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Conflicted about an amazing potential opportunity.

Siro said:
But here's the problem; I would have to leave a great job and uproot my life knowing that there is a chance none of this will work. The studio can simply drop the show if they don't like the pilot. Or they can cancel it a couple of episodes in for a million different reasons. Also, it will be a number of months before this unfolds, so it is several months without work. (which would be fine if it eventually works out, but makes things worse if it doesn't).
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What kind of windfall would your buddies get if the show worked?
 
Duck Rodgers said:
What kind of windfall would your buddies get if the show worked?
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Mike would be the executive producer and he would get a big chunk of the profit. David would also join the writing team and probably direct a couple of episodes. They would both make a lot more than me.
 
Siro said:
Mike would be the executive producer and he would get a big chunk of the profit. David would also join the writing team and probably direct a couple of episodes. They would both make a lot more than me.
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I'm convinced. Do it!
 
Siro said:
Mike would be the executive producer and he would get a big chunk of the profit. David would also join the writing team and probably direct a couple of episodes. They would both make a lot more than me.
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That's what I figured. I say go for it either way, but it kind of seems like they should be propping you up(even if you don't need it) during those uncertain months. But I don't know all the dynamics of the friendships and whatnot so maybe it's not worth bringing up and just be thankful for the opportunity.
 
Siro said:
I have a close friend who lives in L.A. and works in showbiz (directing commercials). Let's call him David. He was having lunch with a fairly well-known TV director (let's call him Mike), who also makes the occasional movie, when Mike told David that he was approached by Universal Studios who were looking for sci-fi ideas for next year's fall lineup. David, who knows that I'm a science geek with over a thousand sci-fi novels read, instantly gave me a call.

I am very excited to help, and I spend a few hours writing down some thoughts on a sci-fi idea that I've had for a long time. David loves it, and he passes it on to Mike, who then calls me personally, and tells me that the idea "blows his mind", and that he wants to work with me and David to develop an outline for a pitch, hopefully in August. He says that if the studio is interested, then he'd like to bring me on as a writer for the pilot, initially, and the rest of the series if it's picked.

Which leaves me in a dilemma. I obviously want to do this. For one, it is an amazing idea. Not to toot my horn, but it is far better than any of the sci-fi drivel they usually put on TV. So if it's picked up, I don't want it butchered by TV writers who will dumb it down out of disdain for their audience. Secondly, the money is INCREDIBLE. I'd be making ~$250k for a few months of work every year.

But here's the problem; I would have to leave a great job and uproot my life knowing that there is a chance none of this will work. The studio can simply drop the show if they don't like the pilot. Or they can cancel it a couple of episodes in for a million different reasons. Also, it will be a number of months before this unfolds, so it is several months without work. (which would be fine if it eventually works out, but makes things worse if it doesn't).

Currently, I am leaning toward taking the risk. If it doesn't work out, I can always look for another job elsewhere. But that would suck, really. I have a good and comfortable situation here.

Of course, this is all based on the hope that the studio executives give the pitch the green light. They may just say "oh, we have no interest in this garbage", making this whole discussion moot.

But assuming it does work out, what do you people think I should do?
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Cool mate! Have you thought of noveling?
 
You're single, right? Or at least no kids? If that's the case, it's a no brainer. You'll likely regret it the rest of your life if you don't.



Damn, I need more sleep.
 
Siro said:
I have a close friend who lives in L.A. and works in showbiz (directing commercials). Let's call him David. He was having lunch with a fairly well-known TV director (let's call him Mike), who also makes the occasional movie, when Mike told David that he was approached by Universal Studios who were looking for sci-fi ideas for next year's fall lineup. David, who knows that I'm a science geek with over a thousand sci-fi novels read, instantly gave me a call.

I am very excited to help, and I spend a few hours writing down some thoughts on a sci-fi idea that I've had for a long time. David loves it, and he passes it on to Mike, who then calls me personally, and tells me that the idea "blows his mind", and that he wants to work with me and David to develop an outline for a pitch, hopefully in August. He says that if the studio is interested, then he'd like to bring me on as a writer for the pilot, initially, and the rest of the series if it's picked.

