I've been busy juggling several projects, including rewriting some scenes for a newly optioned screenplay and making a novel adaptation of a well-known IP. These things don't happen because I sit around waiting for filmmakers to find me. Instead, I actively seek out opportunities with high potential. My partner in the UK is working on financing and signed on a second established actor for our pilot. All these things take time, patience, and vigilance. For example, my two recently optioned screenplays were written in 2015. So, as I've said many times in this forum, getting films made requires patience.
One of the qualities of patience is being methodical and careful with who you work with. On Monday, my partner called me about someone who "loved" our teleplay and wanted to finance the project. It took me less than five minutes to vet this person out and determine I wouldn't use them to wash my car, let alone represent my work.
Yesterday, I had a video conference with a very impressive young lady who I met through a trade ad. She was very polished and claimed to represent a well-known production company with offices in LA, New York, and London. Her information is on IMDb, with a picture, so I knew I was seeing the right person. She asked me for another writing sample and said she would send me a contract in a week. I asked her if there was any charge for her services, and I was told no. I looked up the company info for the folks she claims to represent and couldn't find her name on the roster associated with this outfit. So I left a message for them to call and verify that she works for them. So far, I've heard nothing back.
I always advise verifying who you're speaking with and vetting their credits and info on IMDb Pro. And if they want you to sign any agreement or contract, I advocate having someone with legal experience review the document. I prefer simple contracts that state each party will negotiate for their financial remuneration.
So never be too anxious and let your wants impair your judgment and take time to ensure you're involving yourself with legitimate filmmakers. Believe me, it's well worth the effort.
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Lots of snake oiled salesmen & women. This aint show friends, it's show business.
Slickest con game I heard was a law firm inviting newbie creatives to a Century City skyscraper, name drop famous names and then ask creatives to pay $1000-$2000 for rewrites, using their "script consultants."
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Dam M,
I had a "producer" run a similar scam past me. My reply was he could pay me to kiss my ass. My standard advice to all writers is if somebody asks for money from you, run for the Hills.
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Those aren't Producers and they damage the profession - an' there's lots of 'em. I stick to my policy- I'll work only with folk that meet me eye to eye and have a firm hand shake.
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Doug: That's a good method, but I don't have that luxury. I insist on video meetings where I can verify the person's identity. Currently, I'm attempting to vet someone via contacting the production company they claim to be working with. If I don't get a satisfactory answer I won't move forward.
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"Producer" is such a ambiguous word. I know a guy who did one very short film and he goes around telling people he's a producer. Borderline. Anyway you seem to be on the right track. You are wise not to wait for someone to call. You have to seek the right people to champion your work. It's a very tricky path full of pit holes, bumps, dead ends and curves. But you seem to know how to navigate them. Best of luck!
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Sadly, there is this bullshit culture rooted in filmmaking across the board. Someone I know who has done some pretty high profile work described Hollywood as like high school and that has always stuck with me since.
I've watched it take place in front of me. I've watched people, independent of any success, rebrand themselves overnight and declare themselves producers, managers, agents, consultants, etc.
Worse still, I've watched them flourish as a result and run roughshod through communities like this with prominent members, moderators, and more cheering them along.
Plus, I've seen smart people with decades in the industry get duped as a result of their naivety.
I'm aware of known hucksters who are promoted like saints on various platforms too. They don't even have to bullshit about themselves as the people selling their image are doing it for them.
Sadly, it pays dividends to assume everyone you meet is a con-artist first, a hack second, and a flake third until proven otherwise.
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Well said CJ.
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Thank you for sharing your wisdom. The information is so helpful.
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Thanks for sharing, Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique. I think it'll help a lot of writers.
You said, "These things don't happen because I sit around waiting for filmmakers to find me. Instead, I actively seek out opportunities with high potential." That reminded me of writing active main characters in scripts. Active main characters go after things, and the scripts (then movies) are so much better and more entertaining because of it.
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The late, Great comedian, Jackie Mason, used to say Hollywood is full of producers. They sit in a coffee shop all day long and produce cards and bullshit. Then, when the waitress brings the check, they all run for the exit.
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Phillip, thanks so darn much for posting this!
I almost answered an ad from someone who posted in Screenwriting Staffing...but after Googling the originator of the ad, I passed.
Us Producers don't get no respect - I think I'll go back to retirement where I can lay back in the hammock and. drink beer 'till I fall out.
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Doug. I doubt most people here disrespect all producers. I think they are mainly referring to the ones that try to take advantage of screenwriters. Personally, I don’t send screenplays to people I don’t want to deal with or end talk to them so I don’t run into the kinds of people they are discussing here.