Doors Open, Doors Close; Shall We Leave them Ajar?

Doors Open, Doors Close; Shall We Leave them Ajar?

Doors Open, Doors Close; Shall We Leave them Ajar?

Bev Gandara
Bev Gandara
5 years ago

Doors Open Doors Close Shall We Leave them Ajar

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!

Wishing you all an abundant New Year filled with love, joy, and success! Twenty days into the New Year, I’ve taken stock of where I’ve been, where I am right now and where I want to be. I have decided that lamenting the past and worrying about the future is a huge waste of time and being a septuagenarian, one does not have the luxury of squandering a moment.

That made me think about my relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Doors will remain open to family, no matter how difficult they may be. In those instances, I will love them from afar. For friends, my doors are always open. The changes I am making this year are with colleagues.

BE PROUD OF WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THUS FAR.

I am proud of what I have accomplished as a screenwriter and novelist, beginning my writing career after retirement, but I am not happy with the results of doors opening and closing. I have up until this point believed that one should never shut any doors but leave them ajar. Those were the lessons I learned working for top executives in profit and non-profit organizations as a young woman in Manhattan. No doors were ever shut. Either a deal was done, or it wasn’t – hands were shaken, well wishes were sent and if the deal could not be done, the message was always “maybe next time.” So, it was natural for me to approach my writing career, doors ajar.

Doors Open Doors Close Shall We Leave them Ajar

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!

When I began my screenwriting studies, advice from one of the many books about the art and craft of screenwriting I read dealt with what happened once a project was completed. The suggestion was to ask everyone they knew if they had contact with anyone in the movie business. I did and discovered a friend of a friend of a relative had a son who went to school with a boy whose aunt worked in a movie studio. Bingo! I called her and at her suggestion sent her my first script. Unbeknownst to me she bundled it with a project of her own and submitted it to a major studio. My first thrilling experience was when I received a phone call from her and heard the words, “Congratulations, you made it through door number one.” I had no idea how many doors there were to get through nor what that meant except that it was a good thing.

Several weeks later, she called and said: “Congratulations, your project made it through door number two, mine did not.” That’s when I found out about the bundle. As she was my only contact, I relied on her for information and while she was disappointed about her project, she seemed happy for me and assured me we were now like family. I was excited and devoted, now that we were family. She was set to receive a finder’s fee had my script been produced. Sadly, it never made it through any further doors. The family disintegrated and the contact ceased to exist. No money, no love. She closed the door. That’s when I realized that every creative endeavor, is, after all, a business. If one wants their work to be seen, heard or read, one must sell their talent. As the Internet grew, my networking increased and I met the loveliest creatives in all phases of movie-making, some with whom I’ve established long term relationships.

Doors Open Doors Close Shall We Leave them Ajar

YOU LIKE MY WORK? YOU REALLY MEAN IT? WHAT’S AN OPTION?

I was so blinded by the fact that my work was receiving attention, that I neglected to do my due diligence and check out the people with whom I was developing relationships and sharing my work. Generally, an option is a contractual agreement between a potential film producer and the author for an exclusive, but temporary, right to purchase the screenplay for a period of time with the goal of making it into a film.

My screenplays have been optioned and placed in development. Here are examples with three producers who over-promised and under-delivered.

My first option was with a producer I met through a monthly script service. I was assured they did their due diligence and certified all professionals listed on the site. The producer who contacted me gleefully announced he was about to receive a pot full of money and would I be interested in having my script produced for the big screen? Would I? Then the calls from the producer began. Not for plans to develop the project, but complaints about how he was being taken advantage of with promises not kept, etc. The money pot was shrinking, and “he” was being victimized. He played on my sympathy. He could no longer commit to the project. I left the door open.

DEVELOPMENT IS EXCITING – IT’S FUN – IT’S COSTLY.

Development activities by a producer usually include polishing the screenplay to ready it for production, preparing a budget and preliminary casting to help obtain financing for the project. When I won the Golden Palm Award at the 2012 Beverly Hills International Film Festival for best screenplay, doors opened, and I happily skipped through them still blushing from my red carpet and paparazzi moment. I was immediately contacted by a well-established producer with several projects in development. He was going to educate me about the business and add my script to his roster. He soon complained that we didn’t have a director so we couldn’t proceed. Wait a minute! I’ve been networking. I brought him a director – we didn’t have original music, I obtained original music, we didn’t have actors, I accessed actors. Every challenge he tossed my way, I met and gathered eager, committed cast and crew in front of the camera, behind the camera and off-camera so he could focus on securing funds. The process was thrilling.

