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We. Love. These. Successes.
We love all the success stories from our writers coming out of our Career Writer Program who are CRUSHING it.
Our Career Writer Program is a one-of-a-kind online Tiered program guiding writers through pitching and marketing with a bevy of working executives. The pinnacle of this 4-Tiered program is our Top Tier Program (where most of our success stories come from).
Congratulations to Top Tier Writer, Jess Carson, who built relationships through the Career Writer Program that led her to get hired to write an Off Broadway musical, get signed to Echo Lake Entertainment, get signed to WME, to getting staffed on the hit series THE FLASH this week!
Here is an interview we did with Jess's manager, Kegan Schell from Echo Lake Entertainment. We hope this inspires you!
1) What about the script and meeting drew you to want to work with Jess?
The script hit all the notes for me, it was relevant, emotional and had real characters. But more importantly when I met with Jess we were very much on the same page creatively and personally. There was just that connection that is absolutely necessary for me to sign someone.
2) What tips would you have for writers wanting to get staffed? Should they write specs of existing series, write a couple of original pilots in the same genre, write different genres, etc?
Original pilots only. I hate to be that guy, but no one is going to staff you on a spec script anymore. And write a pilot that you can bring your authentic experience to. We are in an age of authenticity in writing, so write about experiences you can speak to. Then staffing is more complicated than just having the right script, it’s working with the right reps who understand what you want to be doing and having meetings with current and development executives in the buildup to staffing season. It’s also understanding that staffing will take time and being patient with that, it’s unlikely that you’ll staff right away, you need to build a network of relationships in that world first.
3) When a writer gets staffed, what advice would you give them to thrive in a writer's room?
Check your ego at the door and go in willing to learn and WORK. Eager is good, but remember that this is your first gig and you can stand to learn from all the more experienced writers in the room. Gauge the room and get a sense of things before you start pitching and whatnot.
4) What should writers know for when they prepare for a staffing meeting/interview, and how it's different than when they are trying to get optioned?
Go in having done your homework and ready with ideas for the show if you are asked for them. Again, be humble and ready to listen as well, you can learn a lot from just sitting down with them. When you’re going in with interest in your script, you’re going in more to pitch your project. With staffing you’re going in to pitch yourself.
5) What advice would you give a writer to have the best manager/client relationship?
Be ready to collaborate and be open with your reps. And for the love of God, take notes, that’s what we’re here for. Also, don’t believe what you read on deadline – most of that intel is months old by the time it gets published.