Which leaves me in a dilemma. I obviously want to do this. For one, it is an amazing idea. Not to toot my horn, but it is far better than any of the sci-fi drivel they usually put on TV. So if it's picked up, I don't want it butchered by TV writers who will dumb it down out of disdain for their audience. Secondly, the money is INCREDIBLE. I'd be making ~$250k for a few months of work every year.

But here's the problem; I would have to leave a great job and uproot my life knowing that there is a chance none of this will work. The studio can simply drop the show if they don't like the pilot. Or they can cancel it a couple of episodes in for a million different reasons. Also, it will be a number of months before this unfolds, so it is several months without work. (which would be fine if it eventually works out, but makes things worse if it doesn't).

Currently, I am leaning toward taking the risk. If it doesn't work out, I can always look for another job elsewhere. But that would suck, really. I have a good and comfortable situation here.

Of course, this is all based on the hope that the studio executives give the pitch the green light. They may just say "oh, we have no interest in this garbage", making this whole discussion moot.

But assuming it does work out, what do you people think I should do?
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As you know, I've been impressed with your knowledge and unique perspective regarding science for a long time. It doesn't surprise me that you have an idea that would blow these guys away. I don't know a lot about your life, but my impression is that you are at a stage where you don't have a ton of obligations tying you down. If that's the case then I think you should give serious consideration to the LA idea. If you don't take this chance, how are you going to feel about having passed on it ten years from now?

You're right that the Hollywood thing is a big risk, though. I've got personal experience with this that I'd be happy to share if you think it would be helpful.
 
You can't not do it

I don't think you should throw a fit about creative control. Stand up for your ideas but you should be flexible. If you want creative control you can always publish your stuff on Jazzfanz(no swears).
 
I'm a huge sci-fi fan but hate that most of it on TV and in movies is way dumbed down. I want hard sci-fi. I can deal with plenty of fantastic stuff as long as there was a solid foundation laid for it.

I want to see the show. I have enough confidence in you that I would regret not being able to see it.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I'm going to do it. Hopefully we can get a meeting as soon as next month, and we'll see where we go from there. It is such an opportunity, and I'm in a unique position to take it. I have no wife, no kids, and the only thing I'd lose is my job. **** it. I lost my job last year when the company I worked with went out of business, and it took me a month to find a comparable job. I don't know if it's the excitement, but I now feel that it's a no-brainer.

I'll keep you all updated. :D
 
Siro said:
Thanks for all the responses. I'm going to do it. Hopefully we can get a meeting as soon as next month, and we'll see where we go from there. It is such an opportunity, and I'm in a unique position to take it. I have no wife, no kids, and the only thing I'd lose is my job. **** it. I lost my job last year when the company I worked with went out of business, and it took me a month to find a comparable job. I don't know if it's the excitement, but I now feel that it's a no-brainer.

I'll keep you all updated. :D
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I know SLCPunk is in the Hollywood writing business (I think he is a writer?). He never post on here anymore though.
 
Siro said:
...It is such an opportunity, and I'm in a unique position to take it. I have no wife, no kids, and the only thing I'd lose is my job. **** it. I lost my job last year when the company I worked with went out of business, and it took me a month to find a comparable job. I don't know if it's the excitement, but I now feel that it's a no-brainer.

I'll keep you all updated. :D
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Agree most definitely, especially given your current situation.

Why not join the "gig" economy at this point in your life? Who knows where it may take you.

Very exciting.
 
Super super proud of you (even tho I don't know u) for getting an opportunity like this-- and you're absolutely making the right decision.


Taking the jump and it backfiring on you only really hurts if you were oblivious to the risks you took when you made the decision. It seems like you're conscious of the downsides to taking the risks & I think it'll make it MUCH easier to cope if everything goes wrong.


Take the risk. This is what life is all about. Sometimes you scuff your knees, sometimes you nail the lottery :) we all got faith in you
 
King Cy said:
I know SLCPunk is in the Hollywood writing business (I think he is a writer?). He never post on here anymore though.
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He is. JazzPunkRocker Used to be his name. I'd try to tag him if I knew how to do it
 
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