Joe Gazzam recently sold his first two scripts, entitled “Scared Straight” and “Straight & Narrow”. He’s currently completing an assignment for Sony to write the film version of the hit TV show “21 Jump Street.” He also sold his first show entitled “Deputized” to the Sci-fi Network.
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October 27, 2008
I thought I should put a quick post up here. I’m going to be taking a break from posting for a little while. However, I will continue to answer any questions any of you have. If you post a reply to any of my blogs, it will trigger an alert to my email. I will always answer those. Thanks!
August 31, 2008
Just a quick blog to say Happy Labor Day and that I should be back shortly. Between the holiday commitments and some work I have to get done asap – I’m a bit slammed to come with any sort of proper blog.
Also, I wanna keep throwing this out every now and then: if any one has any questions or topics they’d like me to talk about – please let me know.
See you all soon.
August 23, 2008
Okay…so I’m becoming obsessed with getting to the next level. As you may or may not know, there are all these invisible levels when you’re a screenwriter. I’m actually NOT an expert on this and undoubtedly have a warped view. BUT, as I see things…the levels are basically as follows…
Level 1 – Risking it all and getting to L.A. Yeah, I know we’re in the internet age and I know there are a million screenwriting contests, but I still think your best bet is to be here in order to get to the next level…
Level 2 – Getting an Agent. Finding someone that knows someone, that knows someone, that knows — an agent. Then, convincing all those people to pass your script along. Then, having the agent love it enough or rather, think that he can sell it – and sign you.
Level 3 – Getting a sale. You get your original script out there and someone buys it! Thus, starting the “meeting machine” where you meet with all sorts of producers and studios execs — making new friends and contacts around town.
Level 4 – Getting an assignment. Using the heat off your sale to get the opportunity to pitch for an assignment. Then, killing the pitch and getting the assignment. At this point, it will won’t be a very high profile assignment AND you’ll have to beat out 100 other writers, cattle call style, for the job…but hey — you’re getting paid to write – POW!
Level 5 – Getting better assignments. Getting projects people have actually heard about. Now, granted, you’re probably up against 5 or so writers and it’s probably been passed over by some A-list guy OR you’re being called in to rewrite a script they aren’t quite pleased with, but — these are still really, really great assignments. A huge step up from level 4.
Level 6 – A shade above level 5. Similar projects, only you are one of the first writers on the project after the A or A minus guys pass. And maybe the project is a notch better than level 5.
Level 7 – This level is a little ambiguous, but this is where your agent stops making outbound calls and starts receiving in-bound calls! This is huge. People either offer you a job outright OR they offer it to you with the provision that its yours if you all agree on a take. In other words, this is your job to lose. If it doesn’t work out, THEN we’ll move on. Normally you need something to happen to get to this level (ie: land a bunch of things at once…have a really huge spec sale…one of your scripts gets made and released and does well, etc. Lots of different ways to get here, none of them easy).
Level 8 – Getting to STACK JOBS. This is the level that makes myself and every other writer in town want to yank their pants down and work themselves over. This is where you get to say “yes” to multiple assignments and…the studios are okay with waiting in line. Much like an actor, you put the assignments in positions of your availability and then work them in that order. In other words, you know what your next 2,3, even 4 jobs are. They are locked and loaded. Pretty sweet.
Level 9 – I don’t know what to call this other than — Nirvana. There aren’t a lot of writers here and they oscillate in and out. This level is for people like David Keopp ( Jurassic Park, Spider Man, War of the Worlds, Mission Impossible, etc). This is where A-list actors and A-list directors come calling. Quite frankly I don’t know how you ever fall out of this level once you’re there, given the sheer amount of variables stacked in your favor (great actors, great directors, giant franchises, best selling novels to adapt, and on and on and on.).
And that’s it! Top of the mountain.
Again, all of this is silly to try and quantify, but this is sort of how I perceive the various levels. But as I said before, I’m getting obsessed with movin’ on up. Specifically to Level 7. And believe it or not – NOT because of the upgrade in paycheck. Yes, I’d love a little more breathing room. I’m entering the “buy a house, have a kid” phase, so I could definitely use the extra scratch.
But it’s really more about: a) getting cool projects b) having to hustle less to get them. The less I have to hustle, the more time I have to write, which truly makes me happy.
My agents are ecstatic about my career is and it’s current trajectory, so I’m definitely thankful for how things are going. When I think that I came out here not that long ago never having visited California and not knowing a single soul – things have gone pretty good.
But I wouldn’t mind movin’ another level up!!
August 16, 2008
One more quick announcement… THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER ARTICLE. Still recovering from the vacation, trying to get everything in order. Will promise to get back in the swing of things here on FIB. Truth be told, I envy the anonymous bloggers on the board. I’d love to have the freedom to unload the way they do. Be sure to check them out!
August 12, 2008
Just a short post to let you guys know that…I’m back! After a sweltering trip to the Florida Keys where I lost approximately 50 pounds in water weight – it’s back to the ol’ grindstone.
I got a small piece of good news while I was out…
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i7208006e0cd8646940a78734a60b592d
Will let you guys know how that pans out. Thanks for all the support and as usual, if you have any specific questions, I’ll do my best to answer!
