by Carissa Pritchard
In my 20’s, my weekends were spent at the cinema in Melbourne, but the most fabulous thing was not the films – rather the free broadsheet, called FilmInk. A decade later, I got the chance to write for the (now glossy) magazine – and dared dream even bigger – perhaps I too could become a Hollywood Screenwriter. But unlike the dream pitched by every screenwriting system selling you something; landing a Hollywood manager is not your ticket to a screenwriting career; it’s only the beginning. If you’re not prepared, you’ll come off green (aka not ready), and lose your shot – so here’s what you really need to know on the road to representation.
First, you need to understand the Hollywood business landscape. It only appears prohibitive because you don’t get the context – no one on the inside has ever explained it empathetically. You’re not shut out because you’re a worthless pleb who dare not ask the almighty to scan your script. It’s simply about time; no one has any. Ok, I’ll clarify – no one relevant has any; from the YouTuber who sold a screenplay twenty years ago; to the ultra-slick icons teaching MASTERCLASS; they’re both irrelevant to where you’re at. You need a real live manager working at a top Hollywood agency. Someone current and connected. How do you get this person’s time? You can’t. I already told you that. But luckily for you I did – and I’m going to share my good fortune with you.
Backstory – after doing what my parents wanted (getting a sensible degree), I followed my passion for screenwriting: took amazing short courses at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, smoked too many ciggys with Robert McKee at his travelling roadshow – the Story seminar, moved to Sydney, kicked off a Masters of Writing at Swinburne Uni, landed an internship at FilmInk, penned a couple of screenplays, had a kid, and finally, in my 40’s, placed in the Stage 32 feature screenwriting competition. Yes, you read that right – that’s how long it takes when you know jack about the industry, or more accurately, no-one in it.
I heard it was down to me and another guy; his script was more commercial (never heard that before). But like a good second act turning point, one of the judges, Zach Cox; Manager at Circle, asked to meet me. One problem – I’m in Sydney. No problem – he can Zoom from LA. Second problem – I’m not 25. Can you Snapchat filter a Zoom meeting?
Cut to: Zoom with Zach. It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. The former, because I never knew such a sweet, intelligent, family man, with a genuine respect for writers existed. The latter? Same reason. I wish I’d met him 20 years ago; under his care and guidance I’d be Shonda Rhimes right now. Darn it.
Over the next year I attempted everything he asked, but ironically, after decades of having to support myself working in the corporate world, I got really good at my day job. Plus, I have a teenage daughter now (Cheer is freakin expensive). I no longer have the time nor the luxury to intern as a screenwriter. I had to accept the opportunity came too late for this life. Was I bitter? Heck yeah. What to do about it? Sulk for a while.
But screenwriters know there’s always a death at the bottom of the second act, where one must transform their experience into the ultimate character arc. So, I asked Zach if he ever thought about teaching the Art of Getting Repped.
Yes! He loved speaking at events and wished he had the platform to help more writers in his spare time – which is miniscule. Whenever I get an email from Zach it’s around 2:30am LA time. Not a typo – I do mean the early hours of the morning – after he’s answered the day’s 423 emails in descending order: A-listers to Aspirationals.
Here’s what we decided – Zach and I will create an online course by Zoom chatting through three key topics; how to get read; get prepped and get repped – summarising succinctly what took me 20 years to figure out. Plus, we welcome your input. If you pre-order the course by March 3, you’re allowed to submit some questions. What advice would you ask a Hollywood Manager? If they’re good enough (the answers benefit all writers), Zach will discuss your thoughts and thank you in the credits.
WARNING: This is not a quick-fix free ride. Zach is not going to read your script, let alone rep you just because you bought the course. You still must earn your stripes, get good coverage, and wait in line. But we will enable the most efficient method by sharing our contacts, who provide professional, respectable resources.
Ultimately, if you trust the process, and do what he says, Zach will put you on the road to representation.
Pre-order the online course and send your question to Zach at REPPED.
