Lesson 3: What Do Managers and Producers Need?

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Meets Managers and Producers

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Producers are more about the script and providing a marketable movie to the public, whereas, Managers are more about me as a writer and providing a marketable script to the Producers.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

Imagine you have two meetings set up — with a producer and then with a manager. What would you say and do differently based upon this model?

Answer two questions:

How will you present yourself and your project to the producer?
This is a highly marketable movie for the following reasons –

The Title is so cliche’ for fishing and everyone who fishes – The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale – says it all – THIS IS A MOVIE ABOUT FISHING!

Large audience appeal – millions of people fish
Encompasses universal experiences regarding fishing – we all learned how to tie a fisherman’s knot, the thrill of catching a fish, worms in the ‘frig, the serenity of the outdoors, the camaraderie, etc.
It’s a heartfelt movie with values – The relationship between father and son, the relationship between brothers – both are endearing – making this a character driven movie.
It has suspense and comedy intertwined
There’s an old Indian legend
The Louisiana Bayous is an environment that creates a sense of mystery and fear.
The pacing of the story – whiling fishing and waiting for a bite is slow-paced, every time a fish is caught the action is fast-paced
The music and sounds of the bayou will be incredible
The cinematography will be impressive – camera angles, lighting should add tension.
And then of course, major plot twist in the end – shocking and ironic.
Also, it’s a low-budget movie!!!

2. How will you present yourself and your project to a manager?
I have worked in the movie industry my entire career – 35 years!
I fully understand what it takes to succeed in this business.
I am easy to work with – see above.
I have read hundreds of scripts and I’m confident I can write my own.
I’m certain you know what sells and I would make any changes you deemed necessary.
I believe in my writing skills/stories and can pitch my scripts because of it.
The One That Got Away is a highly marketable script (see Producer’s Notes above)

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by  Brian Bull. Reason: Switched the order - moved "Title of movie..." to the the top of the list

[Lloyd Shellenberger]

Lloyd Shellenberger – Producer/Manager

Vision

Working hard every day to become the best writer I can be and as a result I do become the best writer in Hollywood.

What I learned from this assignment…Is how to create a pitch for the producer adn a different one for the manager.

Marketable Components for Producer/Manager

BIO

My name is Lloyd Shellenberger. I am a former Special Operations and Psychological Operations officer and Broadcast journalist. I have done tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, in each of those professional capacities. Because of my exposure to world events, my footage and my stories have been aired on the world stage as pool footage, movie footage, for various political and Geographical functions. My broad cross knowledge and first-hand experience of war makes me an excellent candidate to tell the wartime and military stories in Letters from Baghdad and Benjamin Greene.

Marketable Components for Producer.

This project is highly marketable and proven because of the continued success of movies like The Covenant, Greene Zone, Hurt Locker. SFC Miles Clark is a flawed Protagonist that experiences a character arc that should attract any A-List actor. The Movie is budgeted and scheduled for any producer who would care to look at it.

Genre

Action Drama

Left behind. Letters from Baghdad
While working for the US military, an Iraqi interpreter is murdered, SFC Clark and his unit must risk their lives and their careers to save the widow and her children from certain death at the hands of a vengeful terrorist.

A. Unique. This is a movie about doing the right thing in the face of overwhelming odds and danger.

B. Great Title. Left Behind. Letters from Baghdad. I had to combine both. My alternate title is the road to Madinat Al Salam (City of peace)

C. True. This is inspired by true events but because of the sensitive nature of the story, names and dates were changed to protect the family. I covered this story as a journalist.

D. Timely. Unfortunately, with the world in a state of chaos. This story fits the current times perfectly.

E. It’s a first. The Covenant, Hurt Locker, Sniper, Green Zone, all had endings that were happy and uplifting. This story is designed to educate the public on what our nation did to those who stepped up to help us. The locals in Iraq and Afghanistan who helped us are facing death daily.

F. Ultimate. This may be the best and most accurate Iraqi war film ever.

G. Wide audience appeal. The emotional arc of the lead protagonist makes this a powerful role any actor would love to play. Audiences would embark on a wild emotional ride as they root for the lead character and the widow and her children.

H. Adapted from a popular book. The Road to Madanat Al- Salam comes out in April or May 2024

I. Similarity to box-office success. The Covenant, Green Zone American Sniper

J. A great role for a bankable actor. This story takes an actor all the way through the emotional arc from A to Z. SFC Miles Clark is a strong and capable protagonist.

This is a movie about war-torn Baghdad during 2004 and a soldier’s journey to redemption. Audiences will also witness the physical and emotional toll on the soldiers, local nationals, and the contractors, as they deal with the daily death and destruction. Many of the stories we have been told in the press don’t do it justice as to what really happened. SSG Lloyd Shellenberger spent time on the front lines chronicling the mass graves, Codel visits, and other AFN stories as they occurred. This is a chance to get a front row seat to Baghdad like it has never been seen before and gain insight into the hearts and minds of the brave men and women who served.

[Margaret]

Margaret Meets Producer/Manager

What I learned today: Strategies for talking with producer and managers.

1. How will you present yourself and your project to the producer?

My name, that I am a faith-based writer that has worked with two producers previously, who both told me “I take notes well”. I am presenting a story with unique take on the life of St. Patrick that would have wide appeal for the faith-based audience and anyone who loves historical fantasy and a great role for a male lead.

2. How will you present yourself and your project to a manager?

My name, that I am a faith-based writer with 6 scripts ready to market. Two producers have told me I take notes well, and I am willing to listen, learn, and do what is necessary to get these scripts to market.