When your manager submits your specs for a staff writing assignment?

[zazzo2003]

Hey all,

My writing partner and I just got picked up by a new boutique mgmt company here in LA. They have a great reputation and we're stoked.

We usually write films and our last manager was just a dud. We sold two projects though, but have moved onto TV and love it.

Question I have (but don't want to sound stupid) - when your manager submits you for staffing consideration, do they submit your spec(s) to the show runner or to the network?

What if you want your manager to target a show that just got picked up - can they do that too? And would they contact the show runner and set that up or go straight to network to ask?


Thanks
-----Zazzz

[artisone]

It should go to networks, production companies, and the producers of the shows, including the one you guys want to get on.

[zazzo2003]

Thanks Artisone!

So, the agent/ and or manager basically "blasts" the Network Executive, Showrunner and or any producers associated with the show the samples?

Wow - that's wild. I was wondering if there was a gatekeeper and if it was the Network Exec or the Showrunner. I was thinking if the network exec doesn't like your spec and they're the first to read it, is it canned or is it a vote?


---Zazzz ;)

[jimjimgrande]

I wouldn't necessarily call it a blast. they submit you to execs at the studios and networks for "generals" i.e. general meetings. you go chit chat with these people so they get to know you and you talk about the shows they make that you would like to work on.

Studio and network execs will to some extent recommend writers to the showrunners of new and existing shows. The relationship between those people will determine the value of that submission.

Your managers' ability to submit you directly to showrunners and then get you meetings with same will determine whether or not you get hired.

You can and should push to get submitted for particular shows, but remember that just getting you read can be hard, especially if your guys don't have a close relationship with whoever they're submitting you to.

As far as getting vetoed, Execs in TV don't tend to have strong opinions about writers and their samples unless it's something universally loved. Nor is there even much feedback about the work like when you meet with an exec who's read your feature, but didn't buy it. Mostly they want to talk about who you are, your background, what TV shows you like. Showrunners will talk more specifically about your writing and your process of course, but execs don't have too much to say beyond the cursory compliments.

[artisone]

Yes. Getting a network/production general meeting is nothing big. I learned not to get excited about them real quick. The showrunner meetings are the ones you want.