Now that weve Asked the Casting Directors, weve decided to open the floor up to other behind-the-scenes professions that assist get your favorite shows made. First up: Spencer Robinson of Art/Work, who wrote us about what it requires a talent manager for TELEVISION.
1) What is your task title and what does it involve?
I am a skill and literary supervisor, dealing with writers and actors in tv and film. This consists of anything from assisting to discover auditions and offers for my stars, to developing scripts with the writers before taking those scripts out to sell or using them to obtain authors staffed on tv shows. I deal with a lot of skilled people, and add to assisting their professions as I help find them opportunities in addition to help them choose which jobs to take, and when to take them.
2) For how long have you been at your position/ what made you desire to enter this market?
I have actually been a supervisor for almost 9 years, and was an assistant prior to that. When I was growing up, all I ever cared about was music, movies, and television, so I was going to wind up doing something in among those fields. I began as a Production Assistant dealing with industrial and motion picture sets, and ultimately ended up in the mailroom of a management business. That business represented some huge stars and produced motion pictures, so I was able to find out a lot about exactly what a supervisor does, and how movie advancement works.
Being that “dope as fuck” isn’t an actual plot, I asked him again for a short run-through, and he replied “heroin, tits, death, etc.”
I bounced around for the next few years working as an assistant at a couple of different management business prior to taking a break to join a band and go on tour. I invested a couple of years playing music all over Europe, and paying the costs by playing blackjack professionally. (I was on an offshoot of among the renowned MIT blackjack teams like the one in the film 21). Ultimately, I discovered my method back to working for a supervisor as an assistant, and after a year of that, was finally promoted. That was virtually 9 years back.
3) What does a typical day resemble for you?
One nice feature of this job is that every day is different. I believe I would go insanego bananas if I had to do the very same thing each and every single day. That being said, there are some constants. I spend a great deal of time going through breakdowns of all the functions that casting directors are checking out actors for. I pitch the stars that are ideal for each function, and get them all the product for their auditions. Once they reserve a job, I work with their lawyers or agents to negotiate, and ensure that they’re getting the finestthe very best deal they can get.
When it comes to my writer customers, it’s entirely different. I work with my writers from the time they have a concept for a brand-new script. I make certain the concept is something viable, which it’s the best type of job they must be writing at that point in their career. Once they have a draft of the script, I dig in and provide very comprehensive notes, frequently doing numerous drafts until the piece of product is in an excellent place. Then, I either take it out to offer the film or tv program, or I use that piece of material to get the author hired on the staff of a tv series.
4) Exactly what are some of the weirdest pitches/requests you get on the task?
I get weird requests all the time. Every day, I get e-mails from random stars I don’t know who send me their headshots, resumes, and a letter as to why I must represent them. I also get e-mails from random writers who inform me about the “remarkable” script they composed, and how I simply have to read it. They usually include a brief synopsis which is almost alwaysusually hilariously bad.
Last year, a female emailed me 2 scripts, however likewise consisted of a video of herself “ranting.” She was bleached blonde and botoxed, and had a lot to state about all the “sluts” and “whores” in her life that she didn’t authorize of. It was a problem, although it did provide about 6 minutes of flinching laughter around the workplace.
I have actually had 10 or 15 of the shortest relationships ever because of this [job], I’m talking 4-5 minutes prior to the entire thing blows up in my face.
Some of the strangest demands come from the people I actually understand. There are a lot of people in Los Angeles who desire to be authors and stars, and living here indicates I meet a lota lots of them. Just last week, I got a message on Twitter from a “writer” who said that he had a script that was “dope,” and that he desired me to represent him. When I asked him exactly what his screenplay was about, his reaction was “it’s dope as fuck.” Being that “dope as fuck” isn’t an actual plot, I asked him again for a brief synopsis, and he replied “heroin, tits, death, etc.” I was baffled, so I attempted as soon as more (mainly for my own amusement) to squeeze something from him, to which he responded “Excellent Gatsby on steroids.” That was when I ended the discussion.
A couple of months ago, a lady I know called me to ask if I ‘d represent her as a writer. I asked exactly what she had written, and she answered: “I haven’t composed anything.” I invested the next 10 minutes discussing to her that it would be impossible for me to work with an author who doesn’t in fact write. I believe that she ultimately comprehended, but I can’t be sure due to the fact that I never ever talked to her once again.
