Richard L. Repasky's Lounge Discussions

@ Michael, Historically, it is alleged that Playwright's are to blame for the treatment of screenwriters.

Hi Marvin, I have a pal who was an off Broadway playwright and even he when he went to films was astonished. I made the huge mistake of telling a former HBO producer who produced my friends series , Laurel Ave., of that and not knowing his wife is a theater producer and playwright. Foot in mouth disease. I rallied back by saying it's a different crowd, movie peeps pay 10 bucks, theater peeps pay 100 bucks, different socio economic strata and the whole nine yards. Nothing wrong with rich, hell I'd like to be one day, but the mindset of the people is different, a little more arrogance, a tad more rarefied air breathing, you know the deal...lol :-)

Re-reading your comment, I'm curious for further explanation, Marvin. Are playwrights more arrogant as well?

I heard the original idea and script for VALKYRIE was ripped off from an Australian guy. He didn't bother pursuing it because he thought he would have no chance.

Playwrights have the ultimate control of their material. They hire/fire and can close down production if someone changes a single word of their written words. Jack Warner, (guess the studio), didn't want screenwriters to exercise the same level of control over film production, so he made it his ambition to relegate screenwriters to the lowest level people in film. (Most screenwriters are not even allowed on film sets). Yet, without screenwriters, there is no film industry, nobody works.

No. It'll definitely make you stronger.

people can take a couple months to get back to you. though that's usually not a good sign.

Apparently that is a norm.... the way to do it... especially if you've met them.... wait a month... send them email reminding them of your script and where you met them. ... and if they've had a chance to look at it.... then wait a month or two and send another soft reminder... but I've heard sometime people got an email after 6-7 months or a year later to see if it's still available. I just realized you posted this a year ago.... hope you had some luck.

We have all been down this rather twisted road. I put up http://luckybreaklist.com/ because I have found that you might as well throw a bunch of stuff at the wall and see what sticks. Lots of BS out there, BS them back.

The secret is to attract them to you! Write some screenplays as eBooks and gain a following. Enjoy what you do and continue to do it. ;) The right producers, agents and opportunities are bound to meet at a crossroads. IF you don't quit! <3

Join IMDB pro. Yes, it does cost money, but they list current agents and reps for actors. Then it's a matter of contacting them. But don't get too excited yet......you have to realize that they get presented hundreds if not thousands of scripts and project pitches. Your goal is to stand out when talking to whoever you get ahold of. You will probably get only one bite at the apple with them. Make sure EVERYTHING is polished and as succinct as possible. Look up how other people with accepted scripts did it. Some used some very unique approaches. And whatever you do........treat EVERYONE with respect. You never know if the receptionist answering the phone is also a reader......... And unless you have a personal connection with the actor.....always go through their representation. It shows you are professional, and understand the working of making a movie.

Thanks, Doc. I will give it a shot. When I lived in the LA area, it was a lot easier. Everyone was connected, but here in Ohio,.................not so much. My problem in Hollywood was that I was pitching to a 25 year old from UCLA, who would rathr do coke than make a great movie. Idea theft was also a big problem. My script on the Navy Seals has been done 4 times now. thank you Golan/Globus. I usually watch the opening credits of any movie I see, to find out if the writer and executive producer are the same. That is about the only way to keep your ideas in house. And then we have the money men. I was doing a spec scriopt for a guy in Vegas. Good story line, but when he gathered the investers money, once it got to a half million he got wind borne. He is probably in the desert somewhere?

Cleveland has just formed a new Movie Commission, so there should be some Land Sharks looking to get in the business I will pursue the Gretat Whites.

Like Doc said, get IMDB Pro and contact them via their agents. It is their job to know what might interest their client or not. Sadly, most need that firewall, because as soon as you are a little bit known, you will get tons of inquiries. If you want to try a direct contact, you might try a PT via Twitter. Some do answer personally - often by sending you the mail of their agents. But the simple rule is: do not brag, nag, or trash. Be nice, polite and quick, and do not send more than one message per month and stop after three if you did not get a reply by then.

Great idea, Chris. thanks