Backlash against the pros

[sc111]

Originally Posted by mariot

I did ask in the myth thread. Derek posted his "little deaf girl" example and I asked if the quality of scripts he got from new writers was really that bad. He said yes.

He had also posted in his misleading advice thread about the bad scripts he's been asked to read.

I would love for the pros to explain how they arrive at the 1% figure but when I ask them something I run the risk of Todd Karate starting another thread about how we shouldn't ask anything that might be perceived as challenging them.

I'm not jumping on you. I'm just curious as to how justification of that 1% serves you. Maybe it's 5% or 8%. Or even 20%. How does confirming this serve you? Or, me or any aspiring screenwriter, for that matter?

[EvilRbt]

Originally Posted by Derek Haas

With respect to the moderators, let the conversation flow! That's what conversations do...

Here's what I never understand about consultants and their secret projects. This town is built on hype, half-hype, and maybe hype. Projects in development are always mentioned in the trades as they come together. If you land financing and even have a d-list talent in the movie, it's there in the trades.

Congrats on your own projects. Sincerely, I hope you get them made and they are blockbusters and critically-acclaimed. I'm friends with some of the guys at Legendary. What's the script? Also, who is the writer repped at CAA that you helped place there? Why wouldn't you want to shout about these things from the rooftops? You see objectively why I get sheepish about these things?

I do disagree with BDZ. I think you can get where you want in Hollywood if you have talent and work hard without ever paying a consultant.

Derek, I resent your implication that I'm anything but honest. I don't reveal all the details here for several reasons. For starters, I don't want clients coming to me with false hope that I'll make their movie or get them repped. They should come to me for good notes, anything else is a bonus.

I'm also not going to name the client who's now with Martin Spencer at CAA. I protect clients' confidentiality.

If you want to email me, I will happily provide more details. The thriller we just made has two B-list stars. When it's finished, I want the DD'er who wrote the movie to enjoy breaking the news about it here. The fact that you claim
EVERY project gets announced should show writers that "pros" do not know everything. Even the star of the movie, when talking to the media about his last film, calls it his "secret movie."

My Legendary project is The Lost Patrol. Stephen Norrington is rewriting and will direct.

Like I said, you can email me for more information. Just quit implying I'm not legit or sincere. Cheers...

Seriously, how did this turn into a bash Andrew thread?

[sarajb]

Originally Posted by mariot

I did ask in the myth thread. Derek posted his "little deaf girl" example and I asked if the quality of scripts he got from new writers was really that bad. He said yes.

He had also posted in his misleading advice thread about the bad scripts he's been asked to read.

I would love for the pros to explain how they arrive at the 1% figure but when I ask them something I run the risk of Todd Karate starting another thread about how we shouldn't ask anything that might be perceived as challenging them.

You assumed this thread was about you?

[mariot]

Originally Posted by JeffLowell

To defend Andrew: he charges writers the same thing he charges studios. 70 dollar coverage doesn't magically become 200 dollar coverage when it's for a newbie. If you want to know what one pro reader thinks, it's a fair service.

I don't think Andrew needs defending. But it's nice of you to clarify.

I posted that he has a good sense of story and what's commercial. I said his opinion was helpful and worth the fee.

But, why use the phrase "consider with reservations" if it doesn't mean anything?

If there is a "huge distinction" between "consider" and "consider with reservations" why do they seem kind of similar?

And, those figures... they give a new writer very different pictures of how they are perceived in the industry.

[ducky1288]

Originally Posted by Todd Karate

I don't understand the pushback some of the pros are getting on other threads on this site.

I knew it wouldn't be long. In fact I was talking with a friend the other day and I mention I'm surprised no crazies have come out of the woodwork and ran off the pros who have recently came about -- I spoke too soon.

That's just the way DD is. Argue until you're blue in the face -- or fingers, whatever.

I'm not sure it's fair to attack Andrew in this thread. He means well and he's a super nice guy from what I've seen. Plus he got my friend his first pay day on a script so he's cool in my book. I can see why he doesn't want to name names out in the open, I don't either. Maybe PM would work better for that kind of stuff. People won't even say who they are repped by in the open much less anything else.

Anyways, carry on. I typically stay out of anything remotely seriously. I'm just here for the good times

EDIT: Well I see Andrew has defended himself (not that I thought you need it) That's what I get for taking so long to write a PM -- damn A.D.D

[sc111]

Originally Posted by mariot

And, those figures... they give a new writer very different pictures of how they are perceived in the industry.

I'm not sure I'm understanding you.

[mariot]

Originally Posted by sarajb

You assumed this thread was about you?

I was definitely one of several people who were asking our questions over and over because we just couldn't believe the answers we were getting.

I wasn't arguing to argue but I can see how it could be frustrating for them.

But, no, not just about me.

[via negativa]

Originally Posted by ducky1288

People won't even say who they are repped by in the open much less anything else.

Why won't people say who they're repped by? Is it really that bad around here, that you can't even say who represents you, because some idiots will harass you and run you off, if it's an agent they had their eyes on?

[MrEarbrass]

Originally Posted by Derek Haas

Congrats on your own projects. Sincerely, I hope you get them made and they are blockbusters and critically-acclaimed. I'm friends with some of the guys at Legendary. What's the script? Also, who is the writer repped at CAA that you helped place there? Why wouldn't you want to shout about these things from the rooftops? You see objectively why I get sheepish about these things?

I do disagree with BDZ. I think you can get where you want in Hollywood if you have talent and work hard without ever paying a consultant.

Sure, there are lots of ways to break into the industry. But why do you object to a writer paying a professional reader a fee--the same fee the reader charges a studio--to get a take on his material?

Here's a personal example... I lived out of town, had no contacts in the industry, no representation, and didn't trust the results of contests. 70 bucks seemed like a very fair price to get an informed opinion on how my material stacked up to the stuff circulating in Hollywood. Andrew made no promises other than that he would read my script, but this fall I signed with a highly-respected manager--and subsequently an outstanding team of agents--directly because of his help.

I have no respect for the legion of poorly-qualified consultants who sell suckers the dream of Hollywood success (along with a book or two) and charge rates wildly at odds with their experience. But this isn't that. And I find it more than a bit ironic that in another thread you wondered why people argue about stuff they don't know anything about while you are doing exactly that on this subject.

[sarajb]

Originally Posted by mariot

I was definitely one of several people who were asking our questions over and over because we just couldn't believe the answers we were getting.

I wasn't arguing to argue but I can see how it could be frustrating for them.

But, no, not just about me.

Were you arguing or asking questions? I thought you were asking questions, but I guess you know better than me.

From what I remember reading, I would be surprised if this thread pertained to you, up until a couple of posts back, anyway.