Summary
Learn directly from Joe Russo, an Independent Producer who has worked on projects with FOX, SyFy, A/E, Lionsgate Films and Universal Studios!
You’ve spent days, weeks, months, maybe even years, toiling away on your screenplay. You’ve read all the books. You’ve taken the seminars. You’ve work shopped your script to death. You’ve crafted a sharp pitch and logline for your script – and now someone in the industry wants to READ your work!
You celebrate this long awaited victory, but what happens next? What if they don’t just like the script you’ve poured your heart and soul into, what if they WANT it.
In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, Joe Russo will shine a light and give an executive’s opinion and advice on a Hollywood process you’ve all heard of, but probably don’t know nearly enough about – Development. Joe has been recognized for his “firm grasp of the craft, solid storytelling, and compelling characters”, as well as developing many acclaimed projects.
The path to taking your written words and turning them into a major motion picture is a tricky, windy road. You all know the coined phrase “Development Hell”, and too many projects fall into this pit simply because the process isn’t clearly understood at the outset.
So join Stage 32 as we explore the complicated and fascinating world of Development, and all of the small victories and bumps along the road that you can experience on your way to the green lighting of your screenplay into a movie.
What You'll Learn
- How to get your script into development.
- What to expect when a Production Company shows interest in your script.
- A Production Company wants to put your script into development – so now what?
- When do you need representation?
- The development process - what to expect, what is expected of you.
- The Development timetable.
- Understanding and interpreting notes or “How to avoid Development Hell”.
- What it really means for a Production Company to take your project out to the market.
- When should you get paid?
- What goals should you have for your project in development?
- Recorded, in-depth Q&A with Joe!
Who Should Attend
- Screenwriters
- Directors
- Producers
- Authors
- Playwrights
Executive
Award-Winning writer/director/producer Joe Russo began his career in production working on commercials, web-series, television and feature films for companies like Nike, FOX, SyFy, A/E, Lionsgate and Universal Studios.
In 2010, Joe joined Level 1 Entertainment where he worked for five years with CEO and Hollywood producer, Bill Todman, Jr. (X-MEN, WILD WILD WEST) working his way up to Director of Development, where he was charged with managing a slate of feature films and television programs, working hand-in-hand with major motion picture studios and television networks such as Fox, MGM, Showtime, SyFy, History and Amazon.
From 2015 to 2017, Joe served as a Development Consultant for Christina Aguilera and Matthew Rutler’s MX Productions, advising the company on their feature film division and their first-look television deal with Lionsgate Entertainment.
Joe has frequently been recognized for his work with writers, developing many acclaimed screenplays over the last several years — including his own — which have been selected by film and television executives for the Young & Hungry List, The Blood List, The Hit List and The Black List - Hollywood’s most prestigious list of the best unproduced screenplays.
Joe most recently produced the upcoming horror feature NIGHTMARE CINEMA starring Mickey Rourke directed by genre legends Joe Dante, David Slade, Mick Garris and more.
He also directed the 2017 Valentine’s Day short, BE MINE, for Eli Roth and Jason Blum’s Crypt TV and the acclaimed short MIDNIGHT CLEAR which launched on Entertainment Weekly. He also produces the Blumhouse series POST MORTEM, featuring in-depth filmmaker-to-filmmaker interviews with genre legends like John Carpenter, Rob Zombie, Bryan Fuller, John Landis, Mike Flanagan and many more.
Joe is repped by The Gersh Agency, Hollander Entertainment and Morris Yorn.