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Lesson 3
Reply to post your assignment.
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14 Replies
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Jeffrey Alan Chase Meets Producer/Manager
What I learned from doing this assignment is: It is important to consider one’s career in concert with my manager’s career and any producer I work with. I am there to help them succeed. If I succeed, they succeed and vice versa.
I will present myself to a producer as someone who will do everything in my power to make sure that OUR movie is financed, produced and is successful in the marketplace.
I will present myself and my projects to a manager as a creator of high concepts that are highly marketable. I want to be seen as someone who is easy to work with, is always willing to go the extra mile to make a script work and is always ready to make whatever changes/elevations to any script that will elevate the project and make it more pitchable. I want to be the grease that makes the machinery of my manager’s career hum a nice tune.
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Rebecca meets producer/manager.
What I learned from this assighment is that in addition to a great concept and wellwritten script, I need to act like a confident but cooperative professional despite being a novice in the industry.
1. How will you present yourself and your project to the producer? I will presentl myself as a prepared professional by researching the producer and perfecting and practicing my pitches and query letters. I will not dwell on exposition of the story. Insead, I will present reasons that might interest them in my project. Less is more. If they respond to my requested script with notes, I will be prompt and cooperative to accomodate their suggested changes and rewrites. I will learn from them.
2. How will you present yourself and your project to a manager? I will acknowlege that although I’m the creator of the project, they are the experts as to what sells, the business of selling, and show that I trust their expertise to help me grow ask a screenwriter. If they ask what else I’ve got, I will be prepared to choose from two other completed scripts and other perfected concepts in my files.
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Lori Lance Meets Producer/Manager
What I learned today is to consider the other person’s needs when approaching them with my script. How can I help them?
1. How will you present yourself and your project to the producer? I hope to present myself as a competent professional that is easy to work with. When presenting my work to producers, I will make sure that I’ve done my homework to know what the producer has done in the past and what they are currently looking for. I will present my pitch by giving them my most marketable component first, which I believe is the timeliness of the project.
2. How will you present yourself and your project to a manager? I hope to present myself as a competent professional that they want to work with long term, not just on this one project. I will sell myself as a family-friendly writer that is passionate about creating quality, high-concept scripts. If they request a script, I will have at least one more quality script to show them. I will be open to their ideas and direction and give them my best.
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“Erik meets Producer and Manager”
What I learned doing this assignment… Obviously this helps to clarify in my own mind the difference between strictly the creative aspect of my writing and the business side. I feel comfortable getting acquainted with the business side and am learning that it requires a shift in thinking and strategy from “creative writing mode”, which I am comfortable with and even see it as fun. Answering the question as it regards a producer seemed a little forced for me, like an exercise in trying to come up with what I think the producer will want to hear, with the exception of my first point.
Here is my “first-draft” version:
How do I present my projects or self to a manager?
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–As a writer who excels in two select, related genres–the family comedy (or family comedy-drama) and the holiday film, predominantly Christmas. Aim is to be the next go-to writer in these two related genres.
(–At the same time, I have a passion for one additional genre (the contained character drama), which means that my specialties are split among two distinct worlds, and I believe this creates the ability to multiply my projects.)
–Who understands the different markets for these genres and able to determine which particular project would best fit a certain market.
To a producer
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–I write with a lot of heart. My scenes are moving and touching. And the ones with the most heart flow with a rhythm. My scenes stay with you!
–I respect above all that my job is to write the script the way the way that the producer needs it and am perfectly willing to make any changes needed.
–Genre specialist.
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Tom’s Specialty – Drama
Doing this assignment, I learned new ways to make my story interesting.
Genre: Drama
First Title: DJANGO UNCHAINED
How it delivered on the genre conventions:
Outline of the movie, highlighting the parts that fulfill the genre:
During the 1850s, bounty hunter Schultz buys a slave named Django.
Schultz offers Django a deal. If he helps him bounty hunt some men, he will free him from slavery, provide money and a horse which he can ride to a slave-free state.
Django says he wants to find and rescue his wife Broomhilda. Schultz says let’s partner up. He offers him a share of the profits and promises to help him rescue his wife.
They argue, finish their bounty hunting and search for Broomhilda.
They learn she was sold to cruel Mississippi plantation owner Von Shaft. Schultz and Django plot to rescue Broomhilda.
They visit the plantation and discover Von Shaft’s savvy foreman Stephen is on to them and will try to make it difficult for them to rescue Broomhilda.
Dramatic Question – Will Django gain his freedom and find his wife?
Main Conflict – Django and Schultz vs Von Shaft and Stephen
Theme – Can we ever become completely free?
