Movin’ on UP!
August 23, 2008
Okay…so I’m becoming obsessed with getting to the next level. As you may or may not know, there are all these invisible levels when you’re a screenwriter. I’m actually NOT an expert on this and undoubtedly have a warped view. BUT, as I see things…the levels are basically as follows…
Level 1 – Risking it all and getting to L.A. Yeah, I know we’re in the internet age and I know there are a million screenwriting contests, but I still think your best bet is to be here in order to get to the next level…
Level 2 – Getting an Agent. Finding someone that knows someone, that knows someone, that knows — an agent. Then, convincing all those people to pass your script along. Then, having the agent love it enough or rather, think that he can sell it – and sign you.
Level 3 – Getting a sale. You get your original script out there and someone buys it! Thus, starting the “meeting machine” where you meet with all sorts of producers and studios execs — making new friends and contacts around town.
Level 4 – Getting an assignment. Using the heat off your sale to get the opportunity to pitch for an assignment. Then, killing the pitch and getting the assignment. At this point, it will won’t be a very high profile assignment AND you’ll have to beat out 100 other writers, cattle call style, for the job…but hey — you’re getting paid to write – POW!
Level 5 – Getting better assignments. Getting projects people have actually heard about. Now, granted, you’re probably up against 5 or so writers and it’s probably been passed over by some A-list guy OR you’re being called in to rewrite a script they aren’t quite pleased with, but — these are still really, really great assignments. A huge step up from level 4.
Level 6 – A shade above level 5. Similar projects, only you are one of the first writers on the project after the A or A minus guys pass. And maybe the project is a notch better than level 5.
Level 7 – This level is a little ambiguous, but this is where your agent stops making outbound calls and starts receiving in-bound calls! This is huge. People either offer you a job outright OR they offer it to you with the provision that its yours if you all agree on a take. In other words, this is your job to lose. If it doesn’t work out, THEN we’ll move on. Normally you need something to happen to get to this level (ie: land a bunch of things at once…have a really huge spec sale…one of your scripts gets made and released and does well, etc. Lots of different ways to get here, none of them easy).
Level 8 – Getting to STACK JOBS. This is the level that makes myself and every other writer in town want to yank their pants down and work themselves over. This is where you get to say “yes” to multiple assignments and…the studios are okay with waiting in line. Much like an actor, you put the assignments in positions of your availability and then work them in that order. In other words, you know what your next 2,3, even 4 jobs are. They are locked and loaded. Pretty sweet.
Level 9 – I don’t know what to call this other than — Nirvana. There aren’t a lot of writers here and they oscillate in and out. This level is for people like David Keopp ( Jurassic Park, Spider Man, War of the Worlds, Mission Impossible, etc). This is where A-list actors and A-list directors come calling. Quite frankly I don’t know how you ever fall out of this level once you’re there, given the sheer amount of variables stacked in your favor (great actors, great directors, giant franchises, best selling novels to adapt, and on and on and on.).
And that’s it! Top of the mountain.
Again, all of this is silly to try and quantify, but this is sort of how I perceive the various levels. But as I said before, I’m getting obsessed with movin’ on up. Specifically to Level 7. And believe it or not – NOT because of the upgrade in paycheck. Yes, I’d love a little more breathing room. I’m entering the “buy a house, have a kid” phase, so I could definitely use the extra scratch.
But it’s really more about: a) getting cool projects b) having to hustle less to get them. The less I have to hustle, the more time I have to write, which truly makes me happy.
My agents are ecstatic about my career is and it’s current trajectory, so I’m definitely thankful for how things are going. When I think that I came out here not that long ago never having visited California and not knowing a single soul – things have gone pretty good.
But I wouldn’t mind movin’ another level up!!
It’s great to get some perspective on the whole process. The 90% of us who barely get to step one start to think step two is the end. Yay! I have an agent. They will get all my jobs and write the rest of my scripts until I retire.
When did you decide you were ready to pursue your friend of a friend of a friend and get them to pass along your script? I feel like this is a delicate step: if you to take it too soon it could be detrimental. Would you care to share how many scripts you finished, smiled at and then threw in a locked drawer before you finished one you decided to put your money on? Thanks again for a great, informative blog.
Well, probably only one. I came out with one script that I had rewritten many times. And I was probably working on my 2nd when I finally got an agent.
It is a delicate step, but not as delicate as you think. The worst thing you can do is be too precious with your writing. Too worried about what people think. Truth is, this is art, not a math problem. American Beauty was turned down by every major studio in Hollywood. I have a friend who turned it down and said he thought it was the worst script he’d read that year. HUH? To me, that’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever read and it happened to win an Oscar.
So, I would say just get the script to the point YOU think it should be in — then spread it around like wildfire. So you might get some “no’s”. Who cares. What do they know?
Hey what do people look at in your background while you’re traveling up the levels? Is what’s most important a good amount of script you have written, a specific college degree, or getting lucky?
Hey Saad, it’s really a few things:
1) getting lucky
2) if the town specifically responds to one of your script and it gets heat
3) gaining friendships with people that can help you
4) getting heat on one of your scripts after you sell it. Getting an actor attached or more importantly, getting it made and having the movie do well — thats the easiest way to move up fast!
Thanks for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it!
I’m getting the impression that finding the right target audience is part of the success. When you say “if the town specifically responds to one of your script and it gets heat” , is it possible that a studio based in NY and LA might respond differently to a script one writes?
But I guess college education might help, but is not the defining factor that can help you get your script recognized. That’s interesting.
Hi Joe. Congrats on finding success with your first script.
After you snagged an agent, what did you do right away? Write another new script right away or did you relax while the agent went out to hustle your script for you? I’m always curious what happens once you get an agent. I’m currently seeking an agent for my scripts and I’m also working on a novel… my dream is to move to L.A and I hope I’ll be able to snag a nice deal like you have!
cheers N beers,
S
Hey man,
No, my agents were like — KEEP WRITING. It’s the one piece of advise you hear over and over. The reason being that this town is NUTTY. The way things happen are NUTTY. They’re up, they’re down, they’re good, they’re bad, they’re fast, they’re slow.
If you only have one thing going on, you will literally wanna leap off a roof. The only thing that has kept me sane is having multiple things going on. So if something wacky is happening with one, I’m already onto the next and can let the nonsense on the other play out.
thanks for writing back. Yeah I’ve got a few writing projects on my plate and I’ve wondered to myself if I should slow down or whether it’s a good thing. Now I feel much better
Joe, I love reading and hearing how writers got their break in the world of Hollywood. I’ve been writing for a few years and starting to have some progress. I write thrillers mostly.
My goal is to get to level 9… I can dream can’t I?
Keep up the momentum, and keep on writing. Hopefully when I make it, I can give aspring writers a look on the inside like you with your blog.
Peace.
~CJ
[…] Screenwriting So I was reading Joe Gazzam’s Blog a while back - specifically the post Movin’ on UP! - and it got me thinking. As much as any other screenwriter, I want to move up to the next level. […]