Unfortunately, the money the producer supposedly had access to wasn’t quite available despite the on-going meetings with his bankers/investors. Our project crumbled. I was embarrassed and disappointed and after a significant amount of time, we parted company. I left the door open.

Doors Open Doors Close Shall We Leave them Ajar

The third producer was vulgar. He cursed like a madman and screamed instead of speaking. It reminded me of my work in New York’s garment center, sans the cursing. Nobody talked, they yelled. He apologized and begged me to understand the pressure he was under. “I work with animals all day!” he cried. I am not an animal and like to resolve things in a calm and mature manner. So, after an extended period of time with many promises and no movement forward, I ended our relationship and for the first time, shut the door.

This year, I shut all those doors. We are all dreamers and I let my hope of seeing my work on screen blind me to the realities of business with which I am so familiar. While I believe there is no expiration date on one’s dreams, I will no longer share my work for a pittance and a promise or waste my precious time with people who are engaged in game playing. Either we have a deal, or we don’t. There is no need for endless unproductive meetings, unfiltered drama, and vitriol. I will check out every so-called player (IMDb, LinkedIn, and Stage 32) who wants to work with me as I hope they would check me out. For me it’s all about the work.

So Happy New Year to you all. Be realistic, courteous and clear. Don’t give anyone power over you. If your work is good and ready to be produced and you are collaborating with trustworthy, capable professionals, a deal will be done, and all involved will be paid and recognized for their contribution. I urge you to listen to your gut and your brain. Stretch and reach for the stars, but make sure there is something to hold onto.

Doors Open Doors Close Shall We Leave them Ajar

More Stage 32 Blogs by Beverly:

How to Handle it When Someone Says: "You're a Writer? I've Got a Great Story You Should Write!"

Have Your Checked Your Drawers Recently?

More about Beverly Gandara

Doors Open Doors Close Shall We Leave them Ajar

Award-winning screenwriter/novelist Beverly Gandara has written several screenplays and two novels. Beverly's comedy script, Rent Money won the Golden Palm Award for Best Screenplay at the 2012 Beverly Hills International Film Festival. Her Five Star Readers’ Favorite, debut novel Concrete Wings: A Tale of Tyranny and Freedom, earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval with a recommendation for school and home libraries and Honorable Mention at the 2017 New York Book Festival and the 2018 Florida Book Festival. Her Five Star Readers’ Favorite second novel, Soaring in Silence: One woman’s Triumph Over Fear, a psychological thriller was released in 2019. Her third book, Women, Work and Triumph is a compilation of interviews with a diverse group of women and focuses solely on their careers; it will be released in 2020. Beverly lives in the southeast with her husband Armand, whose experiences inspired Concrete Wings. For more information about Beverly and her work, please visit www.bevgandara.com.

Thanks to George Atoroya Simonov, Alef Vinicus, Hans Eiskonen, Dima Pechurin and Diane Helentjaris for use of their photos.

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About the Author

Bev Gandara

Bev Gandara

Screenwriter, Author

Beverly Gandara, an award-winning author and screenwriter, crafts stories that resonate with heart and humanity, providing a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard. Through her compelling novels and screenplays, she brings to life the intricate tapestry of human emotions and experiences, high...

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7 Comments on Beverly's Article

