People are always writing me for advice about TV and publishing, not that I have any great wisdom to impart. But that doesn’t stop me from replying anyway.
Hello Mr. Goldberg:
I was referred to you by a friend of your friend XYZ…I am 64 years old and I have a screenplay that desperately needs a place to go, and your name was delivered as the unquestionable favorite. Please let me know if you might be able to provide me any guidance or wisdom. Should you not be able or interested, (she tries to put away that big pouty lip), your suggestion of someone else would be greatly appreciated.
Unfortunately, I don’t have good news for you. In fact, I have very discouraging news for you. Everybody in L.A. has a screenplay they want to sell. You are one of thousands…and you’re competing with them all, inexperienced and experienced screenwriters alike. I’m neither an agent nor a studio exec, so there’s really nothing I can do for you. I don’t know of any agents who are taking on new clients (they are having a hard enough time selling the scripts written by the experienced clients they already have).
The best advice I can offer is for you to contact the Writers Guild of America to see if they can give you a list of signatory agents who are accepting unsolicited screenplays. The other thing you should be aware of is that ageism is rampant in Hollywood…and if you haven’t already established yourself in the business by 30, you are considered elderly and out-of-touch with popular taste 🙂 I’m 54 and feel ancient when I go into meetings…and despite my extensive credits, it’s still a hard sell for me. I’m just telling you this so you realise that you’re facing a very steep, uphill battle.
I am sure you get a lot of emails and maybe this may not reach you, but here’s hoping. I am an aspiring actress/model and went to a meeting with XYZ at Culver Studios last week. He claims to have been a director/producer for NBC/Universal but the IMDB just doesn’t seem legitimate. He also claims to be married to actress XYZ but there is hardly any information on her either.
He says he wants me to come and work for him and learn the business to become an assistant producer and star in his upcoming movies, but things just aren’t adding up. I called NBC Universal and asked them if his name was on the employee list and was not. Due to all of the scams and human trafficking which he spoke a lot about, I want to be safe. Do you know how I can navigate safely through this industry and or have any advice for me on how I can obtain legitimate information and backgrounds on producers and directors?Well, it sounds like you already checked this guy out and learned that something is very fishy. His picture on Imdb also seems amateurish to me… as if by standing beside the studio gate, which anybody can do, he’s trying to confer legitimacy on himself. I’d steer clear of him. Keep in mind, anybody can rent studio space. Just because their office is on a movie studio lot does not mean they are legitimate. In addition to imdb, you can check out producers with the PGA (Producers Guild of America) to see if they are members… or, if they are writer/producers, you can check with the WGA (Writers Guild of America) to see if they are members (or if their companies are guild signatories). You can find out if a director is legit by contacting the DGA (Directors Guild of America) and seeing if he or she is a member. If they are offering you acting jobs, check them out with SAG (Screen Actors Guild) to see if they are signatories or if there are any issues with their company that the union knows about. Lack of produced credits on imDb and non-membership in one of those guilds would raise a big red flag for me.
Hmmm. The systems funnels/filters are so clogged with shit that I feel some of the most talented writers works, whether script or novel, will never see the light of day. . .
I’ve seen estimates of upwards of a million new scripts being written every year. In that environment, I’d guess that randomly placing scripts on sidewalks in the great Los Angeles area would be as fruitful as shopping for a manager (or contacting strangers in a quest for help).
And sadly, Hollywood-style ageism seems to have invaded the tech and marketing worlds too. In terms of longevity, 60 is the new 50. In terms of careers, 38 seems to be the new 55.
hmmm. the twins who sold the new tara reid drama (film) look like they’re in their mid to late 40s and they’re newcomers. they try to present themselves as significantly younger(coverfly photo). i wonder if it helped them get it sold. Jackie and Jennifer Moricz. spec.
they’ve never ranked above a quarterfinalist in contests, above an 8 on the blacklist, and 2 scripts placed in the second rounders category of austin film festival. i think it had more to do w/marketabilty, their love of MTV, and they can probably write good, popular scripts but not great ones.
a 64 year old would probably need a much younger co-writer(s), write/talk like they’re in their 20s*, or some other factor like successful indie film. * i knew a guy who acted like an adolescent/barely post-adolescent and fit in w/guys in their 20s despte being 54.