Happy Friday!
This week, I was lucky to be a part of the online film conference, Genresummit.com and it got me thinking about what it really takes to succeed in Hollywood.
I am working on a new project that caused me to connect with an old friend, a writer who’s now a successful Hollywood producer. With my question in mind, I asked him, “How did you break into Hollywood?”
He thought a minute and said, “I found a strong story, a talented writer to co-write with, and spent a year networking before I got my first film.”
“What is the secret of your success?”
His answer: “You have to have talent, and the ability to get along well with people. It’s a small club.”
Words to live by!
Also, my colleague, Bob Siegel, spoke at My Business Of Screenwriting class at the New School this past Thursday night. He’s a lawyer who’s acted as production counsel on over 150 feature films! I do a lot of business coaching and he’s my go-to guy when I am stumped. I asked him the same question.
Three insights that he shared were:
1. Be smart about business. For example, if you make a deal with a producer/ production company, make sure your fees and any “back end” participation is based on 100% of the profits NOT the 50% producers receive, the other 50% going to the investors.
2. Don’t worry about getting an agent or manager, and don’t wait for the deal to come to you: actively pursue what you want!
3. Never give up.
I hope this information is helpful.
Here’s to Your Successful Writing!
Professor Marilyn Horowitz
