Long time lurker first time poster.
Hoping I could get some thoughts from other repped writers. Or reps that float about on these boards.
About me:
I've got an agent and managers.
My managers are a recent addition to the team. I parted ways with my last set of managers as we just weren't swimming in the same direction. Got on great just wasn't meant to be. Plus my agent wasn't keen on the direction either.
So...
A little more about my situation:
Agent didn't want me getting any more managers. Telling me to concentrate on developing relationships with the execs I've been meeting these last few years. Then I hear through the grapevine that said agent isn't happy with the type of material I've been working on. I write mainly action thrillers and crime dramas and I'd been dabbling in sci-fi.
Here's the thing:
I wanted a manager. I like the role of a manager. So (without agent's help) i went off in search of a new manager. Luckily generated some interest, took a few meetings until I'd found the reps I liked.
Turns out my new managers are super cosy with my agent. Bonus. Figured as much anyway given that they're all partners in their respective firms and it's a small industry.
Now, the new managers want a new spec. I should add I've not sold anything yet but have had scripts go out and been well received. Lots of meet and greets. The water bottle tour etc etc.
Anyways back to the story.
Agent steps back lets myself and the new managers settle on a project.
I logline a ton of ideas. They choose a few. I outline the first one. They think it's cool. I write it. Beat for beat. Now I've been doing this long enough to know that the execution's pretty tight. I mean sure there'll be changes. There's always changes. That's part of the process but...
I finish the spec. It goes to the whole team. Agent reads within two days. Takes the new managers almost two weeks. Hmm that's a little off for me. Red flag? Maybe. But hey ho they're busy. I'll sit on my self-involved ego and see what everybody thinks. Notes etc.
So we set a conference call with all parties. Conference call happens. Turns out they've already spoken without me re the spec and...
They're really nice. No criticism. No revisions, just lots of pleasantries. Compelling stuff, great world you've built. Lots of inner conflict they say.
So I get off the phone. My girlfriend asks "how'd it go?"
"Well sweetie, they want a page one rewrite..."
"They said that?".
"No, no they were way too smart to allow such confrontational words to roll off their tongues..."
"So they killed your script with kindness then?"
"It would appear so"
"Oh"
Barely any notes. Barely any explanation. Just lots of niceties. I check the outline that my new managers signed off on and yup it's the EXACT same, beat for beat as the script I handed in.
Now I'm really pissed. I mean I could have done an outline for any number of execs that wanna work with me. From companies with discretionary funds to two oscar nominated producers I've already developed other stuff with. Sigh.
So yeah I'm feeling rather... Disgruntled. To the point where i wanna drop them. But they're buddies with my agent. The agent who didn't want me to sign with them in the first place. I go and do that and I look flippant. Almost petulant. Nope, I'd look ridiculous.
So now I'm sat at my desk writing a frickin' outline for a script that I have no clue about. Theme? What theme? Tone? Huh? Story? There's a story in this? Thought you just wanted **** blown up. Screw inner conflict. We like external conflict!
So folks I gotta ask, is this normal?
Hoping I could get some thoughts from other repped writers. Or reps that float about on these boards.
About me:
I've got an agent and managers.
My managers are a recent addition to the team. I parted ways with my last set of managers as we just weren't swimming in the same direction. Got on great just wasn't meant to be. Plus my agent wasn't keen on the direction either.
So...
A little more about my situation:
Agent didn't want me getting any more managers. Telling me to concentrate on developing relationships with the execs I've been meeting these last few years. Then I hear through the grapevine that said agent isn't happy with the type of material I've been working on. I write mainly action thrillers and crime dramas and I'd been dabbling in sci-fi.
Here's the thing:
I wanted a manager. I like the role of a manager. So (without agent's help) i went off in search of a new manager. Luckily generated some interest, took a few meetings until I'd found the reps I liked.
Turns out my new managers are super cosy with my agent. Bonus. Figured as much anyway given that they're all partners in their respective firms and it's a small industry.
Now, the new managers want a new spec. I should add I've not sold anything yet but have had scripts go out and been well received. Lots of meet and greets. The water bottle tour etc etc.
Anyways back to the story.
Agent steps back lets myself and the new managers settle on a project.
I logline a ton of ideas. They choose a few. I outline the first one. They think it's cool. I write it. Beat for beat. Now I've been doing this long enough to know that the execution's pretty tight. I mean sure there'll be changes. There's always changes. That's part of the process but...
I finish the spec. It goes to the whole team. Agent reads within two days. Takes the new managers almost two weeks. Hmm that's a little off for me. Red flag? Maybe. But hey ho they're busy. I'll sit on my self-involved ego and see what everybody thinks. Notes etc.
So we set a conference call with all parties. Conference call happens. Turns out they've already spoken without me re the spec and...
They're really nice. No criticism. No revisions, just lots of pleasantries. Compelling stuff, great world you've built. Lots of inner conflict they say.
So I get off the phone. My girlfriend asks "how'd it go?"
"Well sweetie, they want a page one rewrite..."
"They said that?".
"No, no they were way too smart to allow such confrontational words to roll off their tongues..."
"So they killed your script with kindness then?"
"It would appear so"
"Oh"
Barely any notes. Barely any explanation. Just lots of niceties. I check the outline that my new managers signed off on and yup it's the EXACT same, beat for beat as the script I handed in.
Now I'm really pissed. I mean I could have done an outline for any number of execs that wanna work with me. From companies with discretionary funds to two oscar nominated producers I've already developed other stuff with. Sigh.
So yeah I'm feeling rather... Disgruntled. To the point where i wanna drop them. But they're buddies with my agent. The agent who didn't want me to sign with them in the first place. I go and do that and I look flippant. Almost petulant. Nope, I'd look ridiculous.
So now I'm sat at my desk writing a frickin' outline for a script that I have no clue about. Theme? What theme? Tone? Huh? Story? There's a story in this? Thought you just wanted **** blown up. Screw inner conflict. We like external conflict!
So folks I gotta ask, is this normal?
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