Hollywood Stuff

So about a month ago, I got an email from a guy saying that he’d just come across PARALLAX on Amazon, loved the concept, and wanted to know if the film rights were available. Now I get these types of emails a few times a year; Hollywood and I have flirted a lot over the years, but no one’s ever scored a home run. As a result, I was a bit cynical – especially since someone else had written within the hour to ask the same thing. But I wrote back and we started a dialogue. The guy was going on a cruise and intended to read the book while he was. I prepared to wait.

About a week later, I got an email from Mexico from this same guy saying, “It’s good, Jon. Real good.” He went on to say he wanted to pretty much reach everything I’d written, did I have any scripts I could send him, that sort of thing. He also sent along a bio sheet about himself and the company he helped found in Los Angeles. Being the sometimes cynic that I am, I was still finding this all a bit much, but what the hell, it could turn out to be something…

I sent him 30 pages of a script I’ve been tinkering with over the years. It’s not finished by any means, and to be completely honest, it sort of meanders, because I didn’t really have a clear grasp on the story itself. But it’s fun and I like it.

This past Monday, I get a phone call. It’s him.

Without going into too many details, it is exactly the type of phone call a lot of writers dream of getting. And for someone like me, with all sorts of ambitions beyond writing books, it was rather an amazing conversation. Last night, we spoke again – this time he was in Las Vegas where he lives part time due to the fact that he produces one of the most successful shows out there – and finalized things.

I am very happy to announce that I now have myself a manager. Christopher Pratt of Elements Entertainment will be handling my Hollywood career. Christopher and Elements are a young, aggressive talent management agency and I couldn’t be happier. First up is for me to send over an overview of what I’m working on, what I’ve already done, and what I’d like to do. I have a conference call next week with Christopher and another partner as we lay out a game plan for how they’re going to “introduce” me to Hollywood. This not going to be like what happens with 99.99% of authors who get their stuff optioned and then their work lingers in development Hell for years (no offense to those authors, it’s just that I don’t want to earn a few measly grand every so often from options.) Christopher and Elements have a plan and I’m damned excited about the future.

Apparently, I’ll also probably have more “staff” in the near future – including a Hollywood agent and an entertainment attorney to navigate the vast complexity of film & TV contracts (been needing one of those anyway re: THE FIXER). So things are getting interesting, to say the very least. I’m going to be getting a fantastic education and I can’t wait.

Come along on the ride!

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7 comments

  • Mark Tisdale August 28, 2009  

    I hope this turns out to be exactly what you consider it to be my man. Seriously. Rock it out for all it is worth.

  • Nancy Nordstrom August 28, 2009  

    Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!! Wow! Wow! Wow! All your years of hard work are finally about to pay off in a BIG< BIG way…

  • jonfmerz August 28, 2009  

    Thanks Mark! I intend to, my friend!

    Thanks Mom!

  • Jeremy D Brooks August 28, 2009  

    Exciting news…congrats

  • MerleChloe August 28, 2009  

    Whoooooooooo-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I am so very excited for you Jon. I knew all along that Parallax would make an excellent movie! Remember my cast of characters? (has since changed, btw) This is big time, baby!I will definitely be along for the ride. Have you posted et on twitter?

  • Dave Maciver August 29, 2009  

    Hell, I’ve read pretty much everything you’ve written and it’s all very cinematic. About time this happened 😉 See you on the strip dude!

  • christopher pratt October 23, 2009  

    Hopefully this guy doesn’t turn out to be a total d-bag.

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