Managers and Development

[michaelb]

I'm going to chime in here and speak to this over all idea you guys are discussing.

First and foremost, a manager repping 20 unknown writers and having them just spec until something is good is just plain wrong. That shows the lack of total faith in the writing that a manager should have.

If I sign a client off a script, you can be 100% sure I am sending that script out.

That being said, I'll also say this in regards to people questioning why not every script is sent out. Even the best writers in this business only bat 9 for 10. They all miss on a couple now and then. New writers at best can hope to bat 50/50 or 60/40. If a client writes a great script and it is taken out to the marketplace, even if it does not sell, that will build up their fan base, and hopefully lead to some sort of work. But, if the next script they write on spec is a miss, even after going through several drafts, you do not want that taken out to the marketplace. All you're doing is showing those same execs that you can't deliver at the same level you previously did, which then makes them think you might not deliver on a job and severely hurts your chances of being hired. And i've had clients (now ex clients that I chose to no longer work with) demand that one of the bad ones be sent out, even though they were told it was not in their best interest. 30 passes later they had severely hurt their fan base, and when those execs were looking for writers on assignments and their names were brought up, they'd always say "I loved script A, but script B was so disappointing I don't think I can take the chance."

This is all obviously on a case by case basis, but I just wanted to make some of you aware of the business side of things as to why scripts are not sent out sometimes.

Best,

Michael

[JeffLowell]

Unequal: sounds like you're producing a lot of material, and are happy with your manager. Both good things. Break a leg.

[nojustice]

Sure some scripts aren't sent out sometimes.

But it doesn't add up to have a manger for two years who has NEVER sent a script out. Like, nothing, to nobody, ever.

[UnequalProductions]

Originally Posted by JeffLowell

Unequal: sounds like you're producing a lot of material, and are happy with your manager. Both good things. Break a leg.

I really appreciate this discussion today. I've taken a lot of things you and other people have said to my writing partner. We're definitely going to have a long conversation with our manager in the next few days.

[holly]

knowing nothing, a fine compromise in a case like that would be to get staffed with your great spec, while still developing the pilot. after two years, your pilot would probably be better, the writer would be better and more marketable.

[mikejc]

Originally Posted by JeffLowell

Yes?

Maybe I'm ignorant on how managers are operating with new writers now, but my understanding was always that they take on people where they'd be proud to show their work around, get them meetings, put them up for jobs, etc.

Why are managers taking on people where they're not willing to show any of their writing to anyone?

This paradigm of "manager as finishing school" is an odd one to me. Although, if that's the way it's working now, I can see why some take on so many clients - they're gambling that a percentage of clients they take on will eventually produce something worth sending out.

It feels like getting engaged to twenty women while you figure out who actually would make the best wife. That's a good deal for the man... not so much for the woman.

Jeff, you hit the nail on the head. If I'm running a management firm, and I see managers in the firm spending a year or more with writers and not taking anything out, I'd have to wonder about their judgment and the amount of "firm" time they are wasting with unproductive work.

While the writer's time is not costing the firm direct cash flow, it is eating away at hours that could be used getting something placed.

Exceptions to any rule, and, sure, there is a reasonable amount of time a manager could spend polishing up a writer, but a year of nothing seems more like rough grinding, not polishing.

And as Perpetually says, leaves the writer demoralized, too.

[Aspirant]

Originally Posted by michaelb

If I sign a client off a script, you can be 100% sure I am sending that script out.

THIS is first and foremost, in my mind, and the kind of statement I'd think every writer would want his manager to make. There may be subsequent disagreements about new script ideas, sure; and I actually think it's good policy to get your manager to sign off on future projects before you start them. But, to me, unless a serious, previously unforeseen obstacle arises, that first script -- the one that got you signed -- HAS to go out. It may need a little work (targeted revisions, not changing it into something else); but if I'm the writer in that situation, above all else, I need my manager to have faith in that script, and be willing to take a shot with it, or else I'd have to question why he wanted to sign me in the first place.

[mikejc]

Originally Posted by Aspirant

THIS is first and foremost, in my mind, and the kind of statement I'd think every writer would want his manager to make. There may be subsequent disagreements about new script ideas, sure; and I actually think it's good policy to get your manager to sign off on future projects before you start them. But, to me, unless a serious, previously unforeseen obstacle arises, that first script -- the one that got you signed -- HAS to go out. It may need a little work (targeted revisions, not changing it into something else); but if I'm the writer in that situation, above all else, I need my manager to have faith in that script, and be willing to take a shot with it, or else I'd have to question why he wanted to sign me in the first place.

Perfectly said.

[Rantanplan]

This is why some writers prefer to query producers directly. If a DOD or CE wants to read your script, at least you can realistically believe it's because they're attracted to the concept and think it migh be the kind of film they're looking to produce, as opposed to "this is a writer I can see myself asking for homework assignments and ideas for the next 18 months before we possibly perhaps maybe develop something that I might possibly perhaps maybe want to take to market." There have been so many horror stories with reps on this board, to me it's been an enlightening experience reading about them. Too many writers seem to be all too willing to put up with too much crap.

I realize we're supposed to be thinking about the big picture and our chance to be the 12th writer on some lame ass franchise, but to have the passion we put into our original ideas and specs thwarted by some middle-man (with no money), to me that goes against the creative process and the reason most of us write in the first place.

I say hip-pocket the reps! You want me to write another horror when I feel like writing a comedy? Well then let someone else rep it. Wait, you don't "approve" of my indie flick, well guess what, I know someone else who loves it. Etc.

Well, it's a nice thought anyway.

[Aspirant]

Originally Posted by Rantanplan

I say hip-pocket the reps! You want me to write another horror when I feel like writing a comedy? Well then let someone else rep it. Wait, you don't "approve" of my indie flick, well guess what, I know someone else who loves it. Etc. Well, it's a nice thought anyway.

I understand this sentiment, but the key words here are "someone else." Someone else who loves all your material as much as you do and is willing to do exactly what you want is not easy to find, unfortunately.