tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post3785144593182643675..comments2023-10-15T05:01:43.528-07:00Comments on Bamboo Killers: What happened to my rep?Emily Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-68669639304500752752011-03-21T08:09:53.198-07:002011-03-21T08:09:53.198-07:001) Do not do projects for free. Ever.
2) Do not se...1) Do not do projects for free. Ever.<br />2) Do not send out a script you know isn't as good as it could possibly be.<br />3) Just having a manager is not enough. You have to make sure the projects you hand them are projects they can sell.<br />4) If you have a manager who doesn't call you, you do not have a manager. <br /><br />1. Tell that to Dante Harper--whos career could not have been colder before ALL YOU NEED IS KILL/3 million dollars.<br />2. agree--we will only read it once. and dont try the "ok, you didnt like that one, but what about these other 4?" Our thinking is, why wouldnt you ALWAYS lead w/ your best foot if you have 4 "better" scripts. Lifes too short--too many other scripts we need to read.<br />3. VERY important. Tired of film school kids thinking just having an agent/manager is the golden ticket. We are a crucible...a multiplier...we can only make sure your trees dont fall in the forrest w/o being heard and find you a network.<br />4. Sorta. Busy people...and its a reciprocal relationship. If you want to talk, doesnt hurt to call or email and engage ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-46905027333062399702011-03-15T18:15:10.759-07:002011-03-15T18:15:10.759-07:00That might be what I do, JNow. I got a little lost...That might be what I do, JNow. I got a little lost in a big firm. I may opt for a boutique this time around. It depends on what kind of interest I get.<br /><br />And Les, I agree. Good luck with the Nicholl!Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-59885474312477543692011-03-15T15:19:28.018-07:002011-03-15T15:19:28.018-07:00Emily very wise advice. I do think it's bette...Emily very wise advice. I do think it's better to have one really good script than three mediocre ones. If it takes time to make one script good, then you have to take the time. It took me three years to write my NIcholl quarterfinals script and I'm rewriting it for another shot this year.Les Kanekuninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-85201113053105637182011-03-15T14:36:43.823-07:002011-03-15T14:36:43.823-07:00"Big Four" manager?"Big Four" manager?Young Il Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16448281004418590167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-66625998354310485222011-03-15T14:03:19.461-07:002011-03-15T14:03:19.461-07:00I think a key I've also learned as a just-rece...I think a key I've also learned as a just-recently-repped-for-the-first-time writer... that sometimes having a newer manager who either was an assistant to agent/manager or worked in development is a good thing. They're hungry. They're eager to help develop your projects with you. And they've got contacts. I could have gone for a Big Four manager but they would just throw me onto their client list for vanity sake. With newer managers they don't make money until you do, so they work pretty hard for you. It's also key to be with someone who SHARES your vision. Be patient, it's worth having someone who believes in your work, versus someone who ONLY wants the big paycheck. If they believe in what you do, the money will come. If they don't, it won't, simple as that.The Jnowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16706072961396012855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-74034505135510115962011-03-15T13:17:37.378-07:002011-03-15T13:17:37.378-07:00Sure. And that's a totally understandable choi...Sure. And that's a totally understandable choice. You've got to do what feels right to you. And in the long run, a kick-ass script with no ties is more valuable than a kick-ass script in the hands of the wrong production company. But my point is that if a company brings something to the table aside from money -- an awesome idea, attached elements, passion, connections, a track record of getting movies made -- it's worth examining before you turn them down cold because there's no cash up front.<br /><br />Everyone has different experiences and there are a million ways to navigate the business. But I do believe you should always keep your options open.<br /><br />BTW, thanks for sharing all your experiences. You have a great blog and your honesty is something I don't encounter much in Hollywood. You're a brave soul. And as you can see from my anonymous postings, I am a huge pussy. Keep it up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-68862572147852643502011-03-15T13:17:31.460-07:002011-03-15T13:17:31.460-07:00Emily is right on this one - don't work for fr...Emily is right on this one - don't work for free, unless you can work out a way that you own the work at the end.<br /><br />I've done the free scriptwork thing. When nothing happens... nothing happens. And you don't own it. And since no one put any money into it, they don't care if nothing happens with it. Why should they? They didn't lose anything...Joshua Grover-David Pattersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791397639978426181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-43667787472470294982011-03-15T12:15:28.870-07:002011-03-15T12:15:28.870-07:00I see where you're coming from, but unless I s...I see where you're coming from, but unless I see a very, very good reason to change my mind, I'm not writing anything for free unless I thought of it myself. If I'm going to do something for no pay, it might as well be my own project.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-61792242718268423642011-03-15T11:46:57.311-07:002011-03-15T11:46:57.311-07:00Do not do projects for free. Ever.
