For Screenwriters on Choosing an Agent or Manager in Hollywood

A young screenwriter who recently received two offers from literary managers asked for my advice as to how she should go about choosing the right one.

First, this is wonderful news...any time any one of you receives recognition for your work, please take a beat to pat yourself on the back. In one of the most competitive fields in the world, when others appreciate your creativity and talent, this is an accomplishment you need to acknowledge. Your hard work and unique skills are paying off and this is a positive sign of additional opportunities to come. Congratulations!

In choosing an agent or manager, my advice is the following:

A) Be polite and express your enthusiasm about their interest in you, but don't be afraid to ask questions and do some due diligence.

B) Look them up on IMDBpro.com and see what other clients they represent. If they have any big hitters, that gives them easier entrée to network executives and production companies which means they have more leverage to get buyers to actually read your work.

C) Ask them if they could spell out their game plan for you and your career. Ask these additional questions:

• Who do they plan to send your material to?
• Who would they like to get you meetings with?
• Where do they feel they're the strongest, i.e. comedy, drama, cable, prime time, day time, animated, children's programming, etc. and are their strengths in these areas a match with yours?
• Where do they see your career going? Features or Television? Starting out on half-hour comedies, one-hour dramas and eventually becoming a show runner?
• Do they want to team you up with any show runners?
• Do they want you to write more spec shows, original material and so on.

Finding the right agent or manager is like dating...see if you're on the same page.

I hope the above is helpful. If I can offer further advice to you or someone you know, please check out my website and let me know how I can help!

Cheers to a happy holiday and all best wishes for a fantastic and prosperous 2011 -- with lots of "Go" projects!

Wendy Kram, Producer/Owner
WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc.
Creative Screenwriting Magazine Top 3 Picks for "Best Script Consultants" 2010

wendy@wendykram.com * 310-994-3258 * www.la4hire.com

Excellence is in the Details

The week before last, I attended The Hamptons International Film Festival. I found it to be just the right size...not too big and not too small. Set in one of the most beautiful places in the world, the overall quality of movies in the narrative, short film and documentary categories was excellent!

In addition to Tom Hooper and Danny Boyle, two of my favorite contemporary filmmakers, for their respective movies "The King's Speech" and "127 Hours", I'd like to pay special props to the following standouts who exemplify great film making and how excellence is in the details:

WHEN WE LEAVE - Feature Narrative

Directed by: Feo Aladag
A stunning and heartbreaking drama, WHEN WE LEAVE confronts the realities of female oppression within traditional, religious families. While the story seems sadly familiar, Aladag's directing is so eloquent and powerful, she brings fresh perspective to a topic we've heard about many times over. Even when I knew what was coming, the filmmaker still managed to surprise us and serves as testament to how details and execution are everything. I was blown away. Since it's premiere, it has been recognized many times over with honors, and it has been selected as Germany's official entry for the 2011 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.

STRIKING A CHORD - Short Documentary
Directed by: Susan Rockefeller

Focusing on the healing power of music through the perspective of American troops in Iraq, STRIKING A CHORD hits a perfect pitch with Rockefeller's dynamic and confident directing style. Even if it's a story we think we know, Rockefeller takes us behind the scenes of men and women in combat in ways we haven't seen before. And she does so with perfect cinematic rhythms, letting the characters tell their own stories while showing both the adrenaline rush of their lives along with their vulnerability as humans, the heartbreak and nobility of their sacrifices, and the common denominator which everyone shares: music. The film is made in association with the We Are Family Foundation. for more information and to see the trailer, go to: http://www.wearefamilyfoundation.org//initiative/striking-a-chord-movie

I recommend both films highly. Each one of these filmmakers shows how excellence is achieved through the small details, showing us what we think we know in ways we haven't seen or thought about before. Kudos ladies!!

Special nods also to Daniela Bajar for her hard work as an Industry Liaison and to all those involved in selecting such a high level of films. You all made the festival a great experience.

Wendy Kram, Producer/Owner

WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc.

310-994-3258 (direct)

310-943-2440 (fax)

wendy@la4hire.com

www.la4hire.com

blog: http://wendystipsatlaforhire.blogspot.com/

Wendy Kram was recognized by Creative Screenwriting Magazine in their 2010 Edition of "Best Script Consultants" as the “crème de la crème", ranking within the top 3 out of 165 consultants reviewed by screenwriters.

Writer/Comic Michael James Nelson

Congratulations to my client, Michael James Nelson, who has had an amazing month!

Michael has been on the front page of Will Ferrell's website "Funny or Die" a total now of six times.

His BP video, which he wrote, directed, and stars in, was featured on "Funny or Die" and today made The Huffington Post!

Michael also performed on the main stage at The Comedy Store and was invited back to do a 20 minute set on August 22nd.

Make sure to check him out.

Michael has been diligently writing comedy sketches, performing and honing his craft -- and it just goes to show that hard work does pay off!!

Check out Michael's BP video:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/26/an-unedited-look-at-the-p_n_659645.html

Wendy Kram & L.A. FOR HIRE listed as "Best Movie & TV Script Consultants"

Creative Screenwriting Magazine just came out with their 2010 Edition of "The Best Movie & TV Script Analysts & Consultants As Rated by Screenwriters".

I am proud to be listed among an elite group, ranked #3 in an overall rating of over 160 consultants who were reviewed, and considered by Creative Screenwriting Magazine as "The Cream of the Crop".