Dilemma – If Django travels North, he loses his wife. If he tries to rescue her, he could fail and become Von Shaft’s slave. Or worse, they could be killed in the attempt.
Genre: Drama
Second Title: THE REVENANT
How it delivered on the genre conventions:
In the 1820s, fur trapper Hugh Glass and teenage son Hawk travel with a group of men on a trip hunting animals for their pelts. Indians attack and kill several of them. Hugh Glass leads the group to reach an army fort. When Glass hunts food for the group, a bear attacks, brutally wounds him.
John Fitzgerald and John Bridger treat his wounds and look after him. They later decide to desert him. They bury him alive.
Mortally wounded, Glass is left under the care of. The duo ultimately decides to abandon Glass, after burying him alive in a shallow grave. With great difficulty, Glass digs his way out and hikes rugged terrain to seek revenge on Fitzgerald for abandoning him and the death of his son.
Against all odds, Glass escapes the grave, sets out across the unforgiving wintry terrain seeking vengeance on John Fitzgerald for his betrayal, and the death of Glass’ son.
Glass will stop at nothing to catch Fitzgerald and avenge his son’s death.
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(Eclipse Neilson) Meets Producer/Manager
How will you present yourself and your project to the producer
I am an optioned screenwriter and an award-winning author. I specialize in drama with strong female leads. I work on inspirational sci-fi and political topics on the environment, animal rights, women’s issues and discrimination in all areas.
Answer the question “What I learned today is…?”
I learned to let the managers know your skill set and your credibility. Do not mislead or waste their time.
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Jane Meets Producer/Manager
MY VISION: I will make my living as a screenwriter by selling my own narrative scripts and successfully fulfilling writing assignments.
By doing this assignment I really thought about the differences between managers and producers for the first time. The differences have always been there in my mind but actually putting them down on paper somehow made them more real for me. I think I stepped up a notch in my understanding of pitches because of this assignment. This assignment will stick with me.
In speaking with a Producer, I would emphasize that this is a contained script that parodies some of the world’s most beloved characters in a genre that has wide appeal and is highly marketable. I would mention that the characters are all older, potentially bringing the costs associated with talent down, while also opening up the field for talent that is well known and could be an audience draw.
In speaking with a Manager, I would emphasize the potential of this script being the first of several featuring these characters and share some ideas for future Percival/June stories. I would also share two finished scripts (ECHO & THE PROTEUS MANDATE) that are both good writing samples as well as marketable mystery thrillers. I would ask their help in securing writing assignments and would share writing samples of children’s scripts and romantic comedies to allow a broader range of assignments to be considered.
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Farrin Rosenthal Meets Producer/Manager
Farrin’s Vision: To do what it takes to become a highly paid A-List Hollywood writer whose produced movies will entertain audiences around the world.
Title: TRAPPED
Genre: Thriller
Concept: Claustrophobic and trapped in an underwater grave for stealing $3.6 billion in Bitcoin from the Russian mob, a Los Angeles retail store manager has just 60 minutes to prove his innocence and save his family.
What I learned doing this assignment is how to have a professional meeting with a producer and manager. They both have different needs/wants, so the meetings need to reflect that difference.
In a meeting with a producer, I would pitch my project to show it is highly marketable and let the producer know my goal is to work with them to help get the movie made. To do so, I would tell them I’m willing to make any changes needed to get the movie made, be that to cut the budget, attract a bigger name actor, or whatever it takes.
In a meeting with a manager, I would make it clear I only have and want to write highly marketable projects. I want our careers to grow and prosper together. We are a team. I’m open to their advice and willing to learn every day, be that how to pitch, become a better writer, how to meet with producers, and that I’m open to writing assignments. It would be clear that writing is what I love and something I want to make my full-time job.
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Leona Heraty Meets Producer/Manager
“What I learned today is…how to work with managers and producers to meet their specific needs so we can work together to get my movie made and further our careers together!
Answer two questions:
1. How will you present yourself and your project to the producer?
I will tell them I have a mid-level budget script in their genre and that it’s similar to movies they’ve produced in the past, but unique. Then I’ll give them my brief, high concept pitch that has at least two of the 10 components of marketability. Then, if they seem interested, I’ll ask them if I can send them my script.2.
How will you present yourself and your project to a manager?
