Screenwriting : I Finally Have a Manager annnnddd…. by Cameron Tendaji

Cameron Tendaji

I Finally Have a Manager annnnddd….

Good morning fellow screenwriters. 

So I finally have representation and I just wanted to give my thoughts and kind of some harsh truths (because I don’t believe in gatekeeping).

When I first started taking screenwriting seriously (probably about around 2017) I thought all it took were good ideas, skill/the ability to execute, and good scripts. 

I had to come to find out that unfortunately that wasn’t the truth. I would have meeting after meeting with managers/agents and I would hear the same thing “you’re an amazing writer but….”

1. This just didn’t connect with me 

2. I’m not the right person for this 

3. I don’t have the bandwidth for new writers right now 

Rinse lather and repeat.

And for the longest time I thought it was because of me. I thought managers didn’t want to sign me because I wasn’t good enough. It took me maybe about 3 years (2021) to realize that.. managers and agents don’t want writers that NEED representation.. they want writers that WANT it. 

I was straight up told by a lit manager “you’re wasting your time trying to find representation.” 

So I started doing work on my own. Found producers to attach to my projects. Got them packaged with talent. Got with a production company with a first look deal. And now I have two projects on the market. 

And then I started following up with managers who I had been keeping in contact with. THEN I got signed. 

And with the momentum I had for my other two projects that are packaged, my manager can use that to get me in the door for my other projects I’ve written. 

So long story short… if your main goal is to find representation you’re wasting time… (don’t be like me lol) you should be showing that you know how to be a producer as well. That you know the industry, you can get things done on your own, and that you understand the business… and a manager can come in and help facilitate. Because if the writers strikes taught us anything.. you can’t just be a writer. You HAVE to be a multi-hyphenate. 

That is all… hope this helped. 

Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations on getting a manager and getting two projects on the market, Cameron Tendaji!

What you did is a great idea for others to follow, but searching for a rep isn't a waste of time. And not every writer wants to be a producer. I don't want new writers and experienced writers to think becoming a writer-producer is the only way to get a manager.

Matthew Kelcourse

Congrats, Cam. And agreed Maurice Vaughan - seeking a rep is part and parcel of getting your stuff out there (when, and only when it's ready) and taking the knocks along with the kudos. That door you never knock on may be the one you wished you'd opened. Cheers :-)

Cameron Tendaji

Maurice Vaughan the “waste of your time” was a rep’s words not mine lol. So I’m directly quoting somebody with decades of years in the industry.

That wasn’t something I came up with on my own.

I appreciate the optimism but I’ve found that realistic optimism is better. And what is realistic is that you do have to be some what of a producer to protect yourself as a writer and creator. If you don’t you’ll end up with another strike or worse, replaced by AI.

We have to be more active in our careers, we cannot afford not to

And just to further drive home my point, because I think it was missed… the lit manager stated that it is a waste of time as a new writer than no one knows to solely focus on finding management.. you need to be networking with producers and others, to get yourself out there.

I think you’re making it seem like I said finding a manager is a waste which wasn’t the purpose of the post. It was to give managers/agents a reason to sign you first by showing a good work ethic

Maurice Vaughan

I agree about being active in our careers, Cameron Tendaji.

"If you don’t you’ll end up with another strike or worse, replaced by AI." I don't see that being as big of a problem that some people think. AI is terrible at writing scripts, and it'll never be on the level of humans. I think producers, directors, companies, etc. will see this and ditch AI one day. Plus, I don't think it's gonna be a big problem for indie screenwriters. If all else fails, I'll switch to writing short stories and novels instead of using AI to write scripts.

Cameron Tendaji

AI is terrible at writing but it doesn’t stop studios from using it haha lol

Jim Boston

Cameron, congratulations...and here's wishing you more and more success!

Maurice Vaughan

You're right, Cameron Tendaji. I think studios will stop using AI when movies bomb terribly at the box office and streaming numbers plummet.

Cameron Tendaji

Most definately a bonus haha M LaVoie

Tucker Teague

Thanks Cameron Tendaji, great perspective. And it makes a lot of sense.

Larry Woldenberg

Good point. I'm going through a similar journey myself. If you present as needy, forget it.

Cameron Tendaji

Larry Woldenberg absolutely!!!

Basil Argento

Thanks for sharing this, Cameron! If you have any resources or advice about connecting with producers, I'd love to hear it. Congrats!

Dean Lorenzo Smith

Thanks for sharing!

Rachel White

Ah interesting, thank you for sharing. I'd be interested to know the best ways to approach producers and/ or production companies because I was somewhat under the impression that unless you're represented by an agent/ manager then it was frowned upon especially if like myself you're an unknown writer which makes it a catch 22 situation. It makes me happy to see that what I believed is not necessarily true though.

Cameron Tendaji

Rachel White the producer that I met (who was a fan of my work) introduced me to the production company who ended up coming on board for both my projects.

You really just have to keep meeting and speaking with people until you find somebody excited about you as a person just as much as they are about your writing.

But you still have to be an advocate for yourself as I still had to do a lot of work to get the projects packaged, using the producers and production company as leverage of course.

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