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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.
Producer/writer/director Joe Russo has been recognized for his work with writers, developing many acclaimed screenplays over the last several years — including his own — which have been selected by film and television executives for the Young & Hungry List, The Blood List, The Hit List, and The Black List.
As a producer, Russo has several upcoming projects in development, including the “HULK HOGAN” biopic at Netflix starring Chris Hemsworth from Academy Award Nominee Todd Phillips (JOKER). His Netflix horror movie, THE INHERITANCE, is currently in post-production.
In 2023, Russo Executive Produced two movies he wrote on, SOUL MATES, starring Neal McDonough, and THE LOCKSMITH, starring Ryan Phillippe, Kate Bosworth and Ving Rhames.
In 2022, Russo was an Associate Producer on Skydance's THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER, which was directed by Peter Farrelly, and starring Russell Crowe and Zac Efron. The movie made its debut at The Toronto International Film Festival before topping the charts on Apple TV+.
In 2020, Joe's feature directorial debut, THE AU PAIR NIGHTMARE, an independent thriller which he co-wrote, debuted on Lifetime as their Sunday Night Movie of the Week. Joe's action screenplay, HARD KILL, starring Bruce Willis, from the Academy Award nominated producers of THE IRISHMAN, Emmett Furla Oasis, charted at the top of Netflix's Top 10, reaching #1 in the UK and #2 in the United States over the Thanksgiving holiday.
In 2019, Joe produced the Shudder horror anthology feature NIGHTMARE CINEMA starring Mickey Rourke (THE WRESTLER), with segments directed by acclaimed filmmakers like Joe Dante (GREMLINS), David Slade (HARD CANDY) and more. The Certified Fresh horror film was the second most-watched movie debut on Shudder in 2019, nominated for Best Limited Release by Fangoria Magazine and selected by Entertainment Weekly as one of "2019’s Best Horror Films”.
Joe began his career at Level 1 Entertainment under producer Bill Todman, Jr. (X-MEN, WILD WILD WEST), working his way up to Director of Development, where he managed a slate of feature films and television series, working hand-in-hand with major motion picture studios and television networks such as Fox, MGM, Showtime, SyFy, History and Amazon. Joe then served as a Development Consultant for Christina Aguilera and Matthew Rutler’s MX Productions, advising the company on their feature film division and their first-look television deal with Lionsgate Entertainment, where they produced the pilot TRACKS for Spike TV.
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!