Mark Violi: Actor, screenwriter and playwright in Hamilton, New Jersey.

Hey! You are invited to the NJ/NYC free networking meetup at Set To Go Studio in Woodland Park, New Jersey this Thursday, June 15th at 7 pm. Get inspired by the fantastic set builds and meet like-minded filmmakers, producers, screenwriters, actors, editors, investors, and more. The big studios are moving in over the next few years but how can we sustain non-union creatives and help up-and-coming indie films? Let's meet in person to discuss this! https://www.stage32.com/meetups/1906/Set-To-Go-Studio-Networking-Meetup

THAT VOWEL AT THE END OF YOUR NAME, my short film, is now playing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMqd2vUI3I8 I'm so proud of this film. I wrote, directed, produced, shot, edited and even acted in this microbudget project, but none of this would have been possible without my amazing cast and crew. I want to give a huge shoutout to them for helping me see this vision come to fruition. This is the embodiment of taking the bull by the horns, gathering resources, assembling a crew and going for it. WE MADE A MOVIE! And nobody can take that from us. This is microbudget filmmaking, and I'm proud. 

If you read my posts, you'll know I don't advocate waiting around until an agent wants to sign me for my stellar talent. I'm constantly reviewing trade ads and looking for opportunities to pitch work. Consequently, I have some promising activities happening in 2023.

However, when answering ads, you have to sift through many low-level folks who forget what a win/win or quid pro quo situation means. If I do spec work, the least I expect from my producer/collaborator is that they will contribute sweat equity to pitching my work and securing financing to make a film. So as the saying goes, You have to kiss many frogs to find a prince.

I occasionally check Craigslist "Writing gigs" and have sometimes found some interesting ads, which included working with an established television actor and his manager. However, I found a lot more ads like this one I reviewed today:

This is not about a job. This is about "gigs" based mostly on "spec" (i.e. you get paid if the script is sold). I am seeking a screenwriter and/or producer or director and/or agent who can get pitch meetings with networks, studios, and production companies. One pilot pays a $1000 fee to you, and 50/50 of creator rights if the Pilot is sold. The other pilots are based upon "spec" only. Also seeking a writer to format an already written book for 80% of royalties "if" sold. Your reward is described below.

The ad's author offers several other projects, including a novel they want the writer to sell to a publisher. And They're willing to share fifty percent of the profits of these unsold projects without contributing any screenwriting. But they'll give you their outstanding story notes. Whoopie! Maybe I should come over, clean their house, buy their groceries and drive them to their AA meeting?

This is the part of the ad I love:

I am seeking a screenwriter and/or producer or director and/or agent who can get pitch meetings with networks, studios, and production companies.

About two months ago, I exchanged emails with this person via another service. At that time, I reviewed their material and quickly assessed that if someone who wants me to be their writer needs me to secure pitch meetings with producers, then what the F#%k do they bring to the table?

Needless to say, this gig opportunity was a hard, hard pass.

Hello everyone, I wanted to reach and see if anyone is writing scripts for animation specifically and I just wanted to connect and ask questions!