A few years ago, a writing team I was working with got their screenplay out into the industry and within just a few days: Tah-dah! Interest. A prominent production company gushed over the script – how brilliant it was, how fresh, how relevant – and set up a call with… read more →
Despite the fact that writing is a solitary craft, filmmaking is a highly collaborative process. The sooner writers begin exposing their work and getting notes from people in the know, the better their screenplay – and their understanding of collaboration – will be. While professional writers often have strong resources… read more →
Hard working literary manager Marc Manus is one whose star is unquestionably on the rise. Not only have his clients struck big deals with such power players as Universal, 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate, but his most recent spec sale came just a few months ago when his clients TJ… read more →
Writers talk – or should talk – about their scripts to everyone, and everywhere. You express excitement, dedication, enthusiasm for the story you’re aiming to tell, and the movie that it may become some day. However, in order for the material to get its fair shot in the industry marketplace,… read more →
A few weeks ago, I had coffee with my friend, manager Jennifer Au of Caliber Media. Jennifer is an established manager, and was brought on to the fast-rising literary team at Caliber Media following successful stints at CAA, The Firm, and Untitled Entertainment. Jennifer and I met earlier this year… read more →
A few weeks ago, when debating which movie to go see at the local art house movie theater, I did what I often do to help come to a decision: I turned to reviews. One worthwhile reviewer, who actually gave this festival-favorite indie flick a somewhat positive review, highlighted this… read more →
A couple of weekend ago at Screenwriters World, I had the pleasure of speaking on a Breaking Into Hollywood panel along with Chris Soth, Barri Evans, Michael Tabb and Adam Finer. As we discussed the ebbs and flows of a screenwriter’s career, Mr. Tabb, a screenwriting professional now for 15… read more →
Recently, a manager friend said to me: These days it takes twice as long as it did five years ago to break a writer or make a sale. And while this can have different implications, for the most part, it means this: Gone are the days of the one-and-done spec sales,… read more →
A million years ago I dated an actor. A working actor. I.e., the sort who paid rent by pretending to be someone else. Lots of someone elses. Some of whom I’m sure you’ve met along your cinematic journey. Anyway, this actor used to drag me to the movie theater seven… read more →
Years ago, at a Representation panel I put together for the Screenwriting Expo, manager Jewerl Ross posed this question to the audience of screenwriters eager to secure representation: What can I, as a manager, do for you that you can’t do for yourself? While the answer, to some, is obvious… read more →
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