Lets be honest...Atlanta is killing it right now in tv and film production thanks to it's tax incentives. I've managed get a lot of work as a PA in camera, sound, and other departments. I was also able to meet a lot of other talented filmmakers who had the same strive as me. With all that being said, do you really think Atlanta is the best place for emerging screenwriters and directors?
Before I secured my first gig as a PA, I was already coming up with a strategy to move to Los Angeles. I just needed to work ad save up some money. As time goes by, Atlanta their tax credit program. It didn't take long for studios and production companies to announce they were coming here to make films. At that point I said to myself "well I guess I'm staying here". As I was working on different projects, I took the time to write treatments and scripts to pitch. That's when I realized that it's just the prod companies and studios that were coming to Atlanta and not the literary/ talent agencies or management companies. Sure there are a few over here but there aren't that many as there are in LA and NYC.
I've been pitching for over a year now and have been getting very helpful feedback. I make sure that each pitch is a meaningful one, written or verbal, but I think having an in-person/ face-to-face pitch would benefit the screenwriter/ director even more. In my opinion, the intimacy itself could make the person that's pitching more confident on the fact that he/ she was able to get into a room with an executive. That is why I'm still considering moving to LA or NYC.
So my questions (if applicable)...to all the screenwriters and directors that are just starting out. (If it applies to you)
1. Do you think you have a better chance of pursuing your screenwriter/ directing career if you move out to LA or New York?
2. If you're moving to Atlanta, do you feel confident that you'll launch your career and establish yourself as a seasoned filmmaker? (Assuming you're going the indie route)
3. Any other thoughts on the topic.
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http://floridapolitics.com/archives/255818-philip-levine-vows-bring-back...
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I am not a director, so I have no clue what it would take to break in as a director. Most screenwriters who move to LA never make any money writing screenplays, so I wouldn’t move there unless of course it doesn’t matter where you want to live.
My agent has an investment group that made me and my co-producer an offer to fund two of my projects if we are willing to film in Georgia, so I know why people want to film there.
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Current conventional wisdom is that if you're a screenwriter, you can break in from anywhere so long as you're willing to come to LA for meetings and such.
If you're looking to break in as a TV writer you have to be in LA. The great thing about being in Atlanta right now and working in production is that you have the chance to meet writer/producers who can help you when you make the move to LA.
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If managers/ producers you're pitching to via S32 (or elsewhere) are keen to meet you, then book some meetings and fly to LA for a couple of weeks. If that goes really well, THEN think about moving. Otherwise, you're just going to be one of a million others out there who can't get in to the right rooms to pitch the right people.
Unless you've already met some people on your shoots in Atlanta who can help you in LA AND you've got some scripts that are red hot.
A caveat to my advice above - if you're in your early 20s and can afford to work for peanuts as a writer's assistant (and can GET that kind of gig) then yeah, give it a shot.
Otherwise I'd just spend my time in Atlanta making friends with as many local crew in as many departments as I can. Work on their films if they're making any. Then when I had an awesome script, I'd ask them all if they'd return the fav. And bingo, you've got some product to show. Moving to LA without any product is a waste, imo.
Dan Guardino So what you're saying is, despite still being able to write screenplays, the screenwriter's haven't made much out of their careers since moving to LA? No progress or advancement onto bigger projects?
Phil Parker Would it matter if you're doing making shorts or a feature as your product? Or would you just need something/ anything to show around if one would make the move to LA?
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Christopher Vance - the best strategy is to be making short films that are proof-of-concepts for spec features you've written.
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Christopher. Breaking in as a screenwriter is hard and I was not willing to move to LA just to try and break into the business as a screenwriter. I didn't feel it was worth it.
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Christopher, For what it's worth, I've produced 13 pictures and directed five. I've worked with two Academy-Award Winners, including Benicio Del Toro and one of the shorts I wrote, directed and produced qualified for the Oscars, which helped me land a big feature. I've been in this business more than 15 years, so take my advice with a grain of salt, as you should anyone's. If you're not in the NYC area - as I am - or L.A. - Georgia is one of the next best places to be. Production there is constant. In fact, I produced a feature just over 10 years ago in Atlanta - and several suburbs - called Rex. We had one of the stars from LOST, we had Natalie Canerday from Sling Blade and my buddy Duane Whitaker, best known for his role as "Maynard" in Pulp Fiction. We also had an actor from Smallville that went on to a big supporting role in The Hunger Games and is one of the voices of the new Ninja Turtles. I was quite impressed with how production is really supported out there or the amazing locations we were able to get on the cheap. The Atlanta Film Festival is an Oscar-Qualifier and its members hold film meetings throughout the year. And, isn't Magnolia Pictures a big presence out there? Moreover, we received SO MUCH SUPPORT from the community that I wish I had a movie to bring back there right now! I made several good friends and it was such a great atmosphere for filming and a great memory. My advice to you is what I often say - GET MORE PROACTIVE! Start learning producing to go with the writing - so you can help put deals together and GET in the CONVERSATION. Band up with a few independent filmmakers out there and make a short, with an eye toward a feature down the line. Why not save up and instead of going somewhere exotic for vacation, take two trips a year to Los Angeles to pitch companies, meet with agents and managers ... filmmakers and other networking events. I'm not in any way discouraging you from moving to Los Angeles, but why not save your money to put towards a short and a feature? Find three or four other filmmakers to band up with and do that. Keep working on crews and learning. Go to L.A. twice a year! Get involved with the Atlanta Film Festival - there's also two others not too far off. I think the Macon Film Festival is fairly good. There's another I'm not recalling at the moment. The key is being PROACTIVE no matter where you live! One thing I learned - in addition writing and directing, I learned producing and when I did, I started grounding the money for projects myself. Also, WORK BEGETS WORK! It's really so true! That's my story and I'm sticking to it! GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! ;)
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Sam Borowski You're a very generous person to take the time to give detailed & helpful advice. That's what I enjoy about STAGE32 - - - the chance to meet good people like you. Hello from Greenwich Village, Sam!
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Sam Borowski, thanks for the indebt responses to Christopher's questions, as I too have been bouncing around the move to LA as a screenwriter looking to break in.
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Happy to offer it, Jeanna. And, again, think about going out to L.A. for some networking, meetings AND inspiration. BUT, plan it out, so you can make the best of your time.
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For me I live in Colorado Springs, CO. It is nice and about 60 minutes away from Denver (who are starting to kick it into high gear with new projects which is amazing). But frankly I DO see more opportunity out in Los Angeles. And also I hate cold weather now so L.A. is perfect for me. LOL As for the indie route, I think frankly it doesn't matter where you live, if you can get a project off the ground then no need to move to L.A. or Atlanta. But to each their own really.