“You’ve helped more aspiring artists than you can possibly know”
Love getting emails like this:
Scott,
First, I want to say that I’ve been following your blog for a few years now, and I really can’t express in an email how much it’s meant to me. Of course, you post a tremendous amount of insight and information, without which I and other writers would be lost. There’s also a celebration of movies and creativity unlike any other blog out there. And, most importantly, there’s the motivation you’re continually doling out to us hungry dreamers.
And speaking of dreams, my first produced screenplay is currently in post-production! I’m riding on cloud nine. I was on-set for rehearsals, scouting, and shooting, and it was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life.
Here’s the trailer:
I’ve been writing for a few years now and, like any writer, have had lots of ups and downs. The very first screenplay I ever wrote attracted an Oscar-winning producer who attached himself to it, and for a while we had an A-list director flirting with the project. It made for an amazing intro to the industry, but also for some very hard lessons in the reality of the business when the project never panned out. After having several other scripts in development with indie directors, and watching them fall through, I parted ways with my manager, who I felt wasn’t right for me, and struck out to find greener pastures. Since that moment, I got the assignment for this film (The Circle), landed another job with a production company, and have done work with several established directors. And, I still don’t have an agent or manager (I might if I had the time to write specs, but it’s all assignment work right now).
I hope my story can help motivate other writers like your interview series motivates me. I’d love to share my (still very nascent) career path.
Again, thank you so much for everything you do. People like you, John August, and Craig Mazin ARE my screenwriting mentors, and the best teachers I could ever have asked for.
Best,
Ben Jacoby
There are a million ways to break into the business. Low-budget horror genre is hot right now, so it is a great area to exploit. Just like Ben has done.
More information on the project:
Screenplay by Ben Jacoby, story by Tripp Rhame.
In a subsequent email, Ben said this:
Thanks so much for everything. You’ve helped more aspiring artists than you can possibly know.
It’s notes like this that keep me and this ol’ blog going!
Good luck, Ben!
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