Blacklisted John Zaozirny
Nov 18, 2024
John Zaozirny, founder of Bellevue Productions, shares his wealth of knowledge as a literary manager. He discusses his transition from producer to manager and highlights standout projects like 'Chris Day.' Zaozirny offers valuable insights into selecting impactful biopics and the importance of networking for novice writers. He also delves into the challenges of balancing reading deadlines and personal commitments, alongside the unique world of 'stunt specs' in screenwriting. His journey reflects the evolving landscape of the film industry and the significance of originality.
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Launching as Producer with Chris Day
- Ian Shaw's script "Chris Day" launched John Zaozirny as a producer and marked his transition to manager.
- The project was set up at Warner Brothers and appeared on the Blacklist, showing early success.
Blonde Ambition's Surprising Success
- "Blonde Ambition," written by John's wife, was a stunt spec that topped the 2016 Blacklist.
- Though initially seen as unsellable, it later sold to Universal, surpassing expectations.
Blacklist Boosts Deal Leverage
- Being number one on the Blacklist boosts leverage and dealers' confidence in a script.
- While it might not cause a sale, it makes deals sweeter and increases faith in the project.