteers ho at their college were told to attend and meet industry personnel (after paying a fee)?
Other comments found in various forums seem to echo these experiences.
For instance, one participant felt that "With a new year ahead and hoping for some real leaders for a Connecticut film industry, it’s important to recognize the value of discernment. If film industry personnel are to thrive or at least aspire to have a career, they need to recognize if they are being fleeced, or even if their time is being wasted. Some commenters have stated how events for networking turn out to be a waste of time and money to attend, and this doesn’t bode well to have attention seeking bs and grifting and fabulists. If it’s indeed true that some are working to target the higher ed pool of pigeons, as well as morphing into a variety of questionable events such as “film festivals,” then maybe it’s time to have some authenticity at the state hearings giving testimony. The headline is misleading. Entertainment leaders?! There have been a number of “film and television networking events” and “festivals in the state of Connecticut following the cuts to the tax incentive program in the late 2000s. The collected consensus of many attendees have shown a distinctive view that they were no better off connection-wise to film and television personnel than prior to having paid an entrance fee for the mixer of “film festival,’ events put on by a group in the state that comes and goes. These events have had their detractors.”
Filmmaker Gorman Bechard holds the view that conventional, paid film industry mixers are frequently ineffective for networking and securing employment within the industry. He recommends engaging with active filmmakers through their work instead of investing in general networking events. He mirrors the view of many attendees to area “festivals” and mixers in that they might be in attendance with a number of people of whom only a handful are related to the film and television industries.
Critics conveyed his doubts regarding generic industry mixers. They advised aspiring filmmakers to refrain from spending money to connect with others in similar situations:
“Otherwise you’re paying good money to meet with people who are more or less no different than you… because the people you’re actually “mixing” with are the other people who paid $50 and are sitting next to you in the lecture hall. It might make for interesting conversation, but it certainly won’t advance your career. This has also mirrored the experiences expressed by attendees at festival type events by the same organizers.” In his blog, he added:
“Let’s start this lecture by me telling you where NOT to start: These so-called “Film Mixers” or “Film Industry Conferences” or whatever their promoters are calling them today. They truly piss me off. They are nothing but a rip-off for these people who sincerely want to work in film. Their promoters take advantage of that desire, and what do they deliver in return? Absolutely nothing. Look at the people running these things. Have you ever heard or seen any of their films? (If you have, did you actually make it all the way through before shutting the damn thing off?) Have you seen films based on their scripts? Do their acting abilities make you jealous? Is there anything about their careers that makes you say: “Yes, that’s what I want for my life?” Most likely not. Most likely the people running and speaking at these meetups and mixers are not working full time in the film industry. Mostly likely they’re producing wedding videos, or doing something completely unrelated to film to pay their bills. Most likely they’re very similar to you, except that they’ve figured out a way to get you to pay $50 to listen to them speak.” (Citation, Bechard, blog, 2013).
Others have suggested the following:
Rather than participating in formal mixers, and events labelled as festivals, these attendees and critics have promoted the idea of forming connections with individuals who are actively creating films that you admire. Are the attendees mostly students? Aspiring volunteers at their college were told to attend and meet industry personnel (after paying a fee)?
Bottom line of attendees interviewed: Be wary of mixers and film festivals (term used loosely) where you pay to meet mostly people who are not related to the associated industry. Critically evaluate what the event descriptions are saying; consider who has attended and who really has gotten work in the industry.
My feeling and consensus: Few, if any, of these people who are running some events have "made it" in the industry so therefore why would I waste my time or money with this.
Bottom line of attendees interviewed: Be wary of mixers and festivals where you pay to meet mostly people who are not related to the associated industry. Critically evaluate what the event descriptions are saying; consider who has attended and who really has gotten work in the industry.