Slightly confusing studio situation...

[abwriter123]

So I wrote a period screenplay and got a movie star's manager 'interested'. Basically he said it was a nice script and that he wanted updates at every stage.

Sent it to a big studio & a production company on May 1. A week or two later, I emailed them. The production company passed.

The Creative Exec at the studio said 'we're still reading and discussing, so we'll get back to you soon'. That was three weeks ago. I just emailed again, kinda to get a definitive pass and he said 'Sorry for the delay. I need to discuss with the team and will get back to you monday'.

I've had a bit of experience emailing these busy execs, agents etc and on most occasions they just don't reply to my chase-up emails. But this CE is being really nice to me.

What could this mean?

[Levenger]

could mean a lot of things. most likely means he doesn't want to be an ******* and is more content to just let it kind of drag out, but in the event that you write another great screenplay you'll remember "hey that guy was really nice to me last time"

[wcmartell]

Didn't Dorothy Parker say something about Hollywood killing you with kindness?

- Bill

[abwriter123]

It just seemed notably contrasting to all other producers and agents I've sent stuff to in the past. And this is by far the highest level person I've been in contact with.

Do you think he's at least read it by now? It must've passed the mail-room read, surely? Otherwise he'd have replied with a flat out rejection. Hmmm.

[Levenger]

I think if he wants to move forward or do anything it's it, you'll be the first to know.

[The Road Warrior]

Originally Posted by wcmartell

Didn't Dorothy Parker say something about Hollywood killing you with kindness?

- Bill

--the only place where you can die from encouragement.

[abwriter123]

Studio passed because it is a period drama

But they asked to see whatever I write next... sucks that the two new ideas I have are also period dramas!! Arrgghhhh!

As a newbie spec writer, is it best to stick to the thriller/action genre? That seems to be the general consensus online... is it true?

[Kwinnky]

Originally Posted by abwriter123

Studio passed because it is a period drama

But they asked to see whatever I write next... sucks that the two new ideas I have are also period dramas!! Arrgghhhh!

As a newbie spec writer, is it best to stick to the thriller/action genre? That seems to be the general consensus online... is it true?

Well, they like you. So whatever you write, it has to be something you can put your voice into, something you can write as enthusiastically as you did the period dramas.

It sounds like you're headed places, good luck to you.

[emily blake]

Do you want to write action/thriller movies? Because if you don't, then you shouldn't. Write what you want to write, and make it commercial, but don't pick a genre that doesn't interest you and try to fake it because the lack of passion will come through in the writing.

If you want to write a period drama, find a way to make it more commercial and write your period drama.

[Zed's_Dead]

Originally Posted by emily blake

Do you want to write action/thriller movies? Because if you don't, then you shouldn't. Write what you want to write, and make it commercial, but don't pick a genre that doesn't interest you and try to fake it because the lack of passion will come through in the writing.

If you want to write a period drama, find a way to make it more commercial and write your period drama.

Agree with this. If you write something you're not into it will show in the writing.

I did kind of laugh thinking about the situation. "We're not interested in period dramas, so what else do you have?"

"Two more period dramas."