This is true i...Do not do projects for free. Ever.<br /><br />This is true in a lot of ways -- you don't want to do free work for companies that have money available to pay you. And you don't want to do free work in lieu of an actual step. But every spec, by definition, is written for free. And until you sell something or land an open writing assignment, all your work is unpaid.<br /><br />When you take meetings with production companies and they pitch you ideas, you need to treat them the same way you would treat an idea that floats into your own head: Is it something you're passionate about? Is it something you could write the shit out of? Is it marketable? And sure, you may want to consider whether or not the producer is legit. But at the end of the day it's your script. And make no mistake about it -- it's a spec. So write it like you would any spec. The upside being that you already have a producer attached who is invested in the project and might be able to bring some "heat" your way. The downside is no different than any other spec -- it may not sell, but hopefully it will help get you noticed.<br /><br />It sounds like you had a bad experience with the work you did for your producers and that sucks. It happens a lot. But most production companies don't have discretionary funds so this is the route many young writers have to go. And often times, really good things can come out of this process. But you have to come into the project with the right frame of mind -- I'm writing a spec with benefits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-20371358143275354782011-03-15T10:30:37.732-07:002011-03-15T10:30:37.732-07:00Sounds like you gained some valuable experience Em...Sounds like you gained some valuable experience Emily. Thank you for sharing<br /><br />Good luck and keep writing.<br /><br />-JimJim Endecotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484816992028286627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-10398457235422810202011-03-15T09:50:01.239-07:002011-03-15T09:50:01.239-07:00Oh I didn't think you were insulting me at all...Oh I didn't think you were insulting me at all. I talked to several people who'd been around in the rep cycle and decided I'd be happier if I had a clean break, worked on my script, then started again. If I didn't have any connection to reps I might feel differently, but now I already have at least 3 or 4 people who can get my scripts into the right hands, so I'm not worried about finding a new rep. I've been more worried about creating the right screenplay to hand those reps.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-52001222944174352262011-03-15T09:45:36.575-07:002011-03-15T09:45:36.575-07:00Just to be clear, I'm not dissing you. I get ...Just to be clear, I'm not dissing you. I get it. If your rep isn't returning your calls, do you really have an rep at all? Probs not. <br /><br />But having any legit rep does open a few doors. I just figured you'd keep on the manager until you found someone better and then make the switch. (But I guess that tactic comes with its own risks.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-59294200147259907052011-03-15T07:55:07.360-07:002011-03-15T07:55:07.360-07:00Hey Emily, your blog is so real and very realistic...Hey Emily, your blog is so real and very realistic. Thanks for sharing you wisdom. You got good advice to give, thank you , thank you:<br /><br />YOUR BLOG IS FOR REALISTIC WRITERS , NOT FOR DREAMERS.<br /><br />WE CAN'T JUST BE CREATIVE. WE HAVE TO REALISTIC. THIS IS GREAT ADVICE.<br /><br />KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.<br />-------------<br /><br />"So this is what I learned from that experience:<br />1) Do not do projects for free. Ever.<br />2) Do not send out a script you know isn't as good as it could possibly be.<br />3) Just having a manager is not enough. You have to make sure the projects you hand them are projects they can sell.<br />4) If you have a manager who doesn't call you, you do not have a manager. "<br /><br />JenniferAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-14808314685554853892011-03-15T07:37:40.645-07:002011-03-15T07:37:40.645-07:00Anonymous, I decided that I'm actually better ...Anonymous, I decided that I'm actually better off alone seeking out a new rep than clinging to a relationship that wasn't working.<br /><br />And Jabberwocky comes from the poem. Any other reference to the word is a reference to the poem. Best. Poem. Ever.