For more information about Creative Screenwriting Magazine's 2010 Edition of "The Best Movie & TV Script Analysts & Consultants As Rated by Screenwriters", please visit:

http://creativescreenwriting.com/consultant.survey.html

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/255a13a6#/255a13a6/16

For more information about my services and how I may assist you with your screenwriting goals, please visit:

www.la4hire.com or email me at wendy@la4hire.com

Ageism in Hollywood?

I was recently asked the following question:

How much does age and experience factor into getting started in Hollywood?

My response:

If you are looking to break in as an assistant to a producer, studio executive or agent, it helps to be young. In reality, most adults would not want these positions. These are the types of jobs that young people are more willing to do since the pay is low and they entail a lot of grunt work, which is fine when you're just starting out and if you have the means to sustain yourself. In some cases, young people have parents who are willing to subsidize them in these jobs as they realize it's an investment in their children's futures...or younger people are willing to work night jobs such as bar tend to make ends meet, concessions many adults are not willing to make. Assistant jobs are a rite of passage of sorts and can provide invaluable experience. But it is not essential to have this experience in order to make it in Hollywood.

Specifically when it comes to screenplays, I don't think age is such a factor since what matters most is the content. If you have a great script with a great concept that can get noticed by people who can help get your movie made, age doesn't really matter. If someone is young and writes a crappy script, no one is going to buy it just because they're young. And even if someone is 25 and brilliantly talented, their age won't guarantee that their project will get noticed. It's a tough business no matter how old you are.

What matters most is having a great story that's well-executed.

It's content, not age, that's King.

No matter what your age, your focus should be on creating a great piece of work and having the wisdom and self-honesty to know what's good and what's not.

The Art of the Pitch in Hollywood

Starting with how the idea for your project came to you is one of the best ways to begin your pitch. Because you are connecting to a real place and the source of your genuine inspiration and excitement about your project, your delivery will come across in a manner that's not so re-hearsed. It's a great ice-breaker. Best of all, talking about how you got your idea makes you more relaxed and less self-conscious, which in turn makes the person you're pitching to also feel more relaxed and engaged.

As a producer who has heard infinite pitches, nothing is more painful than watching someone sweat, turn red and even shake because they feel so uncomfortable and nervous. While some executives might come across as a little cold, the truth is, every executive is rooting for you. If you have a great project, you make them a star.

Worse are those who come in and read from a document. We want to connect with you, see who you are and get to know you. We're taking time out of a very busy day to have you in our office, so do what you can to entertain us.


The best way to do that is to connect with your genuine source of interest and excitement because that reveals you...and your excitement will engage us and be infectious.

Never under estimate the importance of practice and being prepared. The best way to prepare, I have found when I'm preparing a pitch, is to write the story down. Usually, this process takes place in the form of a treatment or outline that I've been working on for at least a week. By reading and researching the characters (if based on a book or true story) and writing the treatment, I've gotten to know my characters and story intimately so that talking about them becomes second nature.


DO practice in the shower, in your car, on your way to your coffee shop, as you walk across the parking lot -- do whatever it takes! Practice your pitch on your friends. Make sure they are friends who are supportive and won't tear you apart or put you down as that will only shred your confidence and put you back a few steps -- completely counter-productive! So practice, practice, practice!...until your pitch is second nature.

DON'T wing it. Unless you're a seasoned pro, a gifted story-teller who has been writing novels, scripts or plays for at least 10 years as these are the only people I know capable of "winging" pitches...and even they too have to prepare a little bit.

Last but not least...

Have FUN! Love your story, love what you're telling...even if it's a scary movie, a tragedy or a horror movie...enjoy the process! Chances are if you have fun, the person you're pitching it to will too!

For more information about "Pitching" and other Hollywood Tips, contact Wendy:

wendy@la4hire.com l www.la4hire.com

Why I created L.A. FOR HIRE, your own Hollywood Executive

It all started when I was sitting at a bar in Chelsea in NYC with a girlfriend of mine, Danielle, an advertising media whiz and fellow Columbia University alumni -- and I was longing to return to my roots in Manhattan where I grew up and went to college. Over a lovely, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, as I thought about becoming more bi-coastal, Danielle said...


"You're L.A. FOR HIRE! That's what you are... You have over 15 years of experience in Hollywood and a bunch of credits under your belt as a producer and executive for various film and TV companies at all the major studios. This makes you a valuable commodity, especially in New York or anyone outside of L.A...so you should consult."



You know the players, the network, studio and production company executives...you know creative talent, writers, directors, actors, agents, managers, and so on...and you know how to navigate the Hollywood system. You're L.A. FOR HIRE!"


I Liked the sound of that.


I got into a taxi and by the time I arrived on the Upper Westside where I was staying, I had pen and paper in hand and began to formulate my new entertainment consulting company "L.A. FOR HIRE".


With over 15 years of experience developing and producing projects for film and television, I decided to create a company that would fill a niche for those filmmakers, screenwriters, production companies and advertising agencies that might be seeking insider expertise and Hollywood contacts to advance their projects but lived far away -- or didn't have the access and the "know-how" to navigate the entertainment industry. And in instances where companies were forced to make cut-backs or became short-staffed, they could hire a seasoned film and television executive on a consulting basis.


In creating L.A. FOR HIRE, your own Hollywood Executive, I offer filmmakers, screenwriters, production companies, and advertising agencies from all over the world a gateway to the Hollywood community. Wherever an individual or company may be...whether it's New York City, London, Paris or Dubai...if you can't get to Hollywood -- I'll bring Hollywood to you.



Thus L.A. FOR HIRE was born.


For more information, please contact Wendy at:


wendy@la4hire.com or click on my website: www.la4hire.com