Question - management company interest in rough cut

[Celia Cyanide]

I wrote and directed a feature film that is now in post production. Someone from a management company found out about it, and is interested in reading the screenplay. He said he would also be interested in seeing the completed film. The rough cut is about fifty percent done. Would you recommend that I send in the script, or wait for the rough cut? Or the final film? The final cut could take a while, because I want to get as much feedback as possible. I was just wondering what people thought. I don't really have any scripts in development that I don't want to make myself, but it might be good to get it out there.

[kullervo]

Here's what happens:

1. You send just the script. He has it covered by someone he pays to reject everything. They write negative coverage. He reads the coverage, loses enthusiasm, and you never hear from him again.

2. He says he has a special talent for seeing the finished film in the rough cut, so you send him that. He watches twenty minutes, says "this is kind of rough," and loses enthusiasm. You never hear from him again.

3. You wait until you have a final cut. By then he has been fired/died/ankled to indy prod and you never hear from him again.

There is no good answer here.

[icerose]

I would say send out the script with a note saying where it's at in the cleaning up process.

[dpaterso]

Could you edit a 30-second trailer together? The best sound bite moments from your film. Just a thought. This plus the script.

http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip25.htm

-Derek

[NikeeGoddess]

i agree w/dPat - send a trailer w/script. if he likes what he sees he may be able to find some financial backing for you to finish and polish up that flick.

[WriteKnight]

How did he 'hear' about it? How does he know it exists? What sort of information, peaked his curiousity?

A 'management' company - means.... what? Someone who wants to represent you as a director/writer? Then send him the script. He's not going to buy your film, he's looking to rep your talents.

He said he'd be interested in seeing the COMPLETED film. Don't show him the rough cut. At most, cut the trailer together and send him that.

[Celia Cyanide]

It is on my imdb page, listed as post-production. That is how he found out about it. And there are several links to articles and interviews with me, and I think he may have looked at some of them, judging from what he said in his email.

[icerose]

It is on my imdb page, listed as post-production. That is how he found out about it. And there are several links to articles and interviews with me, and I think he may have looked at some of them, judging from what he said in his email.

Is he legit? I hate asking, but just watch yourself. I don't like to hear of anyone getting burned.

[Celia Cyanide]

Thanks for asking, icerose. :) Don't worry, I have been asking questions and doing research on that, as well.

[icerose]

Thanks for asking, icerose. :) Don't worry, I have been asking questions and doing research on that, as well.

Glad to hear, I figured you would have covered that already, but I find myself skipping over that stage sometimes in my own excitement.

[nmstevens]

I wrote and directed a feature film that is now in post production. Someone from a management company found out about it, and is interested in reading the screenplay. He said he would also be interested in seeing the completed film. The rough cut is about fifty percent done. Would you recommend that I send in the script, or wait for the rough cut? Or the final film? The final cut could take a while, because I want to get as much feedback as possible. I was just wondering what people thought. I don't really have any scripts in development that I don't want to make myself, but it might be good to get it out there.

Just like everybody thinks that they know how to drive and everybody thinks they know how to make love (only they don't) -- in Hollywood, every producer thinks that they can read a treatment and "see" the finished script or watch a rough cut and "see" the finished movie (only they can't).

So what you might consider doing is to send them a copy of the script and, out of the goodness of your heart, *include* coverage (which, of course, you will have paid someone to produce yourself, including a positive -- but not ridiculously positive -- recommendation).

And you'll say, "In addition to my screenplay, for your convenience, I'm attaching coverage that I had done by XYZ."

Now -- obviously, they're going to know that you won't have attached coverage that's going to slam your script. They know that it's going to be positive coverage.

On the other hand -- they'll read it. Why not? Better to read coverage that's right there in front of them than having to pay somebody. In the end, they'll either like what they read or they won't, no matter what the comment sheet says.

And the advantage of the coverage (including the comments page) having passed through your hands, is that you can fix it up to make it read better than the average piece of coverage (even positive coverage) generally reads.

As far as cutting a trailer -- unless you feel that you can put together a really polished, finished, kick-ass trailer -- same deal. Don't do it unless it's going to be dynamite -- finished. Ready to run in the theatre.

NMS

[preyer]

'Just like everybody thinks that they know how to drive and everybody thinks they know how to make love (only they don't)...' springfield? hey, i live in west carrollton! come on down and we'll shoot a movie. hm, that sounds like a come on, doesn't it? alas, i'm married. ...ish.

i've had a great idea for a movie. it's a horror. featuring a sock that comes to life. after learning that it doesn't have to kill, it becomes beloved and has to defend the family against the other articles of clothing caught in the same freak accident that brought it to life. i'm not sure what a pack of socks go for right now, but that's the budget. well, and the CGI work, of course.

[Celia Cyanide]

The imdb lists Springfield as my birth place, but I am no longer living there. :)

I think your sock idea would be better as a stop motion short. ;)

[icerose]

The imdb lists Springfield as my birth place, but I am no longer living there. :)

I think your sock idea would be better as a stop motion short. ;)

Agreed, that'd really save on budget too and I'd bet you'd get tons of hits on youtube

[preyer]

how disappointing.

ah, well, such is life. :)

is it a terrible thing to call the man and ask him what he wants and how he wants it instead of trying to read his mind and wind-up guessing?

[WriteKnight]

I'm sorry, it's still not clear to me where his interest lies. As a 'management company' is he looking for a sample of your writing ability? Or is he looking for a sample of your directing ability? Which aspect of your career is he interetsed in managing?

I am assuming its not a distribution company that is looking to pick up the completed film for possible distribution, right?

[Celia Cyanide]

I'm sorry, it's still not clear to me where his interest lies. As a 'management company' is he looking for a sample of your writing ability?

Yes, he represents writers.

[NikeeGoddess]

management companies are more freestyle than agents who must be licensed. they have the ability to package the whole deal: find attachments (directors, producers, actors, financing, etc..). they usually get 15% and oftentimes place themselves in positions of producer. they can do more than an agent.

[MrWrite]

'Just like everybody thinks that they know how to drive and everybody thinks they know how to make love (only they don't)...' springfield? hey, i live in west carrollton! come on down and we'll shoot a movie. hm, that sounds like a come on, doesn't it? alas, i'm married. ...ish.

i've had a great idea for a movie. it's a horror. featuring a sock that comes to life. after learning that it doesn't have to kill, it becomes beloved and has to defend the family against the other articles of clothing caught in the same freak accident that brought it to life. i'm not sure what a pack of socks go for right now, but that's the budget. well, and the CGI work, of course.

You need a love interest to give it some socks appeal!

You could make it into a boxing flick and call it "Sock it to me" LOL!

I'm sorry. I'll get my coat!