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-53287375396149789272011-03-15T07:18:11.751-07:002011-03-15T07:18:11.751-07:00JaberWocky is a Terry Gilliam movie, that's al...JaberWocky is a Terry Gilliam movie, that's all I knew of it. I actually thought it was a mythical monster from Australia, but I'm not so sure after looking at wiki.JabberWockyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346662241448196719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-67380889635454352352011-03-15T07:08:27.837-07:002011-03-15T07:08:27.837-07:00Galumph on over to wikisource to read/hear the won...Galumph on over to <a href="http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Jabberwocky" rel="nofollow">wikisource</a> to read/hear the wonderful Jabberwocky.<br /><br />That's some learning curve, Emily, glad it's behind you, thank you for sharing.Atlantahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12163810378914602543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-12536190160652884512011-03-15T03:23:10.843-07:002011-03-15T03:23:10.843-07:00And a movie by Monty PythonAnd a movie by Monty PythonDBChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02398647288827645585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-66254309416517218862011-03-15T00:29:46.358-07:002011-03-15T00:29:46.358-07:00Lewis Carroll poem, ain't it?Lewis Carroll poem, ain't it?Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16897402622057966364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-18808613738839412102011-03-15T00:22:05.261-07:002011-03-15T00:22:05.261-07:00Huh. I'm really glad you shared this experien...Huh. I'm really glad you shared this experience. I've gotten repped in the last few months and it's still a relationship I'm trying to figure out how to navigate. Alex Epstein says it's better to have any rep rather than no rep at all (at least there's someone who can send your stuff around.) I get why you did it, it makes sense. I'm just not sure if I would have done the same thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-36907854042715601852011-03-14T21:14:32.249-07:002011-03-14T21:14:32.249-07:00isn't jabberwocky a dance crew?
btw, i decide...isn't jabberwocky a dance crew?<br /><br />btw, i decided i need my own blog to procrastinate.<br /><br />plus got too lazy to write a username each time.Young Il Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16448281004418590167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-31549796585490299182011-03-14T21:05:01.073-07:002011-03-14T21:05:01.073-07:00Where did you get your name if not the poem?Where did you get your name if not the poem?Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-45199234203053665022011-03-14T21:03:51.973-07:002011-03-14T21:03:51.973-07:00I'm a poem?I'm a poem?JabberWockyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346662241448196719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-49424986812320251442011-03-14T20:39:16.159-07:002011-03-14T20:39:16.159-07:00That Guy, somehow you must be able to harness this...That Guy, somehow you must be able to harness this power for good.<br /><br />Jabberwocky, sure. That gives me an easy post for tomorrow. BTW, Jabberwocky is my very favorite poem ever!Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-15271905380877450682011-03-14T20:35:08.456-07:002011-03-14T20:35:08.456-07:00Post the opening few pages of your new spec? The ...Post the opening few pages of your new spec? The title sounds interesting.JabberWockyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346662241448196719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-31501798069678569602011-03-14T19:11:27.184-07:002011-03-14T19:11:27.184-07:00btw, my scripts are like weirdly nostradamus-esque...btw, my scripts are like weirdly nostradamus-esque.<br /><br />You know how my TV pilot opens with this great flooding? A week after you read it, Japan gets hit.<br /><br />Before that, I wrote a time travel script where I named my protagonist Shawn Bailey. The day I type FADE OUT, Disney names Sean Bailey as their President.<br /><br />And before that script, I updated my Simpsons spec with a Michael Jackson theme. And that week, Michael Jackson dies.<br /><br />And before that script, I was on page 100 of first draft of Ponzi when Madoff thing happens.that guy again... procrastinatingnoreply@blogger.com