The Development Process: What Happens if They Want Your Script?
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Webinar hosted by: Joe Russo
Producer / Director / Writer
Award-Winning filmmaker, Joe Russo, has seen his short films featured in festivals worldwide, garnering praise from top film critics. His years of production experience includes work on commercials, web-series, television and feature films for such companies as Nike, FOX, SyFy, A/E, Lionsgate Films and Universal Studios. Joe is the former Director of Development at Level 1 Entertainment, under CEO and Hollywood producer, Bill Todman, Jr., where he head up a slate of feature films and television programs, working hand-in-hand with several major motion picture studios and television networks. Joe has been recognized for his “firm grasp of the craft, solid storytelling, and compelling characters”, developing many acclaimed projects, including Exorcist Inc. and City of Exile, developed with writer Claire Weaver, which were featured on the 2014 Young and Hungry List, and the screenplay Nicholas, developed with writer Leo Sardarian, that was featured on the 2013 Young and Hungry List, the 2013 Hit List and the 2013 Black List- Hollywood’s most prestigious list of the best unproduced screenplays. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Learn directly from Joe Russo, an Independent Producer who has worked on projects with FOX, SyFy, A/E, Lionsgate Films and Universal Studios!
You’ve spent days, weeks, months, maybe even years, toiling away on your screenplay. You’ve read all the books. You’ve taken the seminars. You’ve work shopped your script to death. You’ve crafted a sharp pitch and logline for your script – and now someone in the industry wants to READ your work!
You celebrate this long awaited victory, but what happens next? What if they don’t just like the script you’ve poured your heart and soul into, what if they WANT it.
In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, Joe Russo will shine a light and give an executive’s opinion and advice on a Hollywood process you’ve all heard of, but probably don’t know nearly enough about – Development. Joe has been recognized for his “firm grasp of the craft, solid storytelling, and compelling characters”, as well as developing many acclaimed projects.
The path to taking your written words and turning them into a major motion picture is a tricky, windy road. You all know the coined phrase “Development Hell”, and too many projects fall into this pit simply because the process isn’t clearly understood at the outset.
So join Stage 32 as we explore the complicated and fascinating world of Development, and all of the small victories and bumps along the road that you can experience on your way to the green lighting of your screenplay into a movie.
What You'll Learn
- How to get your script into development.
- What to expect when a Production Company shows interest in your script.
- A Production Company wants to put your script into development – so now what?
- When do you need representation?
- The development process - what to expect, what is expected of you.
- The Development timetable.
- Understanding and interpreting notes or “How to avoid Development Hell”.
- What it really means for a Production Company to take your project out to the market.
- When should you get paid?
- What goals should you have for your project in development?
- Recorded, in-depth Q&A with Joe!
About Your Instructor
Joe Russo
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