Was up in L.A. and met with some film people -- networking. Discussed my idea for next action script. The hero is a white guy, 30'ish.
An actor/writer who has appeared in small parts in large action movies said that the script won't attract attention because white action guys are too generic.
Then met with a successful film executive. Told him what the actor said. Asked the exec if he thought that making the action hero a heroine would attract more interest. Maybe even a minority woman, ala a Hispanic to attract crossover audiences.
He said no because (1) not too many actresses to choose from who can play action hero types and (2) male audiences would not gravitate toward female leads (usually). But Colombiana covered its costs and made a little money and Salt made lots of money (but they had a superstar in A. Jolie).
And the idea of a minority female lead would probably not work but he didn't elaborate and I didn't push.
So who do you believe? Stick with the white guy?
I've been following the old maxim of writing what I want to write with the characters I like BUT I don't want to bury my head in the sand either.
An actor/writer who has appeared in small parts in large action movies said that the script won't attract attention because white action guys are too generic.
Then met with a successful film executive. Told him what the actor said. Asked the exec if he thought that making the action hero a heroine would attract more interest. Maybe even a minority woman, ala a Hispanic to attract crossover audiences.
He said no because (1) not too many actresses to choose from who can play action hero types and (2) male audiences would not gravitate toward female leads (usually). But Colombiana covered its costs and made a little money and Salt made lots of money (but they had a superstar in A. Jolie).
And the idea of a minority female lead would probably not work but he didn't elaborate and I didn't push.
So who do you believe? Stick with the white guy?
I've been following the old maxim of writing what I want to write with the characters I like BUT I don't want to bury my head in the sand either.
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