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A common question execs get asked is "What's trending in the marketplace?" - this is often a misunderstood and misleading question. While writers would love to believe there is a magical "You should do this and it'll sell" answer, the truth isn’t so simple. With their first co-hosted webinar a resounding success, Joe Russo and Chris Deckard are back again, this time discussing the misconception of a magic bullet (Hint: good writing is always the key!). Chasing trends can be a frustrating exercise in a constantly changing marketplace, but there are achievable alternatives upon which writers can focus for success.
Writers suffer from many disappointments and setbacks but this is often a necessary part of the process. In addition to revealing the truth behind magic bullet myths, Chris and Joe will use real live examples from their own careers of times when things didn't go their way and they had to break it down and rebuild from scratch.
This 90-Min. Webinar Will Cover:
- Examples of how successful writers and execs actually use market trends to their advantage
- The importance of watching movies/pilots that are similar to yours
- How to think beyond and capture attention for yourself
- What to do to set yourself up for a sustainable career
Prior to co-founding the management/production company Fictional Entity in early 2017, Chris Deckard spent over seven years working with and representing talent at the major agencies ICM Partners and WME. While at WME, Chris worked in the media rights department, selling books for series and film adaptations before moving into the talent department, where he worked closely with high level actors in film, television, and the then-emerging digital space. While at ICM Partners, he again worked with high level actors and worked closely with the packaging and sales department and the digital media group. For over a decade, Chris has worked closely with traditional and new media buyers to find and develop content for domestic and international audiences. In addition to helping cast and package numerous features and series, he has evaluated thousands of scripts for actors and directors. Chris graduated from Cornell University and earned his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School.
Chris helps his clients navigate the evolving entertainment landscape in the United States and abroad. He has negotiated deals for features, series, and podcasts in several international territories. His clients have been named to The Black List, The Hit List, The Young & Hungry List, The Blood List and been lauded by the PAGE Awards, the International Emmys, and The GLAAD Awards. Clients have also earned nominations and placements from The Heath Ledger Scholarship, The Academy Nicholl Screenwriting Awards, the AWG, ADG, SPA, and AACTA. Clients have written, directed, starred, and produced in numerous formats, including features, TV, virtual reality, and podcasts, independently and for companies like Netflix, Lucasfilm, NBCUniversal, Legendary, Marvel, Fremantle, SyFy, the CW, Warner Bros., Amazon, Blumhouse, Hulu, XYZ, The BBC, Comedy Central, the ABC Australia, Foxtel, TruTV, Super Deluxe, Hallmark, Lifetime, CBS, Facebook, E!, and MSNBC.
Several of Chris’ clients had films shoot in 2021, including one for Netflix, and another which sold to XYZ Films, both of which are slated for 2022 release. Within the past year, clients have sold series to Amazon, Netflix, eOne, and Hulu. Chris, along with his business partner, is also an Executive Producer on a scripted series project alongside two writing EPs from New Amsterdam which sold to Universal Television in 2021.
Joe Russo is a three-time BloodList screenwriter whose feature film credits include the Peyton List and Bob Gunton starring horror film, THE INHERITANCE (#3 movie on Hulu, Christmas 2024), the Bruce Willis-starring HARD KILL (#2 movie on Netflix, Thanksgiving 2020), the Ryan Phillippe, Ving Rhames and Kate Bosworth-starring THE LOCKSMITH, the Neal McDonough-starring SOUL MATES and the Lifetime thriller THE AU PAIR NIGHTMARE.
As a producer, Russo’s feature credits include the Mickey Rourke-starring horror anthology NIGHTMARE CINEMA (#2 movie on Shudder, 2019) and the Zac Efron and Russell Crowe-starring THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER for Apple TV+, which premiered at The Toronto International Film Festival. In the podcast space, Russo produced seven seasons of the award-winning horror series POST MORTEM WITH MICK GARRIS.
Chris is one of my FAVE execs! He was professional, kind, truthful, helpful, and encouraging. He offered suggestions for elements that did not work so well and kudos for those that did. He provided detailed feedback that helped me have options going forward and encouraged me to submit an improved script for a longer feedback session. He was interested in my project from a perspective of helping me be a better writer vs. just trying to get through the meeting and move on. I appreciated his manner and excellent tips and I will definitely be seeking his feedback in the future. I HIGHLY recommend him!
~ Anonymous Screenwriter
Chris is truly terrific: organized, concise, knowledgeable, and full of good advice always. His guidance really helped me get my portfolio ready for prime time!
~ Michael Conniff, Screenwriter
I've never met someone who knows story as well as Chris. His insights into the state of my writing and useful suggestions are backed up by his expansive knowledge of film. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor.
~ David Karner, Screenwriter
Questions?
If you have any questions or any trouble accessing the recording, email our Director of Education Alexandra Davies at alex@roadmapwriters.com!