I will let them know I’m looking for a manager
to guide my career and that I know they’re the experts in guiding
screenwriters, helping them connect with producers and getting them paid writing
assignments. I’ll also let them know I’m a team player and would love to work
with them to make my pitch the best it can be, so it will appeal to producers.Then I’ll ask if I can give them my pitch, and if they’re interested, I’ll send
them my script. I’ll also mention that I have several other finished scripts
and I’d love to pitch these concepts to them as well and ask them to read my
other scripts. -
Terrie Meets Producer/Manager
What I learned today is that a producer is most interested in that one screenplay, a manager is most interested in a writer with longevity and capable to creating many scripts.
1. How will you present yourself and your project to the producer?
The focus would be on this one screenplay – how can it be improved so it can be made into a movie? What changes could help make it more marketable? Work together to craft the screenplay into what works for that producer.
2. How will you present yourself and your project to a manager?
The focus is on my abilities as a writer. This one screenplay is an example of what I can do. Work together to create a career. Elevating current screenplay still applies but also – what’s next? What do I have besides this one that might be marketable.
For both:
Be professional, focus on working together to achieve mutual goals (get the screenplay made, get a deal for this screenplay, develop concepts). Solve problems don’t make them.
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Andrew Kelm Meets Producer/Manager
Vision: I am going to do whatever it takes to be a great writer of TV and movies who is sought after by people I respect within the industry and has multiple successful TV series produced.
What I learned doing this assignment is…
1. How will you present yourself and your project to the producer?
I have a thriller with a femme fatale we want to root for. A cross between Nightmare Alley and Double Indemnity.
A tarot card reader seeking validation as a legitimate therapist becomes involved with a client who may be a sexual predator, forcing her to choose between professional ethics and the safety of her sons.
2. How will you present yourself and your project to a manager?
I specialize in thrillers with witty dialogue. My latest is called FATEMONGER. A tarot card reader seeking validation as a legitimate therapist becomes romantically involved with a client who can help her but may be a sexual predator, forcing her to choose between professional ethics and the safety of her sons.
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ROBERT SMITH MEETS PRODUCER/MANAGER
What I learned today is…?
Presenting yourself to producers and managers is to show your willing to share a co-operative journey in a marriage of creativity, flexibility with marketable scripts.
How will I will present myself to a producer?
I would present a marketable script and myself as eager to work with the producer to get my script to the screen. I would first try to get a name-actor to back the script. Most especially I would listen to what the producer needs and take notes with openness and flexibility in doing rewrites based upon the producer’s production needs and desires. I’d show him that I am glad to be a partner with him/her to get my script to the screen.
How will I will present myself to a manager?
I would present a marketable script, having first secured a name-actor for a lead or the lead character. The script would have a high concept with a hook and a winning title of my specialty genre which is Gangster Film. I’d bring other pitches and / or scripts to demonstrate my potential to continue to write marketable projects and to grow as a writer. I’d demonstrate that I am eager for taking notes and work with the manager as a partner to grow his/her career and mine.
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Valeriya Meets Producers and Managers
My Vision: I am a masterful ahead-of-the-game and outside-the-box movie magic creator full of ideas and creative energy. My writing is fresh, thrilling, exciting, impactful, iconic, beautiful, and genius. My projects deliver outstanding box-office and artistic success. I create, inspire, and entertain. I love it.
I love the power of co-creating with producers and managers.
What I learned today is…
– We are really on one team, not on the opposite sides of a deal.
– There are many things I can do to make sure my relationships with producers and managers are successful, and I can always come up with more.
– I want to be empowered and work with empowered people to compound our power.
How will you present yourself and your project to the producer?
I present myself as an expert screenwriter in one genre who has had scripts optioned multiple times. I make sure that my contribution makes the producer’s job as easy, inspiring, and professional as possible.
I present my project as an amazing product that’s easy to sell. I focus on the aspects that make this particular project marketable and commercially successful.
How will you present yourself and your project to a manager?
I present myself as a professional writer who understands the industry and the art-form. I have many brilliant ideas, I can come up with original solutions. I make sure it’s a pleasure to work with me. I treat other people’s ideas with the same enthusiasm as I treat my own. I’m eager to go the extra mile to be on my manager’s team.
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Joe McGloin Meets Producer/Manager
What I learned today is how different the needs are for each, and therefore I need to carefully word my approach to each.
1. How will you present yourself and your project to the producer?
I am an optioned screenwriter with a RomCom titled “The Guardian Angel Affair. A future Vice President has a Guardian Angel whose assignment is terminated when he falls in love with her. In a twist on Angel movies, she is able to help the Angels with a problem they have with humanity.” I am available for writing assignments.
2. How will you present yourself and your project to a manager?
I am an optioned screenwriter with a RomCom. I write full time, am flexible, and willing to do writing assignments. I will do what it takes to get a film made.
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