In the room where it happens
Thanks to my agent I got into the room with the man who wanted to turn the historical novel “The Coffee Trader” into a film.
I knew it was early days and that I was nowhere near assured of getting the gig to write the screenplay adaptation of “The Coffee Trader.” Other writers were in the running, of course, but, thanks to Julian, I got my shot at making a – hopefully – at least half-decent impression that would be good enough for the producer to consider me. Next step would then be for me and whatever other writers to pen a proposal.
The producer and I met for the first time in June 2005. It was an excellent meeting where we essentially sniffed each other. He shared his vision and ideas, and I gave me my two cents after reading the novel. We both saw the same strengths and weaknesses of the story and were agreed that a great deal of cutting, shifting, shortening, merging, morphing and melding would be required. All in all, this was first meet-up was superficial – as such meetings should be.
I’ve often told beginning writers (who are terrified even at the prospect of such meetings) that such meetings with producers are not about the pitch, but about them. These meetings are about human beings gauging, getting a sense of the other, trying to find commonalities, trying to figure out whether or not they would like to work with that person for an extended period of time. The business of making films is crazy and forever volatile. The development period of most films is anywhere between three years and decades and so you really want to make sure (in as much as you can), that your collaborators on that development journey are people you actually like, people you get along with, people you’d like to hang out with, people who laugh at the same stuff – if you have that foundation, chances are that you will support each other during the inevitable challenges that will keep on coming. If there’s bad chemistry to begin with, my advice will always be to walk away.
Anyway – we definitely had good chemistry and the initial stages of our collaboration were entirely fruitful and joyous. When things got challenging, the difficulties arose from unexpected places… but more on that later! I wrote my agent, “Excellent meeting, good vibes, I imagine I could get along very well with him on a long-term project such as this.” During our meeting the producer mentioned that he was having meetings with other writers as well (as expected), but I came away from out talk with a sense that the odds of me having a shot were improving. Before the meeting, I was just an unknown writer, now there was a strong sense of connection. So far, so good!
Next step was a small contract to deliver a proposal. Same as the other writers, my job was to deliver my pitch, my vision of what exactly I would do. I’ve learned that these are great moments in time for writers. The worst thing you can do at this stage is to play it safe. The proposal is the moment when you take a stand, where you make strong choices, where you take risks. That’ll guarantee that you deliver something with impact, something you can be proud of. At the same time, of course, it risks that any of your strong choices will rub the producer the wrong way – and there goes your chance. But your job is not to be diplomatic, to be mediocre, to offend and affect no one, it is to deliver your best pitch possible.
Yes, sometimes that leads to losing a gig. But the life of a professional screenwriter is not about that gig, it is about the life of a professional screenwriter, it is about relationships and the many gigs that will and will not materialize along the way. Delivering a powerful pitch that doesn’t work for a producer is not a fail, it just means you won’t get that gig. But you’ll remain in good standing with that producer. They will remember your pitch, your choices, your strength of voice – and they’ll consider you, because of it, for something else somewhere down the road.
When I write about my odyssey of “The Coffee Trader” next time, I’ll share the proposal that landed me the gig. Stay tuned. And if you’d like to read the final script right away - be my guest!
