How to Find and Choose the Right Screenwriting Manager for Your Career
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Webinar hosted by: Kate Sharp
Literary Manager & Producer at Bellevue Productions
Kate Sharp is a producer and literary manager at Bellevue Productions. Prior to joining Bellevue, Kate was the VP of Development and Production at Occupant Entertainment, producing short-form content for Showtime, MTV, Verizon, Facebook, and U2, and was an Executive Producer on the Hulu original, Emmy-nominated TV series BEHIND THE MASK. Her film credits include PEEP WORLD, BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY, MADAME BOVARY and THE HALLOW. Kate is currently producing THE BURNING SEASON (recipient of a Film Independent Producing Fellowship, a 2016 Tribeca Sloan grant, a 2018 Fast Track Sloan grant, a 2015 Athena List winner and on the 2016 Black List), as well as AT RISK (recipient of a Film Independent Writing Fellowship and on the 2018 Black List). Kate’s extensive experience as a manager, producer, and executive of projects big and small has made her an expert on representation, and she’s excited to share her expertise exclusively with the Stage 32 community. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Receive a downloadable list of of management companies!
If you’re an aspiring writer, a good literary manager is often a vital ingredient for your success and continuing career. They’re with you on every step of your journey. They give you notes on your projects, help you strategize and prioritize, keep you motivated, and get you in front of execs, producers, and other players to get that next job. It’s a crucial and ongoing relationship that can make or break your career. The manager/client relationship is an intimate and important one that should be based on trust and communication, as well as on personalities. Because of this, it’s worth taking the time to think about what kind of working relationship you want to have with your rep.
Managers and by extension management companies have different strengths and approaches to working with clients. From the bigger players like Anonymous Content, 3 Arts and Circle of Confusion, to the more boutique companies like Bellevue Productions, MXN Entertainment, and Lit Entertainment, each manager or management company has a different working philosophy and mandate for building a client’s career—from development to career strategy to producing policies to staffing and more. Understanding these differences and knowing what to be aware of and what questions to ask when looking for representation is essential.
Kate Sharp is a producer and literary manager at Bellevue Productions. Prior to joining Bellevue, Kate was the VP of Development and Production at Occupant Entertainment, producing short-form content for Showtime, MTV, Verizon, Facebook, and U2, and was an Executive Producer on the Hulu original, Emmy-nominated TV series BEHIND THE MASK. Her film credits include PEEP WORLD, BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY, MADAME BOVARY and THE HALLOW. Kate is currently producing THE BURNING SEASON (recipient of a Film Independent Producing Fellowship, a 2016 Tribeca Sloan grant, a 2018 Fast Track Sloan grant, a 2015 Athena List winner and on the 2016 Black List), as well as AT RISK (recipient of a Film Independent Writing Fellowship and on the 2018 Black List). Kate’s extensive experience as a manager, producer, and executive of projects big and small has made her an expert on representation, and she’s excited to share her expertise exclusively with the Stage 32 community.
Kate will start with the basics of the management landscape, describing the role of a literary manager and illustrating what a good manager/client relationship could look like. She’ll go over the different approaches managers have when working with clients and teach you the major players and the different types of management companies, including the larger companies, and the smaller more boutique ones. She’ll then delve into how a writer should pick a manger by helping you understand what personal needs and wants you should consider when looking, what questions you should ask during the interview process, and what red flags you should be aware of when meeting with potential managers. Next, Kate will go over the relationship between managing and producing and what goes into a manager producing your project. She’ll talk about what you should consider when talking to your manager about serving as a producer. Finally Kate will delve into the ins and outs of a beneficial manager/client relationship, including how to get the ball rolling once you sign, how to work well with them day-to-day, week-to-week, and what expectations you should both have for each other. Kate will leave you with an understanding of the literary representation landscape and a clear idea of what to consider and what questions to ask when finding your own manager.
Praise for Kate's Stage 32 Webinar:
"Kate was fantastic, clear and succinct about what she's looking for, what she's not looking for and a general overview of what managers do."
-Gail B.
" Kate Sharp was incredible. She laid out the road map for where a screenwriter goes after completing screenplays. She made it clear on what to look for in a manager and how it differs from having an agent. She's a great instructor, and also looks like a very special person to have as a manager, who loves what she does and would be a great partner for a writer! Thank you for sharing her gifts with us!" -Ricki L.
"The information was straightforward and practical. I made loads of notes to go back over. Thanks!"
-Gillian R.
"BRAVO, KATE!!! She provided a wonderful presentation fueled by stellar "real world" facts and scenarios."
-Bill B.
What You'll Learn
- Understanding the Overall Management Landscape
- The general role of manager
- What does a positive manager/client relationship look like?
- Different approaches managers have when working with clients
- Breakdown of the major players and types of management companies
- Larger companies
- Smaller companies
- Independents
- How to Pick A Manager
- Understanding your own personal needs and wants
- Important questions you need to ask potential managers during the interview process
- Red flags to pick up on when meeting with potential managers
- What the actual process of signing looks like
- Managers and Producing
- Understanding the relationship between managing and producing
- Pros and cons of your manager serving as a producer on your project
- Working with Your Manager
- You just signed with your manager. Now what?
- Strategies to have the best possible ongoing relationship with your manager
- Expectations you should have for your manager
- Expectations your manager should have for you
- Q&A with Kate
Plus! You will receive a downloadable list of management companies that you can target!
About Your Instructor
Kate Sharp
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Reviews Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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Trevelyan Evans Really informative, well-balanced and up -to-date. -
Gail Barrick Kate was fantastic! Very clear and precise about the business and what she likes and doesn't like, and how she operates.
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