Introduce Yourself : Executive Producer, CFO, Co-Owner, actor, screenwriter by Eric Ross Gilliatt

Been a while since I came and said "hello" to all the newcomers to S32, so thought I would stop by for an old "hi-howdy." Welcome to all the "newbee's."

My, it was a fast year in 2022, went by seemly in a few months, but it was a good year on almost all levels. 

As an actor, I was cast and starred in a new independent Hollywood dark thriller entitled, "Hide." That wrapped shooting on location in Hollywood and LA at the Rustic Oaks Film Ranch. It is due to be out of post and ready for release sometime soon.

As I we have residences in the US and Europe, I am back in Poland now working as Ex Producer on our studio's slate of four great films, of which one now has the Director attached and waiting financing. Two of the remaining three have had their scripts recently submitted into some cool screenplay competitions, one of which is mine, and they were officially selected . Yes, been a good year.

As is my previous "tradition," I always try to come to "introduce yourself" with more than just some words about our good fortune and humbling successes.

I was reminded two days ago of something I have always found a real problem for "beginning" industry people who come onto S32 and that is their ideas of expectation; they don't seem to understand this is a tough, tough business and you have to work your ass off 24/7/365.

Two days I had gotten ago a note on my private email from someone who has long espoused he is a "screenwriter," and a "filmmaker" (whatever that really means). I had actually met this person sort of by "default" through a longtime good friend, an author who's work I have adapted to 2 big films in a franchise. The man originally pretended...claimed, he was some screenwriter with all these scripts and wanting me to produce them, etc. In reality, he had never had a script even submitted for coverage, much less had a "recommend." He's still hanging around, still spewing the lines and nonsense and doing nothing.

Guys and gals (yes, I used gender references...deal with it) don't expect to become great just because you sat down and pounded out a screenplay. LEARN THE CRAFT, people, and learn it well. DO WHATEVER it takes to become professional, get serious, be serious, work seriously, BE PROFESSIONAL ...and most of all study what the successful pros have done to become professional, AND EMULATE THEM! One of my screenplays has had 3 major sets of coverage from TOP producers and been rewritten 16 times!! That is what it takes. S32 alone offers TREMENDOUS learning opportunities from very TOP professionals...USE THEM!!

Okay...thus ends Eric's long lecture on success in film making. Welcome to insanity. I hope you survive...and by God's grace and your tenacity, you are hugely successful. Until next time, Caio!

PS...for all you beginners, I am 76 years old and still GOING STRONG with 40 years plus in the business. Its NOT an overnight journey, it's a LIFETIME ONE!