Reading Between the Lines
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As anyone who’s lived in this town for more than a few weeks should know, screenwriting isn’t a job for the timid or weak-hearted. A large part of the profession involves sitting still for countless hours, charting the perfect character arc while navigating past hackneyed plot twists toward that elusive brass ring--originally. But an equally significant part of the writer’s job is deciphering the subtext found in the ubiquitous meetings with producers, studio executives and agents. This subtext (though some cynics out there might venture to call it “duplicity”) comes directly from the absurd discrepancy between what is said and what is actually meant. To help maneuver through these potential minefields--should you be seriously considering a move into this highly unpredictable, excruciatingly masochistic yet rarely dull field of employ--here is a mini-lexicon.
The Producer
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Aug. 22, 1998 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday August 22, 1998 Home Edition Calendar Part F Page 14 Entertainment Desk 1 inches; 21 words Type of Material: Correction
Author’s name--The name of the author of the Reading Between the Lines chart in Friday’s Calendar section was misspelled. His name is Rick Nahmias.
WHAT THEY SAY: “I’m absolutely passionate about this piece.”
WHAT THEY MEAN: So, how about that free option?
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WHAT THEY SAY: “I really want to be in business with you.”
WHAT THEY MEAN: Scale +10%
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WHAT THEY SAY: “This one’s my baby . . . “
WHAT THEY MEAN: . . . along with my 22 other projects.
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WHAT THEY SAY: “This really is a passion piece.”
WHAT THEY MEAN: It’ll never get made.
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WHAT THEY SAY: “It’s got a great European sensibility.”
WHAT THEY MEAN: Why are you wasting my time with this dreck?
The Studio Executive
WHAT THEY SAY: “Sounds great. Let me run it by my team.”
WHAT THEY MEAN: Don’t call us, we’ll call you.
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WHAT THEY SAY: “I read your sample and think you’re amazingly talented . . . “
WHAT THEY MEAN: What was your name again?
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WHAT THEY SAY: “So, what’s the one-sheet?”
WHAT THEY MEAN: If there’s no merchandising, you can stop here and save us both some time.
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WHAT THEY SAY: “It’s a win-win situation . . . “
WHAT THEY MEAN: . . . and our final offer.
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WHAT THEY SAY: “Sounds like something perfect for Showtime.”
WHAT THEY MEAN: What part of “big and sexy” didn’t you understand?
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WHAT THEY SAY: “What’s the third act?”
WHAT THEY MEAN: Is there any franchise potential?
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WHAT THEY SAY: “We’re gonna fast-track this.”
WHAT THEY MEAN: You’ll see a contract in three months, and maybe a check in six.
And, Finally, the Agent . . .
WHAT THEY SAY: “This’ll make a great writing sample . . . “
WHAT THEY MEAN: . . . cause it’ll never sell.
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WHAT THEY SAY: “He’s just breaking.”
WHAT THEY MEAN: He hasn’t made a dime yet.
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WHAT THEY SAY: “They absolutely loved the writing . . . “
WHAT THEY MEAN: They passed.
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WHAT THEY SAY: “We’ve still got calls in to . . . “
WHAT THEY MEAN: No one’s biting.
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WHAT THEY SAY: “We’re going really wide with this one.”
WHAT THEY MEAN: This one better sell or you can start looking for new representation.
Illustrations by ROB HERNANDEZ / Los Angeles Times