Often I’ll fulfill someone socially, and once they discoverdiscover what I do, they blurt out “you should represent me!” It’s insane due to the fact that I have actually never ever seen or checked out anything they’ve done, which kind of attitude usually turns me off to the idea of desiringwishing to deal with them. As soon as I inform them that I’m not interested, they normally end the conversation. I have actually had 10 or 15 of the quickest friendships ever due to the fact that of this, I’m talking 4-5 minutes prior to the entire thing blows up in my face.
5) If somebody desired to submit work to you, exactly what are some things they definitely SHOULD NOT do?
I get that everybody desires their shot, and I can appreciate that. That being stated, most scripts are horrible … like truly terrible. Before you show your script to somebody, read it! Make certain it is not filled with spelling mistakes. Examine the length, and ensure that it’s composed in the best format. You ‘d be shocked how lots of “writers” really have no idea the best ways to compose.
The more someone brags about how “fucking amazing” or “dope” their script is, the more I presume they have no concept exactly what they’re doing, so perhaps calmcool down with the bragging. Its just too fun to say no to someone who will not stop talking about themselves.
I was at a birthday party a couple of years back, and had a good discussion with a man, so I concurredaccepted read his script. After reading, and disliking it, I nicely passed. For the next two weeks, this guy emailed me constantly and informed me that I “required” to check out another script, which he actually liked me so I “had to work with him.” He could not comprehend that I just didn’t like his horrible material, and I regretted ever providing that my email address. Not everything is best for everybody, and if someone isn’t into your job, simply move on.
When I meet someone who asserts to be an author, I will constantly ask what they write. When I hear “I can compose anything,” I’m already done. I believe that some individuals can write more than one genre, however seriously, learndiscover how to master something before you attemptattempt to take on everything else. It’s much simpler to market an author if I understand how to correctly pitch you. If you’re a funny writer, write funny; do not offer me a half hour comedy and a dark, significant piece about rape, murder, and disease. Any brand-new author who says they can “do it all” generally can’t do anything.
Last year, I got a letter from a man declaring to be a writer/actor/producer/ director who sent me 4 scripts, and connect to 60 episodes of his awful web series; way excessive. In the letter, he described himself as an adorable schlub who’s self-reflexive, ridiculous, giddy, and shockingly self-motivated; I already hated this guy. I didn’t even need to enjoy his awful web series to understand that he had not been talented, but I did anyway, just as a goof. He was less an adorable schlub, and more a bad writer and actor.
There are so lots ofnumerous things that are out of your control when it concerns the movie and television industry. You could be too tall, too brief, too black, too white.
First of all, I do not take unsolicited material. I have enough to handle as it is, and I cannot (and will not) read every dreadful thing that people send me. I usually read things off a suggestion from another customer, or an agent, or attorney, or whatever … someone I trust.
If I’m checking out a prospective customer, I always wantwish to read 2 pieces of product. I requirehave to see that someone is an excellent author, and not just that they have one great script. Who’s to state they could do it again? I always ask individuals to send their 2 finest pieces of metal … so have 2 pieces of product.
Be an excellent writer! I know this is something that’s hard to judge, but there are some things you can check. Is your script the right length? If you are composing a single electronic camera pilot instead of a multi-camera pilot, is it in the right format? Do you have an A and B(and often C) storyline? Are your characters clearly specified? Just make sure that you are not sending something that will check out as insufficient. Many of your good friends will simply inform you that your script is excellent, however many of your buddies are shitheads. Provide it to an individual whose viewpoint you trust, and listen to them when they offer you feedback.
Writing and acting are amazing professions, and careers that can be satisfying artistically and economically, but you need to work hard. There are so numerousmany things that run out your control when it comes to the film and tv market. You could be too tall, too brief, too black, too white; not have enough composing credits, or not have the best piece of material for a particular program, etc. All of those things are out of your control, so ensure that you take care of the stuff within your control 100 %.
Spencer Robinson is a talent and literary supervisor for Art/Work Entertainment. He delights in playing music, watching TELEVISION, and resting. Discover him on Twitter @ 13spencer.