When Angela at Stage 32 asked me if I wanted to write a testimonial about my experience with Producer Will Raynor at Mandalay Pictures, I did it in a New York second (a minute was too long a wait). My consultation with him was one of the most pleasant and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had with someone in that position. First of all, allow me to tell you about our first scheduled appointment. Will had to cancel as something major came up, and instead of just letting Stage 32 let me know, he not only called me himself, he sent me an email explaining and apologizing. I was quite surprised and appreciative that he took the time to do that. (I should note here that at around that same time, I had experienced not one but two no-shows for a consultation by another producer without any notice or apology. He just blew me off!) So for Will to do this was a very simple, very classy thing. Will loved my script – a 1940s screwball comedy in the Preston Sturges vein – he said, “It was incredibly satisfying,” especially now that period pieces are hot. He had five notes/suggestions for me, which were absolutely, positively, 100% perfect, and asked me to resend the screenplay when I had it ready for him to see. I asked him to give me a month. Well, his ideas worked so well, and the rewrite went so easily, I sent the Second Draft back to him a week later. And now I wait for his response… But in the meantime, let me tell you: Will Raynor is KING OF THE WORLD!
Bob Canning