Say, Beverly, great story! :D Well, you remind me of myself, when I have one door shut, I have another that opens. BTW, I'm a Chicago entertainment fan who's looking for a local publicist who can interview me about my three topics that are based on soap operas and music. In order for me to do that, I have to put in the work first-I have to have someone as a teammate. If you know one, great. If not, I won't waste your time and will look to someone else. This Doors Open, Doors Close; Shall We Leave Them Ajar? paragraph is very coincidental. What do you think?
5 years ago
Say, Beverly, I've e-mailed to RadioGuestList twice, but I've never gotten an answer from them.:( Is it b/c I was off-topic, or what? I hate to ask you a favor, but can you check for me to see what's going on? Thank you very much.
5 years ago
TY, I'll try that.:)
5 years ago
Janet Goodman
Animal Trainer, Songwriter, Screenwriter
I'm very inspired by your "after retirement" literary success. Thank you for your post!
5 years ago
Janet Goodman
Animal Trainer, Songwriter, Screenwriter
I couldn't agree with you more!
5 years ago
Beverly Gandara
Screenwriter, Author
Thank you, Janet. I believe we have the capability to have more than one career in our lives. There is no expiration date on one's dreams and there is no age restriction for creativity. I have to write; I'm a lousy card player.
5 years ago
Tony Ray
Screenwriter
"Nobody talked, they yelled." I honestly laughed at that part, but only because it reminded me of that scene from 'Anchorman' when Steve Carell starts yelling "LOUD NOISES!!!".  All kidding aside, it's always good to vet your information and check on people who give you offers. It sucks getting screwed over, but it's even worse when you find out it was because you missed something. Happy new year to you.
5 years ago
Beverly Gandara
Screenwriter, Author
Thanks for your comment, Tony. The interesting thing is, the last two had significant credentials and experience. What they didn't have was access to the funds to see the project through. Happy New Year to you as well.
5 years ago
Deborah Jennings
Author, Content Creator, Producer, Researcher
I enjoyed your article and have experienced the frustration and pain(?) of doors opening and closing.. I have tried to sell my miniseries project for over 25 years. I have been in and out of many doors. The two (a married couple) producers I have had the last two years got the project into some well-known doors. I thought I had arrived when I supposedly had a meeting with an Executive in L.A. After the meeting fell apart and I returned home, Disney Global Security called me to tell me I had been defrauded this time. I had to pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over again looking for a legitimate producer or agent. Easier said than done.
5 years ago
Deborah Jennings
Author, Content Creator, Producer, Researcher
Thanks for the words of support. Of course, feature films and television are two different beasts. I was finally with someone influential in television who said the project deserved to get done but she couldn't help anymore - even though she worked in the same studio as the Execs I was supposed to meet. I have adopted Michael Medved's word for things that make no sense - "Hollyweird"!
5 years ago
Beverly Gandara
Screenwriter, Author
Easier said than done, indeed. Thank you for sharing that Deborah. You are not alone. We just have to do our due diligence and make sure we are dealing with trustworthy professionals. Keep soaring from strength to strength.   
5 years ago
Rod Sáez Chávez
Actor, Concept Artist, Creative Executive, Director, Distributor, Editor, Location Manager, Music Composer, Singer, Sound Designer, Subtitler, Talent Scout, Translator, Unit Publicist
very good woords
5 years ago
Beverly Gandara
Screenwriter, Author
Thank you for your comment. 
5 years ago
Susan Joyce DuBosque
Content Creator, Editor, Screenwriter, Songwriter
Congratulations on your awards and thanks for sharing your lessons!
5 years ago
Wardan Tiple
Director, Screenwriter, Creative Executive
Very heart touching article and full of wisdom. Thank you Beverly!
5 years ago
Beverly Gandara
Screenwriter, Author
Hi Joan: I've invested my time and my work. Thankfully I have never been asked to invest my own money, nor would I do so. I suggest a competent entertainment attorney would be a good source before you make that kind of commitment. Best wishes.
5 years ago
Joan Foor
Publisher
Beverly: This is valuable information. I've met with two different producers and I was hesitant to invest $39,000 for a short film that may or may not get another producers attention to get financial funds to create a 90 min plus film whether it be T.V. or into Hollywood. With good advice from a professional I was advised to find an agent who is as passionate about my project and get my work to producers looking for good material. Joan Foor, author
5 years ago
Maria Johnsen
Filmmaker, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Songwriter
Congrats on the award! Great New York times style article, Beverly. There're many who are engaged in playing games not just in film but any business, but we have to keep working hard and never give up. If you believe in your deepest desire, it comes to life. Never take the law of attraction lightly. It does wonders. I wish you a great and fruitful year:-) 
5 years ago
Beverly Gandara
Screenwriter, Author
Thanks, Maria: I do believe in the Law of Attraction and know when the time is right, it will all come together as it should. I appreciate the compliments.
5 years ago
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